thought that he had made a sacrifice for his country's sake.

A few days after the incident narrated in the last chapter, Frank
was out in the woods not far from Chloe's cottage, collecting
brushwood, to be afterward carried home, when his attention was
called to an altercation, one of the parties in which he readily
recognized as little Pomp. To explain how it came about, we shall
have to go back a little.

Pomp was returning from Mrs. Frost's, swinging a tin kettle
containing provisions for his mother and himself, when all at
once he met John Haynes, who was coming from the opposite
direction.

Now, John was something of a bully, and liked to exercise
authority over the boys who were small enough to render the
attempt a safe one. On the present occasion he felt in a
hectoring mood.

"I'll have some fun out of the little nigger," he said to
himself, as he espied Pomp.

Pomp approached, swinging his pail as before, and whistling a
plantation melody.

"What have you got there, Pomp?" asked John.

"I'se got a pail," said Pomp independently. "Don't yer know a
pail when you see him?"