Above the din of the combatants in the room, the angry, smarting boy could hear the darkies flying in terror from room to room, and his little sister at the door imploring mercy for her brother.
Mingled with this noise were the screams and supplications of his mother until she fainted in the arms of the negress, after which came only the shrill cries of little Rebecca.

Then the stepfather was gone, and the door bolted on the outside.

The badly bruised lad lay raging and sobbing on the floor, breathing threats of vengeance.

By degrees he became quiet and listened.

A strange, unnatural silence reigned throughout the whole house.