The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-21
AARON IN THE Wild WOODS.
The Story Of a Southern
Swamp.
ny JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.
Copyright. 1897, BY Joel Chandler Harris.
VII.
AARON SEES THE SIGNAL

Tho Swamp had q fine frolic on the night
q the day that It routed Mr.. immon dogs,
but Aaron was not there to see 1t. lie knew
chat, for some days at least, he would DO
free from active pursuit The only danger he
would have to encounter would come from tho
patrollers-the negroes called them "patterol-
lors"--who visited the various plantations at
uncertain intervals. II he began to go about
with too much confidence 1t was entirely pos
pible he would run into the arms OF the patrol
lcrs, and he would have small opportunity
10 escape. Therefore, while he knew that he
would not be hunted by dogs for some time, he
also knew he must be constantly on the alert to
guard against surprises. The most active mem
Der Of tho patrol was George Gossett himself.
and after he and his companions had visited Mr..
Fullalove's distillery, which they never failed
to DO when they went patrolling. they were not
in u condition to DO entirely responsible for their
actions. They had nothing to restrain them on
such occasions except the knowledge that some
OF the owners OF the negroes would jump at an
excuse to hold them to a personal account. And
this was not a pleasant result to contemplate,
especially after a nights spree.
For these reasons Aaron was much more anS-
ious to elude George Gosse:t and the patrollers
than he was to escape from Mr.. Jim Simmons's
hounds. He knew he mus. avoid the negro
cabins. which were traps for the unwnry when
the patrollers were around. and he knew he
must keep off the public road-the big road
as Ii was ~called-nnd not venture too often on
the frequently travelled plantation paths.
Young Gossett and his companions had a way
Of dismounting from their horses out OF sight
and hearing of the negro quarters on the planta-
lions that lay on their beat" Leaving the
animals in charge OF one man, they would cau-
tiousiy post themselves at the various fence
crossings and paths frcqucnted by the negroes,
and in this way capture all who were going to
the negro quarters or coming away. II negro
had a pass or a permit from his master, we'll
and good. II he had n~onc-well, it would be a
sorry nights frolic for him.
But Aaron had one great advantage over all
the slaves who went TO and fro between the plan
tations after nightfall. He had Rambler to warn
him; and yet, after an experience that he had on
one occasion. he felt that he must be more eau
tious than ever. 1t happened not many weeks
before he was hunted by Mr.. Simmons's hounds.
In trying to kill a moccasin Rambler had the
misfortune to be bitten by the serpent. The
wound was on his iowl, and in spite o: all that
Aaron could do, the poor dogs head and neck
swelled fearfully. When night came the Son of
Ben Ali made Rambler as comfortable as posi-
bic. bruisinS herbs and barks and binding them
TO the wound and making him a soft bed.
On that particular night Aaron felt that he
might visit the Little Master, and vet no was
doubtful about 1t. He finally concluded 10 wait
until late, and then go TO the hill, where a few
weeks later he parted from Chunky Riley. II
alisht was shining behind the Little Masters
curtain he would SO and drive the red goblin,
Pain, from the room.
He went to the hill. and the light was shining.
The little red goblin was up TO his old tricks. As
he went along Aaron fell to thinking about the
Little Master and wondering why the child
should be constantly given over TO suffering.
He forgot all about himself in trying 20 solve
this problem. forgot TO be cautious. forgot that
he was a fugitive, and went blindly along the
path to the fence above the spring lot. There.
without warning, he found himself face to face
with George Gossett. The rest of the patroliers
were posted about at various points
Perhaps George Gossett was as much sur
lie took a halfconsumed cigar from his lips and
Tipped the ashes from II. No doubt he intended
to say somethins, yet he was in no hurry. His
the handle. and his finger. was on the trigger.
He felt that he was ready for any emergency
gcncy that Aaron then and there invented.
The SON OF Ben Ali took OF his hat. to show
and then suddenly plunged at young Gosseit
headforemost.. Struck fairly in the pit of the
stomach GSa BY this 6at,Sring ram, The young man;
like a log. and Aaron ran away like a deer.
The worst Of IL was that when George Gossett
SL' alA Nho INC ~ NILi D4o
vidqal simply laughed at the amazing story.
"There amt a living Niger that,d dast to do
such a thing and the dead ones couldn't"
Didn't you hear him when he buttcd me T.
inquired young Gossett feebly.
heard you when you fell of the fence" re-
Piled he other; II allowed that you had
come up so close i could a put my band on him.
the next thing knowtd / didn't know nothing
rshucks;. exclaimed his companion as loudly
T. h fence aesG the eG ta and w ryoq 10 JEST siee 4O9 sna f fsfl o oR on
told you about them low wines at the still; ]
told you when you was a-swilling, 'em, same as
haye to be toted hone. And here you are"
Young. Gossctt had to so home. and IL as he was
he managed TO sit his horse after a fashion, but
II was as much as he could 10. Once in the big
such another tale as that II he didn't want the
pubic at large TO boot at him.
Inc adventure taught Aaron a new lesson in
famous pack Of niger dogs had been all but
DESTROYED, he felt that it was necessary to be
accompanied him. He had no idea that Mr.. Sim
mons thought his dogs had been attacked by
wl!dcats; In fact, he thought that Hr. Simmons
had iu! knowledge OF his movements, and he
vas prepared any day to see Mr.. Gossett gather
ms helght0rs together, especially the young men,
surround the swamp armed with shotguns and
Try IN that way TO capture him.
Ach uLsHl ith III lAt uhg " lH5 CA
perleIce with Mr.. Simmons's dogs he resolved to
VISIT Little Crotchett. He was tired: he had
travelled many miles and had had little sleep,
but sIrep could be called at any time and would
come az the call. Only NJ night could he visit
the Little Master. In the day time he could
stretch, himself on a bed OF fragrant pine noodles,
with o;iorous heart leaves for his pillow, and
TAX his ease. So now, after all the turmoil and
confusion he had experienced in field and wood,
he went 70 the hill from which he could see the
ngnt IN Little Crotchett's window.
CsniIy II was late before Aaron would ven
tare 10 climb to the window. hut there was one
eiehai mat made II urgent for him TO go. When
thS ilsht was suddenly eXtinguished and as
suddenly rc!!t, 1t was a signal that Aaron must
come az soon as he could. This was Little
Srotcheits tnvention and he thought a great
aeaI OF H.. And II must he admitted that II was
very simple and complete. sitting on the hill,
t A1I !, say the light shining through the red
curtain. lhen II disappeared and the window
remained dark for half a minute. Then the
nght suddenly shonc out again. The Arab
glanced at the two stars that reyolve around
dahe north star, and Judged 1t was not more than
at this early hourl
No need to ask that question for Little Crochet
aaAna great deal o. business on hand. In the
hrst place; while MIR. simmons hounds were