Roxy Hastings — page 113: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

a 104 - RUXY HASTINGS. ~ shadow of his gallows would fall ere another sun had gained the meridian sky. , He breathed freer as he advanced ; his heart palpitated with joy; his soul poured out its thanksgiving to its Maker, and yet he knew that his peril was still imminent, and-that any moment might turn his rejoicing into woe. They proceeded nearly in silence, for they did not dare to converse on the subject uppermost in their thoughts until they were secure of not being heard by any chance listener. Luke led the way to his own house, and as soon as they were in it and the door locked behind them he said, almost breathlessly : ‘Now, den, we mustn’t stay here ten minutes. Here, Dinah, dar he is. I got him all safe so fur. What you - tink o’ dat?” Dinah came forward trembling, and said : “I tink we all be hung, Luke, ef we get cotched at dis; but I mighty glad he’s off. How do, sir?” Lee shook hands with the wife of his benefactor who im- mediately added : ~ But we can’t die but once, if it’s. de Lord’s will, and I’s been done prayin’ ever since de old man went out, ebery minute.” “ Yes, yes, but where’s Allen?” asked Luke, impatiently. “Dat’s jes’ wot I gwine to say. He done drunk up stairs, Luke, fas’ asleep! He comed back and said ’t was all right, and he’d done his part all up, and he guv me dat,” (showing a gold-piece),“‘and said I must go git him > some whisky.” ‘“You’se a fool to do it.” “I didn’t do it, Luke, but he swored he’d go hisself if I - didn’t, wid his black clothes an’ all on, and so I jist guv him our bottle dar, wot we had six months in de house, and I guess he guzzled it all down, for he can’t speak now, and on’y grunts when I shake him.” * Well, nebber mind him, den. Git de old clothes. Dine —quick now. Dar’s no time to talk !” | Dinah produced in a twinkling a new disguise, which had been prepared for the lieutenant several days before by his directions and under Luke’s advice, and in this he quickly dressed himself. It consisted of such clothes as common laborers wear, all old and shabby ; a ragged coat and pants of gray mixed stuff; vest of the same; a coarse flannel shirt, a high- crowned, battered hat, and coarse boots down at the heel Eomicbooks (elo)