hey're
all off--off ter Squire Preston's sale.'

'The sale! Has it begun?'

'I reckon! Ben a gwine fur two days.'

My heart sank within me. I was too late!

'Are all the negroes sold?'

'No; them comes on ter morrer. He's got a likely gang.'

I breathed more freely. At this moment a well-dressed gentleman,
followed by a good-looking yellow man, entered the room. He wore spurs,
and was covered with dust. Approaching the counter, he said:

'Here, you lazy devil--a drink for me and my boy. I'm drier than a
parson--Old Bourbon.'

As the bartender poured out the liquor, the new comer's eye fell upon
me. His face seemed familiar, but I could not recall it. Scanning me for
a moment, he held out his hand in a free, cordial manner, saying:

'Ah! Mr. Kirke, is this you? You don't remember me? my name is Gaston.'

'Mr. Gaston, I'm glad to see you,' I replied, returning his salutation.

'Have a drink, sir?'

'Thank you.' I emptied the glass. I was jaded, and had eaten nothing
since morning. 'I'm in pursuit of a horse under difficulties, Mr.
Gaston. Perhaps you can tell me where to get one. I must be at Preston's
to-night.'

'They're scarcer than hen's teeth round here, just now, I reckon. But
hold on; I go there in the morning. I'll borrow a buggy, and you can
ride up with me.'

'No, I must be there to-night. How far is it?'

'Twenty miles.'

'Well, I'll walk. Landlord, give me supper at once.'

'_Walk_ there! My dear sir, we don't abuse strangers in these diggin's.
The road is sandier than an Arab desert. You'd never get there afoot.
Tom,' he added, calling to his man, 'give Buster some oats; rub him
down, and have him here in half an hour. Travel, now, like greased
lightning.' Then turning to me, he continued: 'You can have _my_ horse.
He's a spirited fellow, and you'll need to keep an eye on him; but he'll
get you there in two hours.'

'But how will _you_ get on?'

'I'll take my boy's, and leave the darky here.'

'Mr. Gaston, I cannot tell you the service you are doing me.'

'Don't speak of it, my dear sir. A stranger can have anything of mine
but my wife;' and he laughed pleasantly.

He went with me into the supper room, and there told me that the sale of
Preston's plantation, furniture, live stock, farm tools, &c., had
occupied the two previous days; and that the negroes were to be put on
the block at nine o'clock the next morning. 'I've got my eye on one or
two of them, that I mean to buy. The nig