"
The negro implored mercy. "Marster, ez de Lawd is my jedge, I ain't
guilty. I ain't been er good man--I 'knowledges dat, but dis time I
ain't guilty."
"Hold on," Jasper demanded, and the women, standing behind him, murmured
commendation of his course. Tom and Jim stood apart, in positions of
advantage in the event that there should be a fight. "Hold on," Starbuck
repeated, speaking to the father of the two young men. "You must be a
newcomer in these here parts, or you would have held on at the first
command. Don't reckon you know me."
"I don't know you, but I know my own business. My name is Sanderson, and
I am from North Caroliny, and we air goin' to whup this nigger within a
inch of his life or know the reason why."
"All right," said Jasper, taking off his hat and scratching his head.
"That is, if I don't give you the reason why. Thar happens to be a
reason. But befo' I git down to it, let me ask what this po' devil's
done."
The negro broke out with fresh imploration. "Ole marster, save me. I
ain't nuthin' on dis big yearth--dar ain't no way fur me ter be no
count.
Pages:
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131