Maddened by her resistance, I expected to see Mr.Sevier level her to the ground by a stunning blow; but no; like a savage bull-dog--which he resembled both in temper and appearance--he maintained his grip, and steadily dragged his victim toward the tree, disregarding alike her blows, and the cries of the children for their mother's release.

He would, doubtless, have knocked her down with his hickory stick, but that such act might have cost him his place.

It is often deemed advisable to knock a _man_ slave down, in order to tie him, but it is considered cowardly and inexcusable, in an overseer, thus to deal with a _woman_.

He is expected to tie her up, and to give her what is called, in southern parlance, a "genteel flogging," without any very great outlay of strength or skill.

I watched, with palpitating interest, the course of the preliminary struggle, and was saddened by every new advantage gained over her by the ruffian.