arrow plank, as I have mentioned
before.

To a stranger, our cavalcade would have presented quite an imposing
appearance, as behind the mounted portion of the procession came a
string of negroes, headed by old Pompey, carrying the three large trunks
and odd boxes containing my paraphernalia, those whose services were not
absolutely required to carry anything volunteering to go with the rest
in order to see me off.

I had been so excited all along with the idea of going to school, which
I was looking forward to as something awfully jolly from the description
I had read about other boys' doings in books--for I was utterly ignorant
of what English life really was--that up to now I had scarcely given a
thought to anything else, never realising the terrible severance of all
the dear home ties which my departure would bring about.

But, when I mounted Prince for the last time, as I suddenly recollected
all at once, and gazed round at my old home, which I was probably about
to bid good-bye to for ever, my feelings overcame me. At that moment I
would gladly have stopped behind, sacrificing even the pleasure I
anticipated from my voyage in the _Josephine_, and all that the future
might have in store for me, rather than desert so summarily the scenes
of my childhood and all the loved members of the home circle.

Dad noticed my emotion and he recalled me to myself.

"Come on, Tom," he said kindly but firmly, "you must be a man now, my
boy! Be brave; for if your poor mother sees you crying she will break
down utterly, and I'm sure you would not like that."

This speech of his made me stifle my sobs; and, although I couldn't get
out any words to answer him, I swallowed something hard that was
sticking in my throat. Then, putting Prince in a canter, I rode up to
the side of my mother, who was in front with Baby Tot.

By that time I had regained my composure and was able to talk and make
fun with my little sister, who, not knowing, of course, the purport of
our expedition, thought it was a party of pleasure got up especially for
her gratification. She was in a state of supreme delight, crowing and
chuckling away in the greatest possible glee, every now and then putting
up her little rosebud of a mouth to be kissed by mother and me.

Jake, I observed, looked very serious as he ran along by the side of
Prince, resting one of his hands on my pony's flanks, as was his habit
when he accompanied me out riding. The other negroes