THE TEXAN HUNTRESS. 327 



" Yes ; he has not moved yet !" 



" We can't leave this poor "woman here alone I" — exclaimed 

 my friend, with returning self-possession — "We must remove 

 them to my house and have them cared for !" 



"No, friend — that cannot be !" said the woman — "We live 

 here or we die here ! If you wish to do any thing, send your 

 slaves here with provisions and some simple comforts. Leave 

 that young man with me, and we will nurse him ourselves !" 



My friend was about to answer vehemently with his usual 

 rough impatience of contradiction, but I appealed to him in a 

 beseeching look for acquiescence — for the present at least. 

 I found some difficulty, in the hurried and whispered conver- 

 sation which ensued while she turned back to affectionate 

 offices — in convincing him that it was best to let this strange 

 and unmanageable woman have her own way — that we must 

 humor her, or we could do nothing for her. 



He finally consented, with evident reluctance, to remain 

 with me, and send Tom back to the plantation for supplies. 

 It was about twenty miles distant, and we might expect to 

 hear something of our scout by mid-day to-morrow. When 

 it was explained to Tom what was expected of him, he accepted 

 the mission with astonishing alacrity, and expressed with 

 eagerness, in his own quaint fashion, his readiness to do 

 every thing that speed and energy could accomplish, for he 

 said, with a shamed and sneaking glance at me — 



" She aint no witch — Jim are jes the nigger fool I sed he 

 war ! She be a good woman, massa ! — Tom will gib he's 

 scalp fur hur any time !" and springing upon his horse he 

 galloped away, rifle in hand, and alone across these dangerous 

 wilds. 



" Tom is all right now I" I said, with an attempt at a smile 

 as we turned into the house. 



" Yes ; he's brave as a bull-dog, when he knows what he's 

 doing," answered my friend, with a contemplative look, as we 

 turned towards the round house — " But, by heaven ! — I'd like* 



