Our situation was, perhaps, more dangerous than ever at this moment; for we were in a field of tall Indian corn, not yet gathered in; and had they possessed the habits and skill of the Indians, their numbers were sufficient to have surrounded us completely by creeping, unseen, through the long stalks. But, turning to observe their motions, I saw a number of them appear at the mouth of the path, pause and observe us for a minute or two, and then retreat into the wood, as if afraid of showing themselves in the open fields. "Ay, ay," said Zed, "dey know the white men have been about them, and dey daren't come on. Dey would would have killed you long ago, master, if dey had not thought Colonel Halliday was near, and been afraid to make a noise of firing. I s'pose those fellows who came up last told them he had gone on; but how de deuce dey 'scaped him I don't know. Oh, dey won't come out; dey be afraid he too near still--dam cunning, dam cunning." Nevertheless, I continued to watch the edge of the wood from time to time, till we came to a wide stubble-field, where the view was clear on every side. Then, holding out my hand to Zed, I said,-- "Well, my good friend, I have now time to say I am heartily glad to see you safe and well. My mind has been much troubled about you since we last met." "Oh, tank you, master, tank you," said Zed, taking my hand and shaking it quite friendly; "quite well, tank you; how you been all dis time?" "As well as might be," I replied; "but I have a good many questions to ask you. First, however, tell me where we had better direct our steps to now?" "Oh, Dr. Blunt's," answered the good man; "and de niggers all good and true. We shall be quite safe there. But what you want to know, master?" "First," I said, "how you got out of that dreadful situation in which we left you at poor Mr. Stringer's." The man laughed; for people of his complexion are true disciples of Democritus, laughing at everything, however serious.