The times., 1897-04-11
AARON IN THE WILD WOODS
IHE STORY OF A SOUTH
ERN SWAMP.
by JoEL CHANDLER HARRIS.
CHUNKY RILEY SEES A oI-rFR Sight


out the promises he had made in the hope
OF inducing the runaway TO return home
with hIm. Nor can it be doubted that he
had some sort nf respect for slave, who,
although fugitive with a reward Offered
Tor his capture, was willing 10 90 to the
rescue of his owner at a ,ery critical
moment Mr.. GoSsett was, indeed, n harsh
hard, calculating man, whose whole mind
was bent on accommodating -'propty,'' as
he called it, TO tie end that he might be
looked up TO as Addison Abercrombie and
other planters were. But, after all, he
was a human being, ana he admired
strength, courage, audacity and the sug-
Gestiveness of eraflness that he thought
he discovered in Aaron.
Moreover, lie was not without a lurking
fear OF the runaway, for at bottom Mr.
GosSett's was essentially a weak mature
This weakness constantly displayed itself
IN his hcCtoung, clustering, overbearing
manner toward those over whom hc ma j
any authority. 1t was natural, therefore
that Mr, 6ossett should have secret
dread of Aaron, as well as lively de
sire TO cunCiliate HIM up to a certain
point. More than that, Mr.. GoSSett had
been impressed 10y the nei2hhoThood talk
about the queer runa way. As long as such
talk was confined to the negroes he paid
no attention TO il, but when such a sage
as Nj. Jon3than Ca dSby, a man of large
experience and likewise justice of the
peace. was ready to agree to some of
the most marvellous tales told about The
agencies that Aaron was able to call to
his aid, the superstitous fears of Mr..
GossetJ heeanto give himan uneasy feeling
The fiIst proposition that Mr.. Gadsby laid
down waSthat Aaron was not by no means
a niger, us anybody with eyes in their
could see" That fact was lilst 10 lie con
sidered. Admit il, and everything else that
was said would follow as aE.atter OF course.
Mr.. GadShN's argument. judiciuCsly deiy-
erred 10 whomscever wanted to hear it, was
this IL was plain tc be seen that tie run
away was no more ike a nigGer than Il
donkey is Ike lace hCrSe. Now, If he
wasn't a nigger, what was ne trying TO
play niger for? What was ne up TO? Why
couldn't the dogs track him? When
some one said Mr.. Simmons dogs hadn't
tried, MIR 6adsby would answer that when
Mr. Simmons dogs did Try they d make
worse muIlokc OF il than ever. Why? Be
cause.-the runaway had on him the marks OF
the men that called the elements to help
them Mr. GadSJy knew if because he lad
seen their pictures in the books, and the
runaway hooked Just Ike them. Mr. GadS-
by's memory was exact. The pictures he
had seen Were in a book called the Ara
bian Nights
MI Gossett thought of what Mr.. Gadst,y
had said u : he sat with Aaron in the buggy,
and cold chilis began to creep up his spine.
He edged away as far as he could, but
Aaron paid no attention 10 his movement.
Once the horse turned its head head side
wise and whinnied. Aaron made some
sort of reply that was nintelligible to Mr
Gossett. The horse stopped stiE. Aaron
1umpedfromth buggy, wentto the animals
head, and presently came back with part
of the harness III his hand, which he
Threw in the bottom of tie buggy.
whats that?" Mr. GosSett asked,
s'Bridle. Bit hurt horses mouth" He
then cuolly pulled the reins in, and placed
them with the bride.
why, confOmd it, don't you know this
horse is as wild as a buck? Are you fixing
to have me killed? What are you doing
novP''
Aaron had taken the whip from its
thimhle, laid the lash gently on the horses
back and held it there in response to his
Chirrup the horse whinnied gratefully and
shook his head playfuIly-
When Nr. GoSsett saw that the horse was
going easily and thatit seemed TO be com
plpteIy under Aaron's control, he remem-
bered a gain what MI. Ga dshy ha said a bout
peopie who were able to call the elementsto
their aid, and it caused a big lump to rise
In his throat. What was this going on right
before his eyes? a runaway sitting by his
side and driving a fractious and easily
frightened horse without bit or bride?
And then smother thought crossed Mr..
Gossett ; mind-a thought so direful thatit
caused a cold sweat TO stand on his fore
head. Was it the runaway S intention to
jump suddenly from the buggy and strike
the horse with the whip? But Aaron
showed no such purpose or desire. Once
he lea ned forward, peering into the dark
ness, and said something to the horse.
What is it?'' Mr.. Gossett asked, nerv-
ouay
some buggies coming along replied
Aaron.
'Can you pass them heTe?'
"If they give your wheels one inch TO
spare replied Aaron. Tell 'em to bear
to the right
Hello, thcre!' cried Mr Gossett.
"Hello, yourseIf,'' answered a voice
"That you, Terrell?'
"Yes; amt that GossettP''
"The same. Bear to the right where've
SOU been?"
Been to the lodge at Harmony" The
attic of the schoolhouse at Harmony was
used as a Masonic lodge.
who's behind you?' Mr.. Gossett in
quired.
"Denham, Aiken, Griffin, and Gatewoodh
There were, in fact, four buggies, Mr..
Griffin being on horseback, and they were
all close together. MI. Gossett had but TO
seize Aaron, yell for help, and his neighbors
would soon have the runaway tied hard and
fast with the reins in the bottom OF the
buggy. That is, if Aaron cuuidn' call the
elements to his aid-but suppose he eouldo
What then? These thoughts passed through
Mr. Gossett's mind, and he was strongly
tempted to try the experiment.; but he re-
Trained He said goodnight, but MI Aiken
hailed him.
You know that new school teacher at
AbercromlHe's?''
II haven't seen him." said Mr. Gossett
NNti, itt : thcft- hett1 an eye on MIN.
He's rank abolitionist''
"Is that so"' exclaimed Mr Gossett, in
q tone Of 4 InaZemenu.
''Se I've heard. He'll bear watching
''Well, wei, weIl.'' Mr.. Gossett eJacu-
lated.
Whats that?" Aaron asked, in a low
tone. as they passed the last Of the four
buggies.
What s WHAT"