you haint got no sense. "Taint no more dan yesterday dat I heard Car❜lina Jake ax massa Eugene if he might hab a fum'ly, an' massa ax who 'twas, an' he said it was Polly." Jeff's sable countenance fell below zero. "Dah now! aint dat too bad? Arter all I gib her dis whole year. Why, dis mornin' I make her beautiful present ob red hankercher. 'Pears like I neber hab no luck." And poor Jeff walked off with a very disconsolate air. Eugene and his friend then continued their walk, laughing at the disappointment of the crestfallen lover, and coming to the conclusion that no station in life was too humble for the spirit of coquetry to flourish in. That evening the "corn-shucking" or husking, came off. The corn was piled in large heaps before the row of cabins, and although it was a bright night, being the full of the moon, each little window of the slaves' habitations was illuminated by a couple of tallow candles, so that every object was distinctly visible. Around the large corn heaps were seated over two hundred men and women, (many of whom were from the neighboring plantations,) tearing off the husks and throwing the ears into separate piles; and in the midst of their employment all were chattering, laughing, singing and telling stories, much to the amusement of themselves and the young gentlemen, who were seated a little apart observing the proceedings. On the top of one of the heaps was mounted uncle Cato, one of the principle slaves, and a great favorite of Eugene's. He was noted for his talent of improvisation. He would sing one or more lines of a song and the chorus would be repeated by all the others. Some of the women had excellent voices, especially the coquet, Miss Polly, a pretty mulatto, who had Caroline Jake beside her, and who wore the identical scarlet handkerchief on her head in the form of a turban, smiling now and then on Jeff, who took no notice, but sat at a distance scowling defiance at his rival. One of the songs ran thus: "The lubly Moon it shine so brigl., Chorus: sing darkeys, sing! De man up dare, he look at us, Chorus; sing, darkeys, sing! Possum-dog he cotch a coon, Chorus: sing, darkeys, sing! Sold de skin and got de chink, Chorus: sing, darkeys, sing!" After this, whiskey was handed about by the overseers, and the slaves becoming very merry, began to caper and sing more noisily than before. "Massa Eugene hab good whiskey, Chorus: shucking ob de corn. O, ho! de niggers jolly! Chorus: Shucking ob de corn. Dat ar Jake, he sits beside her, Chorus: shucking ob de corn. Jeff's so mad, he look like tunder O-0-0-0! who dat hit me wid de corn dah ? Chorus: Jeff, he trew dat corn. By this time the husking was finished, it being quite late, and as the song was concluded they all jumped up and had a regular break-down, exhibiting such ridiculous antics that Melville and Eugene laughed till they could laugh no longer from sheer exhaustion. Then Buchingham ordered them to disperse and retire to their cabins; and the friends returning to the house, soon after sought their beds. CHAPTER VI. "He says he loves my daughter; After remaining at Fairfield Plantation about a week, during which time frequent rides and walks were taken by the young men around the adjacent country, Eugene thought it time to be returning home. On their departure the slaves assembled around them with evident regret at their going, and with one voice they cried, "God bless young massa, and soon bring him back." They were soon seated in the cars and whizzing rapidly towards home. On the road Melville observed many interesting objects that had before escaped his notice; among other things the Spanish moss, as it is called, a singular production, growing in long waving tresses upon the trees of the forest, and appearing to derive its nourishment from the |