The gentlemen all promised to do their best, except Frank, who could
promise nothing, because he knew nothing concerning the man they were
going to visit. His curiosity, however, was aroused, and forgetting the
presence of Mr. William Middleton, "Do they keep the old fellow caged? And
must we pay anything for seeing him?"
These questions were greeted by a burst of laughter, and Raymond said,
"No--admittance is free, but you'll be more amused to see him and hear him
talk than you would in visiting Barnum's Museum!"
By this time the carriage had entered the woods, and they came in sight of
the house. Mr. Stafford leaned from the window, and said, "Is it possible
that my brother, with all his wealth, lives in such a heathen place as
this?"
"When you see him," said Raymond, "you'll think the nest just suited the
bird."
They were now in the yard, which was so filled with farming utensils that
the driver found it difficult to effect a passage up to the door. The
gentlemen were about concluding to alight where they were, when Mr.
Middleton was heard calling out, "Ho, thar, driver, don't run agin that ar
ox-cart; turn a leetle to the right, can't ye? Now be keerful and not run
afoul of the plaguey lye leech. I b'lieve the niggers would move the hut,
Josh and all, into the yard, if they could only make a raise!"
Mr. Stafford and Frank looked eagerly out at the speaker, who fully
realized Frank's idea of him. His beard was as long and black as a rapid
growth of three weeks could make it. As Julia had feared, he was dressed
in his favorite bagging pants, which hung loosely, even around his huge
proportions, and looked as if fitted to some of his outbuildings. He was
very warm and he wore neither coat nor vest, while his feet, whose
dimensions we have mentioned before, were minus either shoes or stockings.
He appeared in the doorway buttoning one of his suspenders. The truth was
he had spied the carriage in the distance, and as his linen was none the
cleanest he hastened to change, and was now putting the finishing touch to
his toilet. When he caught sight of the occupants of the carriage he
thought to himself, "Thar's a heap on 'em. Nancy'll have to rout the whole
gang of niggers, field hands and all, to huntin' hin's nests after eggs
enough for dinner."
By this time the gentlemen had alighted, and Mr. Middleton went forward to
receive them. "How d'ye do, how d'ye do?" said he; "I'm mighty glad you've
come. I wish you'd brought the whole city."