THE PLANTATION HOUSE OF " FAR AWAY." 45 



as laugh, but, on the contrary, we were both rather inclined to 

 raise a row than be laughed at, and Stockton, grasping his son by 

 the shoulder, in a passion exclaimed — 



" ' What the devil is all this tomfoolery about ? Say ! Tell me 

 this instant, sir, or I '11 " boot " you clear home/ 



" ' Ha ! ha ! O Lordy ! ha ! ha ! Amelia Lighthouse I 

 Lordy ! Did I ever ? Five miles — ough — my poor sides ! ' 



" My curiosity was now excited to the utmost, and I turned to 

 Stockton for an explanation. I shall not attempt to describe the 

 expression of his countenance. Mirth and anger were never so 

 well mingled before. 



" ' Jackson,' said he, finally, ' we are a pair of asses, and have 

 been shooting at the revolving light on the Amelia Lighthouse, 

 five miles off I' 



" Then suddenly dropping the fire-pan, he ran to where his son 

 was kicking and screaming about on the ground. He picked him 

 up by the coat collar, shaking him into silence, and then said, 

 ' Now look here, if you say one word about this at home, as sure 

 as I 'm your father, you shall never fire a gun as long as you live.' " 



As the laughter and comments on Jackson's story subsided, 

 one of the negro boys said — 



" Wish maussa hunt dat air varmint wha 's a takin' off de 

 lambs so ; 'specs as him hab no lamb 'tall soon." 



" Lost any to-day ? " 



" 'Spec a los' two, and two afore yesterday, and gwine to lose 

 two dis night, kase all sheep come in quick, bein' wild : shore 

 sign dat." 



" What is it, do you think ? " 



" Painter, for true ! I 'se seen his tracks ! " 



" Why don't you let your boys sleep by the sheep-pen ? " I 

 asked of Jackson. 



" I am afraid, sir, I would have to pen them in," he replied ; 

 " and then, if it was a panther, he might take the negro, and he is 

 worth more than the sheep." 



" Then why don't you shoot the beast ? " 



" I have hunted her till I am tired, and it only ends in her 



