'So, you've brought that d---- blood-thirsty villain into my house!' he said to Madam P----, in a tone of strong displeasure. 'How could I help it? The negroes are mad, and would kill him anywhere else,' replied the lady, with a certain self-confidence that showed she knew her power over the Colonel. 'Why should _you_ interfere between them and him? Has he not insulted you often enough to make you let him alone? Can you so easily forgive his taunting you with'--He did not finish the sentence, but what I had learned on the previous evening from the old nurse gave me a clue to its meaning. A red flame flushed the face and neck of the octoroon woman--her eyes literally flashed fire, and her very breath seemed to come with pain; in a moment, however, this emotion passed away, and she quietly said, 'Let me settle that in my own way. He has served _you_ well--_you_ have nothing against him that the law will not punish.' 'By ----, you are the most unaccountable woman I ever knew,' exclaimed the Colonel, striding up and down the piazza, the angry feeling passing from his face, and giving way to a mingled expression of wonder and admiration. The conversation was here interrupted by Jim, who just then made his appearance, hat in hand. 'Well, Jim, what is it?' asked his master. 'We'se gib'n Sam twenty lashes, ma'am, but he beg so hard, and say he so sorry, dat I tole him I'd ax you 'fore we gabe him any more.' 'Well, if he's sorry, that's enough; but tell him he'll get fifty another time,' said the lady. 'What Sam is it?' asked the Colonel. 'Big Sam, the driver,' said Jim. 'Why was he whipped?' 'He told me _you_ were his master, and insisted on whipping Moye,' replied the lady. 'Did he dare to do that? Give him a hundred, Jim, not one less,' roared the Colonel. 'Yas, massa,' said Jim. The lady looked significantly at the negro and shook her head, but said nothing, and he left. 'Come, Alice, it is nearly time for meeting, and I want to stop and see Sandy on the way.' 'I reckon I won't go,' said Madam P----. 'You stay to take care of Moye, I suppose,' said the Colonel, with a slight sneer. 'Yes,' replied the lady; 'he is badly hurt, and in danger of inflammation.' 'Well, suit yourself. Sir. K----, come, _we'll_ go--you'll meet some of the _natives_.' The lady retired to the house, and the Colonel and I were soon ready. The driver brought the horses to the door, and as we were about to enter the carriage, I noticed Jim taking his accustomed seat on the box. 'Who's looking after Sam?' asked the Colonel. 'Nobody, Cunnul; de ma'am leff him gwo.' 'How dare you disobey me? Didn't I tell you to give him a hundred?' 'Yas, massa, but de ma'am tole me notter.' 'Well, another time you mind what _I_ say--do you hear?' said his master. 'Yas, massa,' said the negro, with a broad grin, 'I allers do dat.' 'You _never_ do it, you d---- nigger; I ought to have flogged you long ago.'