r him.

The Southern method of catching stray negroes is about this: When one
is found traveling without a pass, he is arrested, taken to the jail,
and severely flogged. This usually brings some kind of a confession
from him, and he is advertised in accordance with that confession. If
no answer is received in a limited time, it is taken for granted that
he lied, and he is whipped again, in order to bring a new confession.
Thus they continue alternately whipping and advertising, till the
close of the year. If a master is found before this, he can pay the
costs and take his property; if not, the negro is sold to pay the jail
and whipping fees. No trial is ever allowed at which the negro might
prove himself free. When once arrested his doom is sealed, and in this
way many free negroes are enslaved.

Aleck had been in this prison seven months, and was to remain five
more, with no other prospect than that of being sold into perpetual
bondage!

Every society has its aristocrats, and here I soon found that the
eminence was given to those who were charged with the most daring
deeds. The spy--there was but one so accused, and he was
blind,[3]--was considered much above the ordinary Union men. I was
charged with the greatest adventure of any confined there, and, of
course, was treated with becoming deference.

[3] The rebels thought he was counterfeiting blindness, but I believe
it was real.

I was not long the only one of the _engine-thieves_, (by which name we
were known during our stay in the Confederacy,) who was confined in
this dungeon. Soon the trap-door again opened, causing a stream of
comparatively cool air from the room above to rush down. It was an
inconceivable relief--a _luxury_ that none could appreciate who had
not, as we had, been deprived of that greatest blessing God has given
to man--pure air.

We wondered who was coming next, as the feeble glimmering of a candle
above revealed several forms descending. The Tennesseeans cried out:

"Don't put any more down here! We're full! We'll die if more are put
down!" which did not seem improbable.

But these remonstrances produced no effect. Down they came, and I,
stationing myself at the foot of the ladder, spoke something
indifferently to them, and heard my name called in return.

It was Andrews, Wollam, and Ross, who gave me their hands in silent
condolence of our common misery. Still others were brought, I do not
now remember whether that evening, or in t