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pinning it with a star；〃 as the slave…girl seated herself on a sofa by the
window； and began meditating upon her eventful history； meanwhile
watching the white waves as they seemed to sport with each other in the
wake of the noble vessel； with the rising moon reflecting its silver rays
upon the splendid scene； when the foreigner once more appeared near the
window。 Although agitated for fear her mistress would see her talking to
a stranger； and be angry； Clotelle still thought she saw something in the
countenance of the young man that told her he was sincere； and she did
not wish to hurt his feelings。
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〃Why persist in your wish to talk with me？〃 she said； as he again
advanced and spoke to her。
〃I wish to purchase you and make you happy；〃 returned he。
〃But I am not for sale now；〃 she replied。 〃My present mistress will
not sell me； and if you wished to do so ever so much you could not。〃
〃Then；〃 said he； 〃if I cannot buy you； when the steamer reaches
Mobile； fly with me； and you shall be free。〃
〃I cannot do it；〃 said Clotelle； and she was just leaving the stranger
when he took from his pocket a piece of paper and thrust it into her hand。
After returning to her room； she unfolded the paper； and found； to her
utter astonishment that it contained a one hundred dollar note on the Bank
of the United States。 The first impulse of the girl was to return the paper
and its contents immediately to the giver； but examining the paper more
closely； she saw in faint pencil…marks； 〃Remember this is from one who
loves you。〃 Another thought was to give it to her mistress； and she
returned to the saloon for that purpose； but on finding Mrs。 Taylor engaged
in conversation with some ladies； she did not deem it proper to interrupt
her。
Again； therefore； Clotelle seated herself by the window； and again the
stranger presented himself。 She immediately took the paper from her
pocket； and handed it to him； but he declined taking it； saying；
〃No； keep it； it may be of some service to you when I am far away。〃
〃Would that I could understand you；〃 said the slave。
〃Believe that I am sincere； and then you will understand me；〃 returned
the young man。 〃Would you rather be a slave than be free？〃 inquired he；
with tears that glistened in the rays of the moon。
〃No；〃 said she； 〃I want my freedom； but I must live a virtuous life。〃
〃Then； if you would be free and happy； go with me。 We shall be in
Mobile in two hours； and when the passengers are going on shore； you
take my arm。 Have your face covered with a veil； and you will not be
observed。 We will take passage immediately for France； you can pass as
my sister； and I pledge you my honor that I will marry you as soon as we
arrive in France。〃
This solemn promise； coupled with what had previously been said；
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gave Clotelle confidence in the man； and she instantly determined to go
with him。 〃But then；〃 thought she； 〃what if I should be detected？ I would
be forever ruined； for I would be sold； and in all probability have to end
my days on a cotton； rice； or sugar plantation。〃 However； the thought of
freedom in the future outweighed this danger； and her resolve was taken。
Dressing herself in some of her best clothes； and placing her veiled
bonnet where she could get it without the knowledge of her mistress；
Clotelle awaited with a heart filled with the deepest emotions and anxiety
the moment when she was to take a step which seemed so rash； and which
would either make or ruin her forever。
The ships which Mobile for Europe lie about thirty miles down the bay；
and passengers are taken down from the city in small vessels。 The 〃Walk…
in…the…Water〃 had just made her lines fast； and the passengers were
hurrying on shore； when a tall gentleman with a lady at his side descended
the stage…plank； and stepped on the wharf。 This was Antoine Devenant and
Clotelle。
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CHAPTER XXIV
THE LAW AND ITS VICTIM
THE death of Dr。 Morton； on the third day of his illness； came like a
shock upon his wife and daughters。 The corpse had scarcely been
committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties
appeared to them。 By the laws of the Slave States； the children follow the
condition of their mother。 If the mother is free； the children are free； if a
slave； the children are slaves。 Being unacquainted with the Southern code；
and no one presuming that Marion had any negro blood in her veins； Dr。
Morton had not given the subject a single thought。 The woman whom he
loved and regarded as his wife was； after all； nothing more than a slave by
the laws of the State。 What would have been his feelings had he known
that at his death his wife and children would be considered as his property？
Yet such was the case。 Like most men of means at that time； Dr。 Morton
was deeply engaged in speculation； and though generally considered
wealthy； was very much involved in his business affairs。
After the disease with which Dr。 Morton had so suddenly died had to
some extent subsided； Mr。 James Morton； a brother of the deceased； went
to New Orleans to settle up the estate。 On his arrival there； he was pleased
with and felt proud of his nieces； and invited them to return with him to
Vermont； little dreaming that his brother had married a slave； and that his
widow and daughters would be claimed as such。 The girls themselves had
never heard that their mother had been a slave； and therefore knew nothing
of the danger hanging over their heads。
An inventory of the property of the deceased was made out by Mr。
Morton； and placed in the hands of the creditors。 These preliminaries
being arranged； the ladies； with their relative； concluded to leave the city
and reside for a few days on the banks of Lake Ponchartrain； where they
could enjoy a fresh air that the city did not afford。 As they were about
taking the cars； however； an officer arrested the whole party