was, an' I poke some holes in de varmints
'fore dey hoed away."

"And how did you escape, Quash? Come, sit down and tell me all about
it."

The negro willingly complied. Meanwhile the Indian girl, who had been
roused by his sudden entrance, resumed her seat on the saddle, and,
looking intently into his black face, seemed to try to gather from the
expression of his features something of what he said.

We need not repeat the story. It was a detailed account of murder and
destruction; the burning of the place and the scattering of the old
servants. Fortunately Lawrence had no relatives to deplore.

"But don't you know where any of the household have gone?" he asked,
when the excited negro paused to recover breath.

"Don't know nuffin'. Arter I poke de holes in de scoundrils, I was
'bleeged to bolt. When I come back, de ole house was in flames, an'
eberybody gone--what wasn't dead. I hollered--ay, till I was a'most
busted--but nobody reply. Den I bury de dead ones, an' I've hoed about
eber since slobberin' an' wringin' my hands."

"Was our old clerk among the slain?" asked Lawrence.

"No, massa, but I tinks he's a dead one now, for he too ole to run far."

"And I suppose you can't even guess where any of those who escaped went
to?"

"Couldn't guess more nor a Red Injin's noo-born babby."

"Quashy," said Lawrence in a low voice, "be careful how you speak of
Indians."

He glanced, as he spoke, at Manuela, who now sat with grave face and
downcast eyes, having apparently found that the human countenance,
however expressive, failed to make up for the want of language.

And, truly, Quashy's countenance was unwontedly mobile and expressive.
Every feature seemed to possess the power of independently betraying the
thoughts and feelings of the man, so that when they all united for that
end the effect was marvellous. Emotional, and full of quick sympathy,
Quashy's visage changed from grave to gay, pitiful to fierce, humorous
to savage, at a moment's notice. When, therefore, he received the
gentle rebuke above referred to, his animated countenance assumed a
sudden aspect of utter woe and self-condemnation that may be conceived
but cannot be described, and when Lawrence gave vent to a short laugh at
the unexpected change, Quashy's eyes glistened with an arch look, and
his mouth expanded from ear to ear.

And what an expansion that was, to be sure! when you take into account
the display of white teeth and red gu