r, decisively, "I will not have that. Nobody
had such fruit as we did last year."

"Well, master," said our old servant, with his hard, dry face
brightening up into a smile, "I think we can beat them all round; but if
you are going on enclosing fresh clearings from the forest, I must have
more help." My father shook his head and Morgan went on, "The other
gentlemen are going aboard, one after another; why don't you go too,
sir?"

"If I went, it would be to try to put a stop to it, Morgan, and cry
shame on my neighbours for what they are doing."

"Ah, well, master, I've done," said Morgan. "I'll work till I drop, and
I can do no more."

My father turned to the old-fashioned desk he had brought from home, and
went on writing a letter, while, after giving him a look full of
vexation, our man gave his straw hat a flop against his side, and went
out.

I was not long in following and overtaking him by the rough fence which
enclosed our garden.

"Morgan! Morgan!" I cried.

"Well, Master George, boy, what is it?"

"What did you want father to do?"

"Go and ask him."

"No, I shan't; I shall ask you. Did you want him to buy something to
help in the garden?"

Morgan looked at me quietly and nodded.

"What was it?--a new spade?"

"Nay, boy; but people to use spades and hoes--'specially the last."

"But you can't buy people."

"Can't you, boy?"

"Only slaves. Oh, I say, Morgan! I know; you wanted father to buy some
slaves."

"Ay, boy, that's it. Every one else here's doing it, so why shouldn't
we?"

"I don't know," I said, thoughtfully. "I know this," I cried; "that
schooner that came into the river has got slaves on board."

"That's right, Master George, boy. Cargo of blacks from the Guinea
coast, and our neighbours are buying 'em so fast that there won't be one
left if we want any."

"We don't want any," I said, indignantly.

"No, Master George, boy, so your father said; and I'm going to ask him
to graft me."

"To graft you?"

"Ay, my lad, with a row of extra arms all down each side, like that
picture of the Injin idol in your book."

"What nonsense, Morgan!"

"Oh, I don't know, Master George. One pair of hands can't do the work
here. Wants a dozen pair, seems to me. Well, I've done my dooty. I
told master there was a chance to get some slaves."

"And of course my father would not buy slaves," I said, indignantly.

"No, sir; and the house and plantations I've took such pride in