d resolved to die like a brave man. When
questioned as to whether he knew anything of a conspiracy among the
slaves against their masters, he replied,--

"Do you suppose that I would tell you if I did?"

"But if you know anything," remarked the magistrate, "and will tell us,
you may possibly have your life spared."

"Life," answered the doomed man, "is worth nought to a slave. What
right has a slave to himself, his wife, or his children? We are kept in
heathenish darkness, by laws especially enacted to make our instruction
a criminal offence; and our bones, sinews, blood, and nerves are
exposed in the market for sale.

"My liberty is of as much consequence to me as Mr. Wilson's is to him.
I am as sensitive to feeling as he. If I mistake not, the day will come
when the negro will learn that he can get his freedom by fighting for
it; and should that time arrive, the whites will be sorry that they
have hated us so shamefully. I am free to say that, could I live my
life over again, I would use all the energies which God has given me to
get up an insurrection."

Every one present seemed startled and amazed at the intelligence with
which this descendant of Africa spoke.

"He's a very dangerous man," remarked one.

"Yes," said another, "he got some book-learning somewhere, and that has
spoiled him."

An effort was then made to learn from Jerome where he had learned to
read, but the black refused to give any information on the subject.

The sun was just going down behind the trees as Clotelle entered the
prison to see Jerome for the last time. He was to die on the next day
Her face was bent upon her hands, and the gushing tears were forcing
their way through her fingers. With beating heart and trembling hands,
evincing the deepest emotion, she threw her arms around her lover's
neck and embraced him. But, prompted by her heart's unchanging love,
she had in her own mind a plan by which she hoped to effect the escape
of him to whom she had pledged her heart and hand. While the
overcharged clouds which had hung over the city during the day broke,
and the rain fell in torrents, amid the most terrific thunder and
lightning, Clotelle revealed to Jerome her plan for his escape.

"Dress yourself in my clothes," said she, "and you can easily pass the
jailer."

This Jerome at first declined doing. He did not wish to place a
confiding girl in a position where, in all probability, she would have
to suffer; but being assured by