acquired
some facility in the use of that, having practised singlestick as an
amusement at school."

As he spoke, the youth was surprised and somewhat startled by his
companion suddenly drawing a pistol from his belt, and pointing it
steadily at the open doorway of the hut. Turning his eyes quickly in
that direction, he beheld, with increased astonishment, a pair of
glaring eyes, two rows of glittering teeth, and a pair of thick red
lips! The flesh which united these striking objects was all but
invisible, by reason of its being nearly as black as its background.

Most eyes, if human, would have got away from a pistol's line of fire
with precipitancy, but the eyes referred to did not disappear. On the
contrary, they paid no regard whatever to the owner of the pistol, but
continued to glare steadily at Lawrence Armstrong. Seeing this, Pedro
hesitated to pull the trigger. He was quick to defend himself, but not
prompt to kill. When he saw that the eyes slowly advanced out of the
gloom, that they with the lips and teeth belonged to a negro who
advanced into the room unarmed and with outspread hands, he quietly
lowered his weapon, and glanced at Lawrence. No doubt Pedro felt, as he
certainly looked, perplexed, when he observed that Lawrence returned the
intruder's gaze with almost equal intensity.

Suddenly the negro sprang towards the Englishman. He was a short,
thick-set, and exceedingly powerful man; yet Lawrence made no move to
defend himself.

"Quashy!" he exclaimed, as the black fell on his knees, seized one of
his hands, and covered it with kisses, at the same time bursting into
tears.

"Oh! massa Lawrie--oh! massa Lawrie, why you no come sooner? Why you so
long? De sodger brutes nebber dar to touch de ole house if you was
dere. Oh! Massa Lawrie, you's too late--too late!--My! how you's
growed!"

In the midst of his sobs the young negro, for he was little more than a
youth, drew back his head to obtain a better view of his old companion
and playmate.

Need we say that Lawrence reciprocated the affection of the man?

"He was a boy like myself when I was here," said Lawrence in explanation
to the amused Peruvian. "His father was one of my father's most
attached servants, whom he brought from Kentucky on his way to this
land, and to whom he gave his freedom. Quashy himself used to be my
playmate.--But tell me about the attack on the mill, Quash. Were you
present?"

"Prisint! You bery sure I