Unknown to her father, she allowed the poor girl to go every evening to the jail to see Jerome, and during these visits, despite her own grief, Clotelle would try to comfort her lover with the hope that justice would be meted out to him in the spirit-land.
Thus the time passed on, and the day was fast approaching when the slave was to die.

Having heard that some secret meeting had been held by the negroes, previous to the attempt of Mr.Wilson to flog his slave, it occurred to a magistrate that Jerome might know something of the intended revolt.

He accordingly visited the prison to see if he could learn anything from him, but all to no purpose.

Having given up all hopes of escape, Jerome had resolved to die like a brave man.

When questioned as to whether he knew anything of a conspiracy among the slaves against their masters, he replied,-- "Do you suppose that I would tell you if I did ?" "But if you know anything," remarked the magistrate, "and will tell us, you may possibly have your life spared." "Life," answered the doomed man, "is worth nought to a slave.