very well for you to say--run on! but
how the deuce am I to do it, with the rain and wind beating this old
umbrella this way and that way, until, instead of being a protection to
our persons, it is a hindrance to our progress!" said the professor, as
he tried in vain to shelter himself and his companion from the fury of
the floods of rain.

"I think you had better let it down, professor," suggested the boy.

"If I did we should get wet to the skin, young Ishmael," objected
Morris.

"All right, professor. The wetter we get the better we shall be prepared
to fight the fire."

"That is true enough, young Ishmael," admitted Morris.

"And besides, if you let the umbrella down you can furl it and use it
for a walking-stick, and instead of being a hindrance it will be a help
to you."

"That is a good idea, young Ishmael. Upon my word, I think if you had
been born in a higher speer of society, young Ishmael, your talents
would have caused you to be sent to the State's legislature, I do
indeed. And you might even have come to be put on the Committee of Ways
and Means."

"I hope that is not a committee of mean ways, professor."

"Ha, ha, ha! There you are again! I say it and I stand to it, if you had
been born in a more elevated speer you would have ris' to be something!"

"Law, professor!"

"Well, I do! and it is a pity you hadn't been! As it is, my poor boy,
you will have to be contented to do your duty 'in that station to which
the Lord has been pleased to call you,' as the Scriptur' says."

"As the catechism says, professor! The Scripture says nothing about
stations. The Lord in no respecter of persons."

"Catechism, was it? Well, it's all the same."

"Professor! look how the flames are pouring from that window! Run! run!"
And with these words Ishmael took to his heels and ran as fast as
darkness, rain, and wind would permit him.

The professor took after him; but having shorter wind, though longer
legs, than his young companion, he barely managed to keep up with the
flying boy.

When they arrived upon the premises a wild scene of confusion lighted up
by a lurid glare of fire met their view. The right wing of the mansion
was on fire; the flames were pouring from the front windows at that end.
A crowd of frightened negroes were hurrying towards the building with
water buckets; others were standing on ladders placed against the wall;
others again were clinging about the eaves, or standing on the roof; and
a