py faces and plantation melodies on their lips, were preparing the
ground for its grain and tobacco seed. Judge LeMonde himself was in a
rich field between his house and the river giving directions to his
chief overseer. In the front garden, between the house and pine trees,
could be seen Madam and Viola LeMonde and Mose and Nora all busy
putting flower beds in order. Mose was digging the ground, Nora was
using a light rake, and the white women were putting in some flower
seeds.

While such peaceful work was being done in the river bottom, another
scene was taking place at Simon Wiles' hillside farm. Though the season
and weather called to earnest effort, we see Sam Wiles and Zibe Turner,
the monster dwarf, seated on a big log behind the barn. Let us listen
to what they are saying:

_Wiles_: "De ol' Jedge guv us a term in de jug (jail), an' I'm sure
goin' to git even wuth him an' dat preacher too."

_Turner_: "I'll be wuth you in ary scrape you want to git up, but
we uns must be keerful not to be ketched ag'in."

_Wiles_: "Cordin' to my thinkin', each month we'uns war in de jug
is wurth de price of a hoss."

_Turner_: "That's yer game, is it? Well, 'tain't de fust time
we'uns hev borrowed a hoss an' fergot to return 'im, but we'uns
never struck so high up as de Jedge's stock. What hosses air you
thinkin' on?"

_Wiles_: "What ones do you suppose? De best ones, o' course. We'uns
must take Velox for de money he will bring in Paducky, an' I want
to bring down de pride o' dat young upstart, George LeMonde. We'uns
both owed 'im a grudge sence he beat you in de race an' won what
leetle money we'uns had. De nex' best hoss in de barn is Dolly, an'
we'll take her 'long to keep de bay compney."

_Turner_: "Dat suits me all right; but I want to ride Velox, 'cause
he went past me in de race. Won't I make 'im trabble, do, down de
ribber road! Dat's my holt."

_Wiles_: "We'uns must wait till we git a good night. De moon is
full now, an' de light is too bright. Four nights from now it will
rise purty late, an' den we'll proceed to bizness. We'uns want a
leetle light to show us how to git in de bawn an' move 'round. I
hear dad callin' me to go plowin', so we'uns must be goin'. Dis is
Friday. Come to de house tomorrer evenin', an' we'uns'll settle de
partic'lars."

The two men parted, Sam Wiles to help his father to prepare