CHAPTER XII.
Mr.Fitzgerald had ordered his horse to be saddled at an earlier hour than Tom had ever known him to ride, except on a hunting excursion, and in his own mind he concluded that his master would be asleep at the hour he had indicated.

Before he stretched himself on the floor for the night, he expressed this opinion to the cook by saying, "Yer know, Dinah, white folks is allers mighty wide awake de night afore dey gits up." To his surprise, however, Mr.Fitzgerald made his appearance at the stable just as he was beginning to comb the horse.

"You lazy black rascal," he exclaimed, "didn't I order you to have the horse ready by this time ?" "Yes, Massa," replied Tom, sheering out of the way of the upraised whip; "but it peers like Massa's watch be leetle bit faster dan de sun dis ere mornin'." The horse was speedily ready, and Tom looked after his master as he leaped into the saddle and dashed off in the direction of the lonely cottage.

There was a grin on his face as he muttered, "Reckon Missis don't know whar yer gwine." He walked toward the house, whistling, "Nelly was a lady." "Dat ar war gwine roun' an' roun' de hus las' night, jes like a sperit.

'Twar dat ar Spanish lady," said Dinah.
"She sings splendiferous," rejoined Tom, "an' Massa liked it more dan de berry bes bottle ob wine." He ended by humming, "Now all dem happy days am ober." "Better not let Massa hear yer sing dat ar," said Dinah.