human
Good, faithful old Ceph! Deck could not help saying.
gpt
Where in the world have you been? Oh, how I have missed you! They shan't take you again, not if I can help it!
human
Wha--what do dis mean, massa? stammered the negro.
gpt
What right hab you-un to dat hoss?
human
Every right in the world, Sambo, answered Deck.
gpt
The horse belongs to me, don't you, Ceph?
human
Belong to yo'? I fink dat's a mistake, massa. Dat am Captain Loring's hoss, fo' suah, and the colored man shook his head decidedly. Then as he came close enough to note what uniform Deck was wearing, he gave a gasp of horror.
gpt
Fo' pity sake, massa, is you-un a--a Yankee?
human
Yes, I am, Sambo, and I want you to keep your mouth shut about this, replied Deck, sternly.
gpt
The horse is mine and always was mine, and I am going to ride off on him. If you make any outcry I will shoot you.
human
Don't go fo' to do dat, massa orsifer! came with a shiver.
gpt
I won't say a single word, 'deed I won't. But--but who's to take the 'sponsibility when Captain Loring find dat hoss ain't heah no mo'?
human
You'll be telling the truth when you say he got away from you, Sambo,--for he did get away just now. Is this the way to Hall's Ford?
gpt
No, massa; dat's de way to Lee and Gordon's Mill.
human
I don't know whether to believe you or not, said Deck, simply in order to get the negro
gpt
human
I guess I'll find Breckinridge's camp somewhere around here. Now I'm off. If you give the alarm, remember, I'll come back and put half a dozen bullets through your body.
gpt
Won't say a word, massa orsifer,
human
Very well, you'll be safe then--but not otherwise,