de the man lower his eyes.

"Now then," said the settler, "I am going to begin, and begin fairly
with you.--Samson."

"Yes, massa," cried the big black.

"Take off their irons.--And if you all behave yourselves you'll never
have to wear them again."

The basket was at hand; the assistant brought out the little anvil, and
the task of filing and then drawing out the rivets began, with the dogs
looking on.

"As for you, my lad," said the settler, "I can see you look weak and
ill; you can take it easy for a few days till you get up your strength."

"But you will make some inquiries, sir?" pleaded Nic.

"Not one, boy. I know enough. I take the word of the king's people; so
say no more."

He turned his back upon his white slave, and it was as if the old
confusion of intellect had suddenly come back: Nic's brain swam, black
specks danced before his eyes, and he staggered and would have fallen
but for Pete Burge's arm, as the man caught him and whispered:

"Hold up, Master Nic; never say die!"

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

PETE'S APPEAL.

"Aren't you a bit hard on me, Master Nic?" said Pete, busy at his task
in the plantation of hoeing the weeds, which seemed to take root and
begin to grow again directly they were cut down.

He did not look up, but spoke with his head bent over his work,
conscious as he was that they might be keenly watched.

"I have said nothing harsh to you," said Nic coldly.

"No, zir; but I thought that when you got a bit better, zeeing as we're
both in the zame trouble, working together like them niggers, you might
ha' got a bit more friendly."

"Friendly!" said Nic bitterly.

"I don't mean reg'lar friendly, but ready to say a word to a man now and
then, seeing how he wants to help you."

"You can't help me," said Nic sadly. "I seem to be tied down to this
weary life for always, and for no fault of mine--no fault of mine."

"And it's no fault o' mine, Master Nic. You don't believe it, but I
couldn't help coming that night; and I did try all I could to keep Humpy
Dee from hurtin' you."

"Don't talk about it, please."

"No, zur, I won't; but you're hot and tired. You haven't got your
strength up yet, though you are a zight better. Wish I could do all the
work for you. Here, I know."

They were hoeing a couple of rows of corn, and Pete was some feet ahead
of his companion, who looked at him wonderingly, as, after a quick
glance round, he stepped across and back to where Nic wa