The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-16
CONTINUED from last sunday)
CHAPTER III Continued.

Inc SlgnU Oh all IIlS, Shll TIE = LAY
pony, continuing his story, surprised
me SO that l stopped in the road, and
came near tucdng tail and running
back the way / came. But the Little
Master was never afraid of anything.
He stroked my shoulder and scolded
me, too, and urged me forward Now
there was nothing about this wagon
train to brighten me. l had seen wa
gon trains before. But this one doomed
up so suddenly and unexpectedly that
it made me have queer, shlVery feel-
ING. as when hear a horse fly looming
around and don't know where he IS
going to light. 1t happened that the
wagons were on sandy level, ana
neither their wheels nor the mules
feet made any noise. The negroes were
marching along as silently as the
shadows that run on the ground when
the moon is shining and the clouds
are flying. 1t was the first time had
ever seen negroes going along the
road together in utter silence. They
were neither talking nor laughing,
and they seemed to be very far from
singing.
Going nearer, ] saw that the. negro
drivers were chained to the wagons.
Tn eaRn size Ol the hit VI maj WING
negroes rode a white man, a shotgun
lying across his lap. | thought the
negroes were prisoners, and that the
men were carrying them to court for
the Judge and jury to sit on them so
the Little Master thought, for he urged
me forward until we came up with the
man who rode near the tall negro at
the head of the file.
Good morning. said the Little Mas
ter to the man.
"'Good day, sonny replied the man,
but he kept his eye on the negro at
the head of the file.
F" Whose negroes are these? the Lit
tie Master asked.
i" Nine said the man, smacking his
lips over it; every one mine
"Then we went on in silence. The
Little Master had a way when he was
puzzled of reaching over the saddle
and twisting a wisp of my name be-
tween his fingers. He did this now.
He curled the wisp of hair on his fore
finger and uncnrled it ever 50 many
times. as we went on in silence. |
noticed that the negro at the head of
the file had his arms tied at The elbows.
The whole weight of the long rope,
which was big one fell on this negro,
but he was tall and strong and moved
forward without sign of distress.
Presently the Little Master spoke
to the man again. What have your ne
oroes rCne that they Should be carried
to jail?'
.sThe man laughed loudly, as he re-
piled: I'm not carrying them to jail
They are for sale.
Then you are negro Spectator,
said the Little Master,
That's what some people call me,
sonny Spectator or what not,l have
negroes for sale. If you want to buy
one, I'll sell you that buck at the head
of the gang He's the finest Of the lot,
but III sell him cheap. He's worse
than a tiger
'sThe Little Master urged me forward
until we came to the side of the man at
the head of the file. That was my first
sight of the Son of Ben Ali. ! knew at
once that he was no negro. The Lit
tie Master spoke to him, and be smiled
as he answered.
"I'n sell him cheap, sonny, SAID the
man: name your own price, give me
the money, and take him.
.The Little Master slapped the POM
mel Of his saddle, and j knew by that
he was angry. But what he intended
to say was never said, for just then the
White-haired Master and the teacher
came by in the buggy, going at
sweeping trot and the Little Master
gave me warning to follow, which |
was more than glad to do. Never be-
fore had I seen the White-haired Mas
ter use the whip on old Sorrel, the bug
gy horse, but he used it that day, and
/ had hard work to catch up and keep
up. The teacher had turned in his seat
and watched the file Of negroes and the
covered wagons as far as he could see
them. There was fFoWn on his face,
and his eyes had queer light IN them.
/ always dodge when man looks al
me that way.
II think the White-haired Master
wanted to get the teacher away from
that procession of negroes. / heard
them talking as ] cantered behind the
buggy.
s1'You are from the North, and Of
course, you don't understand these
things, said the White-haired Master.
You are right replied the teacher.
4 don't understand them at all. I'm
truly sorry I saw that sight. shall
see it again in my dreams
81 have been living here fifty years,
the White-haired Master remarked,
and that is the second time / ever saw
it.
1.-THE teacher said nothing more, ana
we soon entered the town, there were
a great many people Hitched to ons
of the racks saw roam mule that had
given me a vicious bite when we were
in the drove together. lie was poor
enough now, and his ears hung defect
edly / wanted to stop and read him
a moral. but the Little Master babe me
go ON, and / had no opportunity 70
speak to my old tormentor.
CHAPTER ~.
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