I was so curious the next morning to see whether the slaves had run
away, that I crept down soon after daybreak, and a curious feeling of
vexation came over me as I saw that the door of the big shed was open.
"They're gone," I said, and ran back and down to the landing-place, to
see if they had taken to the boat.
But there it was, all safe, and I drew back and stood watching as I
caught sight of a droll-looking object, so busy that he had not noticed
me; for about forty yards away there was the boy, coating himself all
over with the soft yellow mud he scooped up from the stream, where he
stood about up to his knees, rubbing it well, and not forgetting his
woolly head, just as I might have used soap.
The appearance of the boy was so comical that I could hardly keep back a
laugh. But I refrained, and watched him earnestly at work for a few
minutes, before throwing himself down, and sluicing off the thin mud,
his black skin appearing once more, and ending by diving out into deep
water, and beginning to swim with an ease that I envied.
This went on for about ten minutes, when he came out dripping, gave
himself a shake, and then catching sight of me, ran up the bank and as
hard as he could go for the shed.
I followed, and on reaching it found that the boy was not visible,
having probably hidden himself among the corn-stalks, while his
companion lay sleeping heavily--a great savage-looking black.
I came away without closing the door, thinking of my father's words; and
I'm afraid with something of the same thoughts as I should have had
about some of the wild creatures I had before tried to tame, I began to
long for the coming down of Mrs Morgan to prepare breakfast, meaning to
get from her a good bowl of the Indian corn porridge that she regularly
prepared.
As it happened she was extra early that morning; and as soon as I had
proffered my request, she informed me rather tartly that she knew all
about it, for the master had given her orders the night before.
By the time it was ready and cooling, my father was down.
"That for the blacks?" he said, as he saw the bowl I was taking to the
shed.
"Yes," I said; and I told him about what I had seen.
"Poor fellow! I am not surprised," he said. "What can be more horrible
than the way in which they were confined?"
The man was awake, and on our entering the dim shed he made an effort to
rise, but fell back helplessly, and lay gazing at us in a half fierce,
half sullen way, not changing his aspect as my father felt his pulse,
and laid his hand upon his head.
"Hah! That's better," said my father; "less fever. If he can eat, it
is only a question of time. Where is the boy?"
We looked round, but he was invisible.
"Call the boy," said my father, looking hard at the man, and pointing to
the food; but there was no sign of being understood, and my father
turned to me. "Set the bowl down," he said. "They will get used to us
in time."
I followed him out, and we went in to our breakfast, where the position
was pretty well discussed.
"Let them be, poor wretches," said my father at last. "By and by,
perhaps, they will find out that all white people do not mean evil by
them. It is very unfortunate, and I had made a vow that I would never
have a slave, and here I am with two of my own purchasing."
As soon as I could get away, I hurried off to the shed to hear a quick
rustling sound as I neared the door, and I got to the opening time
enough to see some of the corn-stalks in motion, betraying where the boy
had rushed off to on hearing my steps.
I did not make a rush after him, for fear of making him more wild, but
took up the bowl to find it empty, and I looked at our invalid and
laughed. But he made no sign, only gazed at me with the same weary
sullen look, and I went away feeling a little disheartened.
"Hullo, Master George, been to see my deppyties?" said Morgan. "I was
just going to look at 'em. That big black isn't going to die, is he?"