She was his slave, his chattel, and, under the influence of ungoverned passion, he was capable of any degree of cruelty to attain his end.

I knew--seemed to realize--all this in an instant, and as swiftly decided to risk life if need be in her defense.

There was at that moment no thought in my mind of her stain of negro blood; she was not a slave to me, but merely a woman helpless and alone, fronting dishonor and degradation.
I slipped along in the shadow of the house, without definite plan of action, but with a firm purpose to act.

The side door I knew to be securely locked, yet, first of all, it was essential that I attain to the interior.

But one means to this end occurred to me--the unshaded window through which the glow of light continued to stream.