"We need not argue," said Abel; "I want to catechize you."
"Begin."
"Do you think that the African slave-trade can be defended?"
"No, assuredly not."
"Well," said Abel, "how can you defend your right to hold slaves as property in the United States?"
"Abel," said Arthur, "when a Yankee begins to question there is no reason to suppose he ever intends to stop. I shall answer your queries from the views of Governor Hammond, of Carolina. They are at least worthy of consideration. What right have you New England people to the farms you are now holding?"
"The right of owning them," said Abel.
"From whom did you get them?" asked Arthur.
"Our fathers."
"And how did they get them?"