Some seemed really anxious to get a good master, and when a kind, pleasant looking man came along they would do their utmost to be agreeable to him and inquire if he did not want to buy them.

We talked it over some between ourselves, and when we thought of the market and the human chattels for sale there, McCloud spoke up and said:--"I am almost persuaded to be an abolitionist." I now went on board the steamer Falcon, in command of a government officer, to try to learn something about the family of Capt.

Culverwell who perished alone in Death Valley.

He told me he had once belonged to the Navy and had his life insured, and as I was an important witness for his family I wanted to learn where they lived.

The Captain looked over a list of officers, but Culverwell's name was not there.