THE TEXAN HUNTRESS. 323 



" And what is that ?" 



" Why, you perceive that the woman is out of her head, 

 has a brain fever. She suffers from her wound, her anxiety 

 for her husband, and the additional excitement of the late 

 conflict, that is all !" 



" What shall we do ?" he asked, in dismay, as it became 

 every moment more difficult to keep her down. 



" I must call the negros back, for I can be of little assist- 

 ance to you !" 



" The stupid fools ! you can't get them to come back !" 



"Yes I can !" and seizing his rifle, I hobbled to the door 

 and looked out. Tom was the only one in sight. I shouted 

 to him, ordering his return. The fellow shook his head, and 

 looked furtively askance towards me. I instantly raised the 

 rifle, and, as I brought it to bear upon him, peremptorily 

 ordered his return, under penalty of a ball through hiswoolly 

 head. The habit of obedience conquered his fears in a mea- 

 sure, and he came back with a slow, unwilling step. 



" Why, you cowardly rascal !" I said, in an angry and con- 

 temptuous tone, which I thought might sting and rouse his 

 pride, for I knew he was really a brave fellow, but super- 

 stitious, as were all his class, "I thought you had some 

 manhood in you, a great big lubber like you to run away 

 from a sick and wounded woman ! I am ashamed of you, Tom. 

 Come in here, your master needs you to help him hold her !" 



" Dat ! dat ! dat ! no woman, Massa !" He stammered 

 hesitatingly, as he looked up humbly for a moment. " Dat 

 witch, she make poor nigger die like rotten sheep if he 

 touch urn !" 



" I tell you, you fool, the woman is no witch ; she is a 

 good woman, and has a bad fever, and does not know what 

 she is doing !" 



" But, Massa, what all dat conjure-wheels do dar if she am 

 no witch ?" he persisted, in a more cheerful voice, but still 

 hanging back. 



