The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-03-01

awe of him, the more so as they had
never seen him. 1t is no wonder, there
fore, that they looked at one aaother
with some establishment when Aaron
told them that he would have to take
them TO the two-mile place and show
them the White Pig,
II 'speck he's tired of fooiin' long
wild us" said Drusilla, by way of cN-
PLANTATION, IAN ] don't blame him much
kaze You all been a-follerin after him
an a ding-dongin' at him twel he done
plum wo out"
You tool" exclaimed Buster John
Not mel" protested Drusilla. NO.
sub. | amt been a ding-dongin' after
INK A'on; I ben a-folerin' after you
all, an dat what Mistiss toll me ter do.
Eff | don't do it, she'll make me tote
water fer nanny ter wash de cloze
wild, an | know mighty well | don't
want ter do dat"
But Aaron, as il turned out, was not
joking as all. So, one pleasant morn
ing, when he saw them playing i'm the
spring lot, he gave them to understand
that the time had come for them to
make the acquaintance of the White
Pig, and Buster John said he was quite
ready, but Sweetest Susan looked at
Drusilla and hesitated a little. Drusil-
la looked at Sweetest Susan and hest
tated good deal. In fact, she drew
back.
''Now, / tell you what" she said,
''you all kin go on out dar in de swamp
an le' me stay here, an den when you
come back you kin set down tell
me all bout it."
But mamma said you were to go
with us wherever we went Sweetest
Susan reminded her.
Dat what she say" replied Drusilla,
''yit she amt tell me ter go wild you
out dar whar dat ar viii hog is, which
he done cripple a boss an kilt yard
full er dogs. Unk A'on kin take keer
er you lots better dan what ! kim
Come on" said Buster John to
Sweetest Susan. Let her stay if she
wants to-"
Yes" remarked Aaron, "she's big
enough to go to the field now. We
need her there right now"
This didn't suit Drusilla at all, so
she ran toward the others laughing
Il wuz dies fooIin'," she said. II DIES
wanted ter see what you all gwine ter
do. You may not need me, but I'm
gwine anyhow, an eff de White Pig
git me, you'll halter answer to Mis-
tiss fer it."
Aaron hitched a mule to the planta-
tion cart, and i'm this rig they made
their way to the two-mile place. They
logged along the little-used road, the
journey being enlivened by some of
the queer songs that Aaron was in the
habit of singing when he was in a
good humor. They went nearly to the
river-the Oconee-and then Aaron
turned out Of the plantation road and
drove straight through the woods and
bushes until they came in sight of
big canebrake. Here he stopped, took
the mule from the cart, and fastened
him with a strong tether so that he
could browse around and nibble the
grass and bushes. Then he lifted
Sweetest Susan to his broad shoulders,
took Buster John by the hand, and
went toward the canebrake, He went
on until he came to the damp ground
near the edge of the swamp. Select
ing q dry place-a little knoll higher
than the rest-Aaron stationed the
children there, and then went to the
verge of the canebrake. Here he paus-
ed, placed his two hands to his mouth,
and gave utteTance to peculiar call or
cry. 1t sounded as if he were trying
to say, "Goof-go of-goof!" but had
smothered the noise with his hands
1t was loud enough to be heard con-
siderable distance, however, for after
he had repeated the call three times
there was a reply from the farther
side of the swamp, and presently the
children heard a rushing, crashing
sound among the canes.
Sweetest Susan crept a little closer
to Buster John, and Drusilla snuggled
up to Sweetest Susan, The children
were not frightened, but they We're
filled with unknown anticipations.
They knew not what to expect next.
The crashing noise in the canes seem |
ed to come nearer, and then Il sudden
ly stopped. If it was the White Pig,
he was listening.
TO be continued)