"It's all right, Nancy," he said apologetically. "I see I am mistaken. If you see either of the runaways let me know," and he turned his horse from the bank.
Not a word passed between Nancy and her passenger till they had got beyond earshot of the pursuer. Then Nancy began:
"You did dat well, Mis' Kenyon. Ef I hadn't knowed I'd have thought it was ole Chloe herself. Where did you learn dat laugh?"
"I think I might make a pretty good actress, Nancy," said Mrs. Kenyon, smiling. "I knew something must be done as Dr. Fox's suspicions were aroused. But I didn't dare to speak. I was not so sure of my voice."
"Lor', how we fooled Massa Fox!" exclaimed Nancy, bursting once more into a rollicking laugh.
"So we did," said Mrs. Kenyon, echoing the laugh as before.
"You almost frighten me, Mis' Kenyon," said Nancy. "I didn't think no one but a nigger could laugh like dat. Are you sure you aint black blood?"
"I think not, Nancy," said Mrs. Kenyon. "I don't look like it, do I?"
"No, Mis' Kenyon; you're as white as a lily; but I can't understand dat laugh nohow."
Presently they reached the other shore, and Nancy securely fastened the boat.
"How far is it to the depot, Nancy?" asked the runaway.
"Only 'bout a mile, Mis' Kenyon. Are you tired?"
"Oh, no; and if I were, I wouldn't mind, so long as I am escaping from that horrible asylum. I can't help thinking of that poor Cleopatra. I wish she might be as fortunate as I, but I am afraid she will be taken back."
"She an' you's different, Mis' Kenyon. She's crazy, an' you aint."
"Then you think I can be trusted out of the doctor's hands?"
"How came you there, anyway, Mis' Kenyon?" asked Nancy curiously.
"It is too long a story to tell, Nancy. It is enough to say that I was put there by a cruel enemy, and that since I have been confined I have met with a great loss."
"Did you lose your money, Mis' Kenyon?" asked Nancy sympathetically.
"It was worse than that, Nancy. My only boy is dead."
"Dat's awful; but brace up, Mis' Kenyon. De Lor' don't let it blow so hard on de sheep dat's lost his fleece."
"I feel that I have very little to live for, Nancy," continued Mrs. Kenyon, in a tone of depression.
"Don't you take it so much to heart, Mis' Kenyon. I've had three chil'en myself, an' I don't know where they is."