ght animated face, keenly
enjoying her pleasure.

"But what, what is going on there?" she asked, gazing intently in the
direction of the negro quarter, where a large crowd of them, probably all
belonging to the plantation, were assembled.

At that instant something rose in the air and descended again, and a wild
shriek, a woman's wail of agony, rent the air.

Elsie flew over the ground as though she had been a winged creature, her
father having to exert himself to keep pace with her. But the whip had
descended again and again, another and another of those wild shrieks
testifying to the sharpness of its sting, ere they were near enough to
interfere.

So taken up with the excitement of the revolting scene were all present,
that the landing and the approach of our friends had not been observed
until Elsie, nearing the edge of the crowd, called out in a voice of
authority, and indignation, "Stop! not another blow!"

The crowd parted, showing a middle-aged negress stripped to the waist and
tied to a whipping post, writhing and sobbing with pain and terror, while
a white man stood over her with a horse-whip in his uplifted hand, stayed
in mid-air by the sudden appearance of those in authority over him.

"How dare you! how _dare_ you!" cried Elsie, stamping her foot, and
drawing a long, sobbing breath. "Take her down this instant."

"Mr. Spriggs, what is the meaning of this?" asked Mr. Dinsmore, in tones
of calm displeasure; "did I not forbid all cruel punishment on this
estate?"

"I've got to make 'em work; I'm bound they shall, and nothing but the
whip'll do it with this lazy wretch," muttered Spriggs, dropping his whip
and stepping back a little, while two stalwart fellows obeyed Elsie's
order to take the woman down, a murmur at the same time running from lip
to lip, "It's Marse Dinsmore, and our young missus."

Elsie shuddered and wept at sight of the bleeding back and shoulders.
"Cover her up quickly, and take her away where she can lie down and rest,"
she said to the women who were crowding round to greet and welcome
herself. "I will speak to you all afterwards, I'm glad to be here among
you." Then leaning over the sufferer for an instant, with fast-dropping
tears, "Be comforted," she said, in tones of gentle compassion, "you shall
never have this to endure again."

"Come, daughter, speak to these eager people, and let us go into the
house," said Mr. Dinsmore.

"Yes, papa, in one moment."

Drawing herself