air, and a large stone pitcher, containing cider, was
placed near the centre of a table, on which the elbow of Tom was
leaning, who, from time to time, replenished a mug with the liquor,
which made frequent journeys to his mouth. The old General, with
his pipe, was seated on the other side of the table, and appeared as
fervent in his devotions to the pitcher as his guest.

"I tell you what, Prime," said Tom, "I come plaguy nigh tumbling in
myself. I thought I marked the spot exactly, but somehow or other the
snow light sort o' blinded me, and I stepped right on the edge, and
had to spring for't like all natur'."

"Dat would a been fust rate, to catch two fox in one trap," said the
General, the whites of whose eyes gleamed plainer than ever in the
fire light at the thought.

"Fun for you, but not for me by a long chalk. Basset would have the
best on't, too, for he'd have come right top on me. How the crittur
would have crowed!"

"I hear him crow two or tree time already," said Primus, who had been
to the door several times, and could detect faint sounds whenever the
imprisoned Basset shouted.

"Let him try his lungs a little longer. It will clear his voice for
singing school. I guess I must go to meeting next Sabbath, if for
nothing else, to hear him perform."

"But I 'fraid de poor man freeze," said the compassionate General.

"Never fear, 'twon't hurt him. It will do him good to freeze some of
the ugliness out of him. Besides it's best to wait awhile. Perhaps,
somebody coming along will help him out, and that will save you the
trouble."

"Me! Missa Gladding! what hab I to do wid it? You put him dere, and
you is de one to pull him out."

"Don't be onreasonable, Prime, now. You see, if I should go, he'd
know, of course, all about it. Why, he'd recollect the clothes, and
next thing I should be took up for assault and battery."

"And who save me from being took up?"

"O, there ain't no danger of that. They can't git no hold on ye. You
can say you hearn crying for help, and didn't know but what Holden had
turned on him, and so come to assist."

Primus shook his head dubiously. He hardly knew what to reply, yet was
evidently disinclined to the adventure. For that reason, perhaps, he
allowed Basset to remain in durance longer than his own good-nature
prompted, in the hope that relief might arrive from some other
quarter.

"I vow," at last exclaimed Gladding, "if I don't believe you're afraid
Basset will give