the gentleman wanted to buy Mandy Ann, but this idea was scouted. Boston
was not one to buy negroes. Probably he was some kin to old Granny
Harris, who had distant connections in the North, some one suggested.
This seemed reasonable, and the people settled upon it, and gave him a
wide berth as one who wished to be let alone. When Mandy Ann rushed in
and made her way to him curiosity was again roused, but no one was near
enough to hear her as she put into his hands a paper, saying
breathlessly, "Miss Dory done send some of it back with thanks, 'case
she can't keep it all, and she wants to know how d'ye, an' I mus' hurry,
or dey carries me off."

The stranger took the paper, opened it, and glanced at the bills; then
at the girl who stood as if she expected something. Taking a dollar from
his pocket he gave it to her saying, "Take this and be a good girl to
your young mistress, and now go."

Mandy Ann did not move, but stood with her lips twitching and her eyes
filling with tears. No one had ever given her a dollar before, and her
better nature cried out against what she had done.

"Fo' de Lawd, I can't help 'fessin," she said, thrusting her hand into
her bosom and bringing out a crumpled bill which she gave to the
gentleman, who saw that it was a ten and looked at her sternly as she
went on: "I done promised Miss Dory I'never tache a thing, if she
wouldn't sell me to you, but dar was sich a pile, an' I wanted some
beads, an' a red han'kercher, an' a ring, an' I done took one. I don'no
how much, 'case I can't read, an' dat's why I was late an' had to run so
fass. You're good, you is, an' I muss 'fess--may de Lawd forgive me."

At this point Ted, who had been on some of the large boats between