an insurrection broke out amongst the slave population, known as the Southampton Rebellion, or the “Nat Turner Insurrection.”  Five or six hundred slaves, believing in the doctrine that “all men are created equal,” armed with such weapons as they could get, commenced a war for freedom.  Amongst these was George, the white slave of whom we have spoken.  He had been employed as a house servant, and had heard his master and visiters speak of the down-trodden and oppressed Poles; he heard them talk of going to Greece to fight for Grecian liberty, and against the oppressors of that ill-fated people.  George, fired with the love of freedom, and zeal for the cause of his enslaved countrymen, joined the insurrection.  The result of that struggle for liberty is well known.  The slaves were defeated, and those who were not taken prisoners, took refuge in the dismal swamps.  These were ordered to surrender; but instead of doing so, they challenged their proud oppressors to take them, and immediately renewed the war.  A ferocious struggle now commenced between the parties; but not until the United States troops were called in, did they succeed in crushing a handful of men and women who were fighting for freedom.  The negroes were hunted with dogs, and many who were caught were burnt alive; while some were hung, and others flogged and banished from the State.

Among those who were sentenced to be hanged, was George.  He was placed in prison to await the day of execution, which would give him ten days to prepare for his doom.  George was the son of a member of the American Congress, his mother being a servant in the principal hotel in Washington, where members of Congress usually put up.  After the birth of George, his mother was sold to a negro trader, and he to a Virginian, who sent agents through the country to buy up young slaves to raise for the market.  George was only about nineteen years of age, when he unfortunately became connected with the insurrection.  Mr. Green, who owned George, was a comparatively good master, and prided himself on treating his slaves better than most men.  This gentleman was also the owner of a girl who was perfectly white, with straight hair and prominent features.  This girl was said to be the daughter of her own master.  A feeling of attachment sprang up between Mary and George, which proved to be more than mere friendship, and upon which we base the burden of this narrative.

After poor George had been sentenced to death and cast into prison, Mary begged and obtained leave to visit George, and administer to him the comforts of religion, as she was a member of a religious body, while George was not.  As George had been a considerable favourite with Mrs. Green, Mary had no difficulty in obtaining permission to pay a daily visit to him, to whom she had pledged her heart and hand.  At one of these meetings, and only four days from the time fixed for the execution, while Mary was seated in George’s cell, it occurred to her that she