"I is'nt so bad a feller a'ter all-is I?" he says, rushing forward
into the centre of the room, followed by four huge hounds. They were
noble animals, had more instinctive gentleness than their masters,
displayed a knowledge of the importance of the prize they had just
gained.
"Hurrah for Nath! hurrah! hurrah! hurrah, for Nath! You got him,
Nath-did'nt ye?" resounded from several tongues, and was followed by
a variety of expressions highly complimentary to his efficiency.
Romescos, however, remained silent, pacing the floor unconcerned,
except in his own anxiety-as if nothing had occurred to disturb him.
Advancing to the table, the new visitor, his face glowing with
exultation, held forth, by the crispy hair, the blanched and bloody
head of an unfortunate negro who had paid the penalty of the State's
allowance for outlaws. "There: beat that, who can? Four hundred
dollars made since breakfast;" he cries out at the top of his voice.
They cast a measured look at the ghastly object, as if it were a
precious ornament, much valued for the price it would bring,
according to law. The demon expresses his joy, descants on his
expertness and skill, holds up his prize again, turns it round,
smiles upon it as his offering, then throws it into the fire place,
carelessly, like a piece of fuel. The dogs spring upon it, as if the
trophy was for their feast; but he repulses them; dogs are not so
bad after all-the canine is often the better of the two-the morsel
is too precious for canine dogs,--human dogs must devour it.
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