I believe they were fat, though I was at that time undersized for my years, and not strong.

     "Darn me if I couldn't eat em," said the man, with a threatening shake of his head, "and if I han't half a mind to't!"

     I earnestly expressed my hope that he wouldn't, and held tighter to the tombstone on which he had put me; partly, to keep myself upon it; partly, to keep myself from crying.

     "Now lookee here!" said the man. "Where's your mother?"

     "There, sir!" said I.

     He started, made a short run, and stopped and looked over his shoulder.

     "There, sir!" I timidly explained. "Also Georgiana. That's my mother."

     "Oh!" said he, coming back. "And is that your father alonger your mother?"

     "Yes, sir," said I; "him too; late of this parish."

     "Ha!" he muttered then, considering. "Who d'ye live with,--supposin' you're kindly let to live, which I han't made up my mind about?"