ener nec TO

NEGRO LIFE IN AMBRIOA. 321

bright and morning star.” The mysterious warnings and intima-
tions of Cassy, so far from discouraging his soul, in the end, had
roused it as with a heavenly call. He did not know but that the
day of his death was dawning in the sky ; and his heart throbbed
with solemn throes of joy and desire, as he thought that the won-
drous all of which he had often pondered, the great white throne,
with its ever radiant rainbow; the white-robed multitude, with
yoices a3 many waters; the crowns, the palms, the harps—might
all break upon his vision before that sun should set again; and
therefore without shuddering or trembling he heard the voice of
his persecutor as he drew near.

«Well, my boy,” said Legree, with a contemptuous kick,
“how do you fmd yourself? Didn't I tell yer I could larn yer a
thing or two? How do yer like it, eh? How did yer whaling’
agree with yer, Tom? An’t quite so crank as ye was last night ?
Ye couldn’t treat a poor sinner now to a bit of a sermon, could
yer, eh ?”

Tom answered nothing.

« Get up, you beast !’”’ said Legree, kicking him again.

This was a dificult matter for one so bruised and faint, and, as
Tom made efforts to do so, Legree laughed brutally.

«« What makes ye so spry this morning, Tom ? Cotched cold,
maybe, last night.”’ 7

Tom by this time had gained his feet, and was confronting his
master with a steady, unmoved front.

“The devil you can!” said Legree, looking him over. “I
believe you haven't got enough yet. Now, Tom, get right down
on yer knees and beg my pardon for yer shines last night.”

Tom did not move. | |

whip.

“Mas'r Legree,” said Tom, “I can’t do it. I did only what
I thought was right. J shall do just so again, if ever the time
comes. I never will do a cruel thing, come what may.”

“Yes; but ye don’t know what may come, Master Tom. Ye
think what you've got is something. I tel] you ‘tan’t anything—
nothing ‘tall. How would ye like to be tied to a tree, and have a
slow fire lit up around ye? Wouldn't that be pleasant—eh, Tom?”

“Mas’r,” said Tom, “1 know ye can do dreadful things ;
but”—he stretched himself upward and clasped his hands—“ but
after ye’ve killed the body, there ant no more ye can do. And
oh, there’s all nTERNITY to come after that !"’

Ererniry—the word thrilled through the black man’s soul
with light and power as he spoke—it thrilled through the sinner’s
soul, too, like the bite of a scorpion. Legree gnashed on him
with his teeth, but rage kept him silent ; and Tom, like a man dis-
enthralled, spoke in a clear and cheerful voice.

‘“‘Mas’r Legree, as ye bought me, I'll bea true and faithful

21. Y

 

“Down, you dog !” said Legree, striking him with his riding-