"Save me, save me, Mass' Frank," pleaded poor little Pomp.

"What has he tied you up there for, Pomp?"

"It's none of your business, Frank Frost," said John
passionately.

"I think it's some of my business," said Frank coolly, "when I
find you playing the part of a Southern overseer. You are not in
Richmond, John Haynes, and you'll get into trouble if you
undertake to act as if you were."

"If you say much more, I'll flog you too!" screamed John, beside
himself with excitement and rage.

Frank had not a particle of cowardice in his composition. He was
not fond of fighting, but he felt that circumstances made it
necessary for him to do so now. He did not easily lose his
temper, and this at present gave him the advantage over John.

"You are too excited to know what you are talking about," he said
coolly. "Pomp, why has he tied you up?"

Pomp explained that John had tried to get his pail from him. He
closed by imploring "Mass' Frank" to prevent John from whipping
him.

"He shall not whip you, Pomp," said Frank quietly. As he spoke he
stepped to the tree and faced John intrepidly.