The times., 1897-03-14
AARON IN THE WILD WOODS
The STORY OF A SOUTH
ERN SWAMP
BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS
tCopyright, 1897, by Joel Chandler Harris
THE HUNT ENDS

ANOpsli6ANs 1874 DN Jotl
vi
THE HUNT ENDS.
IL will be seen that Mr.. Jim Simmons,
IN his crude way, was a very slrewd
reaSoner. He didn't guess he reckon
ed" and L cannot be denied that lie came
very near the truth. You will remember
that when We children play hide-the-switch
the one that hides il guides those VINO are
hunting for il by making certain remarks.
When they are near where the switch is
hid the hider says: You burn; you are
afire," but when they get further away
from the hiding place the word is: - You
are cold; yoI are freezing In hunting for
Aaron, Mr.. Jim Simmons was burning, for
he had come very close u solving Uae prob
lem that the fugitive had set for him.
Mr.. Simmons was SD ire he was right in
his reasoning that he cheered his dogs on
Justify and touched up his horse George
GoSsett did the same, and dogs, horses and
men went careering along the plantation
road to the river landing. The sun was
now above the tree tops, and the chill air
OF the morning was beginning To surrender
TO its influence. The course Of the river
was marked oIJ in mid2ir by a thin line of
blue mist that hung waverinG above the
stream.
The dogs ran CRYING to the landing and
there they stopped. one OF the younger
hounds was for waiing across: but Sound.
the leader, knew better than that He ian
down the river bank Il hundred yards. and
then cicrled back across the field until
be reached point some distance bnye the
landing. Then he returned. his keen nose
always to the ground. At the landing he
waited until Mr.. Simmons came up, and
then he looked across the river and whined
eagerly.
Mr.. Simmons seemed to be very lucky
that morning, for Just as he and George
GosSctt galloped Ia the landing a boatload
Of field hands started across from the other
side, old Uncle Andycoming with it to 70 wit
back. on the other side, too. Mr. Simmons
saw lady Standing-a trim figure dressed
in black-and near her a negro boy was
holding a horse that she had evidently
ridden TO the landing This was the lady
TO owhom Uncle Andy sometimes referred a :
Sally Ward. and for whom he had a sincere
affection. The river was not wide at the
landing, and the boatlOad Of field l. lands,
propelled by four muscular arms. was not
long in crossing. As the negroes jumped
ashore Sound went among them and ex-
amined each one with his nose, but he re
turned 10 the landing and looked across and
whined- They saluted Mr.. Simmons and
George Gossert politely, and then went on
their way. whistling. SIM ging, and cracking
1okes and laughing loudly.
Was hateau missing from this sid.
this morning." Mr.. Simmons asked Uncle
Andy.
SUR Uncle Andy put his hand to
his ear, affecting TO be very anxious to
hear what Mr.. Simmons had said.
The question was repeated; whereat
Tnc!e Andy laughed loudly.
You sho ! : a witch fer gueSsn', sub,
How come You know bout de Inissin' boat?''
Nr- Simmons smiled under this nattery.
Il thought maybe boat would be missing
from this side this morning" he said
Dcy sho wuZ, sun; but duuner how de
name CT goodness you come ter know bout
it, kaze 1 WIZ on de bank cross dar 'fo'
'twuz light, en- l ain t see you on dis side
Yes, sub! De boat WIZ gone. Dey foun'
IL bout a mile down de river, cn on
account er de shoals down dar, dey had
ter take ii out'n de water en- fetch it
back Yer in de waggin. Yes, sub, disu
yer de ve'y boat
where's the ford?'' Mr. Simmons in
quired. I used to know, but I've for
gotten"
Right below yer, suh.'' replied Uncle
Andy. You'll see de paff whar de stock
cross at. Bar down stream, sub, twel
you haff way cross, den bar up. Ef
You do dat YOU Won't Git yo' stirrup wet
The ford was easily found, but the
crossing WAS not at all comfortable In
fact, UnCle Andy had maliciousIy given
Mr.. Simmons the wrong directions The
two men TOde into the water, bore down
The stream, and their horses were soon
noundeTing in deep water They soon
touched bottom again, and in q few mo-
n!ents they We're safe on the opposite
hank-safe, but dripping wet, andin novery
good humor Mr. Simmons dogs, obedient
10 his call, followed his horse into the water.
ana swan across.
Sound Clambered out, shook himself. and
fan, hack to the landing where the lady
was waiting for the boat 10 return. II
Iad been Mr.. Simmons intention TO pro
,eed at cnce down the river to the point
where the boat had been found, and where
le was sure the dogs would pick no the
Icent Of the runaway; but he found that
she way was impossible for horses He
mus needs 60 to the landing and inquire
The way.
Uncle Andy had just made the middle
reat in the hateau more comfortable for
his mistress by placing his coat. neatly
folded, on the hard plank, and Mrs. Ward
was preparing to accept the old negro's
invitation TO git abroad, mistiss,' when
Mr.. Simmons and George Goasett rode up
Both raised their hats as the lady glanced
toward them. They were IN rllv in cor
dition to present themselves, Mr.. Simmons
explained. and then he inquired, with as
much pohteness as he could command. how
to reach the place where the missing toat
had been found.
The missing hoati Why. / never heard
or it tn now. Was one Of the bateaux
missing this morning.
''YesSum. When de fishin' good en- de
Eiggers put out der sethooks, day amt
many mornin's in de week dat one er de
yHther er deze boats amt mlssn'.''
Il never heard OF it before
No, mistiss. De boys low you wouldn't
keer nchow. Dey runs dem over de shoals
en- dar dey leaves um."
But both bateauX are here
YeSsum- We fetches uln back 'roun'
by de road in de waggiu''
Who carried the hateau over the shoals
this morning."
Ne. mann. Nobody amt know nuttin'
t all bout it but de two Eniks. en- when
dat ar Genlmun dar AK me des now if de
want q boat missin' fun 'roun' yer dis
mornin hit sorter flung me back on Inyse'f
] low Yes. suh,' but he shn flung me
hack on myse'f"
Cncie Andy began to chuclle so heartily