"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.