274

LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

by his confederates while he was preaching. But the stealing of horses in
one State, and selling them in another, was l>ut a small portion of their
business; 'the most lucrative was the enticing slaves to run away from their
masters, that they might sell them in another quarter. This was arranged

SELLING THE NEG-KO.

as follows 5 they would tell a negro that if he would run away -from his
master, and allow them to sell Mm, he should receive a portion of the money
paid for him, and that upon his return to them a second time they would
send Mm to a free State, where he would "be safe. The poor wretches com-
plied with this request, hoping to obtain money and freedom; they would be