Manuel turned to the little fellow, and kissing him as he would an affectionate child, bade him adieu, and ascended, the steps leading to the third story (Mount Rascal) in advance of the jailer, to be confined in a dark, unhealthy cell, there to await the caprice of one man.  To describe this miserable hole would be a task too harrowing to our feelings.  We pass it for those who will come after us.  He little thought, when he shook the hand of his little companion, that it was the last time he should meet him for many months, and then only to take a last parting look, under the most painful circumstances.  But such is the course of life!

Copeland had received notice to hold himself in readiness, as his vessel would be ready for sea the next morning.  He was not long in getting his few things in order, and when morning came he was on hand, prepared to bound from the iron confines of the Charleston jail, like a stag from a thicket.  As he bade good-by to his fellow-prisoners in the morning, he said, “This is my last imprisonment in Charleston.  I have been imprisoned in Savannah, but there I had plenty to eat, comfortable apartments, and every thing I asked for, except my liberty.  Never, so long as I sail the water, shall I ship for such a port as this again.”  He requested to see Manuel, but being refused, upon the restraint of orders, he left the jail.  It was contrary to law; and thus in pursuing his vocation within the limits of South-Carolina, his owners were made to pay the following sum, for which neither they nor the man who suffered the imprisonment received any compensation.  “Contrary to Law.”  Schooner “Oscar Jones,” Captain Kelly, For William H. Copeland, Colored Seaman.  To Sheriff of Charleston District. 1852,

To Arrest, $2; Registry, $2, $4.00 To Recog. $1.31; Constable, $1, 2.31 To Commitment and Discharge, 1.00 To 15 Days’ Jail Maintenance of Wm. H. Copeland, at 80 cts. per day, 4.50 Received payment, $11.81 J. D—­, Per Charles E. Kanapeaux, Clerk.

God save the sovereignty of South Carolina, and let her mercy and hospitality be known on earth!

CHAPTER XXIII.

Imprisonment of John Paul, and John Baptiste Pamerlie.

In order to complete the four characters, as we designed in the outset, we must here introduce the persons whose names fill the caption.  The time of their imprisonment was some two months later than Manuel’s release; but we introduce them here for the purpose of furnishing a clear understanding of the scenes connected with Manuel’s release.