thus
defeated, assumed the best grace he could to say that he would see what
could be done "for the _horses_."

"I am a soldier, my man," added the Colonel in a milder tone, as he
stamped his cold feet on the porch and shook off the rain from his
travelling-gear; "I am used to rough fare and a hard couch: all we want
is shelter. A corner of the floor will suffice for me and my rug; a
private room I can dispense with at such times as these."

The landlord seemed no less relieved at this assurance than mollified by
the explanation of a traveller whom he now saw was of a very different
stamp from those who usually frequented the tavern. "For the matter of
_stables_, his were newly put up, and first-rate," he said; and
"cert'n'y the Gen'ral was welcome to a seat by the fire while 'twas
a-storming so fierce."

Colonel Demarion gave orders to his servant regarding the horses, while
the landlord, kicking at what seemed to be a bundle of sacking down
behind the door, shouted--"Jo! Ho, Jo! Wake up, you sleepy-headed
nigger! Be alive, boy, and show this gentleman's horses to the stables."
Upon a repetition of which charges a tall, gaunt, dusky figure lifted
itself from out of the dark corner, and grew taller and more gaunt as it
stretched itself into waking with a grin which was the most visible part
of it, by reason of two long rows of ivory gleaming in the red glare.
The hard words had fallen as harmless on Jo's ear-drum as the kicks upon
his impassive frame. To do Jo's master justice, the kicks were not
vicious kicks, and the rough language was but an intimation that
dispatch was needed. Very much of the spaniel's nature had Jo; and as he
rolled along the passage to fetch a lantern, his mouth expanded into a
still broader grin at the honor of attending so stately a gentleman.
Quick, like his master, too, was Jo to discriminate between "real
gentlefolks" and the "white trash" whose rough-coated, rope-harnessed
mules were the general occupants of his stables.

"Splendid pair, sir," said the now conciliating landlord. "Shove some o'
them mules out into the shed, Jo (which your horses 'll feel more to hum
in my new stalls, Gen'ral)."

Again cautioning his man Plato not to leave them one moment, Colonel
Demarion turned to enter the house.

"You'll find a rough crowd in here, sir," said the host, as he paused on
the threshold; "but a good fire, anyhow. 'Tain't many of these loafers
as understand this convention business--I _