Page:Orange Grove.djvu/337

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and reared in the family, and had never known a single hardship. Her mistress was a very Inefficient woman, free from the jealousy commonly excited among Southern ladies by the presence of slaves superior to themselves in personal attractions or mental capacities. The consequence was, this woman exercised far more sway than she did herself, and was naturally proud spirited and sensitive. The defiant look she cast when ordered to take the stand roused the passions of a Southern slave-dealer who had often seen her and tried to obtain her of her master, and he determined now to have her in his power to conquer. He subjected her to every species of insult in his questions and examinations, while she trembled from head to foot through fear of falling into his hands. The price ran high, being a desirable article, so to speak of a human being, and he had to pay an enormous sum. When he laid hold of her to take her away the resistance she made ruptured a blood vessel and she bled to death on the spot. The wrath of the slave trader knew no bounds when thus foiled of his prey, and he swore and kicked her, while the bystanders exulted in his loss, some of whom were sadly disappointed at not being able to obtain her for themselves. The little notice taken of this event, merely as if she had been a dog or a horse, was an outrage to civilization Walter would not have believed could exist in his own country if he had not been an eye witness of the fact. His enthusiasm received such a check that he had no desire to continue his journey farther, even if allowed the free expression of his opinion. True, he knew slavery