lave to jail.

CHAPTER XIX

THE TRUE HEROINE.

In vain did Georgiana try to console Clotelle, when the latter heard,
through one of the other slaves, that Mr. Wilson had started with the
dogs in pursuit of Jerome. The poor girl well knew that he would be
caught, and that severe punishment, if not death, would be the result
of his capture. It was therefore with a heart filled with the deepest
grief that the slave-girl heard the footsteps of her master on his
return from the chase. The dogged and stern manner of the preacher
forbade even his daughter inquiring as to the success of his pursuit.
Georgiana secretly hoped that the fugitive had not been caught; she
wished it for the sake of the slave, and more especially for her
maid-servant, whom she regarded more as a companion than a menial. But
the news of the capture of Jerome soon spread through the parson's
household, and found its way to the ears of the weeping and
heart-stricken Clotelle.

The reverend gentleman had not been home more than an hour ere come of
his parishioners called to know if they should not take the negro from
the prison and execute Lynch law upon him.

"No negro should be permitted to live after striking a white man; let
us take him and hang him at once," remarked an elderly-looking man,
whose gray hairs thinly covered the crown of his head.

"I think the deacon is right," said another of the company; "if our
slaves are allowed to set the will of their masters at defiance, there
will be no getting along with them,--an insurrection will be the next
thing we hear of."

"No, no," said the preacher; "I am willing to let the law take its
course, as it provides for the punishment of a slave with death if he
strikes his master. We had better let the court decide the question.
Moreover, as a Christian and God-fearing people, we ought to submit to
the dictates of justice. Should we take this man's life by force, an
All-wise Providence would hold us responsible for the act."

The company then quietly withdrew, showing that the preacher had some
influence with his people.

"This" said Mr. Wilson, when left alone with his daughter,--"this, my
dear Georgiana, is the result of your kindness to the negroes. You have
spoiled every one about the house. I can't whip one of them, without
being in danger of having my life taken."

"I am sure, papa," replied the young lady,--"I am sure I never did any
thing intentionally to induce any of the servants t