“She is to be bound for seven years and her price is fifteen guineas.”
“But Sebastian, you offered her to me yesterday for twelve. I will give you that for her.”
“Yes, but your wife needs the girl.”
The girl, roused from the lethargy of her fever by the talking, held out her hands to Mrs. Campbell and in a voice broken by fear and sickness, pleaded:
“O, Lady! Take me away! You do not know what I am forced to endure. This man dragged me aboard and will sell me as a slave. I am very ill and so dirty. I cannot eat the food. Do not leave me in this place and with him. I am afraid.”
“Dear, we have made him an offer and if he will sell, will give you a good home. He sees our hearts are moved and has raised the price he asked. Mr. Sebastian, the girl is ill and you will lose her if she is not given immediate attention. My husband will give you twelve guineas and we will move her at once.”
“No. If you want her you must pay fifteen.”
“Come Mary, that will do. Let the trafficker in human flesh keep her and bear the loss. Let him have the burden of her murder on his conscience.”
“O, Lady! If you do not take me I shall not try to live. I would rather die than complete the voyage and [pg 81] be sold as a beast of burden. If you buy me I shall get well and be a faithful and willing servant.”
Mrs. Campbell, stooping down, kissed the dirty face of the sick girl and whispered: “We have every intention of buying you. Refuse to eat anything except what I send you. I will send Richard down today with clean clothing and something nice to eat.”