the
second pistol came under my eye, as it stuck out from the breast of his
coat. I drew it forth, and along with its fellow took them into my own
keeping.

"Tell him," said I, "as soon as he comes to himself, that when he next
attacks me, I shall have pistols as well as he!"

Having ordered him to be carried into the house, I now turned my
attention to his victim. Poor Scipio! he had been most cruelly
tortured, and it was some time before he recovered his faculties, so as
to be able to tell me why he had been thus punished.

The relation he at length gave, and it made the blood boil afresh within
my veins. He had surprised the overseer in some of the outbuildings
with little Chloe in his arms, the child crying out and struggling to
get free. Natural indignation on the part of the father led to a blow--
an offence for which Scipio might have lost an arm; but the white
wretch, knowing that he dare not, for his own sake, expose the motive,
had commuted Scipio's legal punishment to a little private torture under
the pump!

My first impulse on hearing this sad story was to return to the house,
report what had occurred to Mademoiselle, and urge upon her the
necessity of getting rid of this savage overseer at all risk.

After a little reflection I changed my mind. I purposed to return upon
the morrow, on business of--to me--much greater importance. To-morrow
it was my intention to _bid for Aurore_!

"I can then," thought I, "introduce the case of poor Scipio. Perhaps it
may be an introduction to the `graver theme?'"

Having promised this much to my old attendant, I mounted my horse, and
rode off, amidst a shower of blessings.

As I passed through the avenue at a walk, women and half-grown girls
hurried from their doors, and kissed my feet as they hung in the
stirrups!

The burning love which so late filled my heart was for a moment unfelt.
Its place was occupied by a calm, sweet happiness--the happiness that
springs from benefaction!

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

GAYARRE AND "BULLY BILL."

On riding out from the quarter I changed my intention of taking the back
road. My visit would no doubt become known to Mademoiselle, and it
differed not if I should now be seen from the house. My blood was up--
so was that of my horse. A rail-fence was nothing to either of us now;
so heading round, I cleared a couple of palings; and then striking
across a cotton-field arrived once more on the Levee road.

After a