"Do not exaggerate your story so much," said Rosalind. "Give the truth and nothing else." "Qua'r, folks won't believe all dis pusson observes," said he, with an offended air. "Tell the truth and they will in all cases; but should you deceive once, you will always be suspected afterward." "Dat's it," commenced the negro, spreading out his broad hand like an orator to illustrate the point. "If I tells de truf dey're sure to t'ink I's lyin', and what's de use?" "Zeb," commenced George, not regarding the last remark, "you, as well as we, are aware that we are encompassed by peril. You have seen that the Indians are constantly prowling around, and evidently for no good purpose. What would you advise us to do under the circumstances?" "Give 'em all a good floggin' and set 'em to work," he replied. "Come, come, Zeb, we want no jesting," interrupted Rosalind. "Dar 'tis ag'in. Who war jestin'? Dat's what I t'ink is de best. Give 'em a good lickin', and set 'em to work clearin' off de wood till dar spunk is gone." "Fudge!" said George, impatiently, turning his back toward Zeb, whose head ducked down with a chuckle. "Rosalind," said George, "the best plan is certainly to wait until Leslie returns, which will be either to-morrow or the next day. We will then determine upon what course to pursue. Perhaps we shall be undisturbed until that time. If not, it cannot be helped." "Wished dis pusson warn't so hungry," remarked Zeb, picking up a stick and whittling it. Rosalind smiled as she arose and remarked: "It is getting late, George, and it perhaps is best to have supper." He made no answer and turned toward the negro. "Zeb," said he, "in all probability we shall be obliged to leave this place in a few days for a safer location. Of course you will accompany us, and I wish it to be understood that you are to lay aside this levity and carelessness. Remember that you are in danger, as much as ourselves. Your scalp may be the first taken." "What, dis yere wool of mine? Yah! yah! yah! Lord bless you, dey'd have a handful!" "How would you relish being roasted at the stake?" asked George, hoping to terrify him. "Yah! yah! Dey'd be some sizzlin', I guess." "You will think soberly about the matter, perhaps sooner than you suspect." "Yas," said Zeb, and his face straightened out in an instant, while he slowly and thoughtfully continued whittling. "Zeb," continued George, leaning toward him and speaking in an undertone, "I think we shall be attacked in two days at the latest." "Jest keep de whip in good order, and I'll put it into 'em and teach 'em manners." "I fear you will learn wisdom only by experience, even if you do then," returned George. "It would be a good thing for you, should you meet with something that would impress you with a sense of your peril. I can only wonder at your stupidity."