there were several
contusions upon his face; and upon entering the room he had thrown a
defiant glance around him, which had not quailed even before the stern
eye of the tall man, Turner, who, as the agent of the absent Fetters,
had bid on Sam Brown. His face then hardened into the blank expression
of one who stands in a hostile presence.

"Bud Johnson," said the justice, "you are charged with escaping from
the service into which you were sold to pay the fine and costs on a
charge of vagrancy. What do you plead--guilty or not guilty?"

The prisoner maintained a sullen silence.

"I'll enter a plea of not guilty. The record of this court shows that
you were convicted of vagrancy on December 26th, and sold to Mr.
Fetters for four months to pay your fine and costs. The four months
won't be up for a week. Mr. Turner may be sworn."

Turner swore to Bud's escape and his pursuit. Haines testified to his
capture.

"Have you anything to say?" asked the justice.

"What's de use er my sayin' anything," muttered the Negro. "It won't
make no diff'ence. I didn' do nothin', in de fus' place, ter be fine'
fer, an' run away 'cause dey did n' have no right ter keep me dere."

"Guilty. Twenty-five dollars an' costs. You are also charged with
resisting the officer who made the arrest. Guilty or not guilty? Since
you don't speak, I'll enter a plea of not guilty. Mr. Haines may be
sworn."

Haines swore that the prisoner had resisted arrest, and had only been
captured by the display of a loaded revolver. The prisoner was
convicted and fined twenty-five dollars and costs for this second
offense.

The third charge, for disorderly conduct in prison, was quickly
disposed of, and a fine of twenty-five dollars and costs levied.

"You may consider yo'self lucky," said the magistrate, "that Mr.
Haines didn't prefer a mo' serious charge against you. Many a nigger
has gone to the gallows for less. And now, gentlemen, I want to clean
this case up right here. How much time is offered for the fine and
costs of the prisoner, Bud Johnson, amounting to seventy-five dollars
fine and thirty-three dollars and fifty-fo' cents costs? You've heard
the evidence an' you see the nigger. Ef there ain't much competition
for his services and the time is a long one, he'll have his own
stubbornness an' deviltry to thank for it. He's strong and healthy and
able to do good work for any one that can manage him."

There was no immediate response. Turner walked fo