man. I depose my life on de
ribber. I git a'most murdered when de ghost kick him behind; he break
my leg made out ob a good piece ob ash; I invite him to my house, like
a gen'leman, and de civilest word I get, is--darkey and old fool. Yes,
Primus, you complexion is dark, and you be a big fool."

"Don't take on so, Prime," said Basset; "I spoke rash, and I ask your
pardon. But, what's the use of aggravating a man in that way!"

"I tink you must 'scuse my keeping company wid you, arter to-night,"
continued Primus, looking steadily into the fire, and knitting his
brows; "I nebber get noting but bad luck in his sarvice. Next time,
I git my neck broke, and den 'tis all done wid dis poor niggur. De
carpenter find hard work to make one to fit."

"Now, Prime," said Basset, "you're rather too hard. I asked your
pardon, and that's all a man can do. I'm sure I didn't mean to set you
agoing at this rate."

"It bery easy, Massa Basset, to say I ask you pardon, and bery polite
for a white man to say it to a colored pusson, but does dat pay for de
breaking ob a leg or de setting ob my neck?"

"What did it cost to mend your leg?"

"I gib Fannin, de carpenter, a halb dollar for a new one dat wasn't
half so good as de ole one."

"Well, I vow, that's considerable for an old stick, 'cause I know
there wasn't no new iron work about it, for you had the old ferule
left; but seeing as how I broke it, I'll split the difference with
you, so there's a quarter. But why didn't you speak of it afore?"

"'Cause," said Primus, taking the money with eyes brightening at the
sight, "'tween gen'lemen, de trifle was too small."

"Well, you're a curious chap. Now most folks would have dunned me
right off for the damage. There's Tom Gladding', if he had a wooden
leg, and I broke it, don't you suppose he'd make me settle before
sunset next day? Besides the law was all on your side."

"I guess, Massa Gladding 'tend to business in his own way," said the
now good-humored General, "but you, Squire, is an old 'quaintance, and
you disappointment so great, I didn't like to mention de leg."

As soon as Primus uttered the word "Squire," Basset knew that the
reconciliation between them was complete. The General never used the
word in reference to his companion, except when pleased and desirous
to pay a compliment, and was fully aware of the effect it produced.
The constable, born and bred among a people fond of titles, and fond
of giving them, was not exem