My mother gave me a lecture about the advisibility of taking her advice, and also how to treat the Major. She really liked the old soldier, in spite of his eccentricities, but wished, also, to avoid offending Harrison. I forget now just what the advice was, but, as a matter of course, had I taken it, all must have ended well, for time and again afterwards have I heard her affirm this--so also has she in regard to other matters. I walked out on the cool lawn under the bright stars, and then around the house, hoping to find Will who had stepped over to the stables. I met him as he was coming back and together we walked around behind the slave quarters, discussing the affair of the Major's and also the gloomy outlook of war in the colonies. The news of Bunker Hill had affected both of us greatly. As we passed an angle of the house we heard voices. "Is yo' sho' nuff a Prince Gawge nigger?" said one. "Dat I is, honey, sho'; an' I's de nigger uf er Prince Gawge man," answered the other. "Kin he stan' agin Marse Berk?" "Doan make no moan, honey, dere'll be bluddy murder an' suddin demise in der mawnin'." CHAPTER II Just before daybreak I was suddenly aroused by the violent movements of the Major, who occupied a room next to mine. The bell-cord was pulled viciously for some moments, and this was followed by hoarse exclamations. Finally someone answered the bell and knocked at the Major's door. A deep grunt followed and the door was partly opened. "Are yo' a Prince George nigger?" asked the Major, sleepily. "No sir!" "Then git out and send me one right away." The door closed, a short period of silence followed, which was suddenly broken by more violent pulls at the bell cord. Then I thought I recognized Sam's footsteps sounding softly along the hall, and the door opened again. "Are yo' a Prince George nigger?" grunted the Major. "I is sir," came Sam's answer. "Then for the Lord's sake take a look around and tell me where I am at." "You'se right heah, Major. Right heah, sah." "I thought so," said the Major with a satisfied sigh, and as the door closed again a long drawn snore told plainly that he had relapsed into peaceful sleep. I was too much aroused, by this time, to sleep any more, so I lay awake thinking of the possible dangerous outcome of the meeting that would soon take place. Soon I heard footsteps again approaching along the corridor, and I was then aware that Barron and Will Byrd were approaching the Major's room. It was barely daylight, but I jumped up and dressed and made my way into the room to join them. The Major was still undressed. He sat on the edge of the bed and appeared so nervous that he could hardly put on his clothes. This amused Barron very much.