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.Owing to the religious scruples of the Judge, Aggy was the servant of Richard, who had his services for a time7, and who, of course, commanded a legal claim to the respect of the young negro.But when any dispute between his lawful and his real master occurred, the black felt too much deference for both to express any opinion.In the mean while, Richard continued watching the negro as he fastened buckle after buckle, until, stealing a look of consciousness toward the other, he continued, »Now, if that young man, who was in your sleigh, is a real Connecticut settler, he will be telling every body how he saved my horses, when, if he had let them alone for half-a-minute longer, I would have brought them in much better, without upsetting, with the whip and rein – it spoils a horse to give him his head.I should not wonder if I had to sell the whole team, just for that one jerk he gave them.« Richard paused, and hemmed, for his conscience smote him a little, for censuring a man who had just saved his life – »who is the lad, Aggy – I don't remember to have seen him before?«The black recollected the hint about Santaclaus, and while he briefly explained how they had taken up the person in question on the top of the mountain, he forbore to add any thing concerning the accident of the wound, only saying, that he believed the youth was a stranger.It was so usual for men of the first rank to take into their sleighs any one they found toiling through the snow, that Richard was perfectly satisfied with this explanation.He heard Aggy, with great attention, and then remarked, »Well, if the lad has not been spoiled by the people in Templeton, he may be a modest young man, and as he certainly meant well, I shall take some notice of him, – perhaps he is land-hunting – I say, Aggy – may be he is out hunting?«»Eh! yes, massa Richard,« said the black, a little confused; for as Richard did all the flogging, he stood in great terror of his master, in the main – »yes, sir, I b'lieve he be.«»Had he a pack and an ax?«»No, sir, only he rifle.«»Rifle!« exclaimed Richard, observing the confusion of the negro, which now amounted to terror.»By Jove! he kill'd the deer – I knew that Marmaduke couldn't kill a buck on the jump – How was it, Aggy; tell me all about it, and I'll roast 'duke quicker than he can roast his saddle – How was it, Aggy? the lad shot the buck, and the Judge bought it, ha! and he is taking the youth down to get the pay?«The pleasure of this discovery had put Richard in such a good humour, that the negro's fears in some measure vanished, and he remembered the stocking of Santaclaus.After a gulp or two he made out to reply.»You forgit a two shot, Sir.«»Don't lie, you black rascal,« cried Richard, stepping on the snow bank to measure the distance from his lash to the negro's back; »speak truth, or I trounce you.« While speaking, the stock was slowly rising in Richard's right hand, and the lash drawing through his left, in the scientific manner with which drummers apply the cat, and Agamemnon, after turning each side of himself towards his master, and finding both equally unwilling to remain there, fairly gave in.In a very few words he made his master acquainted with the truth, at the same time earnestly conjuring Richard to protect him from the displeasure of the Judge.»I'll do it, boy, I'll do it,« cried the other, rubbing his hands with delight; »say nothing, but leave me to manage 'duke – I have a great mind to leave the deer on the hill, and to make the fellow send for his own carcass: but no, I will let Marmaduke tell a few bouncers about it before I come out upon him – Come, hurry in, Aggy, I must help to dress the lad's wound; this Yankee8 Doctor knows nothing of surgery – I had to hold old Milligan's leg for him, while he cut it off.« Richard was now seated on the stool again, and the black taking the hind seat, the steeds were put in motion towards home.As they dashed down the hill, on a fast trot, the driver occasionally turned his face to Aggy, and continued speaking; for, notwithstanding their recent rupture, the most perfect cordiality was again existing between them
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