t last she made preparations
to return; but, as she was on the point of departure, Mrs.
Preston--whose face then wore an expression of triumphant malignity
which chilled Selma's very life-blood--told her that she could not go;
that she was a part of her father's estate, and must remain, and be sold
with the other negroes!

Dawsey, shortly prior to this, had become a frequent visitor at the
plantation; and, the week before, Phylly had been dreadfully whipped
under his supervision. Selma interceded for her, but could not avert the
punishment. She did not at the time know why it was done, but at last
the reason was revealed to her.

Among the papers of the first Mrs. Preston, the second wife had found a
bill of sale, by which, in consideration of one gold watch, two diamond
rings, an emerald pin, two gold bracelets, some family plate, and other
jewelry, of the total value of five hundred dollars, General ----, of
Newbern, had conveyed a negro girl called 'Lucy', to Mrs. Lucy Preston,
wife of Robert Preston, Esq. Said girl was described as seven years old,
light complexioned, with long, curly hair, of a golden brown; and the
child of Phyllis, otherwise called Phyllis Preston, then the property of
Jacob Larkin.

Mrs. Preston inquired of Phyllis what had become of the child. The nurse
denied all knowledge of it; but Selma's age, her peculiar hair, and her
strong resemblance to Rosey, excited the Yankee woman's suspicions, and
she questioned the mother more closely. Phyllis still denied all
knowledge of her child, and, for that denial, was whipped--whipped till
her flesh was cut into shreds, and she fainted from loss of blood. After
the whipping, she was left in an old cabin, to live or die--her mistress
did not care which; and there Ally found her at night, on his return
from his work in the swamp. Wrapping her mangled body in an oiled sheet,
he conveyed her to his cabin. Dinah carefully nursed her, and ere long
she was able to sit up. Then Mrs. Preston told her that, as soon as she
was sufficiently recovered to live through it, she would be again and
again beaten, till she disclosed the fate of the child.

She still denied all knowledge of it; but, fearing the rage of her
mistress, she sent for her husband, then keeping a small groggery at
Trenton, four miles away. He came and had a conference with Ally and
Dinah about the best way of saving his wife from further abuse. Phyllis
was unable to walk or to ride, therefore fl