l in the resonant vessel, made a
not unmusical accompaniment to the storm.

The old man fumbled around under his bed, and presently dragged forth a
large bag filled with lightwood knots, which, with an instinctive
economy in this particular direction, he had stored away for an
emergency. A bright but flickering flame was the result of this timely
discovery, and the effect it produced was quite in keeping with all the
surroundings. The rain, and wind, and darkness held sway without, while
within, the unsteady lightwood blaze seemed to rhyme with the
_drip-drip-drip_ in the pan. Sometimes the shadow of Uncle Remus, as he
leaned over the hearth, would tower and fill the cabin, and again it
would fade and disappear among the swaying and swinging cobwebs that
curtained the rafters.

"W'en bed-time come, honey," said Uncle Remus, in a soothing tone, "I'll
des snatch down yo' pa buggy umbrell' fum up dar in de cornder, des lak
I bin a-doin', en I'll take'n take you und' my arm en set you down on
Miss Sally h'a'th des ez dry en ez wom ez a rat'-nes' inside a
fodder-stack."

At this juncture 'Tildy, the house-girl, rushed in out of the rain and
darkness with a water-proof cloak and an umbrella, and announced her
mission to the little boy without taking time to catch her breath.

"Miss Sally say you got ter come right back," she exclaimed. "Kaze she
skeerd lightin' gwine strak 'roun' in yer 'mongs' deze high trees
some'rs."

Uncle Remus rose from his stooping posture in front of the hearth and
assumed a threatening attitude.

"Well, is anybody year de beat er dat!" was his indignant exclamation.
"Look yer, gal! don't you come foolin' 'longer me--now, don't you do it.
Kaze ef yer does, I'll take'n hit you a clip w'at'll put you ter bed
'fo' bed-times come. Dat 's w'at!"

"Lawdy! w'at I done gone en done ter Unk' Remus now?" asked 'Tildy, with
a great affectation of innocent ignorance.

"I'm gwine ter put on my coat en take dat ar umbrell', en I'm gwine
right straight up ter de big house en ax Miss Sally ef she sont dat
kinder wud down yer, w'en she know dat chile sittin' yer 'longer me. I'm
gwine ter ax her," continued Uncle Remus, "en if she aint sont dat wud,
den I'm gwine ter fetch myse'f back. Now, you des watch my motions."

"Well, I year Miss Sally say she 'feard lightnin' gwine ter strak
some'rs on de place," said 'Tildy, in a tone which manifested her
willingness to compromise all differences, "en den I axt 'er