Faithful to his word, the day before Christmas, just at night-fall, Bass came riding into the yard.
"How are you," said Epps, shaking him by the hand, "glad to see you."
He would not have been very glad had he known the object of his errand.
"Quite well, quite well," answered Bass. "Had some business out on the bayou, and concluded to call and see you, and stay over night."