Then if she's civilly
humbled down, I'll send my nigger fellow, Joe, with an order for
her. Joe'll be the fellow's name; now, mind that: but you know my
Joe, I reckon?" The keeper led the way, but made no reply; for
indeed he knew nothing of his Joe, there being innumerable niggers
of that name. As the men left the little office, and were sauntering
up the passage, our worthy friend Rosebrook might be seen entering
in search of Broadman; when, discovering Blowers in his company, and
hearing the significant words, he shot into a niche, unobserved by
them, and calling a negro attendant, learned the nature of his
visit. And here it becomes necessary that we discover to the reader
the fact of Rosebrook having been apprised of the forlorn woman's
return, and her perilous position in the hands of Pringle Blowers;
and, further, that the communication was effected by the negro man
Pompe, who we have before described in connection with Montague at
the time of his landing from the witch-like schooner. This Pompe was
sold to Blowers but a few months before Annette's recovery, and
acting upon the force of that sympathy which exists among fellow
slaves of a plantation, soon renewed old acquaintance, gained her
confidence, and, cunningly eluding the owner's watchfulness,
conveyed for her a letter to the Rosebrooks. In truth, Pompe had an
inveterate hatred of Blowers, and under the incitement would not
have hesitated to stake his life in defence of the fair woman.
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