'Let him up, Frank. Let the devil have fair play,' said Joe; 'I'll give him a chance at ten paces.' 'Yes, let him up, my son; he is unarmed.' Frank slowly and reluctantly released his hold, and the woman-whipper rose. Looking at us for a moment--a mingled look of rage and defiance--he turned, without speaking, and took some rapid strides up the bank. 'Hold on, Colonel Dawsey!' cried Joe, elevating his Derringer; 'take another step, and I'll let daylight through you. You've just got to promise you won't whip this woman, or take your chance at ten paces.' [I afterward learned that Joe was deadly sure with the pistol.] Dawsey turned slowly round, and, in a sullen tone, asked: 'Who are you, _gentlemen_, that interfere with my private affairs?' '_My_ name, sir, is Kirke, of New York; and this young man is my son.' 'Not Mr. Kirke, my factor?' 'The same, sir.' 'Well, Mr. Kirke, I'm sorry to say you're just now in d--d pore business.' 'I _have_ been, sir. I've done yours for some years, and I'm heartily ashamed of it. I'll try to mend in that particular, however.' 'Well, no more words, Colonel Dawsey,' said Joe. 'Here's a Derringer, if you'd like a pop at me.' 'Tain't an even chance,' replied Dawsey; 'you know it.' 'Take it, or promise not to whip the woman. I won't waste more time on such a sneaking coward as you are.' Dawsey hesitated, but finally, in a dogged way, made the required promise, and took himself off. While this conversation was going on, Preston and the negro man had untied the woman. Her back was bleeding profusely, and she was unable to stand. Lifting her in their arms, the two conveyed her to the top of the bank, and then, making a bed of their coats, laid her on the ground. We remained there until the negro returned from the house with a turpentine wagon, and conveyed the woman 'home.' We then returned to the plantation, and that afternoon, accompanied by Frank and Joe, I resumed my journey. By way of episode, I will mention that the slave woman, after being confined to her bed several weeks, recovered. Then Dawsey renewed his attack upon her, and, from the effects of a second whipping, she died. CHAPTER XXI. Returning from the South a few weeks after the events narrated in the previous chapter, Frank and I were met at Goldsboro by Preston and Selma, when the latter accompanied us to the North, and once more resumed her place in David's family.