Watch and Wait; or, The Young Fugitives

gnified manner, as he sunk upon the velvet cus

of the boat, was charged with the execution

ft far out into the stream, thus disturbing the repose of a young alligator which was sunning himself upon a snag. Cyd was fond of the water, and had no taste for the various labors that were required of him about the house and stable.

and up went the fou

have been creditable to the crew of a commodo

wn the stream, impelled by the vig

evelopment. They were clothed in white duck pants, blue cotton frocks, trimmed with white, and wore uniform straw hats, encircled by

-midshipman in the navy, who, while on a visit to Redlawn, had instructed the crew in the elements of boating. The black boys did not regard their labors as work

f course the coxswain, who sat behind him, was not privileged to say any thing. It was his duty to speak when he was spoke

he had thoroughly mastered the art of boating, not only in its application to row boats, but also in reference to sailing cra

taciturn. He seemed to be brooding over something: those who did not know him might have supposed that he was thinking; but the son and heir of Redlawn did not often give himself up to meditation in its higher sense. I

guidly, after the boat h

the Edith soon floated listlessly on the water,

e orders of her skilful coxswain, she was put

aming in the cane-brake, or sunning himself on a log like the juvenile alligators, while Master Archy took his walk, or even pulling the boat, was much more to his taste than rubbing down the horses and digging weeds

hat would please him better on the estate. No doubt if the surfeited young devotee of pleasure had permitted his dark companions to think for him

of New England, he would, no doubt, have remonstrated; but his social position and the discipline of the boat did not permit him to utter even a word of disapprobation. But Cyd was needlessly disturbed in the present instance, for his lordly master h

e boat came up to the steps, and

mber of Monsieur Crapeau's class in French elementary sounds, and

where my boxi

red Cyd, again exhibiting his ivories, fo

Archy, a languid smile

this faint smile, and exploding the two syllable

asium, you b

n de gym--shum. Dat's jes what

g all day," continued Archy, who was not equal to the

a speed that promi

d," yawned Archy, with a hideous gape, as he stretched himself at full l

ied Dandy, to whom the remark

wn to Green Po

s,

losing his eyes and gaping by turns for the next ten minute

y," said he, as he handed th

ck rascal?" roared Archy, spring

r, massa," replied Cyd, with an

ou are

black boy, who seemed to be perfe

oars, and aimed a blow at the head of the culprit, which, however, Cyd was expert enough to dodge. "

same blood flowed in the veins of both,-as he l

d down into his reclining posture again. "He n

these were not the right ones. They were too large either for Dandy or his master, and the poor boy was solemnly assured that he should be whipped when they returned from the excursion. T

the forms were gone through with as before, and again the Edith darted down the bayou. After a pull of five miles down the Crosscut, they