d gave directions where he
could find it. My brother prepared a note for his wife, and told her
where she could find the money, and my brother reached the note to the
wrong person." [See GAMBLING UNMASKED.] "Some person told him you were
the receiver; that they had seen you take the note."

I knew, however, that no one had seen me take it, that the whole was a
mere conjecture--a plan to worm a confession out of me. Hence I denied
it stoutly.

"I do not believe it myself," affirmed the colonel, "but the whole clan,
remember, dislike you; among others, a negro trader, by the name of
Goodrich. He has marked you out as a transgressor, and is determined to
put you out of the way." I have mentioned this same Goodrich, once
before. He is well known as one accustomed to sell runaway negroes, as a
kidnapper, who lives with a wench, and has several mulatto children, and
probably does a profitable business in selling his own offspring.

I replied, "I do not know Goodrich, and know as little about Sandford's
money."

"Well, Green, I believe you are innocent of the two first accusations,
and hope you may be of the third."

But now came the "tug of war." These others were only a preparatory step
for a fearful inquisition. I knew what was coming, and mustered all my
fortitude to meet the exigency. If ever there was a time when I was
called upon to summon my collected energies, to express calmness and
betoken innocence, it was on this occasion. The colonel, fixing his
eagle-eye upon me with severest scrutiny, proceeded:

"A certain package of papers has been taken, which has produced a great
excitement, and has caused me serious injury." When he mentioned PAPERS,
there was a sensible pause, and a piercing look which exhibited a
determination to detect the slightest expression of guilt. I was enabled
to command myself, however, in such a way, that I think I satisfied him
I was not guilty.

In reply, I asked the colonel "Why they should accuse me of acting so
base a part?"

"Unfortunately for you," said the colonel, "you have been seen talking
with the friends of Taylor."

I replied, "Perhaps I have, for I cannot tell who are his friends, or
who his enemies." I likewise asked him if he thought it possible I could
or would do any thing to injure him.

"I think not," said he, "yet mankind are so base and deceitful, I have
but little confidence in any one. I will now show you how dreadful must
be my position in regard to the pa