noon
He saw again the poor black wretch shivering in the warmth , with the dirty rag about his jaw , and with the sight he drew a breath that was almost of relief . That one memory had troubled his own jovial ease ; now in his approaching poverty he might put it away from him forever . In the first light of a misty April sunrise they went out on the road again , and when they had walked a mile or so , Big Abel found some young pokeberry shoots , which he boiled in his old quart cup with a slice of bacon he had saved from supper . At noon they came upon a little farm and ploughed a strip of land in payment for a dinner that was lavishly pressed upon them . The people were plain , poor , and kindly , and the farmer followed Dan into the field with entreaties that he should leave the furrows and come in to meet his family . `` Let yo ' darky do a bit of work if he wants to , '' he urged , `` but it makes me downright sick to see one of General Lee 's soldiers driving my plough . The gals are afraid it 'll bring bad luck . ''