were small enough to render the attempt a safe one. On the
present occasion he felt in a hectoring mood.

"I'll have some fun out of the little nigger," he said to himself, as he
espied Pomp.

Pomp approached, swinging his pail as before, and whistling a plantation
melody.

"What have you got there, Pomp?" asked John.

"I'se got a pail," said Pomp independently. "Don't yer know a pail when
you see him?"

"I know an impudent little nigger when I see him," retorted John, not
overpleased with the answer. "Come here directly, and let me see what
you've got in your pail."

"I ain't got noffin for you," said Pomp defiantly.

"We'll see about that," said John. "Now, do you mean to come here or
not? I'm going to count three, and I'll give you that time to decide.
One--two--three!"

Pomp apparently had no intention of complying with John's request.
He had halted about three rods from him, and stood swinging his pail,
meanwhile watching John warily.

"I see you want me to come after you," said John angrily.

He ran toward Pomp, but the little contraband dodged him adroitly, and
got on the other side of a tree.

Opposition only stimulated John to new efforts. He had become excited in
the pursuit, and had made up his mind to capture Pomp, who dodged in
and out among the trees with such quickness and dexterity that John
was foiled for a considerable time. The ardor of his pursuit and its
unexpected difficulty excited his anger. He lost sight of the fact that
Pomp was under no obligation to comply with his demand. But this is
generally the way with tyrants, who are seldom careful to keep within
the bounds of justice and reason.

"Just let me catch you, you little rascal, and I will give you the worst
licking you ever had," John exclaimed, with passion.

"Wait till you catch me," returned Pomp, slipping, eel-like, from his
grasp.

But Pomp, in dodging, had now come to an open space, where he was at
a disadvantage. John was close upon him, when suddenly he stood
stock-still, bending his back so as to obtain a firm footing. The
consequence was that his too ardent pursuer tumbled over him, and
stretched his length upon the ground.

Unfortunately for Pomp, John grasped his leg in falling, and held it
by so firm a grip that he was unable to get free. In the moment of his
downfall John attained his object.

"Now I've got you," he said, white with passion, "and I'm going to teach
you a lesson."

Clinging to Pomp with