Go back. Do what I ask and perhaps I can
help you. If you don't, no one can or will help you. See, the
soldiers are coming."
"We'll 'bey you, young mistis," said Uncle Lusthah, "but we uns lak
ter hab 'splained des what we got ter 'spect. We kyant die but
oncet, en ef we kyant eben bury de sogers dat die fer us--"
"Silence!" shouted Whately. "Forward here, my men. Form line!
Advance! Shoot the first one that resists." He then dashed forward,
sought to encircle his cousin with his arm and draw her out of the
way.
She eluded him and turned swiftly toward the advancing line of men,
crying, "Stop, if there is a drop of Southern blood in your veins."
They halted and stared at her. She resumed, "You will have to walk
over me before you touch these poor creatures. Uncle" (for Mr. Baron
now stood aghast on the scene), "as you are a man, come here with me
and speak, explain to your people. That is all they ask. They have
been told that they were free, and now the oldest and best among
them, who was doing my bidding, almost suffered brutal violence from
a man not fit to live.
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