conflict, upon our hero's part, with the sable and giant
guardian.

Says the negress, looking very intently at our hero: "Be you
afeard, Buckra?"

"Why, no," quothed Jonathan; "for to tell thee the truth, friend,
though I am a man of peace, being of that religious order known
as the Society of Friends, I am not so weak in person nor so
timid in disposition as to warrant me in being afraid of any one.
Indeed, were I of a mind to escape, I might, without boasting,
declare my belief that I should be able to push my way past even
a better man than thy large friend who stands so threateningly in
front of yonder gate."

At these words the negress broke into so prodigious a grin that,
in the moonlight, it appeared as though the whole lower part of
her face had been transformed into shining teeth. "You be a brave
Buckra," says she, in her gibbering English. "You come wid
Melina, and Melina take you to pretty lady, who want you to eat
supper wid her."

Thereupon, and allowing our hero no opportunity to decline this
extraordinary invitation, even had he been of a mind to do so,
she took him by the hand, and led him toward the large and
imposing house which commanded the garden. "Indeed," says
Jonathan to himself, as he followed his sable guide--himself
followed in turn by the gigantic negro--"indeed, I am like to
have my fill of adventure, if anything is to be judged from such
a beginning as this."