"That's the one," said Tompkins, as he eyed me with that _same_ look. There he stood, twirling a heavy bunch of seals which depended from a large, curiously-wrought chain. He looked more like a fiend than a _man_. "This here one is your'n," said Mr. Peterkin, pointing to Lindy; "and, gal, that gentleman is yer master." Lindy dropped a courtesy to him, and tried to wipe away her tears; for experience had taught her that the only safe course was to stifle emotions. "Here, gal, open yer mouth," Tompkins said to Lindy. She obeyed. "Now let me feel yer arms." He then examined her feet, ankles, legs, passed his hands over various parts of her body, made her walk and move her limbs in different ways, and then, seemingly satisfied with the bargain, said, "Wal, that trade is closed." Looking toward me, his dissolute eyes began to glare furiously. Again my soul quailed; but I tried to govern myself, and threw upon him a glance as cold as ice itself. "What will you take for this yallow gal?" he said, as he laid his hand upon my shoulder. I shrank beneath his touch; yet resistance would only have made the case worse, and I was compelled to submit. "I ain't much anxious to sell her; she is my darter Jane's waitin' 'ooman, and, you see, my darters are putty much stuck up. They thinks they must have a waitin'-maid; but, if you offer a far price, maybe we will close in." "Wal, as she is a fancy article, I'll jist say take twelve hundred dollars, and that's more an' she's actilly worth; but I wants her fur my _own use_; a sorter private gal like, you knows," and he gave a lascivious blink, which Mr. Peterkin seemed to understand. I felt a deep crimson suffuse my face. Oh, God! this was the heaviest of all afflictions. _Sold!_ and for _such a purpose_! "I reckon the bargain is closed, then," said Mr. Peterkin. I felt despair coiling around my heart. Yet I knew that to make an appeal to their humanity would be worse than idle. "Who, which of them have you sold, father?" asked Miss Jane, who entered the kitchen, doubtless for the humane object of witnessing the distress of the poor creatures. "Wal, Lindy's sold, and we are 'bout closing the bargain for Ann." "Why, Ann belongs to me." "Yes, but Tompkins offers twelve hundred dollars; and six hundred of it you shill have to git new furniture." "She shan't go for six thousand. I want an accomplished maid when I go up to the city, and she just suits me. Remember I have your deed of gift." This relieved me greatly, for I understood her determination; and, though I knew all sorts of severity would be exercised over me in my present home, I felt assured that my honor would remain unstained. The trader tried to persuade and coax Miss Jane; but she remained impervious to all of his importunities. "Wal, then," he said, after finding she would yield to no argument, "haven't you none others you can let me have? I am 'bliged to fill up my lot."