no thought in his mind; there
was buoyancy enough in the excitement of his spirit, at that moment, to
give even a pleasurable aspect to the obstacles that rose before him.

At an early hour he commenced the work of preparation: he had little
trouble in this respect. He studiously selected from his wardrobe such
portions of it as had been the gift of his uncle, all of which he
carefully excluded from among the contents of the little portmanteau
which readily comprised the residue. His travelling-dress was quickly
adjusted; and not omitting a fine pair of pistols and a dirk, which, at
that period, were held in the south and southwest legitimate companions,
he found few other cares for arrangement. One token alone of Edith--a
small miniature linked with his own, taken a few seasons before, when
both were children, by a strolling artist--suspended by a chain of the
richest gold, was carefully hung about his neck. It grew in value, to
his mind, at a moment when he was about to separate, perhaps for ever,
from its sweet original.

At midnight, when all was silent--his portmanteau under his arm--booted,
spurred, and ready for travel--Ralph descended to the lower story, in
which slept the chief servant of the house. Caesar was a favorite with
the youth, and he had no difficulty in making himself understood. The
worthy black was thunderstruck with his determination.

"Ky! Mass Ralph, how you talk! what for you go dis time o'night? What
for you go 'tall?"

The youth satisfied him, in a manner as evasive and brief as possible,
and urged him in the preparation of his steed for the journey. But the
worthy negro absolutely refused to sanction the proceeding unless he
were permitted to go along with him. He used not a few strong arguments
for this purpose.

"And what we all for do here, when you leff? 'speck ebbery ting be dull,
wuss nor ditch-water. No more fun--no more shuffle-foot. Old maussa no
like de fiddle, and nebber hab party and jollication like udder people.
Don't tink I can stay here, Mass Ra'ph, after you gone; 'spose, you no
'jection, I go 'long wid you? You leff me, I take to de swamp, sure as a
gun."

"No, Caesar, you are not mine; you belong to your young mistress. You
must stay and wait upon her."

"Ha!" was the quick response of the black, with a significant smirk upon
his lip, and with a cunning emphasis; "enty I see; wha' for I hab eye ef
I no see wid em? I 'speck young misses hab no 'jection for go too--