bidders, the girls were sold, one for
two thousand three hundred, and the other for two thousand three hundred
and fifty dollars. Had these girls been bought for servants only, they
would in all probability have brought not more than nine hundred or a
thousand dollars each. Here were two beautiful young girls, accustomed
to the fondest indulgence, surrounded by all the refinements of life,
and with the timidity and gentleness which such a life would naturally
produce, bartered away like cattle in the markets of Smithfield or New
York.

The mother, who was also to have been sold, happily followed her husband
to the grave, and was spared the pangs of a broken heart.

The purchaser of the young ladies left the market in triumph, and the
uncle, with a heavy heart, started for his New England home, with no
earthly prospect of ever beholding his nieces again.

The seizure of the young ladies as slaves was the result of the
administrator's having found among Dr. Morton's papers the bill-of-sale
of Marion which he had taken when he purchased her. He had doubtless
intended to liberate her when he married her, but had neglected from
time to time to have the proper papers made out. Sad was the result of
this negligence.

CHAPTER XXV. THE FLIGHT

ON once gaining the wharf, Devenant and Clotelle found no difficulty in
securing an immediate passage to France. The fine packet-ship Utica lay
down the bay, and only awaited the return of the lighter that night to
complete her cargo and list of passengers, ere she departed. The young
Frenchman therefore took his prize on board, and started for the ship.

Daylight was just making its appearance the next morning when the Utica
weighed anchor and turned her prow toward the sea. In the course of
three hours, the vessel, with outspread sails, was rapidly flying from
land. Everything appeared to be auspicious. The skies were beautifully
clear, and the sea calm, with a sun that dazzled the whole scene. But
clouds soon began to chase each other through the heavens, and the sea
became rough. It was then that Clotelle felt that there was hoped of
escaping. She had hitherto kept in the cabin, but now she expressed a
wish to come on deck. The hanging clouds were narrowing the horizon to
a span, and gloomily mingling with the rising surges. The old and
grave-looking seamen shook their weather-wise heads as if foretelling a
storm.

As Clotelle came on deck, she strained her eyes in vain