Mr. Baron then closed all business relations and sent over
the man's belongings. Perkins became a perplexing problem to Mr.
Baron and his household and a terrible tradition to the negroes, who
regarded him as a haunted man. Every day and night passed in
quietness after his departure enabled them to breathe more freely
and to become more assured that he "wuz de on'y one de spooks
arter."
Chunk felt that he had disgraced himself by running away and leaving
Zany, and did not venture back till the second night after the
culmination of his schemes. He found Jute and his associates scared,
sullen and inclined to have little to do with him in their present
mood. Then he hooted in vain for Zany. The girl heard him but made
no sign, muttering, "Sence you runned away en lef me I'se done wid
runnin' away. You tootin' lak a squinch-owl en kin kep comp'ny wid
squinch-owls."
Only Aun' Jinkey gave him food and a sort of fearful welcome, and
poor Chunk found himself at last a very unhappy and skulking outlaw.
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