ately to the negroes, knowing, as I do, that suspicion is upon me much less after penning him such a letter. But, sir, I can take Dick Henning by my side, and steal and make sale of every negro he and his father own, and receive the money for them, and he shall know nothing of the transaction."

Hues. "That would be a strange manœuvre, sure! I should be pleased to learn how you would manage it."

M. “I would have an understanding with the negroes beforehand, to meet me at a certain time and place. I would also employ a friend to meet them in my place, and conduct them off to the morass whither we are now travelling. This arrangement made, I might be at home, or, if you please, at Henning's house, at the very time this friend was carrying off his negroes. I could then dispose of my interest in his negroes to a friend, and have my money counted out to me before his face, and he could know nothing of the nature of the transaction. True, I would not deliver the property, but my friend would know very well where to find it. It was never my intention, Hues, to disturb my immediate neighbours, until since they have commenced their sharp-shooting at me. They may now look out for breakers. Their long prayers and Methodist coats shall be no protection against my sworn vengeance; neither will they ever again see their negroes if once they fall into my hands."

H. "Your revenge is just! I shall glory in affording you any assistance that my feeble powers may warYou have but to command, and I am with you.

rant.

But, sir, above all things, I should glory in contributing to the downfall of such mistaken beings!"

M. "Well, Hues, I am delighted with your sentiments, and hope you will find me worthy the confidence you repose in me. But we will leave the main road before we travel far, and follow a private way through the settlements. I am well acquainted with it, and will underwrite your safe conduct. Besides, if (as I very much doubt) the old parson has any person to follow me, he will lose my track."

H. "In travelling, sir, as in every thing else, I will endeavour to follow my leader, and profit by his example."

The following is the certificate of Mr. Richard G. Henning :

"State of Tennessee, Madison County.

"I do hereby certify, to all whom it may concern, that all Virgil A. Stewart has said in the Western Land Pirate,' so far as my name is concerned with the same, is strictly correct in every particular; and I further certify that Murrell did send me a letter, as described in the Western Land Pirate,' which Mr. Stewart described after his return with Murrell from Arkansas, before I mentioned the fact to him.

"Given under my hand and seal, this 11th day of October, 1835. [Sealed.]

"RICHARD G. HENNING."

The conversation of Murrell now turned on his future prospects of plunder, in which he dwelt much upon his own superior powers of management and the wisdom of his plans-painted his future fortunes and success in glowing perspective to his young compan

ion, who listened with speechless attention, not unmixed with admiration and horror. To satisfy his young pupil that he had not been guilty of misrepresentation in detailing his feats of villany, he proposed to decoy the first negro they should meet on the road; who, curious to witness a specimen of his tact and skill, readily assented. They had travelled but little more than six miles from the log at which they had stopped to eat, when they saw an old negro man, somewhat bending under the weight and decrepitude of years, at the door of a crib which stood by the roadside, preparing to take a sack of corn to the mill; it was the only building left upon the spot, from which it seems his master had but a short time before removed his dwelling-house and other buildings, to the distance of some half mile. Murrell approached and accosted the negro as follows:

Murrell. " Well, old man, you must have a hard master, or he would not send you to mill this cold day."

Negro. "Yes, mossa, all ub um hard in dis country."

M. "Why do you stay with the villain, then, when he treats you like a dog?”"

N. "I can't help um, mossa."

M. "Would you help it if you could?"

N. "Oh yes, mossa, dat I would."

M. "What is your name, old man?"
N. "My name Clitto, mossa.'

M. "Well, Clitto, would you like to be free, and have plenty of money to buy lands, and horses, and every thing you want?"

Clitto. "Oh! yes, mossa, dat Clitto do so want em." M." If I will steal you, carry you off, and sell you four or five times, give you half the money, and then leave you in a free state, will you go?"

C. "Oh! yes, mossa, Clitto go quick."

M. "

Well, Clitto, don't you want a dram this cold day?" (taking his flask of liquor from his pocket and offering it to Clitto.)

C. "Thank you, mossa, arter you."

M. "Oh, no, Clitto, after you." (Clitto drinks and returns the flask to Murrell, who also takes a drink.) M." Well, Clitto, have you no boys you would like to see free?"

M."Now, Clitto, if you hear the report of a pistol at the head of a lane some night, do you think you will be sure to come to me, and bring three or four boys with you?"

C." Oh, yes, mossa, Clitto come dis very night."

M. "I am in a hurry now, Clitto, and can't carry you off at this time: but you must have the boys in readiness, and you shall not be with your old task-master much longer, to be cuffed and abused like a dog. I am a great friend to black people. I have carried off a great many, and they are doing well; have homes of their own, and are making money. You must keep a bright look-out now, and when you hear the pistol fire come with the boys. I will have horses ready to take you away. Farewell! Clitto, till I see you again."

Thus ended the dialogue between Murrell and Clitto. Hues was highly amused at the exhibition he had just witnessed, and could not forbear expressing him

self much pleased with his companion's manner and style of address; taking occasion to compliment his success in achieving so speedy a conquest-for he well knew the nearest way to his heart. It had the desired effect; for Murrell turned to him with an air of self-complacency and triumph, and said that what he had just done was but a trifling job; and continued, "fifteen minutes are all that I require to decoy the best of negroes from the best of masters."

Hitherto Murrell had communicated to Hues but a few of the less startling of the schemes and adventures of his dark and diabolical confederacy. He had not yet unfolded to him the splendour of those more extensive plans of operations which stood recorded in the journals of their mysterious grand council. He began now, in the warmth of growing confidence, and the promise, at some future day, of a powerful coadjutor and zealous compatriot in the person of his hopeful pupil, to feel an inclination to afford him a more comprehensive view of the scenes in the land of mystics. Accordingly, just as the sun had rolled far down the declivity of the heavens, and while yet his parting rays bathed in a sea of ruddy light the hills and horizon of the west, Murrell began the disclosure as follows:

Murrell. "Hues, I will tell you a secret that belongs to my clan, which is of more importance than stealing negroes-a shorter way to an overgrown fortune, and it is not far ahead. The movements of my clan have been as brisk as I could expect in that matter; things are moving on smooth and easy. But this is a matter that is known only by a few of our leading characters.