Raleigh, that I have half a
mind never to go with you on another expedition."
"Make no rash vows. I was just thinking what fine company you would
be when trouting. The most enchanting quiet is required then, you are
aware."
"Oh! when shall we go trouting?"
"We? It was only half a mind, then! We will go to-morrow, wind and
weather agreeing."
"And what must I do?"
"You must keep still, stand in the shadow, and fish up-stream."
At this point, Capua put his head inside the door again.
"What is it?" asked Mr. Raleigh.
"Forgot to say, Massa," replied Capua, rolling his eyes fearfully, and
still hesitating, and half-closing the door, and then looking back.
"Well, Capua?"
"Mass' Raleigh, your house done been burned up!" said Capua, at last,
jerking back his head, as if afraid of losing it.
"Ah? And what did you do with"----
"Oh, eberyting safe an' sound. 'Ta'n't dat house; 'ta'n't dis yer house
Massa lib in;--Massa's _sparrer_-house. Reckoned I'd better come and
'form him."
"Is that all?" asked his master, who was accustomed to Capua's method of
breaking ill news.
"Now, Mass' Roger, don't you go to being pervoked an' flyin' into one
ob dese yer tempers! It's all distinguished now. Ole Cap didn' want to
shock his young massa, so thought 'twarn't de wisest way to tell him
'twarn't de sparrer-house, either, at first. 'Twas de inside ob de
libery, if he must know de troof; wet an' smutty dar now, mebbe, but no
fire.
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