True to his promise, he was there with a blank bank-check in his pocket, awaiting with impatience to enter the list as a bidder for the beautiful slave.
It was indeed a heart-rending scene to witness the lamentations of these slaves, all of whom had grown up together on the old homestead of Mr.
Graves, and who had been treated with great kindness by that gentleman, during his life.

Now they were to be separated, and form new relations and companions.

Such is the precarious condition of the slave.

Even when with a good master, there is not certainty of his happiness in the future.
The less valuable slaves were first placed upon the auction-block, one after another, and sold to the highest bidder.

Husbands and wives were separated with a degree of indifference that is unknown in any other relation in life.