The latter hummed snatches of plantation melodies as he warmed up to his work, and finally he sung a series of characteristic verses, of which the following are a sample:
"Did you ebber see a woodchuck lookin' at a coon-fight? Linkum am a-comin' by'm-bye; Did you ebber see a niggah gal dancin' in de moonlight? Glory, glory, glory hallelujerum!
"Possum up a gum-stump, chawin' slippery-ellum, Linkum am a-comin' by'm-bye; Nigga's in de market an' massa tryin' to sell 'em-- Glory, glory, glory hallelujerum!
"Secesh in Richmon'--de Yankee boys has treed 'em-- Linkum am a-comin' by'm-bye; All de little pickaninnies gwine to git dar freedom-- Glory, glory, glory hallelujerum!"
Suddenly the merriment of the blacks was interrupted in a most unexpected manner.
Some tall bushes that covered the top of a slight elevation near by were suddenly parted, and a man, wearing the uniform of a Lieutenant in the Confederate army, leaped down among the astonished revelers. In a towering rage, he turned upon Uncle Gallus and shouted:
"Shut your head, you d----d old villain, or I'll fill your black hide with lead!" and he flourished a cocked revolver in the face of the terrified negro.
"Afo' God, Massa, we didn't mean no harm, we's jes passin' away de time," said Uncle Gallus, in a frightened voice.
"Well, then," said the officer, with an oath, "be a little more careful in the future about the kind of songs you sing, or I'll have every d----d one of you bucked and gagged, and whipped within an inch of your lives."
Replacing his weapon, and turning on his heel, he was striding angrily away when he came face to face with Webster.
The recognition was mutual and instantaneous between the two men. As quick as a flash Webster had his revolver cocked and pointed at the head of the blustering Confederate.
"Bill Zigler, what are you doing here? You move at your peril."
"I'd kill you, curse you, but you've got the drop on me now, as you had once before. But my time will come, you d----d Yankee spy!"
"Look here, Bill!" said Webster, anxious, if possible, to disarm at once and forever the suspicions of his enemy, "what is the use of our being continually at daggers' points? You were foolish enough to insult me in Baltimore by impeaching my loyalty to the South, and I resented it, as any man would. If you repeat the vile slander, I'll do the same thing. If, however, you have anything personal against me, and must fight, I'll put up my weapon and meet you hand to hand."