of children belonging thereto. Thus, one by one, the name being
announced in muddled accents, they step forward, and receive their
corn, or rice, as may be. In pans and pails they receive it, pass it
to the younger members of the family; with running and scampering,
they carry the coarse allotment to their cabin with seeming
cheerfulness. Marston, esteemed a good master, always gives bacon,
and to receive this the negroes will gather round the store a second
time. In this, the all-fascinating bacon is concealed, for which the
children evince more concern; their eyes begin to shine brighter,
their watchfulness becomes more intent. Presently a negro begins to
withdraw the meat, and as he commences action the jargon gets
louder, until we are deafened, and would fain move beyond it. Just
then, the important driver, with hand extended, commands,-"Order!"
at the very top of his loud voice. All is again still; the man
returns to his duty. The meat is somewhat oily and rancid, but Balam
cuts it as if it were choice and scarce. Another driver weighs it in
a pair of scales he holds in his hands; while still another, cutting
the same as before, throws it upon some chaff at the door, as if it
were a bone thrown to a hungry dog. How humbly the recipient picks
it up and carries it to his or her cabin! Not unfrequently the young
"imps" will scramble for it, string it upon skewers, and with great
nonchalance throw it over their shoulders, and walk off. If it bathe
their backs with grease so much more the comfort. Those little
necessaries which add so much to the negro's comfort, and of which
he is so fond, must be purchased with the result of his extra
energy. Even this allowance may serve the boasted hospitality; but
the impression that there is a pennyworth of generosity for every
pound of parsimony, forces itself upon us. On his little spot, by
moonlight or starlight, the negro must cultivate for himself, that
his family may enjoy a few of those fruits of which master has many.