"He's a perfect eel--I've had dealings with him afore!" "You tried to kill my Uncle Bob--at the tavern, you and Captain Murrell.
I heard you, and I seen you drag him to the river!" cried Hannibal.
Slosson gave a start of astonishment at this.
"Why, ain't he hateful ?" he exclaimed aghast.

"See here, young feller, that's no kind of a way fo' you to talk to a man who has riz his ten children!" Again Bunker swore, while Jim told Slosson to make haste.

This popular clamor served to recall the tavernkeeper to a sense of duty.
"Ma'am, like I should tote you, or will you walk ?" he inquired, and reaching out his hand took hold of Betty.
"I'll walk," said the girl quickly, shrinking from the contact.
"Keep close at my heels.

Bunker, you tuck along after her with the boy." "What about this nigger ?" asked the fourth man.
"Fetch him along with us," said Slosson.

They turned from the road while he was speaking and entered a narrow path that led off through the woods, apparently in the direction of the river.