sumthin'--an' thet dem papers ought fer ter be sint ter de Gov'ner et
onct. De las' time he wus yere he tol' me thet he wint down ter Saint
Louee hisself, an' done gif bof dem papers ter Gov'ner Clark. So yer
don't need worry none 'bout dem no mor'."

I sank back onto the hard pillow, greatly relieved by this information.
The burden of official duty had been taken from me. I was now on
furlough, and free to act as I pleased. I suddenly became conscious
that I was hungry. I expressed this desire for food, and the negro
instantly busied himself over the fire. I watched his movements with
interest, although my thoughts quickly drifted to other matters.

"Have you picked up any news lately from the Beaucaire plantation?" I
asked, at last.

He twisted his head about at sound of my voice.

"I heerd said dey done brought de body ob de ol' Jedge home, sah--he
died mighty sudden sumwhar up de ribber. Thet's 'bout all I know."

"When was this?"

"'Bout a week maybe mor'n dat ago. De _Warrior_ brought de body down,
sah."

"The _Warrior_? Did anyone go ashore with it?"

"Pears like thar wus two men stopped off at de Landin'. I disremember
de names, but one ob 'em wus an ol' friend ob de Jedge's."