'I will go,' was all that I said. Kate sat down, and wept 'Oh! some terrible thing has befallen her! What can it be?' I was giving some hurried directions to my partners, when a telegram was handed in. It was from Boston, and addressed to me personally. I opened it, and read: 'I have just heard that Selma is a slave. To be sold on the seventeenth. I can't go. You must. Buy her on my account. Pay any price. I have written Frank. Let nothing prevent your starting at once. If your partners should be short while you're away, let them draw on me. 'AUGUSTUS CRAGIN.' It was then the morning of the twelfth. Making all the connections, and there being no delay of the trains, I should reach the plantation early on the seventeenth. At twelve o'clock I was on the way. Steam was too slow for my impatience. I would have harnessed the lightning. At last--it was sundown of the sixteenth--the stage drove into Newbern. With my carpet bag in my hand, I rushed into the hotel. Four or five loungers were in the office, and the lazy bartender was mixing drinks behind the counter. 'Sir, I want a horse, or a horse and buggy, at once.' 'A horse? Ye're in a hurry, hain't ye?' 'Yes.' 'Wall, I reckon ye'll hev ter git over it. Thar hain't a durned critter in th' whole place.' 'I'm in no mood for jesting, sir. I want a horse _at once_. I will deposit twice his value.' 'Ye couldn't git nary critter, stranger, ef ye wus made uv gold. They're all off--off ter Squire Preston's sale.' 'The sale! Has it begun?' 'I reckon! Ben a gwine fur two days.' My heart sank within me. I was too late! 'Are all the negroes sold?' 'No; them comes on ter morrer. He's got a likely gang.' I breathed more freely. At this moment a well-dressed gentleman, followed by a good-looking yellow man, entered the room. He wore spurs, and was covered with dust. Approaching the counter, he said: 'Here, you lazy devil--a drink for me and my boy. I'm drier than a parson--Old Bourbon.' As the bartender poured out the liquor, the new comer's eye fell upon me. His face seemed familiar, but I could not recall it. Scanning me for a moment, he held out his hand in a free, cordial manner, saying: 'Ah! Mr. Kirke, is this you? You don't remember me? my name is Gaston.' 'Mr. Gaston, I'm glad to see you,' I replied, returning his salutation. 'Have a drink, sir?' 'Thank you.' I emptied the glass. I was jaded, and had eaten nothing since morning. 'I'm in pursuit of a horse under difficulties, Mr. Gaston. Perhaps you can tell me where to get one. I must be at Preston's to-night.' 'They're scarcer than hen's teeth round here, just now, I reckon. But hold on; I go there in the morning. I'll borrow a buggy, and you can ride up with me.' 'No, I must be there to-night. How far is it?' 'Twenty miles.' 'Well, I'll walk. Landlord, give me supper at once.'