The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-11
AARON IN THE Wild WOODS.
The Story Of a Southern
Swamp.
By JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.
CHUNKY RILEY sEEs a QUEER SIGHT.

X.
CHUNKY RILEY BEES a QUEER SIGHT.
There is no doubt that Mr.. Gossett was sin
cero In what he said to Aaron. There 10 no
doubt that he fully intended to carry out the
promises he had made in tho hope Of inducing
the runaway TO return homo with him. Nor can
It be doubted that no had some sort of respect
for a slave, who, although n fugitive with a re-
ward offered for his capture. was willing to go
. TO the rescue OF his owner az a very critical
moment. Mr.. Gossett was indeed a harsh, hard,
calculating man, whose whole mind was bent on
accumulating 81 ~propty." as he called 1t, to tho
end that he might he looked up to as Addison
Abercrombio and other planters were. But. after
all, he was a human being. and he admired
strength, courage. nudacity, and the suggestive
mess OF craftiness that he thought he discovered
IN Aaron.
Moreover, he was not without a lurking fear
Of the runaway. for at bottom Mr.. Gossett's
was essentially n weak nature. This weakness
constantly displayed itselfin his hectoring, blus-
tering, overbearing manner toward those over
whom he had any authority. 1t was natural.
therefore, that Mr.. Gossett should have a secret
dread OF Aaron. as we'll as a lively desire TO con.
ciliate him up to q certain point. More than
this, Mr.. Gossett had been impressed by tho
neighborhood talk about tho queer runaway.
As long as such talk was confined to the negroes
he paid no attention to 1t, but when such a sage
&c Mr.. Jonathan Gadsby, a man Of large expert
ence and likewise a 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 superstitious fears OF
Mr.. Gossett began to give him an uneasy feeling.
The first proposition that Mr.. Gadsby laid
Gown was that Aaron was not by no means a
Niger. as anybody with eyes in their head
could see." That fact was first TO be consid-
cred. Admit 1t. and everything else that was
uaid would follow as a matter of course. Mr..
GR6sby's argument. judiciously delivered to
whcmsoever wanted to hear 1t, was this: 1t was
plain to be seen that the runaway was no more
like a Niger than a donkey is like a race horse.
Now, n he wasn't a Niger what was he
trying to play Niger fort What was he
uptoi why couldn't the track dogs catch him
When some one said Mr.. Simmonss dogs hadn't
tried. Mr.. Gadsby would answer that when Mr..
Gimmons's dogs did try they'd make a worse
muddle of IL than ever. Whyf Because the
runaway had on him the marks of the men that
called the elements to help them. Mr.. Gadsby
knew Il, because he had seen their pictures In
the books. and the runaway looked just like
them. Mr.. Gadsby's memory was exact. The
pictures he had seen were in a book called the
"Arabian Nights"
Mr.. Gossett thought Of what Mr.. Gadsby had
raid as he sat with Aaron in the buggy, and cold
chills began to creep up his spine. He edged
away as far as he could, but Aaron paid no at
tention to his movement. Once the horse turned
its head sidewise and whinnied. Aaron made
Gossett. The horse stopped still. Aaron jumped
from the hsL buggy @i'S wen went d to x, the b animsi /, head p,a ha and
which he threw in the bottom Of the buggy.
what's that T Mr.. Gossett asked,
Bride. Bit hurt hur5o'5 mouth He then
cooly pulled the reins in and placed them with
WHY o%ontG Smsl i. don't : YOU a know It this hsl horse 5
killed. W. What ta Arc y9 'Ss doing Mh{n now fTo !, u. tb,rh,.
laid the lash gently on the horses back and
held it there; In respSns e, to his !, Shirrnp the
When MI. Gessett saw that the horse was
going easily and that it seemed to be completely
9 WSss Ma AsF Ssas SSnf Ssa s ai Fs sScaf people as Wso
were able to call the elements, to their aid. and it
caused 3D. a s BIZ lump ON Pp, to F1 Sst On his ii, t 6Tes What Thnt
and easily frightened horse without bit or bridlsi
mind-a thought 50 direful that II caused a cold
sweat to stand on his forehead. Was 1t the run
buggy ana strike the horse with the whip But
Aaron showed no such purpose or desire. Once
what is it ]" Mr.. Gossett asked nervously.
Some buggies coming Mgss along replied Aaron.
II they give your wheels one inch to spare
II Hello, there p cried Mr.. G Sssa f'sn"
Hello yourself !" answered a voice.
luhp You. IoTToLf
Yes; amt that Gossettf'
"The same. Bear to the right. Where've
'"IBeen to the lodge at Harmony" The attic
q The schoolhouse at Harmony was used as a
Who's behind you T. Mr.. Gossett inquired.
"Denham, Aiken, Griffin. and Gatewood."
being dnsT on Iers; IN iaG and d0I they Sps Ters al me- cl Srift IN,
Fether. Mr.. ,Gossett had but to seize Aaron. yell
for nn help; 1 t9ea bis bsr ns sn b fsst w w3th ts soon rsi haze Re the the
bottom Of the buggy. That is. IL Aaron couldn't
through Mr.. Gossett's, mind, and he was
strongly tempted e try the experiment; but he
T.Yop know that new school teacher at Aber.
."Ihaycn't seen him. said Mr.. Gossett.
We'll he's there. Keep an eye on him. He's
"Is that so = exclaimed Mr.. Gossett. in a tone
Of amazement.
Vel" SS ye w aSHr Well f IS Mr ee dos %stee CALCULATED.
Whats that {" Aaron asked in a low tone
Whats whatr
"Abolitioner."
Q that one of these new-faneled parties.
In a little while they began to draw near Mr..
0ossett's home. and no renewed his efforts TO
been assigned, to him. and to remain as one Of
ths hands 8, FIJI EinSS dh.o as M they GS came within sdt mailing
may take the ie h @@Ss and nd p potf it % up. ! Il z y ssay MS SS'f
the horse. II you can"
Aaron pressed the whip on the horses flank
The runaway jamP psft from SHf The 70 baRs s!sn plsced
the whip in Its thimble, and stood a moment as
Il Rejecting. Then 10 raised his right arm In
see, howeyer-and said good night.
Watt" exclaimed Mr.. Gossett. Where's
my pistolf'
Inside tho buggy seat" replied Aaron. and
disappeared In tho darkness.
Mr.. Gossett called a negro to take the horse,
and 1t seemed as II one sprang from the ground
TO answer tho call. with Yes, Mnrster!' on
the end Of his tongue. 1t was Chunky Riley.
"HoM long have Nnu haan sIandinr hsrcl y