you a licking."

"Basset, nor no oder man, ebber see de day nor night to make me
'fraid," said the valorous General, whose natural courage was a
little stimulated by the cider he had been drinking, starting up and
preparing for his expedition. "But, Missa Gladding, you promise to
stand by me if dis scrape go any furder."

"Sartainly," answered Tom, "I never left a friend in the lurch, I tell
you."

"Gib us you hand on dat."

Tom extended a great sledge-hammer fist, and the two shook hands in
sign of inviolable fidelity.

"Now," said Tom, "I guess, I'll make myself scarce. I wouldn't have
him see me in this rig for all the cider I drank to-night. There's
some left in the old pitcher, so fetch him along, and comfort the
critter's heart with a few swigs."

With these words, Tom took his leave, first altering somewhat the
disposition of his garments, divesting himself of the sash, placing
the cap higher on his brows, and depositing the false beard in his
pocket, while Primus, lighting a fresh pipe, sallied forth on his
errand of benevolence.

As he approached he could hear plainer the halloo which Basset
occasionally emitted from his trap. The ears of the latter sharpened
by expectation, caught the sound of the advancing steps, while as yet
the deliverer was at too great a distance to see the hole, and his
cries for assistance were redoubled.

"Help!" he cried, "help! They want to murder me. This way--here, in
the old well--this way--O, Lord!"

Such were the cries that saluted the ears of Primus, as soon as he was
near enough to distinguish articulate sounds.

"Who dere?" cried the General.

"O, Prime, help us out of this tarnation hole," groaned Basset.

"Onpossible! can dis be you, Missa Basset?" inquired Primus, peering
over the edge of the pit. "How come you dere?"

"Don't ask no questions, now, though, I guess, you know as well as
me."

"His head turn wid de scare, probumbly," soliloquized Primus, loud
enough to be heard by the captive. "I curus to larn how you fall in.
Ebberybody know dis hole, Missa Basset."

"Haul me out, and I'll let you know."

There was something in the tone of voice that did not at all please
the General, so looking around, and observing no one in sight, for
it was a lonely place, and having all the advantage on his side, he
resolved to parley, and secure satisfactory terms before he delivered
the prisoner.

"I bery sorry for you, Missa Basset," he said, "and if you wait