And gazing up, he saw upon the verge

Of the dark cliff above him, gathering flowers,

His master's child, sweet Coralline; she leaned

Out over the blank abyss, and smiled.

He climbed the bank, but ere he reached the height,

A shriek rang out above the water's roar;

The babe had fallen, and a quadroon girl

Lay fainting near, upon the treacherous sward.

The babe had fallen, but with no injury yet.

Karagwe slipped down upon a narrow ledge,

And reaching out, caught hold the little frock,

Whose folds were tangled in a bending shrub,

[Pg 32]

And safely drew the child back to the cliff.

The slave had favors shown him after this,

Although he spoke not of the perilous deed,

Nor spoke of any merit he had done.

IV.

By being always when he could alone,

By wandering often in the woods and fields,

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