Then there was a stir of attention.
Dinah Moore took her stand upon the platform, with her baby in her arms.
The message which Dan had conveyed from Vincent to her husband had given her some hope, and though she looked scared and frightened as she clasped her babe to her breast, she was not filled with such utter despair as would otherwise have been the case.
The auctioneer stated the advantages of the lot in the same business like tone as if he had been selling a horse.
"Lot 6.

Negro wench, Dinah; age twenty-two; with male child.

Strong and well made, as you see, gentlemen; fit for field work, or could be made a useful hand about the house; said to be handy and good-tempered.

Now gentlemen, what shall we say for this desirable lot ?" One of the men standing by Andrew Jackson bid a hundred dollars.

The bid was raised to a hundred and fifty by a rough-looking fellow standing in front of the platform.