One of the passengers on the boat was a rich, young gentleman from New Orleans. His name was St Clare. He was travelling with his daughter called Eva, who was between five and six years old. She was a beautiful child, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was always busy or running around, and Tom noticed her and thought that she looked like an angel. She often went where the slaves sat in chains and looked at them with sad eyes. Sometimes she brought them food.
One day, she talked with Uncle Tom for the first time. "So, Uncle Tom, where are you going?" Eva said. "I don't know, Miss Eva." Tom said. "Why not?" said Eva. "Because my master is going to sell me, and I don't know who will buy me." "My papa can buy you," said Eva. "I'll ask him today." "Thank you," said Tom.
Later that day, Eva and her father were standing together on the upper deck on the side of the boat. Suddenly, the child moved too quickly and fell into the water. Tom saw everything and he jumped into the water immediately. He caught her and swam back to the boat, where many people helped to lift her out of the water.
Eva was with her father, who was talking to Haley. "So what's the price?" The father asked. "More than thirteen hundred dollars," said Haley. "He's very good." "That's too much!" said St Clare. "Show me your papers." "Papa, please buy him! The price is not important." Eva said.
The trader showed the papers signed by Mr Shelby. St Clare read them, signed a document and paid Haley. He took his daughter's hand and went over to Tom. "Hello, Tom," he said, "I'm your new master. Can you drive horses?"
—Taken from Uncle Tom's Cabin
