They were generally useful only to a race, such as the negroes, which had an instinct for direction like that shown by some animals but the boys learned to follow them unerringly, and soon became as skilful in "keepin' de PARF" as any night-walker on the plantation.
"Two Little Confederates"
Thomas Nelson Page
Well, he trotted along down de PARF dat night, An' de Marster he seen him go, An' hollered, "Say, boy-say, what 's yer name?"
"The Coast of Bohemia"
Thomas Nelson Page
