e at once, and
stretching-out his dimpled arms, he expressed his willingness to be
taken up. Hugh could not resist Willie's appeal, and lifting him gently
in his arms, he bore him off in triumph, the little fellow patting his
cheek, and rubbing his own against it.

"I don't know what I'll do with you, my little man," he said, as he
reached the lower hall; then suddenly turning in the direction of his
mother's room, he walked deliberately to the bedside, and ere the
half-awakened 'Lina was aware of his intention, deposited his burden
between her and his mother.

"Here, Ad, here's something that will raise you quicker than yeast," he
said, beating a hasty retreat, while the indignant young lady verified
his words by leaping half-way across the floor, her angry tones mingling
with Willie's crowing laugh, as the child took the whole for fun, meant
expressly for his benefit.

Hugh knew that Willie was safe with his mother, and hurried out to the
kitchen, where only a few of his negroes were yet stirring.

"Ho, Claib!" he called, "saddle Rocket quick and bring him to the door.
I'm going to the cornfield."

"Lor' bless you, mas'r, it's done snow higher than Rocket's head. He
never'll stand it nohow."

"Do as I bid you," was Hugh's reply, and indolent Claib went shivering
to the stable where Hugh's best horses were kept.

A whinnying sound of welcome greeted him as he entered, but was soon
succeeded by a spirited snort as he attempted to lead out a most
beautiful dapple gray, Hugh's favorite steed, his pet of pets, and the
horse most admired and coveted in all the country.

"None of yer ars," Claib said, coaxingly, as the animal threw up its
graceful neck defiantly. "You've got to git along, 'case Mas'r Hugh say
so. You knows Mas'r Hugh."

"What is it?" Hugh asked, coming out upon the stoop, and comprehending
the trouble at a glance. "Rocket, Rocket," he cried, "easy, my boy," and
in an instant Rocket's defiant attitude changed to one of perfect
obedience.

"There, my beauty," he said, as the animal continued to prance around
him, now snuffing at the snow, which he evidently did not fancy, and
then pawing at it with his forefeet. "There, my beauty, you've showed
off enough. Come, now, I've work for you to do."

Docile as a lamb when Hugh commanded, he stood quietly while Claib
equipped him for his morning's task.

"Tell mother I shan't be back to breakfast," Hugh said, as he sprang
into the saddle, and giving lo