CHAPTERI
THESLAVE’SSOCIALCIRCLE。
WITHthegrowingpopulationintheSouthernStates，theincreaseofmulattoeshasbeenverygreat。Societydoesnotfrownuponthemanwhositswithhishalf-whitechilduponhiskneewhilstthemotherstands，aslave，behindhischair。InnearlyallthecitiesandtownsoftheSlaveStates，therealnegro，orclearblack，doesnotamounttomorethanoneinfouroftheslavepopulation。Thisfactisofitselfthebestevidenceofthedegradedandimmoralconditionoftherelationofmasterandslave。ThroughouttheSouthernStates，thereisaclassofslaveswho，inmostofthetowns，arepermittedtohiretheirtimefromtheirowners，andwhoarealwaysexpectedtopayahighprice。Thisclassisthemulattowomen，distinguishedfortheirfascinatingbeauty。Thehandsomestoftheseusuallypaythegreatestamountfortheirtime。Manyofthesewomenarethefavoritesofmenofpropertyandstanding，whofurnishthemwiththemeansofcompensatingtheirowners，andnotafewaredressedinthemostextravagantmanner。
Whenwetakeintoconsiderationthefactthatnosafeguardisthrownaroundvirtue，andnoinducementheldouttoslave-womentobepureandchaste，wewillnotbesurprisedwhentoldthatimmoralityandvicepervadethecitiesandtownsoftheSouthtoanextentunknownintheNorthernStates。Indeed，manyoftheslave-womenhavenohigheraspirationthanthatofbecomingthefinely-dressedmistressofsomewhiteman。Atnegroballsandparties，thisclassofwomenusuallymakethemostsplendidappearance，andareeagerlysoughtafterinthedance，ortoentertaininthedrawing-roomoratthetable。
Afewyearsago，amongthemanyslave-womeninRichmond，Virginia，whohiredtheirtimeoftheirmasters，wasAgnes，amulattoownedbyJohnGraves，Esq。，andwhomightbeheardboastingthatshewasthedaughterofanAmericanSenator。Althoughnearlyfortyyearsofageatthetimeofwhichwewrite，Agneswasstillexceedinglyhandsome。Morethanhalfwhite，withlongblackhairanddeepblueeyes，noonefeltlikedisputingwithherwhensheurgedherclaimtoherrelationshipwiththeAnglo-Saxon。
Inheryoungerdays，Agneshadbeenahousekeeperforayoungslaveholder，andinsustainingthisrelationhadbecomethemotheroftwodaughters。Afterbeingcastasidebythisyoungman，theslave-womanbetookherselftothebusinessofalaundress，andwasconsideredtobethemosttastefulwomaninRichmondathervocation。
IsabellaandMarion，thetwodaughtersofAgnes，residedwiththeirmother，andgaveherwhataidtheycouldinherbusiness。Themother，however，wasverychoiceofherdaughters，andwouldallowthemtoperformnolaborthatwouldmilitateagainsttheirlady-likeappearance。Agnesearlyresolvedtobringupherdaughtersasladies，asshetermedit。
Asthegirlsgrewolder，themotherhadtopayastipulatedpriceforthempermonth。Hernotorietyasalaundressofthefirstclassenabledhertoputanextrachargeuponthelinenthatpassedthroughherhands;andalthoughsheimposedlittleornoworkuponherdaughters，shewasenabledtoliveincomparativeluxuryandhaveherdaughtersdressedtoattractattention，especiallyatthenegroballsandparties。
Althoughtheterm\"negroball\"isappliedtothesegatherings，yetalargeportionofthemenwhoattendthemarewhites。NegroballsandpartiesintheSouthernStates，especiallyinthecitiesandtowns，areusuallymadeupofquadroonwomen，afewnegromen，andanynumberofwhitegentlemen。Thesearegatheringsofthemostdemocraticcharacter。Bankers，merchants，lawyers，doctors，andtheirclerksandstudents，alltakepartinthesesocialassembliesupontermsofperfectequality。Thefatherandsonnotunfrequentlymeetanddancealikeatanegroball。
ItwasatoneofthesepartiesthatHenryLinwood，thesonofawealthyandretiredgentlemanofRichmond，wasfirstintroducedtoIsabella，theoldestdaughterofAgnes。TheyoungmanhadjustreturnedfromHarvardCollege，wherehehadspentthepreviousfiveyears。Isabellawasinhereighteenthyear，andwasadmittedbyallwhoknewhertobethehandsomestgirl，coloredorwhite，inthecity。Onthisoccasion，shewasattiredinasky-bluesilkdress，withdeepblacklaceflounces，andberthaofthesame。Onherwell-mouldedarmssheworemassivegoldbracelets，whileherrichblackhairwasarrangedatthebackinbroadbasketplaits，ornamentedwithpearls，andthefrontintheFrenchstyle（alaImperatrice），whichsuitedherclassicfacetoperfection。
Marionwasscarcelylessrichlydressedthanhersister。
HenryLinwoodpaidgreatattentiontoIsabellawhichwaslookeduponwithgratificationbyhermother，andbecameamatterofgeneralconversationwithallpresent。Ofcourse，theyoungmanescortedthebeautifulquadroonhomethatevening，andbecamethefavoritevisitoratthehouseofAgnes。ItwasonabeautifulmoonlightnightinthemonthofAugustwhenallwhoresideintropicalclimatesareeagerlygraspingforabreathoffreshair，thatHenryLinwoodwasinthegardenwhichsurroundedAgnes’
cottage，withtheyoungquadroonbyhisside。Hedrewfromhispocketanewspaperwetfromthepress，andreadthefollowingadvertisement：——
NOTICE。——Seventy-ninenegroeswillbeofferedforsaleonMonday，September10，at12o’clock，beingtheentirestockofthelateJohnGravesinanexcellentcondition，andallwarrantedagainstthecommonvices。Amongthemareseveralmechanics，able-bodiedfield-hands，plough-boys，andwomenwithchildren，someofthemveryprolific，affordingarareopportunityforanyonewhowishestoraiseastrongandhealthylotofservantsfortheirownuse。
Alsoseveralmulattogirlsofrarepersonalqualities，——twooftheseverysuperior。
AmongtheaboveslavesadvertisedforsalewereAgnesandhertwodaughters。EreyoungLinwoodleftthequadroonthatevening，hepromisedherthathewouldbecomeherpurchaser，andmakeherfreeandherownmistress。
Mr。Graveshadlongbeenconsiderednotonlyanexcellentanduprightcitizenofthefirststandingamongthewhites，buteventheslavesregardedhimasoneofthekindestofmasters。Havinginheritedhisslaveswiththerestofhisproperty，hebecamepossessedofthemwithoutanyconsultationorwishofhisown。Hewouldneitherbuynorsellslaves，andwasexceedinglycareful，inlettingthemout，thattheydidnotfindoppressiveandtyrannicalmasters。NoslavespeculatoreverdaredtocrossthethresholdofthisplanteroftheOldDominion。Hewasaconstantattendantuponreligiousworship，andwasnotedforhisgeneralbenevolence。TheAmericanBibleSociety，theAmericanTractSociety，andthecauseofForeignMissions，foundinhimaliberalfriend。HewasalwaysanxiousthathisslavesshouldappearwellontheSabbath，andhaveanopportunityofhearingthewordofGod。
CHAPTERII
THENEGROSALE。
Asmighthavebeenexpected，thedayofsalebroughtanusuallylargenumbertogethertocompeteforthepropertytobesold。
Farmers，whomakeabusinessofraisingslavesforthemarket，werethere，andslave-traders，whomakeabusinessofbuyinghumanbeingsintheslave-raisingStatesandtakingthemtothefarSouth，werealsoinattendance。Menandwomen，too，whowishedtopurchasefortheirownuse，hadfoundtheirwaytotheslavesale。
Inthemidstofthethrone。wasonewhofeltadeeperinterestintheresultofthesalethananyotherofthebystanders。ThiswasyoungLinwood。Truetohispromise，hewastherewithablankbank-checkinhispocket，awaitingwithimpatiencetoenterthelistasabidderforthebeautifulslave。
Itwasindeedaheart-rendingscenetowitnessthelamentationsoftheseslaves，allofwhomhadgrownuptogetherontheoldhomesteadofMr。Graves，andwhohadbeentreatedwithgreatkindnessbythatgentleman，duringhislife。Nowtheyweretobeseparated，andformnewrelationsandcompanions。Suchistheprecariousconditionoftheslave。Evenwhenwithagoodmaster，thereisnocertaintyofhishappinessinthefuture。
Thelessvaluableslaveswerefirstplacedupontheauction-block，oneafteranother，andsoldtothehighestbidder。Husbandsandwiveswereseparatedwithadegreeofindifferencethatisunknowninanyotherrelationinlife。Brothersandsistersweretomfromeachother，andmotherssawtheirchildrenforthelasttimeonearth。
Itwaslateintheday，andwhenthegreatestnumberofpersonswerethoughttobepresent，whenAgnesandherdaughterswerebroughtouttotheplaceofsale。Themotherwasfirstputupontheauction-block，andsoldtoanotednegrotradernamedJennings。Marionwasnextorderedtoascendthestand，whichshedidwithatremblingstep，andwassoldfor$1200。
AlleyeswerenowturnedonIsabella，asshewasledforwardbytheauctioneer。Theappearanceofthehandsomequadrooncausedadeepsensationamongthecrowd。Thereshestood，withaskinasfairasmostwhitewomen，herfeaturesasbeautifullyregularasanyofhersexofpureAnglo-Saxonblood，herlongblackhairdoneupintheneatestmanner，herformtallandgraceful，andherwholeappearanceindicatingonesuperiortohercondition。
TheauctioneercommencedbysayingthatMissIsabellawasfittodeckthedrawing-roomofthefinestmansioninVirginia。
\"Howmuch，gentlemen，forthisrealAlbino！——fitfancy-girlforanyone！Sheenjoysgoodhealth，andhasasweettemper。Howmuchdoyousay？\"
\"Fivehundreddollars。\"
\"Onlyfivehundredforsuchagirlasthis？Gentlemen，sheisworthadealmorethanthatsum。Youcertainlydonotknowthevalueofthearticleyouarebiddingon。Here，gentlemen，Iholdinmyhandapapercertifyingthatshehasagoodmoralcharacter。\"
\"Sevenhundred。\"
\"Ah，gentlemen，thatissomethinglike。Thispaperalsostatesthatsheisveryintelligent。\"
\"Eighthundred。\"
\"Shewasfirstsprinkled，thenimmersed，andisnowwarrantedtobeadevotedChristian，andperfectlytrustworthy。\"
\"Ninehundreddollars。\"
\"Ninehundredandfifty。\"
\"Onethousand。\"
\"Elevenhundred。\"
Herethebiddingcametoadeadstand。Theauctioneerstopped，lookedaround，andbeganinaroughmannertorelatesomeanecdoteconnectedwiththesaleofslaves，whichhesaidhadcomeunderhisownobservation。
Atthisjuncturethescenewasindeedamoststrikingone。Thelaughing，joking，swearing，smoking，spitting，andtalking，keptupacontinualhumandconfusionamongthecrowd，whiletheslave-girlstoodwithtearfuleyes，lookingalternatelyathermotherandsisterandtowardtheyoungmanwhomshehopedwouldbecomeherpurchaser。
\"Thechastityofthisgirl，\"nowcontinuedtheauctioneer，\"ispure。Shehasneverbeenfromunderhermother’scare。Sheisvirtuous，andasgentleasadove。\"
Thebidsheretookafreshstart，andwentonuntil$1800wasreached。Theauctioneeroncemoreresortedtohisjokes，andconcludedbyassuringthecompanythatIsabellawasnotonlypious，butthatshecouldmakeanexcellentprayer。
\"Nineteenhundreddollars。\"
\"Twothousand。\"
Thiswasthelastbid，andthequadroongirlwasstruckoff，andbecamethepropertyofHenryLinwood。
ThiswasaVirginiaslave-auction，atwhichthebones，sinews，blood，andnervesofayounggirlofeighteenweresoldfor$500;
hermoralcharacterfor$200;hersuperiorintellectfor$100;thebenefitssupposedtoaccruefromherhavingbeensprinkledandimmersed，togetherwithawarrantyofherdevotedChristianity，for$300;herabilitytomakeagoodprayerfor$200;andherchastityfor$700more。This，too，inacitythrongedwithchurches，whosetallspireslooklikesomanysignalspointingto。
heaven，butwhoseministerspreachthatslaveryaGod-ordainedinstitution！
Theslaveswerespeedilyseparated，andtakenalongbytheirrespectivemasters。Jennings，theslave-speculator，whohadpurchasedAgnesandherdaughterMarion，withseveraloftheotherslaves，tookthemtothecountyprison，whereheusuallykepthishumancattleafterpurchasingthem，previoustostartingfortheNewOrleansmarket。
LinwoodhadalreadyprovidedaplaceforIsabella，towhichshewastaken。Themosttryingmomentforherwaswhenshetookleaveofhermotherandsister。The\"Good-by\"oftheslaveisunlikethatofanyotherclassinthecommunity。Itisindeedafarewellforever。Withtearsstreamingdowntheircheeks，theyembracedandcommandedeachothertoGod，whoisnorespecterofpersons，andbeforewhommasterandslavemustonedayappear。
CHAPTERIII
THESLAVESPECULATOR。
DICKJenningstheslave-speculator，wasoneofthefewNorthernmen，whogototheSouthandthrowasidetheirhonestmodeofobtainingalivingandresorttotradinginhumanbeings。Amorerepulsivelookingpersoncouldscarcelybefoundinanycommunityofbadlookingmen。Tall，leanandlank，withhighcheek-bones，facemuchpittedwiththesmall-pox，grayeyeswithredeyebrows，andsandywhiskers，heindeedstoodalonewithoutmateorfellowinlooks。Jenningspridedhimselfuponwhathecalledhisgoodnessofheartandwasalwaysspeakingofhishumanity。AsmanyoftheslaveswhomheintendedtakingtotheNewOrleansmarkethadbeenraisedinRichmond，andhadrelationsthere，hedeterminedtoleavethecityearlyinthemorning，soasnottowitnessanyofthescenessocommonthedepartureofaslave-gangtothefarSouth。Inthis，hewasmostsuccessful;fornotevenIsabella，whohadcalledattheprisonseveraltimestoseehermotherandsister，wasawareofthetimethattheyweretoleave。
Theslave-traderstartedatearlydawn，andwasbeyondtheconfinesofthecitylongbeforethecitizenswereoutoftheirbeds。Asaslaveregardsalifeonthesugar，cotton，orriceplantationasevenworsethandeath，theyareeveronthewatchforanopportunitytoescape。Thetrader，awareofthis，secureshisvictimsinchainsbeforehesetsoutonhisjourney。Onthisoccasion，Jenningshadthemenchainedinpairs，whilethewomenwereallowedtogounfastened，butwerecloselywatched。
Afteramarchofeightdays，thecompanyarrivedonthebanksoftheOhioRiver，wheretheytookasteamerfortheplaceoftheirdestination。JenningshadalreadyadvertisedintheNewOrleanspapers，thathewouldbetherewithaprimelotofable-bodiedslaves，menandwomen，fitforfield-service，withafewextraonescalculatedforhouseservants，——allbetweentheagesoffifteenandtwenty-fiveyears;butlikemostmenwhomakeabusinessofspeculatinginhumanbeings，heoftenboughtmanywhowerefaradvancedinyears，andwouldtrytopassthemoffforfiveorsixyearsyoungerthantheywere。Fewpersonscanarriveatanythingapproachingtherealageofthenegro，bymereobservation，unlesstheyarewellacquaintedwiththerace。
Therefore，theslave-traderfrequentlycarriedoutthedeceptionwithperfectimpunity。
AfterthesteamerhadleftthewharfandwasfairlyoutonthebosomofthebroadMississippi，thespeculatorcalledhisservantPompeytohim;andinstructedhimastogettingthenegroesreadyformarket。Amongthefortyslavesthatthetraderhadonthisoccasion，weresomewhoseappearanceindicatedthattheyhadseensomeyearsandhadgonethroughconsiderableservice。Theirgrayhairandwhiskersatoncepronouncedthemtobeabovetheagessetdowninthetrader’sadvertisement。PompeyhadlongbeenwithJennings，andunderstoodhisbusinesswell，andifhedidnottakedelightinthedischargeofhisduty，hediditatleastwithadegreeofalacrity，sothathemightreceivetheapprobationofhismaster。
Pomp，ashewasusuallycalledbythetrader，wasofrealnegroblood，andwouldoftensay，whenalludingtohimself，\"Disniggeramnocounterfeit，heisdeginuineartikle。Dischileisnoneofyourhaf-and-haf，dereisnobogusabouthim。\"
Pompeywasoflowstature，roundface，and，likemostofhisrace，hadasetofteeth，which，forwhitenessandbeauty，couldnotbesurpassed;hiseyeswerelarge，lipsthick，andhairshortandwoolly。PompeyhadbeenwithJenningssolong，andhadseensomuchofbuyingandsellingofhisfellow-creatures，thatheappearedperfectlyindifferenttotheheart-rendingsceneswhichdailyoccurredinhispresence。Suchistheforceofhabit：——
\"Viceisamonsterofsuchfrightfulmien，Thattobehated，needsbuttobeseen;
Butseentoooft，familiarwithItsface，Wefirstendure，thenpity，thenembrace。\"
Itwasontheseconddayofthesteamer’svoyage，thatPompeyselectedfiveoftheoldestslaves，tookthemintoaroombythemselves，andcommencedpreparingthemforthemarket。
\"Now，\"saidhe，addressinghimselftothecompany，\"IisdechapdatistogetyoureadyfordeOrleansmarket，sodatyouwillbringmarseragoodprice。Howoldisyou？\"addressinghimselftoamannotlessthanforty。
\"IfIlivetoseenextsweet-potato-diggingtime，Ishallbeeitherfortyorforty-five，Idon’tknowwhich。\"
\"Datmaybe，\"repliedPompey;\"butnowyouisonlythirtyyearsold，——dat’swhatmarsersaysyouistobe。\"
\"IknowIismoredendat，\"respondedtheman。
\"Ican’thelpnuffin’aboutdat，\"returnedPompey;\"butwhenyougetintodemarketandanyoneaxyouhowoldyouis，andyoutellumyouisfortyorforty-five，marserwilltieyouupandcutyoualltopieces。Butifyoutellurndatyouisonlythirty，denhewon’t。Nowrememberdatyouisthirtyyearsoldandnomore。\"
\"Wellden，IguessIwillonlybethirtywhendeyaxme。\"
\"What’syourname？\"saidPompey，addressinghimselftoanother。
\"Jeems。\"
\"Oh！UncleJim，isit？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Denyoumusthaveallthemgraywhiskersshavedoff，andalldemgrayhairspluckedoutofyourhead。\"ThiswasallsaidbyPompeyinamannerwhichshowedthatheknowwhathewasabout。
\"Howoldisyou？\"askedPompeyofatall，strong-lookingman。
\"What’syourname？\"
\"Iamtwenty-nineyearsold，andmynameisTobias，buttheycallsmeToby。\"
\"Well，Toby，orMr。Tobias，ifdatwillsuityoubetter，youarenowtwenty-threeyearsold;dat’sall，——doyouunderstanddat？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedToby。
Pompeynowgavethemalltounderstandhowoldtheyweretobewhenaskedbypersonswhowerelikelytopurchase，andthenwentandreportedtohismasterthattheoldboyswereallright。
\"Besure，\"saidJennings，\"thattheniggersdon’tforgetwhatyouhavetaughtthem，forourluckthistimeinthemarketdependsupontheirappearance。Ifanyofthemhavesomanygrayhairsthatyoucannotpluckthemout，taketheblackingandbrush，andgoatthem。\"
CHAPTERIV
THEBOAT-RACE。
ATeighto’clock，ontheeveningofthethirddayofthepassage，thelightsofanothersteamerweresooninthedistance，andapparentlycomingupveryfast。ThiswasthesignalforageneralcommotiononboardthePatriot，andeverythingindicatedthatasteamboat-racewasathand。NothingcanexceedtheexcitementattendantupontheracingofsteamersontheMississippi。
BythetimetheboatshadreachedMemphistheyweresidebyside，andeachexertingitselftogetinadvanceoftheother。Thenightwasclear，themoonshiningbrightly，andtheboatssoneartoeachotherthatthepassengerswerewithinspeakingdistance。OnboardthePatriotthefiremenwereusingoil，lard，butter，andevenbacon，withwoodyforthepurposeofraisingthesteamtoitshighestpitch。Theblazemingledwiththeblacksmokethatissuedfromthepipesoftheotherboat，whichshowedthatshealsowasburningsomethingmorecombustiblethanwood。
Thefiremenofbothboats，whowereslaves，weresingingsongssuchascanonlybeheardonboardaSouthernsteamer。Theboatsnowcameabreastofeachother，andnearerandnearer，untiltheywerelockedsothatmencouldpassfromonetotheother。Thewildestexcitementprevailedamongthemenemployedonthesteamers，inwhichthepassengersfreelyparticipated。
ThePatriotnowstoppedtotakeinpassengers，butstillnosteamwaspermittedtoescape。Onthestartingoftheboatagain，coldwaterwasforcedintotheboilersbythefeed-pumps，and，asmighthavebeenexpected。oneoftheboilersexplodedwithterrificforce，carryingawaytheboiler-deckandtearingtopiecesmuchofthemachinery。Onedensefogofsteamfilledeverypartofthevessel，whileshrieks，groans，andcrieswereheardoneveryside。
Menwererunninghitherandthitherlookingfortheirwives，andwomenworeflyingaboutinthewildestconfusionseekingfortheirhusbands。Dismayappearedoneverycountenance。
Thesaloonsandcabinssoonlookedmorelikehospitalsthananythingelse;butbythistimethePatriothaddriftedtotheshore，andtheothersteamerhadcomealongsidetorenderassistancetothedisabledboat。Thekilledandwounded（nineteeninnumber）wereputonshore，andthePatriot，takenintowbytheWashington，wasoncemoreonherjourney。
Itwashalf-pasttwelve，andthepassengers，insteadofretiringtotheirberths，oncemoreassembledatthegambling-tables。Thepracticeofgamblingonthewesternwatershaslongbeenasourceofannoyancetothemoremoralpersonswhotravelonourgreatrivers。ThousandsofdollarsoftenchangeownersduringapassagefromSt。LouisorLouisvilletoNewOrleans，onaMississippisteamer。Manymenarecompletelyruinedonsuchoccasions，andduelsareoftentheconsequence。
\"Gocallmyboy，steward，\"saidMr。Jones，ashetookhiscardsonebyonefromthetable。
Inafewminutesafine-looking，bright-eyedmulattoboy，apparentlyaboutsixteenyearsofage，wasstandingbyhismaster’ssideatthetable。
\"Iambroke，allbutmyboy，\"saidJones，asheranhisfingersthroughhiscards;\"butheisworthathousanddollars，andIwillbetthehalfofhim。\"
\"Iwillcallyou，\"saidThompson，ashelaidfivehundreddollarsatthefeetoftheboy，whowasstanding，onthetable，andatthesametimethrowingdownhiscardsbeforehisadversary。
\"Youhavebeatenme，\"saidJones;andaroaroflaughterfollowedfromtheothergentlemanaspoorJoesteppeddownfromthetable。
\"Well，IsupposeIoweyouhalfthenigger，\"saidThompson，ashetookholdofJoeandbeganexamininghislimbs。
\"Yes，\"repliedJones，\"heishalfyours。Letmehavefivehundreddollars，andIwillgiveyouabillofsaleoftheboy。\"
\"Gobacktoyourbed，\"saidThompsontohischattel，\"andrememberthatyounowbelongtome。\"
Thepoorslavewipedthetearsfromhiseyes，as，inobedience，heturnedtoleavethetable。
\"Myfathergavemethatboy，\"saidJones，ashetookthemoney，\"andIhope，Mr。Thompson，thatyouwillallowmetoredeemhim。\"
\"Mostcertainly，Sir，\"repliedThompson。\"Wheneveryouhandoverthecoolthousandthenegroisyours。\"
Nextmorning，asthepassengerswereassemblinginthecabinandondeckandwhiletheslaveswererunningaboutwaitingonorlookingfortheirmasters，poorJoewasseenenteringhisnewmaster’sstateroom，bootsinhand。
\"Whodoyoubelongto？\"inquiredagentlemanofanoldnegro，whopassedalongleadingafineNewfoundlanddogwhichhehadbeenfeeding。
\"WhenIwenttosleeplas’night，\"repliedtheslave，\"I’longedtoMassaCarr;buthebingamblin’allnightan’Idon’tknowwhoI
’longstodismornin’。\"
Suchistheuncertaintyofaslave’slife。Hegoestobedatnightthepamperedservantofhisyoungmaster，withwhomhehasplayedinchildhood，andwhowouldnotseehisslaveabusedunderanyconsideration，andgetsupinthemorningthepropertyofamanwhomhehasneverbeforeseen。
Tobeholdfiveorsixtablesinthesaloonofasteamer，withhalfadozenmenplayingcardsateach，withmoney，pistols，andbowie-knivesspreadinsplendidconfusionbeforethem，isanordinarythingontheMississippiRiver。
CHAPTERV
THEYOUNGMOTHER。
Onthefourthmorning，thePatriotlandedatGrandGulf，abeautifultownontheleftbankoftheMississippi。AmongthenumerouspassengerswhocameonboardatRodneywasanotherslave-trader，withninehumanchattelswhichhewasconveyingtotheSouthernmarket。Thepassengers，bothladiesandgentlemen，werestartledatseeingamongthenewlotofslavesawomansowhiteasnottobedistinguishablefromtheotherwhitewomenonboard。ShehadinherarmsachildsowhitethatnoonewouldsupposeadropofAfricanbloodflowedthroughitsblueveins。
Noonecouldbeholdthatmotherwithherhelplessbabe，withoutfeelingthatGodwouldpunishtheoppressor。Thereshesat，withanexpressiveandintellectualforehead，andacountenancefullofdignityandheroism，herdarkgoldenlocksrolledbackfromheralmostsnow-whiteforeheadandfloatingoverherswellingbosom。
Thetearsthatstoodinhermildblueeyesshowedthatshewasbroodingoversorrowsandwrongsthatfilledherbleedingheart。
Theheartsofthepassers-bygrewsofter，whilegazinguponthatyoungmotherasshepressedsweetkissesonthesad，smilinglipsoftheinfantthatlayinherlap。Thesmall，dimpledhandsoftheinnocentcreaturewereslylyhidinthewarmbosomonwhichthelittleonenestled。ThebloodofsomeproudSoutherner，nodoubt，flowedthroughtheveinsofthatchild。
WhentheboatarrivedatNatches，arathergood-looking，genteel-appearingmancameonboardtopurchaseaservant。ThisindividualintroducedhimselftoJenningsastheRev。JamesWilson。Theslave-traderconductedthepreachertothedeck-cabin，wherehekepthisslaves，andthemanofGod，afterhavingsomequestionsanswered，selectedAgnesastheonebestsuitedtohisservice。
ItseemedasifpoorMarion’sheartwouldbreakwhenshefoundthatshewastobeseparatedfromhermother。Thepreacher，however，appearedtobebutlittlemovedbytheirsorrow，andtookhisnewly-purchasedvictimonshore。Agnesbeggedhimtobuyherdaughter，butherefused，onthegroundthathehadnouseforher。
Duringtheremainderofthepassage，Marionweptbitterly。
Afteraranofafewhours，theboatstoppedatBatonRouge，whereanadditionalnumberofpassengersweretakenonboard，amongwhomwereanumberofpersonswhohadbeenattendingtheracesatthatplace。Gamblinganddrinkingwerenowtheorderoftheday。
Thenextmorning，atteno’clock，theboatarrivedatNewOrleanswherethepassengerswenttotheirhotelsandhomes，andthenegroestotheslave-pens。
Lizzie，thewhiteslave-mother，ofwhomwehavealreadyspoken，createdasmuchofasensationbythefairnessofhercomplexionandthealabasterwhitenessofherchild，whenbeingconveyedonshoreatNewOrleans，asshehaddonewhenbroughtonboardatGrandGulf。EveryonethatsawherfeltthatslaveryintheSouthernStateswasnotconfinedtothenegro。Manyhadbeentaughttothinkthatslaverywasabenefitratherthananinjury，andthosewhowerenotopposedtotheinstitutionbefore，nowfeltthatifwhitesweretobecomeitsvictims，itwastimeatleastthatsomesecurityshouldbethrownaroundtheAnglo-Saxontogavehimfromthisservileanddegradedposition。
CHAPTERVI
THESLAVE-MARKET。
NOTfarfromCanalStreet，inthecityofNewOrleans，standsalargetwo-story，flatbuilding，surroundedbyastonewallsometwelvefeethigh，thetopofwhichiscoveredwithbitsofglass，andsoconstructedastopreventeventhepossibilityofanyone’spassingoveritwithoutsustaininggreatinjury。Manyoftheroomsinthisbuildingresemblethecellsofaprison，andinasmallapartmentnearthe\"office\"aretobeseenanynumberofironcollars，hobbles，handcuffs，thumbscrews，cowhides，chains，gags，andyokes。
Aback-yard，enclosedbyahighwall，lookssomethingliketheplaygroundattachedtooneofourlargeNewEnglandschools，inwhicharerowsofbenchesandswings。Attachedtothebackpremisesisagood-sizedkitchen，where，atthetimeofwhichwewrite，twooldnegresseswereatwork，stewing，boiling，andbaking，andoccasionallywipingtheperspirationfromtheirfurrowedandswarthybrows。
Theslave-trader，Jennings，onhisarrivalatNewOrleans，tookuphisquartersherewithhisgangofhumancattle，andthemorningafter，at10o’clock，theywereexhibitedforsale。FirstofallcamethebeautifulMarion，whosepalecountenanceanddejectedlooktoldhowmanysadhoursshehadpassedsincepartingwithhermotheratNatchez。There，too，wasapoorwomanwhohadbeenseparatedfromherhusband;andanotherwoman，whoselooksandmannerswereexpressiveofdeepanguish，satbyherside。Therewas\"UncleJeems，\"withhiswhiskersoff，hisfaceshavenclean，andthegrayhairspluckedoutreadytobesoldfortenyearsyoungerthanhewas。Tobywasalsothere，withhisfaceshavenandgreased，readyforinspection。
Theexaminationcommenced，andwascarriedoninsuchamannerastoshockthefeelingsofanyonenotentirelydevoidofthemilkofhumankindness。
\"Whatareyouwipingyoureyesfor？\"inquiredafat，red-facedman，withawhitehatsetononesideofhisheadandacigarinhismouth，ofawomanwhosatononeofthebenches。
\"BecauseIleftmymanbehind。\"
\"Oh，ifIbuyyou，Iwillfurnishyouwithabettermanthanyouleft。I’vegotlotsofyoungbucksonmyfarm。\"
\"Idon’twantandneverwillhaveanotherman，\"repliedthewoman。
\"What’syourname？\"askedamaninastrawhatofatallnegrowhostoodwithhisarmsfoldedacrosshisbreast，leaningagainstthewall。
\"MynameisAaron，sar。\"
\"Howoldareyou？\"
\"Twenty-five。\"
\"Wherewereyouraised？\"
\"InoleVirginny，sar。\"
\"Howmanymenhaveownedyou？\"
\"Four。\"
\"Doyouenjoygoodhealth？\"
\"Yes，sar。\"
\"Howlongdidyoulivewithyourfirstowner？\"
\"Twentyyears。\"
\"Didyoueverrunaway？\"
\"No，sar。\"
\"Didyoueverstrikeyourmaster？\"
\"No，sar。\"
\"Wereyoueverwhippedmuch？\"
\"No，sar;Is’poseIdidn’tdeserveit，sar。\"
\"Howlongdidyoulivewithyoursecondmaster？\"
\"Tenyears，sar。\"
\"Haveyouagoodappetite？\"
\"Yes，sar。\"
\"Canyoueatyourallowance？\"
\"Yes，sar，——whenIcangetit。\"
\"WherewereyouemployedinVirginia？\"
\"Iworkeddetobackerfiel’。\"
\"Inthetobaccofield，eh？\"
\"Yes，sar。\"
\"Howolddidyousayyouwas？\"
\"Twenty-five，sar，nex’sweet-’tater-diggin’time。\"
\"Iamacotton-planter，andifIbuyyou，youwillhavetoworkinthecotton-field。Mymenpickonehundredandfiftypoundsaday，andthewomenonehundredandfortypounds;andthosewhofailtoperformtheirtaskreceivefivestripesforeachpoundthatiswanting。Now，doyouthinkyoucouldkeepupwiththerestofthehands？\"
\"I’don’tknowsarbutI’specsI’dhaveto。\"
\"Howlongdidyoulivewithyourthirdmaster？\"
\"Threeyears，sar。\"
\"Why，thatmakesyouthirty-three。Ithoughtyoutoldmeyouwereonlytwenty-five？\"
Aaronnowlookedfirstattheplanter，thenatthetrader，andseemedperfectlybewildered。HehadforgottenthelessongivenhimbyPompeyrelativetohisage;andtheplanter’scircuitousquestions——doubtlesstofindouttheslave’srealage——hadthrownthenegrooffhisguard。
\"Imustseeyourback，soastoknowhowmuchyouhavebeenwhipped，beforeIthinkofbuying。\"
Pompey，whohadbeenstandingbyduringtheexamination，thoughtthathisserviceswerenowrequired，and，steppingforthwithadegreeofofficiousness，saidtoAaron，——
\"Don’tyouheardegemmantellyouhewantsto’zaminyou。Cum，unharnessyo’seff，oleboy，anddon’tbestandin’dar。\"
Aaronwassoonexamined，andpronounced\"sound;\"yettheconflictingstatementabouthisagewasnotsatisfactory。
FortunatelyforMarion，shewassparedthepainofundergoingsuchanexamination。Mr。Cardney，atellerinoneofthebanks，hadjustbeenmarried，andwantedamaid-servantforhiswife，and，passingthroughthemarketintheearlypartoftheday，waspleasedwiththeyoungslave’sappearance，andhisdwellingthequadroonfoundamuchbetterhomethanoftenfallstothelotofaslavesoldintheNewOrleansmarket。
CHAPTERVII
THESLAVE-HOLDINGPARSON。
THERev。JamesWilsonwasanativeoftheStateofConnecticutwherehewaseducatedfortheministryintheMethodistpersuasion。HisfatherwasastrictfollowerofJohnWesley，andsparednopainsinhisson’seducation，withthehopethathewouldonedaybeasrenownedastheleaderofhissect。JameshadscarcelyfinishedhiseducationatNewHaven，whenhewasinvitedbyanuncle，thenonavisittohisfather，tospendafewmonthsatNatchezinMississippi。YoungWilsonacceptedhisuncle’sinvitation，andaccompaniedhimtotheSouth。FewYoungmen，andespeciallyclergymen，goingfreshfromcollegetotheSouth，butarelookeduponasgeniusesinasmallway，andwhoarenotinvitedtoallthepartiesintheneighborhood。Mr。Wilsonwasnotanexceptiontothisrule。Thesocietyintowhichhewasthrown，onhisarrivalatNatchez，wastoobrilliantforhimnottobecaptivatedbyit，and，asmighthavebeenexpected，hesucceededincaptivatingaplantationwithseventyslavesifnottheheartoftheladytowhomitbelonged。
Addedtothis，hebecameapopularpreacher，andhadalargecongregationwithasnugsalary。Likeotherplanters，Mr。WilsonconfidedthecareofhisfarmtoNedHuckelby，anoverseerofhighreputationinhisway。
ThePoplarFarm，asitwas。called，wassituatedinabeautifulvalley，ninemilesfromNatchez，andneartheMississippiRiver。
Theonceunshornfaceofnaturehadgivenway，andthefarmnowblossomedwithasplendidharvest。Theneatcottagestoodinagrove，whereLombardypoplarslifttheirtopsalmosttoproptheskies，wherethewillow，locustandhorse-chestnuttreesspreadforththeirbranches，andflowersneverceasedtoblossom。
Thiswastheparson’scountryresidence，wherethefamilyspentonlytwomonthsduringtheyear。Histownresidencewasafinevilla，seatedonthebrowofahillattheedgeofthecity。
ItwasinthekitchenofthishousethatAgnesfoundhernewhome。
Mr。Wilsonwaseveryinchademocrat，andearlyresolvedthat\"hispeople，\"ashecalledhisslavesshouldbewell-fedandnotover-worked，andthereforelaiddownthelawandgospeltotheoverseeraswellastotheslaves。\"Itismywish，\"saidhetoMr。
Carlingham，anoldschool-fellowwhowasspendingafewdayswithhim，——\"ItismywishthatanewsystembeadoptedontheplantationsinthisState。IbelievethatthesonsofHamshouldhavethegospel，andIintendthatmineshallhaveit。Thegospeliscalculatedtomakemankindbetterandnoneshouldbewithoutit。\"
\"Whatsayyou，\"saidCarlingham，\"abouttherightofmantohisliberty？\"
\"Now，Carlingham，youhavebeguntoharpagainaboutmen’srights。
IreallywishthatyoucouldseethismatterasIdo。\"’
\"IregretthatIcannotseeeyetoeyewithyou，\"saidCarlingham。
\"IamadiscipleofRousseau，andhaveforyearsmadetherightsof。manmystudy，andImustconfesstoyouthatIseenodifferencebetweenwhiteandblack，asitregardsliberty。\"
\"Now，mydearCarlingham，wouldyoureallyhavethenegroesenjoythesamerightsasourselves？\"
\"Iwouldmostcertainly。LookatourgreatDeclarationofIndependence！lookevenattheConstitutionofourownConnecticutandseewhatissaidintheseaboutliberty。\"
\"Iregardallthistalkaboutrightsasmerehumbug。TheBibleisolderthantheDeclarationofIndependence，andthereItakemystand。\"
Alongdiscussionfollowed，inwhichbothgentlemenputforththeirpeculiarideaswithmuchwarmthoffeeling。
Duringthisconversation，therewasanotherpersonintheroom，seatedbythewindow，who，althoughatwork，embroideringafinecollar，paidminuteattentiontowhatwassaid。ThiswasGeorgiana，theonlydaughteroftheparson，whohadbutjustreturnedfromConnecticut，whereshehadfinishedhereducation。
ShehadhadtheopportunityofcontrastingthespiritofChristianityandlibertyinNewEnglandwiththatofslaveryinhernativeState，andhadlearnedtofeeldeeplyfortheinjurednegro。Georgianawasinhernineteenthyear，andhadbeenmuchbenefitedbyherresidenceoffiveyearsattheNorth。Herformwastallandgraceful，herfeaturesregularandwell-defined，andhercomplexionwasilluminatedbythefreshnessofyouth，beauty，andhealth。
Thedaughterdifferedfromboththefatherandvisitoruponthesubjectwhichtheyhadbeendiscussing;andassoonasanopportunityoffered，shegaveitasheropinionthattheBiblewasboththebulwarkofChristianityandofliberty。Withasmileshesaid，——
\"Ofcourse，papawilloverlookmydifferencewithhim，foralthoughIamanativeoftheSouth，IambyeducationandsympathyaNortherner。\"Mr。Wilsonlaughed，appearingratherpleasedthanotherwiseatthemannerinwhichhisdaughterhadexpressedherself。FromthisGeorgianatookcourageandcontinued，——
’\"Thoushaltlovethyneighborasthyself。’ThissinglepassageofScriptureshouldcauseustohaverespectfortherightsoftheslave。TrueChristianloveisofanenlargedanddisinterestednature。ItlovesallwholovetheLordJesusChristinsincerity，withoutregardtocolororcondition。\"
\"Georgiana，mydear，youareanabolitionist，——yourtalkisfanaticism！\"saidMr。Wilson，inratherasharptone;butthesubduedlookofthegirlandthepresenceofCarlinghamcausedhimtosoftenhislanguage。
Mr。Wilsonhavinglosthiswifebyconsumption，andGeorgianabeinghisonlychild，helovedhertoodearlytosaymore，evenifhefeltdisposed。AsilencefollowedthisexhortationfromtheyoungChristian，butherremarkshaddoneanoblework。Thefather’sheartwastouched，andthesceptic，forthefirsttime，wasviewingChristianityinitstruelight。
CHAPTERVIII
ANIGHTINTHEPARSON’SKITCHEN。
BESIDESAgnes，whomMr。Wilsonhadpurchasedfromtheslave-trader，Jennings，hekeptanumberofhouse-servants。ThechiefoneofthesewasSam，whomustberegardedassecondonlytotheparsonhimself。Ifadinner-partywasincontemplation，oranycompanywastobeinvited，afterallthearrangementshadbeentalkedoverbytheministerandhisdaughter。Samwassuretobeconsultedon，thesubjectby\"MissGeorgy，\"asMissWilsonwascalledbyalltheservants。Iffurniture，crockery，oranythingwastobepurchased，Samfeltthathehadbeenslightedifhisopinionwasnotasked。
Astothemarketing，hediditall。Hesatattheheadoftheservants’tableinthekitchen，andwasmasteroftheceremonies。
Asinglelookfromhimwasenoughtosilenceanyconversationornoiseamongtheservantsinthekitchenorinanyotherpartofthepremises。
ThereisintheSouthernStatesagreatamountofprejudiceinregardtocolor，evenamongthenegroesthemselves。Thenearerthenegroormulattoapproachestothewhite，themoreheseemstofeelhissuperiorityoverthoseofadarkerhue。Thisisnodoubttheresultoftheprejudicethatexistsonthepartofthewhitesagainstboththemulattoesandtheblacks。
SamwasoriginallyfromKentucky，andthroughtheinstrumentalityofoneofhisyoungmasters，whomhehadtotaketoschool，hehadlearnedtoreadsoastobewellunderstood，and，owingtothatfact，wasconsideredaprodigy，notonlyamonghisownmaster’sslaves，butalsoamongthoseofthetownwhoknewhim。Samhadagreatwishtofollowinthefootstepsofhismasterandbeapoet，andwasthereforeoftenheardsingingdoggerelsofhisowncomposition。
ButtherewasonedrawbacktoSam，andthatwashiscolor。Hewasoneoftheblackestofhisrace。Thisheevidentlyregardedasagreatmisfortune;butheendeavoredtomakeupforitindress。
Mr。Wilsonkepthishouseservantswelldressed，andasforSam，hewasseldomseenexceptinaruffledshirt。Indeed，thewasherwomanfearedhimmorethananyoneelseinthehouse。
Agneshadbeeninauguratedchiefofthekitchendepartment，andhadageneralsupervisionofthehouseholdaffairs。Alfred，thecoachman，Peter，andHettymadeuptheremainderofthehouse-servants。Besidesthese，Mr。Wilsonownedeightslaveswhoweremasons。Theseworkedinthecity。Beingmechanics，theywereletouttogreateradvantagethantokeepthemonthefarm。
EverySundayevening，Mr。Wilson’sservants，includingthebricklayers，assembledinthekitchen，wheretheeventsoftheweekwerefullydiscussedandcommentedupon。ItwasonaSundayevening，inthemonthofJune，thattherewasapartyatMr。
Wilson’shouse，and，accordingtocustomintheSouthernStates，theladieshadtheirmaidservantswiththem。Teahadbeenservedin\"thehouse，\"andtheservants，includingthestrangers，hadtakentheirseatsatthetableinthekitchen。Sam，beinga\"singlegentleman，\"wasunusuallyattentivetotheladiesonthisoccasion。Heseldomletadaypasswithoutspendinganhourortwoincombingandbrushinghis\"har。\"Hehadanideathatfreshbutterwasbetterforhishairthananyotherkindofgrease，andthereforeonchurningdayshalfapoundofbutterhadalwaystobetakenoutbeforeitwassalted。Whenhewishedtoappeartogreatadvantage，hewouldgreasehisfacetomakeit\"shiny。\"Therefore，ontheeveningoftheparty，whenalltheservantswereatthetable，Samcutabigfigure。Therehesat，withhiswoolwellcombedandbuttered，facenicelygreased，andhisrufflesextendingfiveorsixinchesfromhisbosom。Theparsoninhisdrawing-roomdidnotmakeamoreimposingappearancethandidhisservantonthisoccasion。
\"IisbinhadmyfortunetolelastSundaynight，\"saidSam，whilehelpingoneofthegirls。
\"Indeed！\"criedhalfadozenvoices。
\"Yes，\"continuedhe;\"AuntWinnytolemeI’stohabdeprettiestyallahgalindetown，anddatI’stobefree！\"
AlleyeswereimmediatelyturnedtowardSallyJohnson，whowasseatednearSam。
\"I’specsIseesomebodyblushatdatremark，\"saidAlfred。
\"Passdempancakesan’’lassesupdisway，Mr。Alf，andnoneobyoursinuwashunshere，\"rejoinedSam。
\"Datremindsme，\"said-Agnes，\"datDorcasSimpsonisgwinetogitmarried。\"
\"Whoto，Iwanttoknow？\"inquiredPeter。
\"TooneofMr。Darby’sfield-hands，\"answeredAgnes。
\"Ishouldtinkdatgalwouldn’tfrowherseffawayindatarway，\"
saidSally;\"She’sgoodlookin’’noughtogitahouse-servant，andnothabtoputupwidafield-nigger。\"
\"Yes，\"saidSam，\"dat’sawerryunsensibleremarkobyourn，MissSally。Iadmiresyourjudgmentwerrymuch，I’suresyou。Dar’splentyobsusceptiblean’well-dressedhouse-serbantsdatagalobherlookscangitwidouttakin’upwiddemcommondarkies。\"
Theevening’sentertainmentconcludedbySamrelatingalittleofhisownexperiencewhilewithhisfirstmaster，inoldKentucky。
Thismasterwasadoctor，and。hadalargepracticeamonghisneighbors，doctoringbothmastersandslaves。WhenSamwasaboutfifteenyearsold，hismastersethimtogrindingupointmentandmakingpills。Astheyoungstudentgrewolderandbecamemorepractisedinhisprofession，hisserviceswereofmoreimportancetothedoctor。Thephysicianhavingagoodbusiness，andalargenumberofhispatientsbeingslaves，——themostofwhomhadtocallonthedoctorwhenill，——heputSamtobleeding，pullingteeth，andadministeringmedicinetotheslaves。Samsoonacquiredthenameamongtheslavesofthe\"BlackDoctor。\"Withthisappellationhewasdelighted;andnoregularphysiciancouldhaveputonmoreairsthandidtheblackdoctorwhenhisserviceswererequired。Inbleeding，hemusthavemorebandages，andwouldrubandsmackthearmmorethanthedoctorwouldhavethoughtof。
Samwasonceseentakingoutatoothforoneofhispatients，andnothingappearedmoreamusing。Hegotthepoorfellowdownonhisback，andthengettingastrideofhischest，heappliedtheturnkeysandpulledawayfordearlife。Unfortunately，hehadgotholdofthewrongtooth，andthepoormanscreamedasloudashecould;butitwastonopurpose，forSamhadhimfast，andafteraprettyseveretussleoutcamethesoundgrinder。Theyoungdoctornowsawhismistake，butconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtthatasthewrongtoothwasoutoftheway，therewasmoreroomtogetattherightone。
Bleedingandadoseofcalomelwerealwaysconsideredindispensablebythe\"oldboss，\"andasamatterofcourse，Samfollowedinhisfootsteps。
Ononeoccasiontheolddoctorwasillhimself，soastobeunabletoattendtohispatients。Aslave，withpassinhand，calledtoreceivemedicaladvice，andthemastertoldSamtoexaminehimandseewhathewanted。Thisdelightedhimbeyondmeasure，foralthoughhehadbeenactinghispartinthewayofgivingoutmedicineasthemasterorderedit，hehadneverbeencalleduponbythelattertoexamineapatient，andthisseemedtoconvincehimafterallthathewasnoshamdoctor。Asmighthavebeenexpected，hecutararefigureinhisfirstexamination。Placinghimselfdirectlyoppositehispatient，andfoldinghisarmsacrosshisbreast，lookingveryknowingly，hebegan，——
\"What’sdematterwidyou？\"
\"Iissick。\"
\"Whereisyousick？\"
\"Here，\"repliedtheman，puttinghishanduponhisstomach。
\"Putoutyourtongue，\"continuedthedoctor。
Themanranouthistongueatfulllength。
\"Letmefeelyourpulse;\"atthesametimetakinghispatient’shandinhis，andplacinghisfingersuponhispulse，hesaid，——
\"Ah！yourcaseisabadone;efIdon’tdosomethingforyou，anddatprettyquick，you’llbeagonecoonsanddat’ssartin。\"
Atthisthemanappearedfrightened，andinquiredwhatwasthematterwithhim，inanswertowhichSamsaid，\"Idonetolddatyourcaseisabadone，anddat’senuff。\"
OnSam’sreturningtohismaster’sbedside，thelattersaid，\"Well，Sam，whatdoyouthinkisthematterwithhim？\"
\"Hisstomachisoutoborder，sar，\"hereplied。
\"Whatdoyouthinkhadbetterbedoneforhim？\"
\"ItinkI’dbetterbleedhimandgibhimadoseobcalomel，\"
returnedSam。
So，tothelatter’sgratification，themasterlethimhavehisownway。
Ononeoccasion，whenmakingpillsandointment，Sammadeagreatmistake。Hegotthepreparationsforbothmixedtogether，sothathecouldnotlegitimatelymakeeither。Butfearingthatifhethrewthestuffaway，hismasterwouldfloghim，andbeingafraidtoinformhissuperiorofthemistake，heresolvedtomakethewholebatchofpillandointmentstuffintopills。Hewellknewthatthepowderoverthepillswouldhidetheinside，andthefactthatmostpersonsshuttheireyeswhentakingsuchmedicineledtheyoungdoctortofeelthatallwouldberightintheend。
ThereforeSammadehispills，boxedthemup，putonthelabels，andplacedtheminaconspicuouspositionononeoftheshelves。
Samfeltadegreeofanxietyabouthispills，however。Itwasastrangemixture，andhewasnotcertainwhetheritwouldkillorcure;buthewaswillingthatitshouldbetried。Atlasttheyoungdoctorhadhisvanitygratified。Col。Tallen，oneofDr。
Saxondale’spatients，droveuponemorning，andSamasusualranouttothegatetoholdthecolonel’shorse。
\"Callyourmaster，\"saidthecolonel;\"Iwillnotgetout。\"
Thedoctorwassoonbesidethecarriage，andinquiredaboutthehealthofhispatient。Afteralittleconsultation，thedoctorreturnedtohisoffice，tookdownaboxofSam’snewpills，andreturnedtothecarriage。
\"Taketwooftheseeverymorningandnight，\"saidthedoctor，\"andifyoudon’tfeelrelieved，doublethedose。\"
\"Goodgracious，\"exclaimedSaminanundertone，whenheheardhismastertellthecolonelhowtotakethepills。
ItwasseveraldaysbeforeSamcouldlearntheresultofhisnewmedicine。Oneafternoon，aboutafortnightafterthecolonel’svisitSamsawhismaster’spatientridinguptothegateonhorseback。Thedoctorhappenedtobeintheyard，andmetthecolonelandsaid，——
\"Howareyounow？\"
\"Iamentirelyrecovered，\"repliedthepatient。\"Thosepillsofyoursputmeonmyfeetthenextday。\"
\"Iknewtheywould，\"rejoinedthedoctor。
Samwasnearenoughtoheartheconversation，andwasdelightedbeyonddescription。Thenegroimmediatelyranintothekitchen，amongsthiscompanions，andcommenceddancing。
\"Whatdematterwidyou？\"inquiredthecook。
\"Iisdegreatestdoctorindiscountry，\"repliedSam。\"Efyouevergetsick，callonme。Nomatterwhatailsyou，Iisdemandatcancureyouinnotime。Ifyoudohabdebackache，derheumaties，deheadache，decollermorbus，fits，eranytingelse，Samisdegentlemandatcanputyouonyourfeetwidhispills。\"
Foralongtimeafter，Samdidlittleelsethanboastofhisskillasadoctor。
Wehavesaidthattheblackdoctorwasfullofwitandgoodsense。Indeed，inthatrespect，hehadscarcelyanequalintheneighborhood。Althoughhismasterresidedsomelittledistanceoutofthecity，Samwasalwaysthefirstmaninallthenegroballsandpartiesintown。Whenhismastercouldgivehimapass，hewent，andwhenhedidnotgivehimone，hewouldstealawayafterhismasterhadretired，andruntheriskofbeingtakenupbythenight-watch。Ofcourse，themasterneverknewanythingoftheabsenceoftheservantatnightwithoutpermission。Asthenegroesatthesepartiestriedtoexceleachotherinthewayofdress，Samwasoftenatalosstomakethatappearancethathisheartdesired，buthisreadywiteverhelpedhiminthis。Whenhismasterhadretiredtobedatnight，itwasthedutyofSamtoputoutthelights，andtakeoutwithhimhismaster’sclothesandboots，andleavethemintheofficeuntilmorning，andthenblacktheboots，brushtheclothes，andreturnthemtohismaster’sroom。
Havingresolvedtoattendadress-ballonenight，withouthismaster’spermission，andbeingperplexedforsuitablegarments，Samdeterminedtotakehismaster’s。So，dressinghimselfinthedoctor’sclotheseventohisbootsandhat，offthenegrostartedforthecity。Beingwellacquaintedwiththeusualwalkofthepatrolshefoundnodifficultyinkeepingoutoftheirway。Asmighthavebeenexpected，Samwasthegreatgunwiththeladiesthatnight。
Thenextmorning，Samwasbackhomelongbeforehismaster’stimeforrising，andtheclotheswereputintheiraccustomedplace。
ForalongtimeSamhadnodifficultyinattiringhimselfforparties;buttheoldproverbthat\"Itisalonglanethathasnoturning，\"wasverifiedinthenegro’scase。Onestormynight，whentherainwasdescendingintorrents，thedoctorheardarapathisdoor。Itwascustomarywithhim，whencalledupatnighttovisitapatient，toringforSam。Butthistime，theservantwasnowheretobefound。Thedoctorstruckalightandlookedforclothes;theytoo，weregone。——Itwastwelveo’clock，andthedoctor’sclothes，hat，boots，andevenhiswatch，werenowheretobefound。Herewasaprettydilemmaforadoctortobein。Itwassometimebeforethephysiciancouldfithimselfoutsoastomikethevisit。Atlast，however，hestartedwithoneofthefarm-horses，forSamhadtakenthedoctor’sbestsaddle-horse。Thedoctorfeltsurethatthe，negrohadrobbedhim，andwasonhiswaytoCanada;butinthishewasmistaken。Samhadgonetothecitytoattendaball，andhaddeckedhimselfoutinhismaster’sbestsuit。Thephysicianreturnedbeforemorning，andagainretiredtobedbutwithlittlehopeofsleep，forhisthoughtswerewithhisservantandhorse。Atsixo’clock，inwalkedSamwithhismaster’sclothes，andthebootsneatlyblacked。Thewatchwasplacedontheshelf，andthehatinitsplace。Samhadnotmetanyoftheservants，andwasthereforeentirelyignorantofwhathadoccurredduringhisabsence。
\"Whathaveyoubeenabout，sir，andwherewasyoulastnightwhenI
wascalled？\"saidthedoctor。
\"Idon’tknow，sir。I’sposeIwasasleep，\"repliedSam。
Butthedoctorwasnottobesoeasilysatisfied，afterhavingbeenputtosomuchtroubleinhuntingupanothersuitwithouttheaidofSam。Afterbreakfast，Samwastakenintothebarn，tiedup，andseverelyfloggedwiththecat，whichbroughtfromhimthetruthconcerninghisabsencethepreviousnight。Thisforeverputanendtohisfineappearanceatthenegroparties。Hadnotthedoctorbeenoneofthemostindulgentofmasters，hewouldnothaveescapedwithmerelyaseverewhipping。
Asamatterofcourse，SamhadtorelatetohiscompanionsthateveninginMr。Wilson’skitchenallhisadventuresasaphysicianwhilewithhisoldmaster。
CHAPTERIX
THEMANOFHONOR。
AUGUSTINECARDINAY，thepurchaserofMarion，wasfromtheGreenMountainsofVermont，andhisfeelingswereopposedtotheholdingofslaves;buthisyoungwifepersuadedhiminintotheideathatitwasnoworsetoownaslavethantohireoneandpaythemoneytoanother。HenceitwasthathehadbeeninducedtopurchaseMarion。
AdolphusMorton，ayoungphysicianfromthesameState，andwhohadjustcommencedthepracticeofhisprofessioninNewOrleans，wasboardingwithCardinaywhenMarionwasbroughthome。TheyoungphysicianhadbeeninNewOrleansbutaveryfewweeks，andhadseenbutlittleofslavery。Inhisownmountain-home，hehadbeentaughtthattheslavesoftheSouthernStateswerenegroes，andifnotfromthecoastofAfrica，thedescendantsofthosewhohadbeenimported。Hewasunpreparedtobeholdwithcomposureabeautifulwhitegirlofsixteeninthedegradedpositionofachattelslave。
ThebloodchilledinhisyoungheartasheheardCardinaytellhow，bybanteringwiththetrader，hehadboughthertwohundreddollarslessthanhefirstasked。Hisverylooksshowedthatshehadthedeepestsympathiesofhisheart。
MarionhadbeenbroughtupbyhermothertolookafterthedomesticconcernsofhercottageinVirginia，andwellknewhowtoperformthedutiesimposeduponher。Mrs。Cardinaywasmuchpleasedwithhernewservant，andoftenmentionedhergoodqualitiesinthepresenceofMr。Morton。
