I remained there for a half hour, and then strolled back to the mansion. On the lawn, at the side of the house, was the auction block--the carpenter's bench which had officiated at Ally's wedding. It was approached by a flight of steps, and at one end was the salesman's stand--a high stool, in front of which was a small portable desk supported on stakes driven into the ground. Near the block was a booth fitted up for the special accommodation of thirsty buyers. The proprietor was just opening his own and his establishment's windows, and I looked in upon him. His red, bloated visage seemed familiar to me. Perceiving me, he said: 'How is ye, stranger? Hev a eye-opener?' 'I reckon not, old fellow; but I ought to know you. Your name is Tom.' 'Thomas, stranger; but Tom, fur short.' 'Well, Thomas, I thought you had taken your last drink. I saw your store was closed, as I came along.' 'Yas; th' durned 'ristocrats driv me out uv thet nigh a yar ago.' 'And where are you now?' 'Up ter Trenton. I'm doin' right smart thar. Me an' Mulock--thet used ter b'long yere--is in partenship. But war moight ye hev seed me, stranger?' 'At your store, over ten years since. I bought a woman there. You were having a turkey match at the time.' 'Oh, yas! I 'call ye now. An' th' pore gal's dead! Thet d--d Yankee 'ooman shud pull hemp fur thet.' 'Yes; but the devil seldom gets his due in this world.' 'Thet ar's a fact, stranger. Come, hev a drink; I woan't ax ye a red.' 'No, excuse me, Tom; it's before breakfast;' and, walking off, I entered the mansion. * * * * * Shortly after breakfast the people from the neighboring plantations began to gather to the sale, and, by the hour appointed for it to commence, about five hundred men and women had collected on the ground. Some were on horseback, some in carriages, but the majority were seated on the grass, or on benches improvised for the occasion.