UP STREAM: ON THE RED RIVER. 391 



when you see and understand and feel what a Con- 

 ne'ticut man can do. You say Boe, Boe ! like a poor 

 benighted crittur as you are, but what do you say to 

 that ? " cried the pedlar in a triumphant voice, as 

 he held close to the negro's nose a piece of linen 

 rag on which he had smeared a green greasy sub- 

 stance bearing a strong resemblance to paste-blacking 

 in a . state of decomposition. Then, taking up the 

 box which contained this precious compound, he 

 put it in close proximity to the obtuse snout of the 

 blackamoor, who made a grimace as if his olfactories 

 were but moderately regaled by the odour emanating 

 from the miraculous ointment. 



"What d'ye think of that, Sambo? Is that the 

 stuff or not? "Will that do, think ye? Well, you 

 shall soon see. Gentlemen ! " he continued, with 

 all the gravity of a legitimate M.D. " Gentlemen ! 

 the arms and legs of this poor Sambo must be 

 stretched as much as possible, in order that the sarve 

 may take its full effect. Will you be good enough 

 to assist me 1 ?" 



Upon the word, the backwoodsmen caught hold 

 of the negro's limbs, and began pulling and tugging 

 at them till the poor devil roared as if they had been 

 impaling him. 



" Boohoo away ! " cried the Yankee. " It's all for 

 your good. If your shoulder is put out, the stretchin' 

 will put it in ag'in." 



The negro continued his lamentations, as well he 



