But his face was clear, and his cheeks rosy, and he sat straight as an arrow in the saddle.

I drew back my horse and ranged up beside him, inspired by curiosity.

The eyes turned toward me undoubtedly betrayed negro blood.
"I do not remember seeing you before," I said, wiping the dust from my lips.

"Are you a new recruit ?" "I'se Col'nel Cochran's man," he answered, without salute, but with the accent of education oddly mixed with dialect.
"Oh, I see--what has become of Sam ?" "He done took sick, an' de col'nel wanted a man right away, so he picked me." "Did you belong around here ?" "Well, no, not exactly belong round yere, but I'se travelled dese parts some considerable.

I was born down in Louisiana, sah." "Not so very long ago either," I ventured, feeling a peculiar interest in the fellow.