been the woman-whipper's wife.

Dawsey had bought the plantation, and most of the furniture, the day
before, and had said he intended to buy all of the 'prime' negroes.

As Selma concluded, Joe quietly remarked:

'He'll be disappointed in that. I allowed him the plantation and
furniture, because I've no use for them; but I made him pay more than
they are worth. The avails will help me through with father's debts; but
not a single hand shall go into his clutches, I shall buy them myself.'

'What will you do with them?'

'I have bought a plantation near Mobile. I shall put them upon it. Joe
will manage them, and I'll live there with Selly.'

'You're a splendid fellow, Joe. But it seems a pity that woman should
profane your father's house.'

'Oh! there's no danger of that. I've engaged 'furnished apartments' for
her elsewhere.'

'What do you mean?'

'The sheriff is asleep up stairs. He has a warrant against her for the
murder of Phyllis. When she comes here in the morning, it will be
served!'

CHAPTER XXV.

The next morning I rose early, and strolled out to the negro quarters.
At the distance of about a hundred yards from the mansion, the sun was
touching the tops of about thirty canvas camps, and, near them, large
numbers of horses, 'all saddled and bridled,' were picketed among the
trees. Some dozens of 'natives' were littered around, asleep on the
ground; and here and there a barelegged, barefooted woman was lying
beside a man on a 'spring' mattress, of the kind that is supposed to
have been patented in Paradise.

It was a beautiful morning in May, and one would have thought, from the
appearance of the motley collection, that the whole people had 'come up
to worship the Lord in their tents,' after the manner of the Israelites.
The rich planter, the small farmer, the 'white trash'--all classes, had
gathered to the negro sale, like crows to a feast of carrion.

A few half-awake, half-sober, russet-clad, bewhiskered 'gentry' were
lighting fires under huge iron pots; but the larger portion of the
'congregation' was still wrapped in slumber.

Passing them, I knocked at the door of Ally's cabin. The family was
already astir, and the various members gave me a greeting that cannot be
_bought_ now anywhere with a handful of 'greenbacks.' Boss Joe, Aggy,
and old Deborah had arrived, and were quartered with Ally.

'An' 'ou wusn't a gwine ter leff massa Preston's own chile be sole
widout bein' yere; wus 'ou, ma