very well, then," cried the boy. "Here goes. I say, father--" He
ran forward, and as he joined the captain, taking hold of the mane of
his horse, and walking on beside him, Sam's face was so full of pitiable
consternation that the other two boys laughed.

Sam turned upon them fiercely.

"Ah, it's all very well for you two to grin," he growled. "Think o'
what it's going to be for me."

"Serve you right for saying what you did," cried Rifle, by way of
consolation.

"Oh, Master Raffle, don't you turn again me, too.--He's too hard, ain't
he, Master 'Temus?"

"Not a bit," cried the latter. "You grumble at everything. You're a
regular old Sourkrout, always grumbling."

"Well! of all!" gasped the gardener, taking off his hat and wiping his
brow.

"Look here," cried Rifle; "father will be back here directly, so you had
better go down on your knees and say you're very sorry."

"That I won't," said German, sturdily.

"And say you believe that the place is beautiful, and that you'll make a
better garden than we had in the country, and grow everything."

"No; you won't ketch me saying such a word as that, sir, for I don't
believe the place is any good at all. I say, see them chaps yonder?"

The boys looked in the direction pointed out by Sam with his whip, and
Rifle exclaimed, "Blacks!"

"Yes; I saw one too."

"I seed three or four dodging in and out among the trees," said Sam.

Rifle ran on to join his father.

"Stop a moment, Master Raffle," cried Sam, imploringly. "Oh, he's gone!
Go on too, Master 'Temus, and say that I didn't mean it. The captain
would be so put out if I found fault, after promising to stand by him
through thick and thin."

"Then will the land grow potatoes?" said Tim mischievously.

"If I don't make it grow some as is twice as big as those at home, I'm a
Dutchman. Oh dear! Here he comes."

For the captain had turned his horse's head and returned.

"Did you both see blacks?" he said anxiously.

"Yes, both of us, uncle, going from tree to tree along there toward the
river."

"How many did you see, Tim?"

"I think it was two, uncle; but I'm not sure, for they darted from bush
to bush, and were in sight and out again directly."

"And you, German?"

"Oh, I saw 'em first, sir, just as Master 'Temus says, running and
dodging from bush to tree, so as to keep out of sight."

"But how many did you see?"

Can't say for certain, sir; but I don't think there was more'n six.

T