Page:The White Slave, or Memoirs of a Fugitive.djvu/387

 as if mechanically, — "gentlemen, I'm offered one hundred dollars."

"I offer this," said Colter, looking proudly round on the company, "to buy off these Yankee bloodsuckers, and to secure the freedom of a free woman. We shall see," he added, "whether, under these circumstances, any southern gentleman will bid against me, or — brushing by Mr Curtis and his lawyer, and darting at them a malign scowl, such as I hardly thought possible from so handsome a face — "any swindling Yankee either."

Thomas Littlebody, Esq., the Boston lawyer, started back some three or four paces, as if this must have certainly been meant for him, Mr Grip Curtis, with that gravity and immobility which seemed to be a part of his nature, stood his ground better; and, opening his great owl-like eyes, observed, with a drawl, "I hope you don't intend to insinuate any thing against my moral character!"

"I shall though," rejoined Colter, "if you undertake to bid at your own auction. It's quite enough to palm off a free woman upon this respectable company, without turning buy-bidder at the sale!"

"One hundred dollars is offered, gentlemen, — one hundred dollars!" repeated the auctioneer; — but there was no further bid.

The little squint-eyed baby broker, who had watched the whole proceeding with keen interest, as if here might be a chance for him to turn an honest penny, once opened his mouth as if going to bid; but, at a look from Colter, he shut it as suddenly up as if his tongue had been pricked with a bowie knife; and I think Colter showed him the handle of one from under his vest. At all events, the apparently intended bid died away inaudible.

"As gentlemen don't seem inclined to purchase," said Mr Grip Curtis, stepping forward to the auctioneer's side, "I withdraw this woman from the sale."

These words filled me with lively alarm; but Colter's practice, I found, had made him a match for any