Ast 'im; ast my men ef I wasn't
awake en ef I didn't s'lute you soon ez you come. There's the
overseer's lantern burnin' yet jis whar he left it."
At this moment Perkins came staggering toward the fire, with both
hands to his head as if trying to hold it together. His clothes were
muddy, his face was ghastly and he stared at Whately as if the
officer was also a part of a horrid dream.
Whately seized him roughly by the arm and said sternly, "Speak, man.
What does all this mean? Where's the Yank?"
"For God's sake, quit," cried Perkins. "I'm nigh dead now. You've
got me in anuff trouble for one night."
"Trouble--you! What's your trouble to mine? I'm responsible for
these prisoners. Now where's that Yank? Quick, or you WILL have
trouble."
"I ain't seen 'im since yer took 'im away--YOU. I ain't one of your
understrappers. Ez I wuz follerin' yer some one knocked me down from
behind and nigh onto killed me. I jes gittin' my senses back."
Although so enraged, Whately knew that as a soldier he must curb his
passion, report the facts immediately and see what could be done.
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