[The dealer in negroes never applies the term 'trader' to himself; he prefers the softer word, 'speculator.' The phrase 'negro trader' is used only by the rest of the community, who are 'holier than he.']
'I doan't b'lieve ye would, Larkin; yer a good fellow, at bottom, I reckon.'
'Well, Kirke, yer a trump. Come, hev another drink.'
'No; excuse me; karn't stand more'n one horn a day: another'd lay me out flatter'n a stewpan. But ter business. How much fur thet gal—cash down? Come, talk it out.'
'Well, at a word—twelve hun'red.'
'Too much; bigger'n my pile; couldn't put so much inter one gal, nohow. Wouldn't give thet money fur ary nig in Car'lina.'
'Oh, buy me, good massa. Mister Larkin'll take less'n dat, I reckon; do buy me,' said the girl, who had been eying me very closely during the preceding dialogue.
'I would, my good girl, if I could; but you'll not exactly suit my friend.'
'Buy har fur yourself, then, Kirke. She'd suit you. She's sound, I tell ye—ye'd make money on har.'
'Not much, I reckon,' I replied, dryly.