The times., 1897-03-21

Were the bloOdhounds after him?' IN
quired Mr.. Hudspeth with frown.
"BIoodhoundsr' exclaimed Little Crot-
chett. Il never saw bloodhound, and
| never heard of enc around here. If my
runaway is caguht the dog that didit could
be put in the p.'Set of that big overcoat
you had strapped on your trunk"
The LAD paused and IL ID up his finger. His
ear had caught the sound of Aaron's feet
on the shingles. There was faint, grating
sound, as the window sash was softly raised
and lowered, aud then the S0l Of Ben Ali
stepped from behind the curtain. He stood
still as a statue when his eye fell on the
stranger, and his attitude was one of simple
dignity when he turned to the Little Master.
He saw the lad laughing, and he smiled in
sympathy.
Hes one Of us" said Little Crotchett,
land | wanted him to see you. He's my
teacher Mr.. Hudspeth, this is Aaron
Mr.. Hudspeth grasped Aaron's hand, and
shook it warmly and they talked for some
time, the Son of Ben Ali sitting on the
side of Little Crotchett's bed, holding the
lads hand in one of his Aaron told Of
his days experiences, and bis description
of the affair in the Swamp was SO vivid
and realistic that Mr.. Hudspeth exclaimed:
'If that were put in print. the world
would declare it to be pure felton,
Fiction said Little Crotchett TO Aaron
With an air of great solgemnity, Fiction is
d story put in a book. A story is some
times called Il fib, but when it is printedit
is called fiction"
Mr.. Hudspeth laughed, and so did Aaron,
but Aaron's laugh had a good deal of pride
in it.
Hes crippled here remarked Aaron,
touching Little Crotchett's legs, but not
here touching the boys head
"But all this is not what l called YOU
for" said Little Crotchett, after awhile.
''Timoleon tore his stable door down to-
day and came near killing one of the hands.
He is out now. Father will be angry when
he comes home and hears about it. Can't
you put him in the stable?''
Me? l can lead the grandson of Alb
dallah all around the plantation by yam
string Aaron declared.
"Wel. if you had been here today you'd
have found out different You don I know
that horse,'' Little CIot chett insisted.
''Hc is certainly as vicious a creature as
/ ever saw" remarked the teacher, who
had been an amazed witness of the horses
performances.
"In show you" Aaron declared.
'tOh, no." persisted Little CTotchett.
| Don't try any tricks on that horse He's
too mean and cruel. If you can get him
In his stable and fasten him in I'll be
glad But don't go near him; he'll bite
your head off,"
Aaron laughed, and then he seemed to be
considering something Il wish -" he
paused and looked at Little Crotchett.
.You wish what?' asked the lad.
81 wish you might go with me- But it
is dark. The moonis a day moon. l could
tote you to the fence"
.'And then what?'' asked Little Crotchett.
You could see tame horse the grand
son of Abdallah."
IN go to the fence if .ou'n carry me"
said Little Crotchett 'The air is not oolC-no
wind is blowing"
"Shall l go, too?" asked Mr.. HudSpeth
"I'd be g,ad,'' said Aaron.
So, although the night was not cold, Aaron
took shawl from the bed and wrapped it
about Little CIochett, lifted the lad in lis
arms, and went Softly down the stairway
Mr. Hudspeth following. The night wasnou
sodark, after all Once away from the light
rialize. The oaks ceased to be huge sEad
ows. There was thin milkwhite haze
in the sky that seem ed to shed a reflection
of light on the earth below. r.
{To be Continued.l