He felt sure, however, that Ann would naturally be on his side.

He introduced the matter lightly with, "I chanced to see in the village a black man who is said to be a vagabond scamp.

He is called Josiah--a runaway slave, I fancy." Ann sat up in her chair.

"Who said he was a scamp ?" "Oh, a man named Lamb." Then he suddenly remembered Mr.Swallow's characterization, and added, "not a very trustworthy witness, I presume." Ann laughed.

"Peter Lamb! He is a drunken, loafing fellow, who to his good fortune chances to have been James's foster-brother.