"Now is the time," he said to Alice, as they stood talking together of

Hugh, and wondering if he were safe. "Something tell me Massah Hugh is

hurted somewhar, and I'se gwine to find him. I knows all de way, an'

every tree around dat place. I can hide from de 'Federacy. Dem Rebels

let ole white-har'd nigger look for young massah, and I'se gwine. P'raps

I not find him, but I does somebody some good. I helps somebody's Massah

Hugh."

It seemed a crazy project, letting that old man start off on so strange

an errand, but Sam was determined.

He had a "'sentiment," as he said, that Hugh was wounded, and he must go

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to him.

In his presentiment Alice had no faith; but she did not oppose him, and

at parting she said to him, hesitatingly: "Sam, if you do find your master wounded, and you think him dying, you

may tell him--tell him--that I said--I loved him; and had he ever come

back, I would have been his wife."

"I tells him, and that raises Massah Hugh from de very jaws of death,"

was Sam's reply, as he departed on his errand of mercy, which proved not

to be a fruitless one, for he did find his master, and falling on his

knees beside him, uttered the joyful words we have before repeated.

To the faint, half-dying Hugh, it seemed more like a dream than a

reality--that familiar voice from home, and that dusky form bending over

him so pityingly. He could not comprehend how Sam came there, or what he

was saying to him. Something he heard of burning houses, and ole miss

and Snowdon, and Washington; but nothing was real until he caught the

name of Alice, and thought Sam said she was there.

"Where, Sam--where?" he asked, trying to raise himself upon his elbow.

"Is Alice here, did you say?"

"No, massah; not 'zactly here--but on de road. If massah could ride, Sam

hold him on, like massah oncet held on ole Sam, and we'll get to her

directly. They's kind o' Secesh folks whar she is, but mighty good to

her. She knowed 'em 'fore, 'case way down here is whar Sam was sold dat

time Miss Ellis comed and show him de road to Can'an. Miss Ellis tell me

somethin' nice for Massah Hugh, ef he's dyin'--suffin make him so glad.

Is you dyin', massah?"

"I hardly think I am as bad as that. Can't you tell unless I am near to

death?" Hugh said; and Sam replied: "No, massah; dem's my orders. 'Ef he's dyin', Sam, tell him I'--dat's

what she say. Maybe you is dyin', massah. Feel and see!"

"It's possible," and something like his old mischievous smile played

around Hugh's white lips as he asked how a chap felt when he was dying.




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