yourse'f. Ef I was you, I'd think myse'f too good ter be always er
'soshatin' with sheeps."

"You're mighty fond of 'im sometimes," said Diddie, "an' you was mighty
glad he was here jes now, to be Lord Burgoyne: he's jes doin' this fur
fun; an' ef Chris was _my_ nigger, I'd make her git down an' drive 'im
away."

Chris belonged to Dumps, and Mammy had taught the children never to give
orders to each other's maids, unless with full permission of the owner.

"I ain't gwine hab nuf'n ter do wid 'im," said Chris.

"Yes you are, Chris," replied Dumps, who had eagerly caught at Diddie's
suggestion of having him driven away. "Get down this minute, an' drive
'im off; ef yer don't, I'll tell Mammy you wouldn't min' me."

"Mammy'll hatter whup me, den," said Chris (for Mammy always punished
the little negroes for disobedience to their mistresses); "she'll
hatter whup me, caze I ain't gwine ter hab nuf'n tall ter do wid dat
sheep; I ain't gwine ter meddle long 'im, hab 'im buttin' me in de
ditch."

"Riar, you go," said Diddie; "he ain't butted you yet."

"He ain't gwine ter, nuther," said Riar, "caze I gwine ter stay up hyear
long o' Miss Tot, like Mammy tell me. I 'longs to her, an' I gwine stay
wid 'er myse'f, an' nuss 'er jes like Mammy say."

It was now almost dark, and Old Billy showed no signs of weariness; his