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THE FATE OF KLAAS.
Tomboy will lead the party who is to prevent any of the whites escaping. Hercules will lay in wait with his band at the entrance of the town ; so that, when the flames rise high, and the inhabitants hasten to give them assistance, he may fall upon them and prevent them. I have sent him and Jemmy to meet a large party of negroes up to windward to-night, who, no doubt, will aid us with their force ; and as many of them are in the habit of going out shooting for their masters, they may be able to add a little to our stock of powder. Ned, do you try and obtain what arms you can ; in such a cause, any means are fair." " Ah ! that I will, King Klaas ; and look what I have brought you to-night," and turning round, he drew from its sheath a blade of the finest steel ; " what say you to Massa Colonel's own good sword. He told me to take care of it to-day, after he had done looking at it, and to put it carefully up; and so I have, ah! ah!" and Ned laughed until the water ran down his cheeks. "That's right, my fine fellow!" exclaimed Klaas; and taking it from the hand of his comrade, he examined, with intense interest, its shining surface. After some moments had passed in this employment, he replaced it carefully in its sheath, and, with something like a sigh, exclaimed,— " Well, I have been driven to this. They might have made me their friend, but harshness, contempt, and insult, has conspired to render me what I am ; and for this bright weapon, perhaps the gallant Colonel Morgan has often drawn it in a far less worthy cause. But hist ! I hear the sound of horses' feet, and it is time we part. At the close of three more days, meet me here again to receive final orders ; till then, farewell ; and remember our motto—' Death to our foes !"' So saying, Klaas rose from his seat, and grasping once more his club, prepared to depart. At this moment, however, a slight rustle was heard among the brushwood, as if some person was retreating, and Klaas, drawing his pistol from his bosom, started forward in that direction, followed by the others. "What could it be?" was the