Chapter I: Preface

The writer of this book has chosen, once more, a subject from the scenes and incidents of the slave-holding states.

The reason for such a choice is two-fold. First, in a merely artistic point of view, there is no ground, ancient or modern, whose vivid lights, gloomy shadows, and grotesque groupings, afford to the novelist so wide a scope for the exercise of his powers. In the near vicinity of modern civilization of the most matter-of-fact kind exist institutions which carry us back to the twilight of the feudal ages, with all their exciting possibilities of incident. Two nations, the types of two exactly opposite styles of existence, are here struggling; and from the intermingling of these two a third race has arisen, and the three are interlocked in wild and singular relations, that evolve every possible combination of romance.

Hence, if the writer's only object had been the production of a work of art, she would have felt justified in not turning aside from that mine whose inexhaustible stores have but begun to be developed.

But this object, however legitimate, was not the only nor the highest one. It is the moral bearings of the subject involved which have had the chief influence in its selection.

The issues presented by the great conflict between liberty and slavery do not grow less important from year to year. On the contrary, their interest increases with every step in the development of the national career. Never has there been a crisis in the history of this nation so momentous as the present. If ever a nation was raised up by Divine Providence, and led forth upon a conspicuous stage, as if for the express purpose of solving a great moral problem in the sight of all mankind, it is this nation. God in his providence is now asking the American people, Is the system of slavery, as set forth in the American slave code, _right_? Is it so desirable, that you will directly establish it over broad regions, where, till now, you have solemnly forbidden it to enter? And this question the American people are about to answer. Under such circumstances the writer felt that no apology was needed for once more endeavoring to do something towards revealing to the people the true character of that system. If the people are to establish such a system, let them do it with their eyes open, with all the dreadful realities before them.

One liberty has been taken which demands acknowledgment in the outset. The writer has placed in the mouth of one of her leading characters a judicial decision of Judge Ruffin, of North Carolina, the boldness, clearness, and solemn eloquence of which have excited admiration both in the Old World and the New. The author having no personal acquaintance with that gentleman, the character to whom she attributes it is to be considered as created merely on a principle of artistic fitness.

To maintain the unity of the story, some anachronisms with regard to the time of the session of courts have been allowed; for works of fiction must sometimes use some liberties in the grouping of incidents.

But as mere cold art, unquickened by sympathy with the spirit of the age, is nothing, the author hopes that those who now are called to struggle for all that is noble in our laws and institutions may find in this book the response of a sympathizing heart.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE THE MISTRESS OF CANEMA 1

CHAPTER II.

CLAYTON 11

CHAPTER III.

THE CLAYTON FAMILY AND SISTER ANNE 22

CHAPTER IV.

THE GORDON FAMILY 31

CHAPTER V.

HARRY AND HIS WIFE 50

CHAPTER VI.

THE DILEMMA 66

CHAPTER VII.

CONSULTATION 77

CHAPTER VIII.

OLD TIFF 82

CHAPTER IX.

THE DEATH 101

CHAPTER X.

THE PREPARATION 106

CHAPTER XI.

THE LOVERS 116

CHAPTER XII.

EXPLANATIONS 129

CHAPTER XIII.

TOM GORDON 145

CHAPTER XIV.

AUNT NESBIT'S LOSS 162

CHAPTER XV.

MR. JEKYL'S OPINIONS 172

CHAPTER XVI.

MILLY'S STORY 178

CHAPTER XVII.

UNCLE JOHN 193

CHAPTER XVIII.

DRED 205

CHAPTER XIX.

THE CONSPIRATORS 213

CHAPTER XX.

SUMMER TALK AT CANEMA 224

CHAPTER XXI.

TIFF'S PREPARATIONS 235

CHAPTER XXII.

THE WORSHIPPERS 242

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE CAMP-MEETING 255

CHAPTER XXIV.

LIFE IN THE SWAMPS 285

CHAPTER XXV.

MORE SUMMER TALK 293

CHAPTER XXVI.

MILLY'S RETURN 307

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE TRIAL 313

CHAPTER XXVIII.

MAGNOLIA GROVE 321

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE TROUBADOUR 336

CHAPTER XXX.

TIFF'S GARDEN 348

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE WARNING 357

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE MORNING STAR 362

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE LEGAL DECISION 368

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE CLOUD BURSTS 379

CHAPTER XXXV.

THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS 391

CHAPTER XXXVI.

THE EVENING STAR 395

CHAPTER XXXVII.

THE TIE BREAKS 403

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

THE PURPOSE 410

CHAPTER XXXIX.

THE NEW MOTHER 418

CHAPTER XL.

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT 424

CHAPTER XLI.

THE CLERICAL CONFERENCE 436

CHAPTER XLII.

THE RESULT 448

CHAPTER XLIII.

THE SLAVE'S ARGUMENT 457

CHAPTER XLIV.

THE DESERT 468

CHAPTER XLV.

JEGAR SAHADUTHA 477

CHAPTER XLVI.

FRANK RUSSEL'S OPINIONS 488

CHAPTER XLVII.

TOM GORDON'S PLANS 497

CHAPTER XLVIII.

LYNCH LAW 502

CHAPTER XLIX.

MORE VIOLENCE 515

CHAPTER L.

ENGEDI 521

CHAPTER LI.

THE SLAVE HUNT 530

CHAPTER LII.

"ALL OVER" 535

CHAPTER LIII.

THE BURIAL 542

CHAPTER LIV.

THE ESCAPE 547

CHAPTER LV.

LYNCH LAW AGAIN 556

CHAPTER LVI.

FLIGHT 569

CHAPTER LVII.

CLEAR SHINING AFTER RAIN 576

APPENDIX I. 580

II. 587

III. 596

DRED.

A TALE OF THE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP.