第20章

In the midst of this gloomy abstraction Courtland suddenly raised his head and listened.

"Cato."

"Yes, sah."

There was a sound of heavy footsteps in the hall coming from the rear of the house, and presently a darker bulk appeared in the shadowed doorway.It was his principal overseer--a strong and superior negro, selected by his fellow-freedmen from among their number in accordance with Courtland's new regime.

"Did you come here from the plantation or the town?""The town, sah."

"I think you had better keep out of the town in the evenings for the present," said Courtland in a tone of quiet but positive authority.

"Are dey goin' to bring back de ole 'patter rollers,'* sah?" asked the man with a slight sneer.

* The "patrol" or local police who formerly had the surveillance of slaves.

"I don't know," returned Courtland calmly, ignoring his overseer's manner."But if they did you must comply with the local regulations unless they conflict with the Federal laws, when you must appeal to the Federal authorities.I prefer you should avoid any trouble until you are sure.""I reckon they won't try any games on me," said the negro with a short laugh.

Courtland looked at him intently.

"I thought as much! You're carrying arms, Cato! Hand them over."The overseer hesitated for a moment, and then unstrapped a revolver from his belt, and handed it to Courtland.

"Now how many of you are in the habit of going round the town armed like this?""Only de men who've been insulted, sah."

"And how have YOU been insulted?"

"Marse Tom Highee down in de market reckoned it was high time fancy niggers was drov into de swamp, and I allowed that loafers and beggars had better roost high when workin' folks was around, and Marse Tom said he'd cut my haht out.""And do you think your carrying a revolver will prevent him and his friends performing that operation if you provoked them?""You said we was to pertect ourse'fs, sah," returned the negro gloomily."What foh den did you drill us to use dem rifles in de armory?""To defend yourselves TOGETHER under orders if attacked, not to singly threaten with them in a street row.Together, you would stand some chance against those men; separately they could eat you up, Cato.""I wouldn't trust too much to some of dem niggers standing together, sah," said Gate darkly."Dey'd run before de old masters--if they didn't run to 'em.Shuah!"A fear of this kind had crossed Courtland's mind before, but he made no present comment."I found two of the armory rifles in the men's cabins yesterday," he resumed quietly."See that it does not occur again! They must not be taken from the armory except to defend it.""Yes, sah."

There was a moment of silence.Then it was broken by a sudden gust that swept through the columns of the portico, stirring the vines.

The broad leaves of the ailantus began to rustle; an ominous pattering followed; the rain had recommenced.And as Courtland rose and walked towards the open window its blank panes and the interior of the office were suddenly illuminated by a gleam of returning lightning.