“Take two of these every morning and night,” said the doctor, “and if you don't feel relieved, double the dose.”
“Good gracious,” exclaimed Sam in an undertone, when he heard his master tell the colonel how to take the pills.
It was several days before Sam could learn the result of his new medicine. One afternoon, about a fortnight after the colonel's visit, Sam saw his master's patient riding up to the gate on horseback. The doctor happened to be in the yard, and met the colonel and said,—
“How are you now?”
“I am entirely recovered,” replied the patient. “Those pills of yours put me on my feet the next day.”
“I knew they would,” rejoined the doctor.
Sam was near enough to hear the conversation, and was delighted beyond description. The negro immediately ran into the kitchen, amongst his companions, and commenced dancing.
“What de matter wid you?” inquired the cook.
“I is de greatest doctor in his country,” replied Sam. “Ef you ever get sick, call on me. No matter what ails you, I is de man dat can cure you in no time. If you do hab de backache, de rheumatics, de headache, de coller morbus, fits, er any ting else, Sam is de gentleman dat can put you on your feet wid his pills.”
For a long time after, Sam did little else than boast of his skill as a doctor.