"Do you think we shall escape, Dandy?" asked she, as she seated herself by the side of her friend. "I expect we shall," replied he, unwilling to kindle too strong a hope in the mind of the girl. "If we manage well, we have a good chance." "I hope we shall, for master would certainly sell us all if we should be caught." "Dat ud be wus as staying wid Massa Kun'l," added Cyd. "But I s'pect we won't be caught, Massa Dandy." "Why do you call me master, Cyd?" "Dis chile tink you cutting it rader fat." "What do you mean by that?" "You'se tell me do dis, and, Cyd, do dat,--jes as dough dis nigger no account at all." "I am in command of the boat; and it was my duty to get her under way. When I told you to do any thing, you began to ask questions." "Dis nigger's free now," replied Cyd, with becoming dignity. "Not yet, Cyd. We may be caught at any moment." "Gossifus! I tought I was free now." "What made you think so?" "We done runned away from Massa Kun'l." "He may catch you again." "De Kun'l ain't here, no how, Dandy; 'pose I neber see him any more, and he neber see me any more, who's my massa den?" "When you get into a free country, you will be free." "But who's my massa now? Dat's what dis chile want to know for sartin." "You have no master." "Den I'se free," exclaimed Cyd, exhibiting his ivories, which the gloom of the night, increased by the deep shadows of the tall trees, was powerless to conceal. "I tell you, I'se a free nigger." Cyd commenced a most violent demonstration of satisfaction as he contemplated his new social position. He laughed, kicked with his heels, sang and danced. He felt that he had got the best of the argument, and this was no small ground of rejoicing. "Suppose you should be caught?" "Den I be Massa Kun'l's boy again." "But why did you call me Massa Dandy?" "Kase you order me round jes like Massa Kun'l, and de white folks. Dis chile begin to tink he's your nigger." "You are just as good as I am." "Yes, sar; Cyd knows all about dat. You tell me to git de row boat; den to git de wherry; and when I ask what for, you tell me to mind my own business, and not ask queshuns." "It was because we had no time to spare," replied Dandy, whose feelings were injured by the charge of his sable companion. "Dat may be; but you speak to me jes like de white folks." "I didn't mean to do or say any thing that would make me seem like a master, for I hate the very sound of the word." "Hossifus!" exclaimed Cyd, gratified by this acknowledgment. "I done tink you meant to be my massa, jes like de kun'l. If dis chile jes as good you be, Cyd can't see why you don't tell what you do dese tings for." "I am willing to tell you what I did these things for, now that I have time to do so. But, Cyd, I will change places with you." "Possifus! What fur?" "You shall command the boat, and I will obey all your orders without asking a single question." "What, Cyd?" "Yes, Cyd," replied Dandy, earnestly. "Here, take the helm!"