A CALL TO DUTY The family name was an uncommon one, and, coupled as it was with "Louisiana," and the title "Captain," could refer only to Gerald Le Gaire.

I wanted to question, the lad, but refrained, spurring my horse ahead so as to remove the temptation.

Even the little already said plainly revealed that he resented bitterly his position in life, and determined to remain no longer in slavery to his own father.

His father! That would be Le Gaire! The thought added fuel to the flame of dislike which I already cherished against the man.

Of course legally this former relationship between master and slave meant nothing; it would be considered no bar to legitimate marriage; perhaps to one brought up in the environment of slavery it would possess no moral turpitude even, yet to me it seemed a foul, disgraceful thing.