Part 24 (1/2)
”We belong to a party of gunners up here,” replied Dan, boldly; for he was determined to make the most of the circ.u.mstances.
”Where be they?”
”Up to Chicot--about ten miles from here.”
”Ha, ha, ha!” laughed Longworth, glancing at his companion. ”That's a good story, but it won't go down.”
”You open your mouth wide enough to take any thing down,” answered Dan, smartly.
”Can't swallow that story, no how,” said the overseer. ”But who's that boy with you?”
”None of your business. I don't make stories for you to laugh at.”
”Yes, you do, my boy. But you needn't row any furder. We want ye both.”
”You can't have us.”
”We'll see about that,” added the man, as he raised his fowling piece.
”No use,--'tain't loaded,” snarled the other man in the boat.
”Mine is,” replied Dan, elevating the piece.
Longworth cursed his companion for the revelation he had made, and proceeded to load the gun. In the mean time Dan dropped his piece, and began to pull again.
”Stop, now. I don't want to destroy val'able property with this yere iron, but I must if you don't stop,” continued the overseer, as he finished loading his gun.
”Perhaps I can destroy as much valuable property as you can,” said Dan, as he took his fowling piece again.
”You must come with me. I know that n.i.g.g.e.r in the boat with you, and I reckon you belong to Colonel Raybone.”
”I, you villain! How dare you insult me? I am a free white man.”
”Perhaps you be, but you've been advertised enough to let any man in these yere parts know you. That n.i.g.g.e.r belongs to my neighbor. If you've a mind to come in quietly, I'll see you let off without any whippin.”
”I have no mind to come in, either quietly or otherwise,” replied Dan.
”Then the wust's your own;” and Longworth fired.
The ball whistled within a few feet of Dan's head; but, unterrified by the peril, he raised his gun and fired.
”I'm hit!” groaned Longworth, as he sank down into the boat.
The other man in the boat with Longworth took the gun, loaded it, and fired. At that moment Dan had stooped down to pick up his shot-pouch, and Quin being the more prominent party in the bateau, the other man fired at him.
”De Lo'd sabe me!” groaned Quin, as he placed both hands on his chest.
Dan was ready to fire again; but, to his astonishment, he saw the man who had shot his companion seize the oars and pull away from the spot as fast as he could.