No word was spoken until they
disembarked on the opposite shore, when Slosson addressed Bunker.
"I reckon I can manage that young rip-staver, you go back after
Sherrod and the nigger," he said.
He conducted his captives up the bank and they entered a
clearing. Looking across this Betty saw where a cabin window
framed a single square of light. They advanced toward this and
presently the dark outline of the cabin itself became
distinguishable. A moment later Slosson paused, a door yielded
to his hand, and Betty and the boy were thrust into the room
where Murrell had held his conference with Fentress and Ware.
The two women were now its only occupants and the mother, gross
and shapeless, turned an expressionless face on the intruders;
but the daughter shrank into the shadow, her burning glance fixed
on Betty.
"Here's yo' guests, old lady!" said Mr. Slosson. Mrs. Hicks rose
from the three-legged stool on which she was sitting.
"Hand me the candle, Bess," she ordered.
At one side of the room was a steep flight of stairs which gave
access to the loft overhead. Mrs. Hicks, by a gesture, signified
that Betty and Hannibal were to ascend these stairs; they did so
and found themselves on a narrow landing inclosed by a partition
of rough planks, this partition was pierced by a low door. Mrs.
Hicks, who had followed close at their heels, handed the candle
to Betty.
"In yonder!" she said briefly, nodding toward the door.
"Wait!" cried Betty in a whisper.
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