THE TEXAN HUNTRESS. 331 



" Dat no matter to Tom, Massa ! He sleep under de tree 

 outside, and bring de wood, and fetcli de water from de spring, 

 and no look at um if she no like it for Tom !" 



I said to the planter, in a low voice : — _ 



" Perhaps you had better let him stay ! The poor fellow 

 seems to be very much in earnest, and may be of assist- 

 ance !" 



"You know I wanted you to keep him, — but what will 

 this virago inside say to it ? I believe she has bewitched him 

 already, — do you think she won't whisk him off on a broom- 

 stick, nor anything of that sort ?" 



" 0, no ! I'll make his peace with her, — I'll engage ! but 

 I want him to stay now, — because this sudden and unexpected 

 sort of sympathy and veneration for this woman interests me, 

 and -I wish to trace its real cause, — at present it is entirely 

 inexplicable !" 



" 0, very good ! Tom, you may stay. It seems as curious 

 to me as to you. I shall come over as often as I can to see 

 you all, — but," he added, leaning down from his saddle and 

 speaking in a whisper : — " I want you to beware how Tom 

 hears any more of her fanatical talk about Cain and the 

 darkies, — such things always lead to mischief, and I'm half 

 afraid that is why Tom has so soon got over his scare about 

 her!" 



" Yes ! — ^yes !" I answered, with a smile, — " I'll see to 

 Tom's morals." 



" Then, good-by, and look sharp for witches and Red- 

 skins !" 



So saying, he struck spurs into his horse and gallopped 

 off beneath the mossy hung boughs, followed by his servant, 

 while Tom, with great glee, unharnessed his horse and led 

 him off to stake him out near mine. His manner was comi- 

 cally exulting, as I watched him until nearly out of view. 

 He would throw his head far back, seeming to be in a parox- 

 ism of low laughter, — the chuckling sound of which would 



