o have made Maude fill the vacancy in her
affections.

And so the time faded away, there being so much in Bart's modest
narrative of his adventures that evening arrived before he could believe
the fact, and this was succeeded by so long and deep a sleep, that it
was several hours after sunrise before the lad awoke, feeling grieved
and ashamed that he should have slept so calmly there while his friends
were in such distress.

Springing from his couch, and having a good bath, he found to his great
delight that all the weary stiffness had passed away, that he was bright
and vigorous as ever, and ready to spring upon his horse at any time.

This made him think of Black Boy, to whose stable he hurried, the brave
little animal greeting him with a snort that sounded full of welcome,
while he rattled and tugged at his halter, and seemed eager to get out
once more into the open.

The cob had been well groomed and fed, and to his master's great joy
seemed to be no worse than when he started for his long journey to
Lerisco. In fact, when Bart began to examine him attentively, so far
from being exhausted or strained, the cob was full of play, pawing
gently at his master and playfully pretending to bite, neighing loudly
his disgust afterwards when he turned to leave the stables.

"There! be patient, old lad," he said, turning back to pat the little
nag's glossy arched neck once more; "I'll soon be back. Eat away and
rest, for you've got another long journey before you."

Whither Black Boy understood his master's words or not, it is impossible
to say.

What! Is it ridiculous to suppose such a thing?

Perhaps so, most worthy disputant; but you cannot prove that the nag did
not understand.

At all events, he thrust his velvety nose into the Indian-corn that had
been placed for his meal, and went on contentedly crunching up the
flinty grain, while Bart hurried away now to see how the preparations
for starting were going on; for he felt, he could not explain why,
neglectful of his friend's interests.

To his great delight, he found that great progress had been made: a
dozen waggons had been filled with stores, thirty horses had been
provided with drivers and caretakers, and a troop of fifty lancers, with
their baggage-waggons and an ample supply of ammunition, were being
prepared for their march, their captain carefully inspecting his men's
accoutrements the while.

A finer body of bronzed and active men it would have be