uldn't the British make 'em
for 'em? And who was it drove the British out and give us a chance to
make our own laws eh?"

"Pity you isn't a lawyer," said Primus, suddenly abandoning his mirth
at the other's explanation, "dere is a great deal in what you say--de
white men owes a big debt to us colored pussons. Dat is a fust rate
reason why I should want to see de law execute but not for me to go
myself in particular, when, perhaps de ole man point his rifle at me,
and tell me to clear out."

"Why, you don't think he'll resist?" cried the constable somewhat
startled, feeling the apprehensions revive which Tom Gladding had
occasioned, but which the passage of a few days had almost lulled
asleep.

"'Tis bery hard to tell what a man do when he git in a corner," said
Primus, shaking his head, and fastening his eyes on the constable's
face, "but, if you want to know my 'pinion, it is just dis--if Missa
Holden know what you up to, he make day light shine trough you, in
less dan no time, rader dan be took."

"Poh?" exclaimed Basset, affecting a courage he was far from feeling,
"you're skeary, Prime. So, in your judgment, it's safer to go by
night, is it?"

"My 'pinion is made up on all de pints," said Primus, resolutely, and
bringing all his batteries to bear. "Dis case hab two hinge, de fust
is de 'spectability, and de second de safety. Now, if any man suspect
me to go on work ob dis a kind in de day time, when ebery body see me
in you company, he as much mistake as when he kiss his granny for a
gal. De night is de proper time for sich a dark business, and it suit
me better if I 'scuse altogeder from it. But I wish to 'bleege you,
Missa Basset. Now, de second hinge is de safety, and it 'stonish me
dat an onderstanding man, and a man ob experunce and larning like
you, Missa Basset, should dream o' going in de daytime. Dere stand old
Holden probumbly wid his rifle in de window and all he hab to do, he
see so plan, is to pull de trigger and den where is you, Missa Basset?
Or perhaps," he added laughing, "'stead ob shooting at you, he shoot
at me, and dat would be bery onpleasant. In de day-time, a colored
pusson make a better mark dan a white man; but in de night we has de
advantage. Haw! Haw!"

This was a view of things that did not please the constable at
all, and the mirth of the negro appealed excessively ill-timed. He,
therefore, said:

"Don't talk so, Prime; it's dreadful to hear you. Well, if you're
afraid, say s