I'll bus' yer head open mun, ef I git er good lick at yer; yer better
gwuf fum yer!" But Billy, being master of the situation, stood his
ground, and I dare say Mammy would have been lying there yet, but
fortunately Uncle Sambo and Bill, the wagoners, came along the big road,
and, hearing the children's cries, they came upon the scene of action,
and, taking their whips to Old Billy, soon drove him away.

"Mammy, we won't never run away any more," said Diddie, as Mammy came
up; "'twas Dumps's fault, anyhow."

"Nem min,' yer ma's gwine whup yer," said Mammy; "yer'd no business at
dis gin-house long o' dat sheep, an' I won'er what you kinky-head
niggers is fur, ef yer can't keep de chil'en in de yard: come yer ter
me!" And, picking up a cotton-stalk, she gave each of the little darkies
a sound whipping.

The children were more fortunate. Mamma lectured them on the sin of
running away from Mammy; but she put a piece of court-plaster on
Diddie's head, and kissed all of the dirty little faces, much to Mammy's
disgust, who grumbled a good deal because they were not punished,
saying,

"Missis is er spilin' dese chil'en, let'n uv 'em cut up all kind er
capers. Yer all better hyear me, mun. Yer better quit dem ways yer got,
er runnin' off an' er gwine in de mud, an' er gittin' yer cloes tor'd,
an' er gittin' me butted wid sheeps; yer better quit it, I tell yer; ef
yer don't, de deb'l gwine git yer, sho's yer born."

But, notwithstanding her remarks, the little girls had a nice hot
supper, and went to bed quite happy, while Mammy seated herself in her