"'Very well; have your own way; only don't let that woman escape and return, for if you do----'
"'I understand, Cap'n; but I reckon you needn't threaten, for if you could blow me--why, I would return you the same favor,' said the other, raising his voice and laughing aloud.
"'Be quiet, fool, or come away farther--here.' And the two willains moved out of even my hearing.
"' I should o' been uneasy, master, if it hadn't been the 'oman they were talking about was named Kate, and that wasn't my name, which were well beknown to be Nancy.'
"Presently I heard the carriage drive away. And almost 'mediately after the door was unlocked, and a great, big, black-bearded and black-headed beast of a ruffian came in, and says he: "'Well, my woman, have you had any supper?'
"'No,' said I, 'I hain't; and ef I'm to stay here any length of time I'd be obleeged to you to let me have some hot water and milk to make pap for this perishing baby.'
"'Follow me,' says he.
"And he took me into the kitchen at the back of the house, where there was a fire in the fireplace and a cupboard with all that I needed. Well, sir, not to tire you, I made a nursing-bottle for the baby and fed it. And then I got something for my own supper, or, rather, breakfast, for it was now near the dawn of day. Well, sir, I thought I would try to get out and look about myself to see what the neighborhood looked like by daylight, but when I tried the door I found myself locked up a close prisoner. I looked out of the window and saw nothing but a little back yard, closed in by the woods. I tried to raise the sash, but it was nailed down. The black-headed monster came in just about that minute, and seeing what I was a-doing of, says he: "'Stop that!'
"'What am I stopped here for?' says I; 'a free 'oman,' says I, a-'vented of going about her own business?' says I.
"But he only laughed a loud, crackling, scornful laugh, and went out, turning the key after him.
"A little after sunrise an old, dried-up, spiteful looking hag of a woman came in and began to get breakfast.
"'What am I kept here for?' says I to her.
"But she took no notice at all; nor could I get so much as a single word outen her. In fact, master, the little 'oman was deaf an' dumb.