Almost instantly old Neb recognized the silhouette of Layson's figure
there against the fire-light from within.

"Marse _Frank_!" he cried. "Marse _Frank!_"

Layson, startled by the unexpected sound of the familiar voice there in
the wilderness, rushed from the door, took Neb's trembling hand and led
him to the cabin.

"Neb, old Neb!" he cried. "By all that's wonderful! How did you get here
alone? I thought you all were to come up to-morrow. Where is Aunt
'Lethe, and the Colonel, and--and--"

Neb, his troubles all forgotten as quickly as a child's, stood wringing
his young master's hand with extravagant delight. Joe Lorey disappeared
like a flitting shadow of the coming night.

"Dey're all down at de railroad, suh," said Neb. "Dey're all down at de
railroad. Got heah a day befo' dey t'ought dey would, suh, an' sent me
on ahead to let you know. I been wanderin' aroun' fo' a long time
a-tryin' fo' to fin' yo'. Dat teamster what gib me a lif', he tol' me
dat de trail war cleah from whar he dropped me to yo' cabin, but I
couldn't fin' it, suh, an' I got los'."

"And the others all are waiting at the railroad for me? I was going down
to meet them to-morrow."

"Dey don't expect you till to-morrow, now, suh. Ev'rybody tol' 'em that
you couldn't git dar till to-morrow. I reckon dey'll be com'fable. Fo'ty