CONSCIENCE. 13 



the sinews that would supply me with ammunition, 

 tobacco, and other necessaries requisite to enable me 

 to reach a population susceptible to the influences of 

 letters of credit and introduction. It is true I did 

 not like the idea of selling my pets, but I was too 

 poor to retain them, much less give them away. To 

 mollify the gentle monitor who whispered reproaches 

 at the heinousness of bartering the servants who had 

 so faithfully served me, I promised inwardly that no 

 effort should be spared to obtain for them a good and 

 kind master. Yet I knew full well that it might be 

 impossible for me to succeed in this, for circumstances 

 would compel me to take the highest offer for them. 



What a good thing it is that we have a conscience, 

 for it is a most valuable addition to our far from perfect 

 characters ! Still, what scurvy tricks we occasionally 

 play it ; too frequently lulling its uneasiness to rest 

 by prevarication and false promises, actually lying 

 to ourselves a proof of our proneness to practise 

 deception. 



But I will return to the morning after the day on 

 which the reader and myself first met. The sun was 

 a couple of hours high before I was ready for the 

 road. The weather had improved, and there was 

 sufficient genial warmth to invest my frame with a 

 little more than usual elasticity, and raise my spirits 

 above their wonted elevation. 



Taking hold of the mare's lariat-rope, I proceeded 

 to investigate the vicinity in which I had passed the 

 night. The further I progressed the more inviting 



