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
rocking-chair, and entertained Aunt Milly for some time with the
children's evil doings and their mother's leniency.