"Wal, he isn't much 'count; but, rather then seem contrary, I'll give that fur him." And thus the trade was closed. Human beings were disposed of with as little feeling as if they had been wild animals. "I'm sorry you won't, young Miss, let me have that maid of yourn; but I'll be 'long next fall, and, fur a good price, I 'spect you'll be willin' to trade. I wants that yallow wench," and he clicked his fingers at me. "Say, Peterkin, ken you lend me a wagen to take 'em over to my pen?" "Oh, yes; and Nace can drive 'em over." Conscious of having got a good price, Mr. Peterkin was in a capital humor. "Come, go with me, Peterkin, and we'll draw up the papers, and I'll pay you your money." This was an agreeable sound to master. He ordered Nace to bring out the wagon, and the order was hardly given before it was obeyed. Dismal looked that red wagon, the same which years before had carried me away from the insensible form of my broken-hearted mother. It appeared more dark and dreary, to me, than a coffin or hearse. "Say, Peterkin, don't let 'em take many close; jist a change. It tires 'em too much if they have big bundles to carry." "They shan't be troubled with that." "Now, niggers, git your bundles and come 'long," said master. "Oh," cried Lindy, "can I git to see young master before I start? I wants to thank him for de comfort he gib me last night," and she wiped the tears from her eyes, and was starting toward the door of the house, when Miss Jane intercepted her. "No, you runaway hussy, you shan't go in to disturb him, and have a scene here." "Please, Miss Jane, I only wants to say good-bye." "You shan't do it." Mournfully, and with the tears streaming far down her cheeks, she turned to me, saying, "Please, you, Ann, tell him good-bye fur me, and good-bye to you. I hope you will forgive me for all de harm I has done to you." I took her hand, but could not speak a word. Silently I pressed it. "Whar's your close, gal?" asked Tompkins. "I'm gwine to git 'em." "Well, be in a hurry 'bout it." She went off to gather up a few articles, scarcely sufficient to cover her; for we were barely allowed a change of clothing, and that not very decent. Ginsy, leading her child with one hand, while she held in the other a small bundle, walked up to Miss Jane, and dropping a low courtesy, said, "Farewell, Miss Jane; can I see Miss Tildy and young master?" "No, John is sick, and Tildy can't be troubled just now." "Yes, ma'm; please tell 'em good-bye fur me; and I hopes young Masser will soon be well agin. I'd like to see him afore I went, but I don't want to 'sturb him." "Well, that will do, go on now." "Tell young Masser good-bye," Ginsy said, addressing her child. "Good-bye," repeated Miss Jane very carelessly, scarcely looking toward them, and they moved away, and shaking hands with the servants, they marched on to the wagon.