I suspected, however, that the _Sabbath_, and not the _root_, was the real explanation of Covey's manner.

His religion hindered him from breaking the{186} Sabbath, but not from breaking my skin.

He had more respect for the _day_ than for the _man_, for whom the day was mercifully given; for while he would cut and slash my body during the week, he would not hesitate, on Sunday, to teach me the value of my soul, or the way of life and salvation by Jesus Christ.
All went well with me till Monday morning; and then, whether the root had lost its virtue, or whether my tormentor had gone deeper into the black art than myself (as was sometimes said of him), or whether he had obtained a special indulgence, for his faithful Sabbath day's worship, it is not necessary for me to know, or to inform the reader; but, this I _may_ say--the pious and benignant smile which graced Covey's face on _Sunday_, wholly disappeared on _Monday_.

Long before daylight, I was called up to go and feed, rub, and curry the horses.

I obeyed the call, and would have so obeyed it, had it been made at an earilier( sic) hour, for I had brought my mind to a firm resolve, during that Sunday's reflection, viz: to obey every order, however unreasonable, if it were possible, and, if Mr.Covey should then undertake to beat me, to defend and protect myself to the best of my ability.