Midnight
What ought to have been done was discussed with great freedom . An excited crowd gathered around Charles as he was preparing to return home , and plied him with questions . His ignorance was phenomenal , but the look of stupefied wonder with which he regarded his questioners confirmed his words . It was not until he had proceeded a mile on his homeward way , with Midnight in leading behind the tail-board , that , having satisfied himself that there was no one within hearing , by peeping from beneath the canvas covering of the wagon , both before and behind , he tied the reins to one of the bows which upheld the cover , abandoned the mule to his own guidance , and throwing himself upon the mattress on which Eliab had lain , gave vent to roars of laughter . `` Yah , yah , yah ! '' he cried , as the tears rolled down his black face . `` It du take Marse Hesden to wax dem fellers !