r allusion was made to it. O,
it was prophetic, 'twas a revelation of dire calamities to follow, one
after another.

"I could see it all when time unfolded the mystery, as it did, in
regular order. It was a warning so strangely imparted. But why, why this
warning, and why the calamities? That is the question which has been
demanding an answer so long; and yet no answer comes that seems to
satisfy my mind. Well, well, let that pass for the present.

"The next morning I sent Ham to the farm on horseback to bring some
vegetables. Early in the forenoon we heard a noise as if the running
of a horse down the street, and looking out saw Ham coming under heavy
pressure, with sails spread. I ran out on the porch, and Ham pulled in
opposite the little yard gate. I called to him, and asked what was the
trouble. The old darky was so scared that he stammered and made motions,
but I could get nothing of an intelligent character from him. I made him
dismount, tie up his horse, and come in. By this time the family were
all out inquiring into the trouble. Ham sat down on the edge of the
porch near the entrance and fanned himself with his hat. Great drops
of perspiration were rolling down his face. He seemed to be in much
distress. Finally Jennie said to him:

"'Ham, where is the lettuce, the asparagus, and the butter we sent you
after?'

"Ham, finding by this time that he was not dead, essayed to speak. He
raised himself to his full height.

"'W'y! W'y! Yeas! Yeas! De--de--de--dey done gone!'

"'Gone where?' asked Jennie.

"'Dey done gone on de road, missus. I jes' tell you-uns dey's Sesh in
heah. 'Spec dey got dem, dey eat dem for dey dinner. Dey got dem, sho.'

"'Well, what about the "Sesh," as you call them?

"'O, I tole you all 'bout dem. 'Pore de Laud, I mus' rest fust. I is
powerful tired, missis--I is.'

"'Well, Ham, put up your horse and get over your fright, and then
perhaps you can explain more satisfactorily what has happened to you.'

"'Yeas, missus, I 'spect dat am de bes' way.'

"So, when Ham had cooled off, we had him give us his experience. He
said:

"'Well, Massa Daniel, I jes' go to de farm and dar seed Massa Joseph
Dent. He fix up de littis, de 'sparagrass, and de eggs; and when dey all
fix up I get ready to come home. He says, "Ham, you see dem fellows down
de road dar?" I looked and seed 'em, and say "Yes, sah." Den he say,
"Dey bad man's dey is; kase dey's done bin heah all de mornin' lookin'
round