THE DEER HUNT. 87 



used. The little nigs were running to the spring for 

 water, or to the shed for corn, or all around the grounds, 

 merely for the fun of running and shouting. They were 

 dressed alike, in long, brown cotton shirts, and one 

 sex could not be distinguished from the other. Aunty 

 Blaze, after seemg the table was spread, and the meat 

 cooked, brought out an immense corn-cake, on a wooden 

 turner, and with a commendable feeling of pride threw 

 it down on the table, right side up, steaming hot, and 

 brown as rosewood. Turning to go, she stumbles against 

 a little nig girl coming with the sugar-bowl ; a smart slap 

 applied with the cake-turner propels the little nig forward 

 a yard, and elicits a yell of disapprobation from the 

 clumsy child, who drops the sugar-bowl to the floor, and 

 then runs off. 



The Doctor loads his double-barrelled gun, and 

 explains its new-fashioned lock to Miss Jackson, who 

 comes out arrayed in a tight-fitting cap and bodice, and 

 her eyes lit up with the anticipation of the chase. Mike 

 slowly and methodically wipes out his rifle with dry flax, 

 and every moment is seen eating some hidden remains of 

 last night's meal, which he has stowed away on his per- 

 son, and which are to form more than half his breakfast. 

 We eat our hurried meal — it might be called a passover, 

 as no one takes time to sit — and then ride off down the 

 woods. 



Jackson and Mike are leading tlie van, Lou and the 

 Doctor still side by side, and there goes a negro on a 

 marsh tackey, and there a neighbor that has come over 



