Buckra what on’e gib dat one sarmon,—­tank God fo’h dat!-and dat colour geman, my children, ye must look up to fo’h de word from de good book.  Now, my bredren, ‘tis posin’ on ye dat ye make dat geman ’spectable.  I poses den, dat we, bredren, puts in a mite apiece, and gib dat ar’ geman new suit ob fus’ bes’clof’, so ’e preach fresh and clean,” Dad Daniel is heard to say.  And this proposition is carried out on the following morning, when Daddy Daniel-his white wool so cleanly washed, and his face glowing with great good-nature-accompanied by a conclave of his sable companions, presents himself in the front veranda, and demands to see “missus.”  That all-conciliating personage is ever ready to receive deputations, and on making her appearance, and receiving the usual salutations from her people, receives from the hand of that venerable prime minister, Daddy Daniel, a purse containing twelve dollars and fifty cents.  It is the amount of a voluntary contribution-a gift for the new preacher.  “Missus” is requested, after adding her portion, to expend it in a suit of best black for the newcomer, whom they would like to see, and say “how de, to.”

Missus receives this noble expression of their gratitude with thanks and kind words.  Harry is summoned to the veranda, where, on making his appearance, he is introduced to Dad Daniel, who, in return, escorts him down on the plazza where numbers of the people have assembled to receive him.  Here, with wondrous ceremony, Dad Daniel doing the polite rather strong, he is introduced to all the important people of the plantation.  And such a shaking of hands, earnest congratulations, happy “how des,” bows, and joyous laughs, as follow, place the scene so expressive of happiness beyond the power of pen to describe.  Then he is led away, followed by a train of curious faces, to see Dad Daniel’s neatly-arranged cabin; after which he will see plantation church, and successively the people’s cabins.  To-morrow evening, at early dusk, it is said, according to invitation and arrangement, he will sup on the green with his sable brethren, old and young, and spice up the evening’s entertainment with an exhortation; Dad Daniel, as is his custom, performing the duties of deacon.

Let us pass over this scene, and-Harry having ingratiated himself with the plantation people, who are ready to give him their distinguished consideration-ask the reader to follow us through the description of another, which took place a few days after.

Our clergyman has delivered to his sable flock his first sermon, which Dad Daniel and his compatriots pronounce great and good,—­just what a sermon should be.  Such pathos they never heard before; the enthusiasm and fervency with which it was delivered inspires delight; they want no more earnestness of soul than the fervency with which his gesticulations accompanied the words; and now he has obtained a furlough that he may go into the city and console his old master.  A thrill of commiseration seizes him as he contemplates his once joyous master now in prison; but, misgivings being useless, onward he goes.  And he will see old Bob, recall the happy incidents of the past, when time went smoothly on.