I reckon, sah, dey calculate dat when dey sell his wife Tony get mad and run away, and den when dey catch him again dey flog him pretty near to death.

Folk always do dat with runaway slaves; no one can say nuffin agin dem for dat." "It's an infamous shame that it should be lawful to separate man and wife," Vincent said.

"However, we will see what we can do.

You manage to pass the word to Tony to keep up his spirits, and not let them drive him to do anything rash.

Tell him I will see that his wife does not get into bad hands, I suppose they will sell the baby too ?" "Yes.