"Wal, since my darter won't trade nohow, I must try and let you have some of the others, though I don't care much 'bout sellin'." Mr. Peterkin was what was called tight on a trade; now, though he was anxious enough to sell, he affected to be perfectly indifferent. This was what would be termed an excellent ruse de guerre. "If you want children, I think we can supply you," said Miss Jane, and, looking round, she asked, "Where are Amy and her sisters?" My heart sank within me, and, though I knew full well where they were, I would not speak. Little Jim, the son of Ginsy, cried out, "Yes, I know where dey is. I seed em in dar." "Well, run you young rascal, and tell 'em to come here in a minnit," said Mr. Peterkin; and away the boy scampered. In a few moments he returned, followed by Amy, who was bearing Ben in her arms; and, holding on to her skirts, were the two girls, terror limned on their dark, shining faces. "Step up here to this gentleman, Amy, and say how would you like him for a master?" said Mr. Peterkin. "Please, sir," replied Amy, "I don't kere whar I goes, so I takes these chillen wid me." "I do not want Amy to be sold. Sell the children, father; but let us keep Amy for a house-girl." Cold and unfeeling looked the lady as she pronounced these words; but could you have seen the expression of Amy's face! There is no human language, no painter's power, to show forth the eye of frantic madness with which the girl glared around on all. Clutching little Ben tightly, savagely to her bosom, she said no word, and all seemed struck by the extreme wildness of her manner. "Let's look at that boy," said the trader, as he attempted to unfasten Amy's arms but were locked round her treasure. "Dont'ee, dont'ee," shrieked the child. "Yes, but he will," said Mr. Peterkin, as, with a giant's force, he broke asunder the slight arms, "you imperdent hussy, arn't you my property? mine to do what I pleases with; and do you dar' to oppose me?" The girl said nothing; but the wild expression began to grow wilder, fiercer, and more frightful. Little Ben, who was not accustomed to any kind of notice, and felt at home nowhere except in Amy's arms, set up a furious scream; but this the trader did not mind, and proceeded to examine the limbs. "Something is the matter with this boy, he's got hip-disease; I knows from his teeth he is older than you says." "Yes," said Amy seizing the idea, "he is weakly, he won't do no good widout me; buy me too, please, Masser," and she crouched down at the trader's feet, with her hands thrown up in an air of touching supplication; but she had gone to the wrong tribunal for mercy. Who can hope to find so fair a flower blooming amid the dreary brambles of a negro-trader's breast? Tompkins took no other notice of her than to give her a contemptuous kick, as much as to say, "thing, get out of my way." Turning to Mr. Peterkin he said,