" Thus, with jingling chorus and seemingly joyous hearts,
they march down to the man-market. The two children, Annette and
Nicholas, trail behind, in charge of the sheriff, whose better
feelings seem to be troubling him very much. Every now and then, as
they walk by his side, he casts a serious look at Annette, as if
conscience, speaking in deep pulsations, said it wasn't just right
to sell such an interesting little creature. Onward they marched,
his head and heart warring the while. "There's something about it
that does'nt seem to come just right in a fellow's feelins," keeps
working itself in his mind, until at length he mutters the words. It
is the natural will to do good, struggling against the privileges
which a government gives ungovernable men to do wrong.
CHAPTER XVIII.
LET US FOLLOW POOR HUMAN NATURE TO THE MAN SHAMBLES.
GENTLEMEN dealers in want of human property,--planters in want of a
few prime people,--brokers who have large transactions in such
articles,--and factors who, being rather sensitive of their dignity,
give to others the negotiation of their business,--are assembled in
and around the mart, a covered shed, somewhat resembling those used
by railroad companies for the storing of coarse merchandise.
Marston's negroes are to be sold. Suspicious circumstances are
connected with his sudden decline: rumour has sounded her
seven-tongued symbols upon it, and loud are the speculations. The
cholera has made mighty ravages; but the cholera could not have done
all.
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