“But we are immensely in the majority,—the State is really in our hands. Why should we cringle and bow to this haughty minority just because the blood of their families, is in our veins, mixed with various proportions of African?” “But you’re a ‘nigger’!” “True, and they used to say that black men had no rights that white men were bound to respect. That was their day. This is ours.” “Ah, but I want a better pattern for my life than they have been. I say, because we are in the majority, let us take all the honors and offices we can, but wear them meekly for our safety’s sake, and fill them honorably for conscience’s sake. Good morning!” and the twain separated to go, the one to his law studies, and the other to his duties as planter and legislator. We will accompany the General. Right through the torrid heat he kept on, over hill and valley, only stopping occasionally to cool his reeking horse in the shade of some friendly tree, or to converse with some white man whose house he entered briefly, or whom he beckoned to his carriage if within call. At length he descended a long hill, and, reining his horse below the bridge, he drove into a small stream, where, in the shade of some overhanging trees, he paused a few moments, allowing his horse to drink while he hastily pencilled a few figures in his notebook. Adding them up he shook his head thoughtfully, and said, in a low tone: “That will not do. Which way next?” On looking up, he descried a horseman descending the hill before him. Driving out of the water, and regaining the road, he awaited his approach. “Howdy do, General?” said the equestrian, pausing beside the carriage. “Hot day this.” “Infernally hot, Dr. Wise!” and he grasped the extended hand, as he wiped the perspiration from his face and neck with his left, and, though apparently irritated by the heat, he shook hands cordially. “It _is_ hot here, hot as that hottest of all places, and I hear they are going to have that over here in Baconsville pretty soon; I hear so,” and the Doctor shook his fat sides with a chuckling laugh, adding: “You must have important business to call you out to-day.” “It is quite important, _quite_,” replied General Baker. “I have got a suit on hand in Baconsville that is quite important, and if that other place you are talking about comes there, I hope I shall not find it hotter than this hollow is. Niggers may stand it, but I cannot.” Both gentlemen were delighted and laughed loudly. “I’ve just come from there,” said Dr. Wise. “From where—Baconsville? or the other hot place?” “Oh, from Baconsville,” replied the medical man, laughing. “I couldn’t have got away from the other place with all this fat.”