THE FIRE HUNTER. 255 



wouldn't throw away de pan ! hog mabe ! mate 

 calf for calf eye, when meat scarce, shine so like 

 deer, ee tek a bery honest man to know de differ- 

 ence ! Ecod, I look out ; mabe I ketch someting 

 wot while !" and flinging the blazing fagots into 

 the pan, he proceeded on his way, examining the 

 road for some signs, by which to guide him to what 

 he sought. " Ho ! ho ! I on the right course now ; 

 for here de horse track and here de blood ! ee 

 point for home ! Mass Slouch may be, double 

 behind my back, and gone out gen ; one buck ! one 

 colt ! he want more meat dese buckra man greedy 

 for tru ! "Well, I on the trail now, and I flnd um 

 'fore long !" 



The negro's attention was soon arrested by 

 the distinct sounds of a horse's tread, which 

 seemed to proceed from the path directly ahead, 

 and which, indicating at first but a slow pace 

 came suddenly to mark the movement of a horse 

 at speed. 



" He run from de light," said Pompey ; you at 

 some debiltry, is you ?" and he hastened forward to 

 reconnoitre the spot, from which the horseman had 

 so hurriedly sped. 



The spectacle that met his eye was anything but 

 what he expected ! Lying across the path, and 

 turned over upon his face, was the body of a man. 



