Mulock was at once released, and,
coatless, hatless, and all but trouserless, he made his way through the
hooting multitude, and left the plantation, a blacker, if not a wiser
and a better man.
As we walked away from the 'scene of execution,' I said to the
negro-trader:
'Larkin, you should have been a lawyer; you managed that thing
admirably.'
'Th' boys hed got thar blood up, an' I know'd I couldn't clar him. A man
stands a sorry chance in sech a crowd, ef they's raally bent on
mischief.'
On the following morning the remainder of the negroes were purchased by
Joe; and in the afternoon I was on my way home.
CHAPTER XXVII.
As I was sitting in my library, late one evening, rather more than a
month after the events recorded in the last chapter, a hasty ring came
at the street door.
'Who can be calling so late?' said Kate. 'Had _you_ not better go?'
Drawing on my boots, I went to the door. As I opened it, my hand was
suddenly seized, and a familiar voice exclaimed:
'What about Selly? How is she?'
'Lord bless you, Frank! is this you? How did you get here?'
'How is Selma! Tell me!'
'Safe and well--in Mobile with Joe.'
'Thank GOD! thank GOD for _that!_'
'How did you get here?'
'By the Africa; she's below. I managed to get up by a small boat. I
_couldn't_ wait.'
'Well, go up stairs. Your mother is in the library.'
After the first greeting had passed between Kate and the newcomer, he
plied me with questions in regard to Selma, I told him all, keeping
nothing back.
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