fusely, round among them, as also among the negroes, who
had been detailed from the various plantations for this ser-
vice; for it was an object to make every service of this kind,
among the negroes, as much of a holiday as possible.

Cassy placed her ear at the knot-hole; and, as the morn-
ing air blew directly towards the house, she could overhear
a good deal of the conversation. A grave sneer overcast
the dark, severe gravity of her face, as she listened, and
heard them divide out the ground, discuss the rival merits
of the dogs, give orders about firing, and the treatment of
each, in case of capture.

Cassy drew back; and, clasping her hands, looked up-
ward, and said, "O great Almighty God! we are all sin-
ners; but what have we done, more than all the rest of the
world, that we should be treated so?"

There was a terrible earnestness in her face and voice,
as she spoke.

"If it was n't for you, child," she said, looking at Em-
meline, "I 'd go out to them; and I 'd thank any one of
them that would shoot me down; for what use will free-
dom be to me? Can it give me back my children, or make
me what I used to be?"

Emmeline, in her childlike simplicity, was half afraid of
the dark moods of Cassy. She looked perplexed, but made
no answer. She only took her hand, with a gentle, caress-
ing movement.

"Don't!" said Cassy, trying to draw it away; "you'll
get me to loving you; and I never mean to love anything,
again!"

"Poor Cassy!" said Emmeline, "don't feel so! If the
Lord gives us liberty, perhaps he'll give you back your
daughter; at any rate, I'll be like a daughter to you. I
know I'll never see my poor old mother again! I shall
love you, Cassy, whether you love me or not!"

The gentle, childlike spirit conquered. Cassy sat down
by her, put her arm round her neck, stroked her soft, brown
hair; and Emmeline then wondered at the beauty of her
magnificent eyes, now soft with tears.

"Oh, Em!" said Cass, "I've hungered for my chil-
dren, and thirsted for them, and my eyes fail with longing
for them! Here! here!" she said, striking her breast, "it
's all desolate, all empty! If God would give me back my
children, then I could pray."

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