As soon as they were all scalped they started over again, and kept up
the fun until the big plantation bell sounded, and then the Injuns
deserted in a body and ran off pell-mell to the quarters; for that bell
was for the Christmas dinner, and they wouldn't miss that for all the
scalps that ever were taken.

[Illustration: PLAYING "INJUNS."]

There were three long tables, supplied with good, well-cooked food,
followed by a nice dessert of pudding and cake, and the darkies, one and
all, did full justice to it.

Up at the house was a grand dinner, with turkey, mince-pie, and
plum-pudding, of course.

When that was through with, mamma told the little girls that the little
quarter negroes were to have a candy stew, and that Mammy might take
them to witness the pulling. This was a great treat, for there was
nothing the children enjoyed so much as going to the quarters to see the
little negroes play.

The candy stew had been suggested by Aunt Nancy as a fine device for
getting rid of the little darkies for the night. They were to have the
frolic only on condition that they would go to bed and not insist on
being at the wedding. This they readily agreed to; for they feared they
would not be allowed to sit up any way, and they thought best to make
sure of the candy-pulling.

When the little girls reached Aunt Nancy's cabin, two big kettles of