"My father was elected to represent the county, but he never took his seat. We continued to be governed by the laws of Spain which we found in force here until the line between Florida and the United States was established--indeed until the American Government extended its jurisdiction in the form of a territorial government over the country. I am riding to my sisters. You will have fine shooting if you will go through yonder piece of woods. Every tree seems to have a squirrel upon it. We will meet again at tea. Adieu, till then." "He been watchin you. Better go, young massa." "You don't appear, Toney, to like your young master." "Him not good to Miss Alice. He got plenty sisters; but he only lub two, and dey don't lub anybody but just him. Him not like his fadder nor ole massa yonder. He bring plenty trouble to massa and to his modder. No, me don't like him. Miss Alice know him all." "Well, Toney, no one shall ever know you have told me anything. Some of these days I will come and see you again. Good by." "God bress you, young massa! Kill ole nigger some squirrels. Tell Miss Alice dey is for me, and she will make some on de little ones run down here wid em. Good by, massa." Slowly the young man wended his way to the mansion; but remembering the negro's request, he shot several squirrels, and gave them as requested. "Then you have been to see Uncle Toney. Did he give you any of his stories? Like all old persons, he loves to talk about his younger days." "I was quite interested in his narrative of the trip down the river, when your grandparents and your father emigrated to this part of the country." "Did he tell you his Indian ghost story?" "He did not. He was quite communicative; but your brother came and arrested his conversation." A shade fell upon the features of the beautiful creature as she turned away to send the squirrels to Toney. "These are beautiful grounds, Miss Ann." "Yes, sir; there has been great care bestowed upon them, and they make a fairy-land for my cousin who in fair weather is almost always found here in these walks and shady retreats afforded by these old oaks and pecans." "There is something very beautiful, miss, in the attachment of Miss Alice to Uncle Toney. The devotion to her on his part almost amounts to adoration."