The morning times., 1897-02-14

said the White Pig in language that Chunky
Riley thought was merely series CT angry
gruntS and Snorts. "Oofti | heard him
call for Aaron, and how long has it been
since l heard you say to the Red Chat
terer in the hickory tree that there were a
thousand Aarons, but only one Son OF Ben
Ali? Ooft-Gooft! Am a horse To be
ridden" Humph! No man could ride me
1t is what you call thing. Umph! Let
ii ride you, and then talk about clubs
Ooftr'
us dat Aaron?" Chunky Riley ventured
to inquire. ''Er It's wish you'd be good
enough ter run dat ar creetur way fun
here, kazc l amt got no knack fer bein'
chawes up, an spit out, an tranpledogl an
teetotally ruint right 70 my own face"
What's your Nance inquired Aaron.
You ought ter know me- but / dunner
whedder you does er not. / m name Riley
-dey calls me Chunky Riley fer short
Aaron was silent for a moment. as if try
ing to remember the name Presently he
laughed and said: Why, yes; | know
you pretty well. Come, well kindle fire.
No. sub, n Ot me! Not less II you II run dat
ar vii hog off. He mo servigrous dan a
painter. Ef l hadn't er straddlcd i'm des
now he d a ct bodaciously up an dey
wouldn { q been nuthiu' lef' but de but
tons on my cloZe, an nobody in de roun'
worl would u know'd d dey wuz buttons.
Aaron laughed while speaking to the
White Fig. Get to bed, Grunter tits the
L1fter-the man that is as strong in the
back as horse.
'Gooft-ooft! Let him ride you out as he
rode iD-pnftf un'c
No bed for me. When horse is ridden he
must eat, as I've heard you say, S on of Ben
Ali. Gooft-ooft!"
The White Pig, still grinding his tusks
together, turned and trotted off into the
darkness, and presently Aaron and Chunky
Riley heard him crashing through the canes
and reeds. Then Aaron kindled his fire.
why did gou Gomez inquire d the son of
Ben Ali when the two had made them
selves comfortable.
''Des ter fetch word that Marster wuz
layin' off to git after you wild Simmons
niger dogs TO long,
''All the way through the dark for that?
When did You come to like me so well?''
20, 'tain't 'zackly dat" replied Chunky
Riley, frankly. Il hear um talkin' bout
it when Marster an dat ar Mr.. Simmons
wuz walkin' out in de hoss lot l wuz in
de corD crib an dey didn't know it, an l
des sot dar an lis'n at um. An den dis
mornin' | seed dat ar little Marse Aber-
crombie, an he say, Go tell Aaron quick
ez you kin -
The child with the crutches?' queried
Aaron
DE ve'y same" replied Chunky Riley.
He paused awhile, and then added: 'I'd
walk many long mile fer dat white chill,
Gay er night, rain er shine"
He gaZcd in the Pickering fire long
time, waiting for Aaron to make some
comment. Hearing none, he finally turned
his eye on his companion. Aaron was look
ing skyward, where one small star could
be seen twinkling through the ascending
smoke from the fire, and his lips were
moving, though they framed no words that
| Chunky Riley could hear. Something in the
attitude of the Son of Ben Ali disturbed the
negro.
well, done what l come ter do he
said, making pretense of stretching him
| self and yawning, AN i speck Ia better
| be gwine." The Son of Ben Ali still kent
| his eye fixed on the twinkling star 'tWhat
| posters me-" Chinky Riley went on, lis de
| idee dat dat ar wiz Log went 'zactly
| de way I got ter GO l don't want ter
halter ride i'm 10 mo- less'nI got saddle
| an bridle.'
Come exclaimed Aaron, suddenly, '.IIl
| go with you. 1 want to see the Little
Master
de dogs II fin yo' track sho, eff dey
start out tomorrer,'' suggested Chunky
! Riley.
Tie only response the Son of Ben Ali
made to this suggestion was to say: s'Take
the end of my cane in your hand andfollow
! it. Well take short cut
Chunky Riley had queer thoughts as he
! followed his tall conductor, being led as if
| he were blind man; but lie said nothing
Prescntly-it seemed but few minutes to