ted by the old man's simple tale, but
continued pacing up and down the room, and said nothing.

"It's plain to me, Colonel," I remarked, as Pompey concluded, "she has
drowned herself and the child--the dog lost the scent at the creek."

"Oh, no!" he replied; "I think not. I never heard of a negro committing
suicide--they've not the courage to do it."

"I fear she _has_, David," said the lady. "The thought of going to Sam
has led her to it; yet, we dragged the run, and found nothing. What do
you think about it, Pompey?"

"I dunno, ma'am, but I'se afeard of dat; and now dat I tinks ob it, I'se
afeard dat what I tole har put har up ter it," replied the old preacher,
bursting into tears. "She 'peared so happy like, when I say she'd be
'long wid Sam in de oder worle, dat I'se afeard she's a gone and done
it wid har own hands. I tole har, too, dat de Lord would oberlook good
many tings dat pore sinners do when dey can't help 'emselfs--and it make
har do it! Oh! it make har do it!" and the old black buried his face in
his hands, and wept bitterly.

"Don't feel so, Pomp," said his master, _very_ kindly. "You did the best
you could; no one blames you."

"I knows _you_ doant, massa--I knows you doant, and you'se bery good
nottur--but oh! massa, de Lord!" and his body swayed to and fro with the
great grief; "I fears de Lord do, massa, for I'se sent har ter Him wid
har own blood, and de blood of dat pore innercent chile, on har hands.
Oh, I fears de Lord neber'll forgib me--neber'll forgib me for _dat_."

"He will, my good Pomp--He will!" said the Colonel, laying his hand
tenderly on the old man's shoulder. "The Lord will forgive you, for the
sake of the Christian example you've set your master, if for nothing
else;" and here the proud, strong man's feelings overpowering him, his
tears fell in great drops on the breast of the old slave, as they had
fallen there in his childhood.

Such scenes are not for the eye of a stranger, and turning away, I left
the room.

CHAPTER XVI.

"ONE MORE UNFORTUNATE."

The family met at the breakfast-table at the usual hour on the following
morning; but I noticed that Jim was not in his accustomed place behind
the Colonel's chair. That gentleman exhibited his usual good spirits,
but Madam P---- looked sad and anxious, and _I_ had not forgotten the
scene of the previous evening.

While we were seated at the meal, the negro Junius hastily entered the
room, and in an excited manner