y around him, he discovered the form of Vernon upon
the floor. This seemed to recall his recollection of the events of the
hour.

"Whar's Suke?" said he.

Then perceiving her outstretched form upon the bed, he calmly, but very
sorrowfully, asked, "Is she dead?"

"No, thank God! she is not dead; but I fear she is badly injured,"
replied Emily, who was still bending over the sufferer.

The woodman approached the bed-side, and, observing the faint breathing
which gently heaved her chest, he seemed comforted.

"Whar's the wound?" asked he, in a melancholy tone.

"In her side," replied Emily; "the bullet seems to have penetrated the
region below the heart."

"Poor gal! I'm feered it's all up with her. She has been a good woman to
me."

"I am afraid my visit to your house will prove a sad day to you, even if
she recovers," said Emily, in a sad tone.

"No, stranger, no! Suke would have died any day to save a neighbor from
misery;" and the woodman's eyes filled with tears at the remembrance of
his humble companion's virtues.

"But let us hope for the best. Is there a physician in the vicinity?"

"Ay, stranger, there is one that sometimes helps the poor folks about
here."

"Then, Hatchie, you can go for him."

"Stop a little! The doctor is an oncommon strange man, and lives on an
island down the bend."

"I will go for him," said Hatchie.

"I dar say; but whar you gwine? that's the pint. Nobody can find the way
that warn't there before. My son, Jim, will soon be here."

"But we must be as speedy as possible," suggested Emily.

The arrival of the woodman's son terminated the difficulty. It was
arranged that Hatchie should go with him, to assist in rowing back.

As they were about to depart, Vernon showed signs of returning life, and
Hatchie conveyed him to an out-building till a more convenient season,
and then dismissed the negro and his vehicle, which had been brought to
convey Emily to Vicksburg.

CHAPTER XVI.

"Then rose from sea to sky the wild farewell;
Then shrieked the timid, and stood still the brave;
Then some leaped overboard with dreadful yell,
As eager to anticipate their grave." BYRON.

We left the Chalmetta in a situation which demands explanation.

Emily retired to her state-room on that dreadful night entirely relieved
from the distressing anticipations which had before oppressed her. Her
name and her home were virtually restored to her. The foul stain