She had left in haste, and without preparation; and, probably, without the knowledge of Mr.Plummer.She had traveled twelve miles, bare-footed, bare-necked and bare-headed.

Her neck and shoulders{64} were covered with scars, newly made; and not content with marring her neck and shoulders, with the cowhide, the cowardly brute had dealt her a blow on the head with a hickory club, which cut a horrible gash, and left her face literally covered with blood.

In this condition, the poor young woman came down, to implore protection at the hands of my old master.

I expected to see him boil over with rage at the revolting deed, and to hear him fill the air with curses upon the brutual Plummer; but I was disappointed.

He sternly told her, in an angry tone, he "believed she deserved every bit of it," and, if she did not go home instantly, he would himself take the remaining skin from her neck and back.