AMONG THE PINES.




                  CHAPTER     I.

                  ON THE ROAD.

  SoME winters ago I passed several weeks at Tallahas-
see, Florida, and while there made the acquaintance of
Colonel J , a South Carolina planter. Accident,
some little time later, threw us together again at Charles-
ton, when I was gratified to learn that he would be my
compagnon du voyage as far north as New York.
  He was accompanied by his body-servant, " Jim," a
fine specimen of the genus darky, about thirty years of
age, and born and reared in his master's family. As
far as possible we made the journey by day, stopping
at some convenient resting-place by night; on which
occasions the Colonel, Jim, and myself would occupy
the same or adjoining apartments, "we white folks"
sleeping on four posts, while the more democratic negro
spread his blanket on the floor. Thrown together thus
      1