by expectation, caught the sound of the advancing steps, while as yet
the deliverer was at too great a distance to see the hole, and his
cries for assistance were redoubled.

"Help!" he cried, "help! They want to murder me. This way--here, in
the old well--this way--O, Lord!"

Such were the cries that saluted the ears of Primus, as soon as he was
near enough to distinguish articulate sounds.

"Who dere?" cried the General.

"O, Prime, help us out of this tarnation hole," groaned Basset.

"Onpossible! can dis be you, Missa Basset?" inquired Primus, peering
over the edge of the pit. "How come you dere?"

"Don't ask no questions, now, though, I guess, you know as well as
me."

"His head turn wid de scare, probumbly," soliloquized Primus, loud
enough to be heard by the captive. "I curus to larn how you fall in.
Ebberybody know dis hole, Missa Basset."

"Haul me out, and I'll let you know."

There was something in the tone of voice that did not at all please
the General, so looking around, and observing no one in sight, for
it was a lonely place, and having all the advantage on his side, he
resolved to parley, and secure satisfactory terms before he delivered