ngs, Missa Basset. But you can try it if you please," he
added, letting fall his arms by his sides, which, at the threatening
tone of the constable, he had raised instinctively in self-defence.

But the other seemed more disposed to allow his anger to explode in
words than to resort to violence.

"To be chucked into a hole like a dead cat, by a cunning old wool
head, was more'n mortal man could bear," he said, "and he didn't know
why he shouldn't knock out his black brains, on the spot."

"You can try de 'speriment, if you please," said Primus, cooly, "and
when dey is knock out, I advise you to gadder dem up for you own use."

"You're a saacy nigger," said Basset, "and if I sarved you right, I'd
clap you into the workhouse."

"Missa Basset, you bery mad; and when a man is mad, he always
onreasonable. But fire away--it keep you warm, and stop you catching
cold."

"Onreasonable! when a fellow's been sprawling about in snow and
cornstalks, for more'n two hours, and got more'n half froze! How would
you like it?"

"If Missa Basset chase Missa Holden, in de moonlight, and fall into a
hole, is I to blame?"

"I don't believe it was Holden. I believe it was all a plan between
you and some other fellow to git me into the scrape. Come, now,
Prime," he said, moderating his voice into a less ill-natured tone,
"tell us, and I'll let you off this time."

"O, Lord!" exclaimed Primus, lifting up his hands, with open palms,
and rolling up his eyes towards the moon, "de man is crazy wid de
fright, and he see Missa Holden, too, widin two tree feet."

He turned now on his way home, as if disdaining longer converse with
one who refused to listen to reason. The constable followed at his
side, growling the whole way, and reproaching the General with his
perfidy, the latter protesting it was Basset's own fault, "when he
knew dere was a hole dere," and that he would have nothing to do with
him, or with the cunning old man, for the future. Upon arriving at the
bars, Primus, notwithstanding his indignation at the suspicion cast
on his honor, courteously invited Basset to take a drink with him,
but the latter, suspecting, perhaps, another snare, was in no humor
to accept the invitation; and, turning away without even noticing the
black's good-night, directed hasty steps towards the lights of the
town.

CHAPTER XXI.

"Who called you forth from night and utter death,
From dark and icy caverns, called you forth,
Down those