time.'

'Thank God!' exclaimed Joe, with an indescribable expression of relief.

Mrs. Dawsey was borne to the mansion, the negro carried off to the
quarters, and, in a few moments, the crowd once more gathered around the
auctioneer's stand. Dawsey, by this time recovered from the sheriff's
blow, was cursing and swearing terribly over the disaster of his wife
and--his property.

'Twenty-five hundred dollars gone at a blow! D--n the woman; didn't she
know better than that?'

As he followed his wife into the house, the sheriff said to the
administrator, who was a justice of the peace:

'Make me out a warrant for that man--obstructing the execution of the
law.'

The warrant was soon made out, and in fifteen minutes, Dawsey, raving
like a wild animal, was driven off to jail at Trenton. Mrs. Dawsey, too
much injured to be removed, was left under guard at the mansion, and the
sale proceeded.

Boss Joe and Aggy ascended the block, and 'Master Joe' took a stand
beside them.

'How much is said for these prime negroes?' cried the auctioneer.
Everybody knows what they are, and there's no use preaching a sermon
over them. Boss Joe might do that, but _I_ can't. He can preach equal to
any white man you ever hard. Come, gentlemen, start a bid. How much do
you say?'

'A thousand,' said a voice in the crowd.

'Eleven hundred,' cried another.

'It's a d--d shame to bid on them, gentlemen. Boss Joe has been saving
money to buy himself; and I think no white man should bid against him,'
cried a man at my elbow.

It was Gaston, who had just arrived on the ground.

'Thet's a fact.' 'Them's my sentiments.' 'D--n th' man thet'll bid agin
a nigger.' 'Thet's so, Gaston,' echoed from all directions.

'But I yere th' darky's got a pile--some two thousan'; _thet_ gwoes
'long with him, uv course,' yelled one of the crowd.

'Of course it don't!' said young Joe, from the stand. 'He's saved about
three thousand out of a commission his master allowed him; but he _gave_
that _to me_, long before my father died. It is _mine_--not _his_. I bid
twelve hundred for him and his wife; and I will say to the audience,
that I shall advance on whatever sum may be offered for them. So fire
away, gentlemen; I ask no favors.'

'Is there any more bid for this excellent couple?' cried the auctioneer.
'It is my duty to cry them, and to tell you they're worth twice that
money.'

There was no more bid, and Boss Joe and Aggy were struck down at twelve