After that we'll send the rest to auction." Colonel Bishop nodded his acknowledgment.

He raised his voice in answering.

"Your excellency is very good.

But, faith, they're a weedy lot, not likely to be of much value in the plantation." His beady eyes scanned them again, and his contempt of them deepened the malevolence of his face.

It was as if he were annoyed with them for being in no better condition.