So she ate and drank with the axe close beside her, now and then
pausing to groan and mutter--"Po' Mass Johnnie!--po' Mass Johnnie!--Lawd!
Lawd!--if Miss Nellie had er sen' Abram atter dat chicken--like I tell
um--Lawd!" shaking her head the while.
Through the gathering dusk John Morris galloped at the top speed of his
horse. Reaching the little railway station, he sprang off, throwing the
reins over a post, and strode in.
"Write this telegram for me, Green," he said; "my hand trembles.
"_To Sam Partin, Sheriff, Pineville:_
"My wife missing since morning. Negro, Abram Washington, disappeared. Bring
men and dogs. Get off night train this side of bridge. Will be fire on the
path to mark the place.
"JOHN MORRIS."
"Great God!" the operator said, in a low voice. "I'll come too, Mr.
Morris."
"Thank you," John Morris answered. "I'm going to get the Wilson boys, and
Rountree and Mitchell," and for the first time the men's eyes met.
Determined, deadly, sombre, was the look exchanged; then Morris went away.
None of the men whom Morris summoned said much, nor did they take long to
arm themselves, saddle, and mount, and by nine o'clock Aggie heard them
come galloping across the field; then her master's voice calling her.
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