'No, I don't. I merely state a fact, and you know it. So keep cool.' 'It's a d----d lie, sir. I doan't keer who says it,' he exclaimed, now really excited. 'Come, come, my fine fellow,' I said, rising and facing him; 'skip the hard words, and don't get up too much steam--it might hurt you, _or your friends_.' 'What d'ye mean? Speak out, Mr. Kirke. If ye doan't want ter buy 'em, say so, and hev done with it.' This was said in a more moderate tone. He had evidently taken my meaning, and feared he had gone too far. 'I mean simply this. This woman and the children cost you twelve hundred dollars four days ago. Preston wants them--_must_ have them--and he will give thirteen hundred for them, and pay you in a year, with interest; that's all.' 'Well, come now, Mr. Kirke, thet's liberal, arn't it! S'pose I doan't take it, what then?' 'Then Roye, Struthers & Co. will stop your supplies, _or I'll stop their's_--that's 'SARTIN',' and I laughed good-humoredly as I said it. 'Well, yer one on 'em, Mr. Kirke, thet's a fact;' and then he added, seriously, 'but ye karn't mean to saddle my doin's onter them.' 'Yes, I will; and tell them they have you to thank for it.' 'What,' and he struck his forehead with his hand; 'what a dangnation fool I wus ter tell ye 'bout them!' 'Of course, you were; and a greater one to say you paid sixteen fifty for the property. I'd have given fifteen hundred for them if you had told the truth. But come, what do you say; are they Preston's or not?' 'No, I karn't do it; karn't take Preston's note--'tain't wuth a hill o' beans. Give me the money, and it's a trade.' 'Preston is cramped, and cannot pay the money just now. I'll give you my note, if you prefer it.' 'Payable in York, interest and exchange?' 'Yes.' 'Well, it's done. And now, d----n the nigs. I'll never buy ary 'nother good-lookin' 'un as long's I live.' 'I hope you won't,' I replied, laughing. He then produced a blank note and a bill of sale, and drawing from his pocket a pen and a small ink bottle, said to me: 'Thar, Mr. Kirke, ye fill up the note, and I'll make out the bill o' sale. I'm handy at such doin's.' 'Give me the key of these bracelets first. Make out the bill to Preston--Robert Preston, of Jones County.' He handed me the key, and I unlocked the shackles. 'Now, Phyllis,' I said, 'it is over. Go and tell Master Robert.' She rose, threw her arms wildly above her head, and staggering weakly forward, without saying a word, left the cabin. Yelping and leaping with joy, the yellow boy followed her; but the little girl came to me, and looking up timidly in my face, said: 'O massa! Rosey so glad 'ou got mammy--Rosey _so_ glad. Rosey lub 'ou, massa--Rosey lub 'ou a heap.' I thought of the little girl I had left at home, and with a sudden impulse lifted the child from the floor and kissed her. She put her little arms about my neck, laid her soft cheek against mine, and burst into tears. She was not accustomed to much kindness.