Half a mile further he sat down and lit his fire, and began to cook some food.
He had no doubt that he was watched for, just after he passed the point where the track turned off, he heard a very low whistle among the trees.
As he sat by the fire, he kept his back towards the direction from which he had come; and when he presently heard footsteps, no change in his attitude betrayed that he was conscious of the fact that persons were approaching him, until two men stopped beside him.
Then, with a cry as of sudden alarm, he leapt to his feet.
"Lor' a mussy!" he exclaimed, "de white man frighten me bery much.
What for dey no say dey come ?" "Who are you, nigger, and where do you come from, and what are you doing here ?" "My name Jim," he said; "me going tro' the country looking for place to tend hosses.

Me bery good at hosses.

Me look arter de hosses ob Mr.Hudson." "What did you leave him for ?" one of the men asked, sternly.
"Someting lost from de house," Jim said quietly.

"Massa Hudson tink me took it.

He make bobbery, so Jim ran away and look for nodder place." "Um," the man said; "I wonder whether you are speaking the truth?
If I thought you weren't, I would put a bullet through your head, in double-quick time." "No, sah," Jim said in great terror; "dat de truth, sure 'nough.
Jim try to get work at Sydney.