"
Louis, without saying another word went out to the coachman, and asked
what time the cars left the station.
"Ten minutes to nine."
"Can you take me there in time to reach the train? I want to go to the
city tonight."
"Dunno, massa; my best horse is lame, and what----"
"Never mind your excuse; here," said he, throwing him a dollar, "hitch
up as quick as possible, and take me there without any 'buts' or 'ifs.'"
"All right, massa," said Sam, grinning with delight. "I'll have you over
there in short order."
The carriage harnessed, Samuel found no difficulty with his horses, and
reached the depot almost a half hour before the time.
Louis arrived in the city after midnight, and the next day he devoted to
hunting for Ellen. He searched through different slave pens, inquired of
all the traders, until at last, ready to abandon his search in
hopelessness, he heard of a private jail in the suburbs of the city.
Nothing daunted by his failure, he found the place and Ellen also.
The trader eyed him keenly, and saw from his manner that he was in
earnest about having the girl.
"She is not for sale in this city. Whoever buys her must give me a
pledge to take her out of this city. That was the bargain I made with
her mistress.
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