NEGRO LIFE IN AMERICA. 295°

They used to saunter, arm-in-arm, up and down the alleys and
walks of the garden—Augustine, with his blue eyes and golden
hair, his ethereally flexible form and vivacious features; and
Alfred, dark-eyed, with haughty Roman profile, firmly-knit
limbs, and decided bearing. They were always abusing each
other’s opinions and practices, and yet never a whit the less
absorbed in each other’s society; in fact, the very contrariety
seemed to unite them. , :

Henrique, the eldest son of Alfred, was a noble, dark-eyed,
princely boy, full of vivacity and spirit; and, from the first mo-
ment of introduction, seemed to be perfectly fascinated by the
spirituélle graces of his cousin Evangeline. ,

Eva had a little pet pony, of a snowy whiteness. It was easy
as a cradle, and as gentle as its little mistress ; and this pony was
now brought up to the back verandah by Tom, while a little mu-
latto boy of about thirteen led along a small black Arabian, which
had. just been imported, at a great expense, for Henrique.

Henrique had a boy’s pride in his new possession; and, as he
advanced and took the reins out of the hands of his little groom,
he looked carefully over him, and his brow darkened.

‘‘ What’s this, Dodo, you little lazy dog! you haven't rubbed my
horse down, this morning.” 7

“Yes, mas’r,” said Dodo submissively; ‘‘ he got that dust on
his own self.”

“You rascal, shut your mouth!” said Henrique, violently
raising his riding-whip. ‘‘ How dare you speak ?”’ |

The boy was a handsome, bright-eyed mulatto, of just Henrique’s
size, and his curling hair hung round a high, bold forehead. He
had white blood in his veins, as could be seen by the quick flush
in his cheek, and the sparkle of his eye, as he eagerly tried to
speak.

‘“‘Mas’r Henrique !—” he began.

Henrique struck him across the face with his riding-whip, and,
seizing one of his arms, forced him on to his knees, and beat him
till he was out of breath.

“There, you impudent dog! Now will you learn not to answer
back when I speak to you? ‘Take the horse back, and clean him
properly. I'll teach you your place !” : |

“Young mas'r,” said Tom, ‘I specs what he was gwine to say
was, that the horse would roll when he was bringing him up from
the stable ; he’s so full of spirits—that’s the way he got that dirt
on him; I looked to his cleaning.”

“You hold your tongue till you're asked to speak !” said Hen-
rique, turning on his heel, and walking up the steps to speak to
Eva, who stood in her riding-dress.

“Dear cousin, I’m sorry this stupid fellow has kept you wait-
ing,” he said. ‘‘ Let’s sit down here, on this seat, till they come.
What's the matter, cousin ?—you look sober.”

15. Q