THE FIEE HUNTEE. 



IT was on a fine evening in October, when the 

 coolness of the air gave promise of an approaching 

 frost, that a man in the common country^ garb 

 might be observed pacing with hurried step the 

 piazza of his humble dwelling, in lower Carolina. 

 He was short, of sinewy frame, with high shoulders, 

 lank whitish hair, sallow skin, and vulgar features ; 

 redeemed from their common-place expression, only 

 by a squint in one eye, and a mouth extending from 

 ear to ear. A crumpled letter was in his hand, and 

 he cast looks of indignation, from time to time, 

 toward a negro boy, who had posted himself without 

 the paling that inclosed the house as if he feared a 

 nearer approach might expose him to proofs of his 

 displeasure, yet more decisive. The man in home- 

 spun garb was an overseer ; the letter was from his 

 employer ; and the boy was the plantation messen- 

 ger, who had just delivered him the letter which 

 provoked his spleen. 



" How dared you, sir, tell your master about 

 them bucks that lie in the pea-field ?" said the man 



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