produced this influence on the body.  The change was, naturally enough, attributed to the state of affairs with Chloe; and I felt disposed to say a word to my faithful slave, who had been unavoidably overlooked in the pressure of sorrow that had weighed me down for the last ten days.  I spoke to the poor fellow as cheerfully as I could, as I came up, and endeavoured to touch on such subjects as I thought might interest without troubling him.

“This is a famous windfall that has crossed Mr. Marble’s track, Neb,” I said, pulling up, in order to go a short distance at an even pace with my brother-tar.  “As nice an old woman for a mother, as pretty a little girl for a niece, and as snug a haven to moor in, at the end of the voyage, as any old worn-out sea-dog could or ought to wish.”

“Yes, sir, Masser Mile,” Neb answered, as I fancied, in the manner of one who was thinking of something different from what he said; “yes, sir, Mr. Marble a reg’lar sea-dog.”

“And as such not the less entitled to have a good old mother, a pretty niece, and a snug home.”

“No, sir; none de wuss for bin’ sea-dog, all must allow.  Nebberdeless, Masser Mile, I sometime wish you and I nebber hab see salt water.”

“That is almost as much as wishing we never looked down the Hudson from the hills and banks of Clawbonny boy; the river itself being salt not far below us.  You are thinking of Chloe, and fancying, that had you stayed at home, your chance of getting into her good graces would have been better.”

“No, Masser Mile; no, sir.  Nobody at Clawbonny t’ink, just now, of anyt’ing but deat’.”

I started in surprise.  Mr. Hardinge kept everything like exaggeration and those physical excitements which it is so much the habit of certain sects to mistake for religious impulses, even from the negroes of the Clawbonny property.  Neb’s speech sounded more like an innovation of this nature than I had ever heard among my people; and I looked hard at the fellow for an instant, before I answered.

“I am afraid I understand you, Neb,” was my reply, after a meaning pause.  “It is a relief to me to find that my people retain all their affections for the children of their old master and mistress.”

“We hard-hearted indeed, sir, if we don’t.  Ah! Masser Mile, you and I see many dreadful t’ing togeder, but we nebber see any t’ing like dis!”

Neb’s dark cheek was glistening with tears as he spoke, and I spurred my horse, lest my own manhood might give way, there in the road, and in the presence of those who were fast approaching.  Why Neb had expressed sorrow for having ever gone to sea, I could not account for in any other manner than by supposing that he imagined Grace was, in some manner, a sufferer by my absence from home.