Aun' Suke's taste of freedom had
not been to her mind, so she was rather complacent than otherwise,
and especially over the fact that there was so little to cook. The
garden and Mr. Baron's good credit would insure enough plain food
till the crops matured and the impoverishment caused by the raid was
repaired. It certainly seemed when the sun set that evening that the
present aspect of affairs might be maintained indefinitely in the
little community.
Only one was not exactly at rest. Perkins felt as if something was
in the air. There was a brooding, sullen quiet among the negroes
which led him to suspect that they were waiting and hoping for
something unknown to him. This was true of Uncle Lusthah and the
majority. The crack of Union rifles was the "soun' f'um far away"
they were listening for. By secret channels of communication tidings
of distant battles were conveyed from plantation to plantation, and
the slaves were often better informed that their masters. As for
Perkins, he knew next to nothing of what was taking place, nor did
he dream that he was daily addressing harsh words to conspirators
against his peace.
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