lways er
'soshatin' with sheeps."

"You're mighty fond of 'im sometimes," said Diddie, "an' you was mighty
glad he was here jes now, to be Lord Burgoyne: he's jes doin' this fur
fun; an' ef Chris was _my_ nigger, I'd make her git down an' drive 'im
away."

Chris belonged to Dumps, and Mammy had taught the children never to give
orders to each other's maids, unless with full permission of the owner.

"I ain't gwine hab nuf'n ter do wid 'im," said Chris.

"Yes you are, Chris," replied Dumps, who had eagerly caught at Diddie's
suggestion of having him driven away. "Get down this minute, an' drive
'im off; ef yer don't, I'll tell Mammy you wouldn't min' me."

"Mammy'll hatter whup me, den," said Chris (for Mammy always punished
the little negroes for disobedience to their mistresses); "she'll
hatter whup me, caze I ain't gwine ter hab nuf'n tall ter do wid dat
sheep; I ain't gwine ter meddle long 'im, hab 'im buttin' me in de
ditch."

"Riar, you go," said Diddie; "he ain't butted you yet."

"He ain't gwine ter, nuther," said Riar, "caze I gwine ter stay up hyear
long o' Miss Tot, like Mammy tell me. I 'longs to her, an' I gwine stay
wid 'er myse'f, an' nuss 'er jes like Mammy say."

It was now almost dark, and Old Billy showed no signs of weariness; his
vigilance was unabated, and the children were very miserable, when they
heard the welcome sound of Mammy's voice calling "Chil'en! O-o-o-o,
chil-en!"

"Ma-a-a-m!" answered all of the little folks at once.

"Whar is yer?" called Mammy,

"On top the lumber-pile," answered the children; and soon Mammy appeared
coming through the woods.

She had missed the children at snack-time, and had been down to the
quarters, and, in fact, all over the place, hunting for them. The
children were delighted to see her now, and so, indeed, seemed Old
Billy, for, quitting his position at Dilsey's head, he set out at his
best speed for Mammy, and Dilsey immediately jumped to her feet, and was
soon on the lumber with her companions.

"Now yer gwuf fum yer, gwuf fum yer!" said Mammy, furiously waving a
cotton-stalk at Old Billy. "Gwuf fum yer, I tell you! I ain't bodern'
you. I jes come fur de chil'en, an' yer bet not fool 'long er me, yer
low-life sheep."

But Old Billy, not caring a fig for Mammy's dignity or importance,
planted his head in her breast, and over the old lady went backwards. At
this the children, who loved Mammy dearly, set up a yell, and Mammy,
still waving the