-"Notwithstanding, he
is an extremely valuable nigger," he says, affecting superlative
indifference.
"I'd rather sell him for a song than he should disturb the peace of
the city thus." To New Orleans Mr. Grabguy sends his unsubdued
property; but that the threatened sale is only a feint to more
effectually dissolve the contract and forfeit the money paid as part
of his freedom, he soon becomes fully sensible. Doubly incensed at
such conduct the fire of his determination burns more fiercely; if
no justice for him be made manifest on earth his spirit is consoled
with the knowledge of a reward in heaven. Having tortured for months
the unyielding man, Grabguy, with blandest professions of kindness,
commands that the lacerated servant be brought back to his domicile.
Here, with offers of kindness, and sundry pretexts of his sincerity,
the master will pledge his honour to keep faith with his slave. The
defrauded wretch knows but too well how little confidence he can
place in such promises; to such promises does he turn a deaf ear.
Grabguy, if serious, must give him back his wife, his children, and
his hard earnings, in which the joyous hope of gaining freedom was
centred: that hope had carried him through many trials. Sad is the
dilemma in which Mr. Grabguy finds himself placed; simple justice to
the man would have long since settled the question.
And now Nicholas is a second time sent to Graspum's pen, where
living men are chained to rings of fierce iron for loving freedom
and their country.
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