At first it was only a word or a sentence, then the guarded speech became a steady monotone that ran deep into the night; eventually this ceased and Betty fancied she heard sobs.
At length points of light began to show through chinks in the logs.
Hannibal roused and sat up, rubbing his eyes with the backs of his hands.
"Wasn't you able to sleep none ?" he inquired.

Betty shook her head.

He looked at her with an expression of troubled concern.

"How soon do you reckon the judge will know ?" he asked.
"Very soon now, dear." Hannibal was greatly consoled by this opinion.
"Miss Betty, he will love to find us--" "Hark! What was that ?" for Betty had caught the distant splash of oars.

Hannibal found a chink in the logs through which by dint of much squinting he secured a partial view of the bayou.