But placed as he was, as the heir of a great estate worked by slaves, such a cry could hardly be raised against him.

He might doubtless be fined and admonished for interfering between a master and his slave; but the sympathy of the better classes in Virginia would be entirely with him.
Vincent, therefore, was but little concerned for himself; but he doubted greatly whether his interference had not done much more harm than good to the slave and his wife, for upon them Andrew Jackson would vent his fury.

He rode direct to the stables instead of alighting as usual at the door.

Dan, who had been sitting in the veranda waiting for him, ran down to the stables as he saw him coming.
"Give the horse to one of the others, Dan, I want to speak to you.

Dan," he went on when he had walked with him a short distance from the stables, "I suppose you know some of the hands on Jackson's plantation." Dan grinned, for although there was not supposed to be any communication between the slaves on the different estates, it was notorious that at night they were in the habit of slipping out of their huts and visiting each other.
"I know some ob dem, Marse Vincent.