another.

"And I will lie down on your grave and die," said the third.

"Dat all very well, gemmen; you say dat and laugh--but I no slave.
'Pose I not get you out my house, I ab _vengeance_, now I tell you, so
look to that. Yes," continued Mammy Crissobella, striking the table
with her fist, "I ab revenge."

"I have been thinking," said one of the mids, "what I shall do if Mammy
Crissobella takes pepper-pot; I shall marry Leila, and keep the hotel.
Mammy, you'll leave me the plate and furniture."

Leila was the head female slave--a very well-featured young mulatto
girl, and a great favourite, as she was always laughing, always in good
humour, and very kind and attentive. At this remark Leila laughed, and
Mammy Crissobella, who observed her showing her white teeth, "You laugh,
you huzzy: what you laugh for, Leila? Get away--get out of room. I
give you nice flogging, by-by. You dare laugh--you take side against
me, you nigger."

I must here observe that Mammy Crissobella had been closeted with me for
some time previous to this scene, and that Leila and the two planters
were in the secret; this was, of course, unknown, and the hostess's
anger appeared now to be extended towards me and the two planters, with
whom she had been on good terms.

Shortly afterwards Mammy rose and left the room, and then I spoke to the
party, and told them that they were driving the poor woman to
extremities. The planters agreed with me, and we argued the case with
them, but the majority were, of course, against us, and the young
merchants appeared to be very much inclined to be personal with me. At
last I replied, "Very well, gentlemen--as you please; but as I happen to
be well known both to the admiral and governor I give you fair warning
that, if this continues much longer, I will report the affair. I should
be very sorry to do so; but the house is now very uncomfortable, and you
have no right to remain when the landlady insists upon your going."

At this reply of mine the naval portion of the guests were silent, but
the civilians more insolent than before. I did not wish to come to open
war, so I said nothing more, and left the table. After I was gone, the
refractory parties made more noise than ever. Just before the dinner
hour on the following day, Mammy Crissobella sent a circular round to
the young men, stating that she could not receive them at dinner. They
all laughed, and went down to table as before. The dinner was