'Mister, go to grass wid your paper, and tell a me what you want 'sturbing people dis time a de night.' Mr. Richard being thus interrupted in his proceedings, stopped reading, and looking full in Caesar's face-- 'You know, I suppose, my good man, that Mr. Rutherford has failed?' 'Hab what?' 'Has failed; that is, can't pay his debts.' 'You a big liar.' Mr. Richard didn't blush; he never had in his life; but he began to pick up a little courage. 'You must take care, old fellow, how you speak; I am an officer of the law, take care, sir. Here Malony, lead out one of these horses, and I will take the other.' 'What dat you say?' And Caesar stepped forward, Mr. Richard retreating at the same time, until he came to the edge of the stall. 'Me like to see you touch one of dem horses.' Mr. Richard had now come in closer contact with Caesar; and perceiving that he was quite an old man, and walked rather stiff, made a sudden spring, and grasped the pitch-fork. 'Trap, Trap.' There was a rush from the little room, and in the next moment Mr. Richard was lying on his back, with the fore-paws of master Trap resting one on each shoulder, and his mouth presenting a row of teeth in such dangerous contiguity to Mr. Richard's throat, that he began to fear matters were tending to extremities, and called out 'Murder!' at the top of his voice. 'Hole you lyin' tongue; he be de death of you.' 'Malony, Malony! help, help; kill the dog; quick, take a pitchfork, any thing, do, my good fellow, he'll murder me.' But Mr. Malony was not so drunk but he had sense enough to see that there was mischief brewing; and no sooner was Mr. Richard on his back, than he bolted and ran for dear life, Mr. Richard's cries only adding wings to his flight across lots for home. 'I tell a you what, mister, you no hole you tongue and keep till, me let de dog take you lights out in a minit. Hold him dare, Trap, till a morning; den we see how he look.' 'Oh, good man! good man!' Mr. Richard spoke now in a whisper--'do--don't go away, don't leave me here; I promise I will go right off; I was only doing my duty as an officer.' 'Me gib a you duty; you 'member Caesar next time; take care de horses no kick a your brains out.' There was indeed a very dangerous proximity between Mr. Richard's head and the horses' heels, especially as they were pawing and prancing about under the exciting influence of Caesar's voice. 'Oh do, good Mr. Caesar, for the love of mercy, just take the dog off, and let me go! I give you my sacred honor'--But Caesar had no such idea. The insult offered to his master and his horses had steeled his heart. 'I tell a you what, mister; you no lay till and keep a your tongue, your time is short; he only take two mouthful, you be gone chicken, so good night to you;' and Caesar hobbled back into his room.