time for both white and black when the wagons came from the river; there
were always boxes of fruits and candies and nuts, besides large trunks
which were carried into the store-room till Christmas, and which
everybody knew contained Christmas presents for "all hands." One winter
evening in 1853, the children were all gathered at the big gate, on the
lookout for the wagons. Diddie was perched upon one gate-post and Dumps
on the other, while Tot was sitting on the fence, held on by Riar, lest
she might fall. Dilsey and Chris were stationed 'way down the road to
catch the first glimpse of the wagons. They were all getting very
impatient, for they had been out there nearly an hour, and it was now
getting so late they knew Mammy would not let them stay much longer.

"I know de reason dey so late, Miss Diddie," said Riar; "dey got dat
new mule Sam in de lead in one de wagins and Unker Bill say he know he
gwine cut up, f'um de look in he's eyes."

"Uncle Bill don't know everything," answered Diddie. "There are six
mules in the wagon, and Sam's jest only one of 'em; I reckon he can't
cut up much by hisself; five's more 'n one, ain't it?"

"I do b'lieve we've been out hyear er hun-der-d hours," said Dumps,
yawning wearily; and just then Dilsey and Chris came running towards the
gate, waving their arms and crying,

"Hyear dey come! hyear dey come!" and, sure enough, the great
white-covered wagons came slowly down the road, and Major Waldron on
Prince, his black horse, riding in advance.

He quickened his pace when he caught sight of the children; for he was
very fond of his little daughters, and had been away from them two