“You cannot expect him to be contented, when you furnish the means of discontent.  But I did not come here to argue with you, nor to ask any thing as a favour, but as a right.  My steward has been left to suffer!  Am I to pay for what he does not get?  Or am I to pay you for the pretence, and still be compelled to supply him on account of the owners?  You must excuse my feelings, for I have had enough to provoke them!” returned the Captain.

“That business is entirely my own!  He gets what the State allows, and I provide.  Your steward never wrote that note; it was dictated by some of them miserable white prisoners.  I can hear no complaints upon such cases as them.  If I were to listen to all these nonsensical complaints, it would waste all my time.  I wish the devil had all the nigger stewards and their complaints; the jail’s in a fuss with them all the time.  I can hear nothing further, sir-nothing further!” said Grimshaw emphatically, interrupting the Captain as he attempted to speak; at which the Captain became so deeply incensed, that he relieved his feelings in that sort of plain English which a Scotchman can best bestow in telling a man what he thinks of his character.

“You must remember, sir, you are in the office of the sheriff of the county-parish, I mean,—­and I am, sir, entitled to proper respect.  Begone!—­avaunt! you have no right to come here and traduce my character in that way.  You musn’t take me for a parish beadle,” said Grimshaw, contorting the unmeaning features of his visage, and letting fly a stream of tobacco juice in his excitement.

“If you have no laws to give me justice, you have my opinion of your wrongs,” returned the Captain, and taking his hat, left the office with the intention of returning to the jail.  On reflection, he concluded to call upon Colonel S—­, which he did, and finding him in his office, stated the circumstances to him.

“These things are the fruits of imbecility; but I am sorry to say there is no relief from them.  We are a curious people, and do a great many curious things according to law, and leave a great many things undone that the law and lawmakers ought to do.  But I will go with you to the jail, and whatever my influence will effect is at your service,” said the Colonel, putting on his hat, and accompanying the Captain to the jail.

Mr. Grimshaw had forestalled them, and after having given the jailer particular instructions to lock Manuel up if he made any further complaint, and to carry out his orders upon the peril of his situation, met them a few steps from the outer gate, on his return.  “There, Captain!” said Grimshaw, making a sort of halt, “I have given the jailer particular orders in regard to your grumbling nigger!”

Neither the Captain nor Colonel S—­took any notice of his remarks, and passed on into the jail.  Colonel S—­interceded for the man, explaining the circumstances which had unfortunately brought him there, and begged the jailer’s kind consideration in his behalf.  The jailer told them what his orders had been, but promised to do as far as was in his power, and to see any thing that was sent to him safely delivered.