6 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS 
ginning to be manacles! A declaration of independence had 
become necessary! not an open one, but a declaration of 
fe expediency ! ?? such an one as we could make without involy- 
ing serious consequences. 
For instance, tem, oyr right to creep out of our windows 
when the “sléepless Gryphons” were abet 1oy once “caught 
napping’—to keep “tryst” with our “peers” in view of a 
descent upon some old snarler’s watermelon patch, which lay 
odd miles away. Item, our right by the same mode of exit, 
or other strategy, at a given hour of the night, to meet at the 
said given place, with the intention of enjoying the moon in 
a “coon” or “’possum” hunt with the “Darkies” and their 
dogs, down at the “Quarter,’* &e., &e., &e. 
As the time had come when we felt it necessary to make 
such doughty demonstrations, our measures were of course 
taken with due an! necessary forecast. i 
Old Sambo, down at the Quarter, the dingy Nimrod of 
darkness and the “ arkies,” was first to be propitiated. He 
is somewhat coy at “rst, tor is grizzly poll has been pene- 
trated with a veneration mos: profound for the dictum of the 
constituted authorities at the “ B’z House!” Sundry presents 
of “baccar” pipes, and old snil':xza, assisted by a most con- 
descending and con‘dential manzer on our part, gradually 
bring him around to a reciprocation. In vague hints, and 
through telegraphic nods and gestures of most profound signi- 
fication, the time, pace, probable force, and accompaniments 
of his noxt great turn-c..t from the Quarter, for a “coon” 
hunt, are all isfiparted to the “young massa.” We of course 
instantly convey the mamentous news through somewhat less 
mysterious mediums to sundry young companions, living near 
at hand, who are eagerly awaiting it. 
The important night has arrived. The “old folks’ have 
* On the plantations there are usually several villages, or settlements of 
the negroes, which are called ‘ Quarters.” 
