This gray-headed Colonel was her father, and I would serve her in this emergency without thought of my own danger.

No threat of a whip would open my lips, but memory would.
"Come, you dog!" burst out the Colonel fiercely.

"You know more than you have told.

Speak up, or we'll skin you alive." "I will, Colonel Mortimer," I said, looking him straight in the eyes.
"Not because of your threats, but because I wish to serve you.

Now I know who you are, and I will tell you all I know about this whole affair." "Was--was my daughter here ?" he interrupted.
"Yes, sir." "My God! and Eric ?" "Not to my knowledge--there was a man called Peter, this fellow, and a black slave or two.