asted his strength,--his moans had become so faint as to
be scarcely perceptible. His posteriors were so cut and mangled that we
could compare them to nothing but a piece of bullock's-liver, with its
tenacity torn by craven dogs. His body was in a profuse perspiration,
the sweat running from his neck and shoulders, while the blood streamed
from his bruises, down his legs, and upon some shavings on the ground.
Just at this moment a boy brought a pail of water, and set it down close
by the tyrant's feet. "Go away, boy!" said he, and the boy left as
quick as possible. The Captain stood dismayed at the bloody picture.

"Unmerciful man!" said the colonel in a peremptory tone; "what have you
been doing here? You fiend of hell, let the man up! You own slaves to
bring disgrace upon us in this manner! Epithets of contempt and disgust
are too good for you. It is such beasts as you who are creating a
popular hatred against us, and souring the feelings of our countrymen.
Let the man up instantly; the very position you have him in is enough to
kill him, and, if I'm not mistaken, you've killed him already."

"Indeed, he's me own property, and it's yerself won't lose a ha'penny if
he's kilt. An' I'll warrant ye he's cur't of stalin' better than the man
beyant at the wurk'o'se would be doin' if. Bad luck to the nager,
an' it's the second time he'd be doin' that same thing," said he, as
unconcernedly as if he had just been killing a calf.

"I'll 'your own' you, you miserable wretch! Your abuse and cruel
treatment of your slaves is becoming a public thing; and if you a'n't
very careful, something will be done about it before council. If
they are your own, you must not treat them worse than dogs; they have
feeling, if you have no compassion. Be quick! release him at once!"
demanded the colonel, feeling the man's wrist and head.

The tyrant vent deliberately to work, unloosing the cords. This provoked
the colonel still more, and taking his knife from his pocket, he severed
the cords that bound his hands and feet, while as suddenly the Captain
sprang with his knife and severed those that bound his hands and
neck. "Stop, Captain, stop! take no part," said the colonel, with a
significant look.

"Gintlemen, I wish yes wouldn't interfere with my own business," said
the master.

"Take him up, you villanous wretch! I speak to you as you deserve,
without restraint or respect," again the colonel repeated.

He called to the boy who was bringi