They agreed to put in Fblack's crop for him--for a consideration; to putup hay; to buy oxen. Indeed, so many kindly offices did they agree toperform for him that Fblack had advanced them, in all, nearly twothousand dollars.

The preparations were watched with great interest by the neighbors, andthe probable outcome of it all was occasionally a topic of conversation at theBlack Creek Stopping-House.

CHAPTER IV.

_FARM PUPILS_.