第2章

"Ididnotinterferetopreventhisfloggingtheslave，mother，buttopreventhisfloggingtheslave"swife，whichwaspurewantonbrutality。Itisnotaquestionofslaveryonewayortheother。Anyonehasarighttointerferetoputastoptobrutality。IfIsawamanbrutallytreatingahorseoradogIshouldcertainlydoso；andifitisrighttointerferetosaveadumbanimalfrombrutalill-treatmentsurelyitmustbejustifiabletosaveawomaninthesamecase。I

amnotanAbolitionist。Thatistosay，Iconsiderthatslavesonaproperlymanagedestate，likeours，forinstance，arejustaswelloffasarethelaborersonanestateinEurope；butIshouldcertainlyliketoseelawspassedtoprotectthemfromill-treatment。Why，inEnglandtherearelawsagainstcrueltytoanimals；andamanwhobrutallyfloggedadogorahorsewouldgetamonth"simprisonmentwithhardlabor。Iconsideritadisgracetousthatamanmayhereill-treatahumanbeingworsethanhemightinEnglandadumbanimal。"

"Youknow，Vincent，"hismothersaidmorequietly，"thatIobjectasmuchasyoudototheill-treatmentoftheslaves，andthattheslaveshere，asonallwell-conductedplantationsinVirginia，arewelltreated；butthisisnotatimeforbringinginlawsorcarryingoutreforms。ItisbadenoughtohavescoresofNorthernersdoingtheirbesttostirupmischiefbetweenmastersandslaveswithoutaSoutherngentlemanmixinghimselfupinthematter。WehavegottostandtogetherasonepeopleandtoprotectourStaterightsfrominterference。"

"IamjustasmuchinfavorofStaterightsasanyoneelse，mother；

andif，asseemslikely，thepresentquarrelistobefoughtout，I

hopeIshalldomybestforVirginiaaswellasotherfellowsofmyownage。ButjustasIprotestagainstanyinterferencebytheNorthernerswithourlaws，Isaythatweoughttoamendourlawssoasnottogivethemtheshadowofanexcuseforinterference。ItisbrutesliketheJacksonswhohaveaffordedthematerialsforlibelslike"UncleTom"sCabin"uponusasapeople；andIcan"tsaythatIamabitsorryforhavinggiventhatyoungJacksonwhathedeserved。"

"Well，Ihopetherewillbenotroublecomeofit，"Mrs。Wingfieldsaid。"Ishouldn"tthinktheJacksonswouldliketheexposureoftheirdoingswhichwouldbecausedbybringingthematterintocourt；butiftheydo，youmaybequitesurethatajuryinRichmondatthepresenttimewouldfindagainstyou。"

"Idon"tsupposethattheywilldoanything，mother。Butiftheymust，theymust；andIdon"tsupposeanythingseriouswillcomeofitanyway。"

ThenextmorningVincentwentdownearlytothestables。AsheapproachedthemDancameouttomeethim。

"Well，Dan，what"syournews？"

"BerrygreatbobberyoberatJackson"slastnight，MassaVincent。

FustofallIcreptroundtodehutsobdefieldhands。Deyallknownullinboutit；butoneofdemhegoesoffandgetstohabatalkwithagalemployedindohousewhowasindohabitofslippingouttoseehim。Shesaywhendoyoungunwarcarriedindeoldmangoonfurious；hebringsuitagainstyou，hehabyoupunishedberrymuch-nosayingwhathenotgoingtodo。Afteratimedoyounguncomeround，helistentowhattheouldmansayforsometime；denheanswer:"Nousegoingonlikedat。Setalldecountyfamiliesagainstusifwehavesuit。Astodatinfernalyoungvillain，mepayhimoutsomeotherway。"Dendeoldmansayhecutdefleshoffdebonesobdatnigger；butdoyoungonesay:

"Mustn"tdodat。Yousuretohearaboutit，andmakegreatbobbery。

Findsomeodorwaytopunishhim。"Dendeytalktogetherforsometime，butgirlnothearanymore。"

"Well，then，therewillbenosuitanyhow，"Vincentsaid。"Astopayingmeoutsomeotherway，Iwilllookaftermyself，Dan。I

believethatfollowJacksoniscapableofanything，andIwillbeonthelookoutforhim。"

"Besureyoudo，MassaVincent。Yourideaboutagreatdeal，datfellowberyliketakeashotatyoufrombehindtree。Don"tyougoneardatplantation，orsureenufftroublecome。"

"Iwilllookout，Dan。Thereisonething，Ialwaysridefast；anditwantsaverygoodshottohitoneatagallop。Idon"tthinktheywilltrythat；forifhemissed，ashewouldbealmostsuretodo，itwouldbeagooddealworseforhimthanthisaffairwouldhavebeenhadhebroughtitintocourt。Youkeepyourearsopen，Dan，andfindouthowtheyarethinkingofpunishingthatpoorfollowformyinterferenceonhisbehalf。"

AfterbreakfastanegroarrivedwithanoteforMrs。WingfieldfromMr。Jackson，complainingoftheunwarrantableandillegalinterferencebyhersononbehalfofaslavewhowasbeingveryproperlypunishedforgrossmisconduct；andofthepersonalassaultuponhisson。Thewritersaidthathowasmostreluctanttotakelegalproceedingsagainstamemberofsohighlyrespectedafamily，butthatitwasimpossiblethathocouldsubmittosuchanoutrageasthis。

AlthoughMrs。WingfieldhadexpressedherdisapprovalofVincent"sconductontheeveningbefore，therewasnotraceofthatfeelinginherreplytothisletter。Shewroteinthethirdperson，coldlyacknowledgingthereceiptofMr。Jackson"sletter，andsayingthatshehadheardfromhersonofhisinterferencetoputastoptooneofthosebrutalsceneswhichbroughtdiscreditupontheSouthernStates，andthatsheconsideredhehadmostrightlypunishedMr。Jackson，jun。，forhisinhumanandrevoltingconduct；

thatshewasperfectlyawaretheinterferencehadbeentechnicallyillegal，butthathersonwasfullypreparedtodefendhisconductifcalledupontodosointhecourts，andtopayanyfinethatmightbeinflictedforhissufferinghimselftobecarriedawaybyhisrighteousindignation。SheendedbysayingthatasMr。JacksonwasastrangerinVirginia，hewasperhapsnotawarethatthepublicsentimentofthatStatewasaltogetheropposedtosuchactsofbrutalityasthatofwhichhissonhadbeenguilty。

"WhathaveyoubeendoingtothatfellowAndrewJackson？"oneofVincent"sfriends，ayoungfellowtwoyearsolderthanhimself，saidtohimafewdayslater。"Thereworealotofustalkingoverthingsyesterday，inRichmond，andhecameupandjoinedin。

SomethingwassaidaboutAbolitionists，andhesaidthatheshouldliketoseeeveryAbolitionistintheStatestrunguptoatree。Heisalwaysprettyviolent，asyouknow；butonthepresentoccasionhewentfurtherthanusual，andthenwentontosaythattheworstandmostdangerousAbolitionistswerenotNorthernmenbutSoutherners，whoweretraitorstotheirState。

Hesaid:"Forexample，thereisthatyoungWingfield。HehasbeentoEngland，andhascomebackwithhisheartfilledwithAbolitionistnotions；"andthatsuchopinionsatthepresenttimewereadangertotheState。

"Twoorthreeofustookthematterup，asyoumightguess，andtoldhimhehadbettermindwhathewassayingoritwouldbetheworseforhim。HarryFurnisswentsofarastotell。himthathewasaliar，andthatifhedidn"tlikethathewouldhavesatisfactionintheusualway。MasterJacksondidn"tlikeit，butmutteredsomethingandslunkoff。What"sthematterbetweenyou？"

"Ishouldnothavesaidanythingaboutit，"Vincentreplied，"ifJacksonhadchosentoholdhistongue；butashechoosestogoaboutattackingme，thereisnoreasonwhyIshouldkeepthemattersecret。"Andhethenrelatedwhathadtakenplace。

TheyoungVirginiangavealowwhistle。

"Idon"tsayIblameyou，Wingfield；butItellyou，youmighthavegotyourselfintoanawfulmessiftheJacksonshadchosentotakeitup。Youknowhowhotthefeelingisatpresent，anditisaseriousmatteratanytimetointerferebetweenamasterandhisslavesintheSouthernStates。OfcourseamongusourfeelingswouldbeallagainstJackson；butamongthepoorerclassofwhites，whohavebeentremendouslyexcitedbythespeeches，bothintheNorthandhere，thecryofAbolitionistatthepresentmomentislikearedragtoabull。However，Iunderstandnowthefellow"senmitytoyou。

"Noneofuseverlikedhimwhenhowasatschoolwithus。Heisanevil-temperedbrute，andIamafraidyoumayhavesometroublewithhim。Ifhogoesabouttalkingashedidtous，hewouldsoongetupafeelingagainstyou。OfcourseitwouldbenonsensetoopenlyaccuseamemberofanoldVirginianfamilyofbeinganAbolitionist；butitwouldbeeasyenoughtosetapackoftheroughclassesofthetownagainstyou，andyoumightgetbadlymaulediftheycaughtyoualone。ThefollowisevidentlyacowardorhewouldhavetakenupwhatFurnisssaid；butacowardwhoisrevengefulisagooddealmoredangerousthananopenfoe。

However，Iwilltalkitoverwithsomeoftheothers，andwewillseeifwecan"tstopAndrewJackson"smouth。"

TheresultofthiswasthatthenextdayhalfadozenofVincent"sfriendswroteajointlettertoAndrewJackson，sayingthattheyregardedhisstatementsrespectingVincentasfalseandcalumnious，andthatifherepeatedthemtheywouldjointlyandseverallyholdhimresponsible；andthatif，asaresultofsuchaccusations，anyharmhappenedtoVincent，theyshouldknowwheretolookfortheoriginatorofthemischief，andpunishhimaccordingly。

"Youshouldbemorecareful，Andrew，"hisfathersaid，aswhitewithfury，heshowedhimhisletter。"Itwasyouwhowerepreachingprudencetheotherday，andwarningmeagainsttakingstepsthatwouldsetallthewholecountryagainstus；andnow，yousee，youhavebeenlettingyourtonguerun，andhavedrawnthisuponyourself。Keepquietforthepresent，myson；allsortsofthingsmayoccurbeforelong，andyouwillgetyourchance。Letthismattersleepforthepresent。"

AdayortwolaterwhenVincentwentdowntothestableshosawthatDanhadsomethingtotellhim，andsoonfoundoutthathewishedtospeaktohimalone。

"Whatisyournews，Dan？"

"Iheardlastnight，MassaVincent，thatoldmanJacksonisgoingtosellDinah；datdewifeobdomandayflogged。"

"Theyaregoingtosellher!"Vincentrepeatedindignantly。"Whataretheygoingtodothatfor？"

"TopunishTony，sah。Daramnolawagainstdarsellingher。I

heardatdayaregoingtoselltwooderboys，sodatitcannotbesaiddatdaydoitonpurposetospiteTony。Ireckon，sah，daycalculatedatwhendeysellhiswifeTonygetmadandrunaway，anddenwhendaycatchhimagaindayfloghimprettyneartodeath。Folkalwaysdodatwithrunawayslaves；noonecansaynuffinagindemfordat。"

"It"saninfamousshamethatitshouldbelawfultoseparatemanandwife，"Vincentsaid。"However，wewillseewhatwecando。

YoumanagetopassthewordtoTonytokeepuphisspirits，andnotletthemdrivehimtodoanythingrash。TollhimIwillseethathiswifedoesnotgetintobadhands。Isupposetheywillsellthebabytoo？"

"Yes，MassaVincent。Naturalthebabywillgowiddemodder。"

Vincentwatchedthelistofadvertisementsofslavestobesold，andadayortwolatersawanoticetotheeffectthatDinahMorris，agetwenty-two，withamalebabyatherbreast，wouldbesoldonthefollowingSaturday。HomountedhishorseandrodeintoRichmond。Hehadnotlikedtospeaktohismotheronthesubject，forshehadnottoldhimofthelettershehadwrittentoJackson；

andhethoughtthatshemightdisapproveofanyinterferenceinthematter，consequentlyhowentdowntoMr。Renfrew，thefamilysolicitor。

"Mr。Renfrew，"hesaid，"Iwantsomemoney；canyoulenditme？"

"Youwantmoney，"thesolicitorsaidinsurprise。"Whatonearthdoyouwantmoneyfor？andifyouwantit，whydon"tyouaskyourmotherforit？Howmuchdoyouwant？"

"Idon"tknowexactly。Abouteighthundreddollars，Ishouldthink；

thoughitmaybeathousand。Iwanttobuyaslave。"

"Youwanttobuyaslave!"repeatedMr。Renfrew。"Whatonearthdoyouwanttobuyaslavefor？YouhavemorethanyouwantnowattheOrangery。"

"It"saslavethatmanJacksonisgoingtosellnextSaturday，onpurposetospitethepoorcreature"shusbandanddrivehimtodesperation，"andVincentthenrepeatedthewholestoryofthecircumstancesthathadleduptothesale。

"ItisallveryabominableonthepartoftheseJacksons，"Mr。

Renfrewsaid，"butyourinterferencewasmostimprudent，myyoungfriend；and，asyousee，ithasdoneharmratherthangood。

Ifyouaresoquixoticastobecomethechampionofeveryill-treatedslaveintheState，yourworkisprettywellcutoutforyou。"

"Iknowthat，sir，"Vincentreplied，smiling，"andIcanassureyouI

didnotintendtoenteruponanysuchcrusade；but，yousee，Ihavewronglyorrightlymixedmyselfupinthis，andIwanttorepairthemischiefwhich，asyousay，Ihavecaused。TheonlywayIcanseeistobuythisnegressandherbaby。"

"ButIdonotseethatyouwillcarryoutyourobjectifyoudo，Vincent。Shewillbeseparatedjustasmuchfromherhusbandifyoubuyherasifanyoneelsedoes。Heisatoneplantationandsheisatanother，andweretheytenmilesapartorahundred，theyareequallyseparated。"

"Iquiteseethat，Mr。Renfrew；but，atleast，shewillbekindlytreated，andhismindwillbeatrestonthatscore。PerhapssomedayorothertheJacksonsmayputhimupforsale，andthenIcanbuyhim，andtheywillbereunited。Atanyrate，thefirststepistobuyher。Canyouletmehavethemoney？Mymothermakesmeaverygoodallowance。"

"AndIsupposeyouspendit，"thelawyerinterrupted。

"Well，yes，Igenerallyspendit；butthen，yousee，whenIcomeofageIcomeinfortheoutlyingestates。"

"Andifyoudiebefore，orgetshot，oranyotheraccidentbefallsyou，"Mr。Renfrewsaid，"theygotoyoursisters。However，onemustrisksomethingforaclient，soIwilllendyouthemoney。I

hadbetterputsomebodyuptobidforyou，forafterwhathashappenedtheJacksonswouldprobablynotlethergoiftheyknewthatyouworegoingtobethepurchaser。"

"Thankyouverymuch，"Vincentsaidwarmly；"itwillbeagreatweightoffmymind，"andwithalightheartherodebacktotheOrangery。

VincentsaidnothingduringthenexttwodaystoanyofhisfriendsastothecoursetheJacksonsworetakinginsellingTony"swife；

forhethoughtthatifthenewsgotabout，someofhisfriendswhohadheardthecircumstancesmightgodowntotheauctionandmakesuchademonstrationthatJacksonwouldbeobligedtowithdrawDinahfromthesale，inwhichcasehewouldnodoubtdisposeofherprivately。OntheSaturdayhemountedhishorseandrodeintoRichmond，tellingDantomeethimthere。Atthehourthesalewasannouncedhewenttotheyardwhereitwastotakeplace。

Thiswasasomewhatquietandsecludedplace；foralthoughthesaleofslaveswaspermittedbylawinVirginia，atanyratetheseauctionswereconductedquietlyandwithaslittlepublicityaspossible。Foralthoughthebetterclassesstillregardedslaveryasanecessaryinstitution，theywereconsciousthatthesesales，involvingastheydidtheseparationoffamilies，wereindefensible，andthemorethoughtfulwouldgladlyhaveseenthemabolished，andalawpassedforbiddingthesaleofnegroessaveaspartandparceloftheestateuponwhichtheyworked，anexceptiononlybeingmadeinthecaseofgrossmisconduct。Manyoftheslave-owners，indeed，forbadeallfloggingupontheirestates，andpunishedrefractoryslaves，inthefirstplace，bythecuttingoffoftheprivilegestheyenjoyedinthewayofholidays，andifthisdidnotanswer，threatenedtosellthem-athreatwhichwas，inthevastmajorityofcases，quitesufficienttoensuregoodbehavior；fortheslaveswerewellawareofthedifferencebetweenlifeinthewell-managedestablishmentsinVirginiaandthatinsomeoftheotherSouthernStates。HandinghishorsetoDan，Vincentjoinedaknotoffourorfiveofhisacquaintanceswhohadstrolledinfrommerecuriosity。

Thereweresomethirtyorfortymenintheyard，afewofwhomhadcomeinforthepurposeofbuying；butthegreatmajorityhadonlyattendedforthesakeofpassinganidlehour。Slaveshadfalleninvalue；foralthoughallintheSouthprofessedtheirconfidencethatthelawwouldneverattemptbyforceofarmstopreventtheirsecession，itwasfeltthatslavepropertywouldinfuturebemoreprecarious，fortheNorthwouldnotimprobablyrepealtheJawsforthearrestoffugitiveslaves，andconsequentlyallrunawayswhosucceededincrossingtheborderwouldbelosttotheirmasters。

UpontheothersideoftheyardVincentsawAndrewJacksontalkingtotwoorthreemenwhowerestrangerstohim，andwho，heguessed，werebuyersfromsomeofthemoresouthernStatesTherewereinalltwelvelotstobedisposedof。Ofthesetwoorthreewerehandswhoworenolongerfitforfieldwork，andwhowereboughtatverylowpricesbymenwhoownedbutafewacresofland，andwhocouldutilizethemforoddjobsrequiringbutlittlestrength。Thentherewasastirofattention。DinahMooretookherstandupontheplatform，withherbabyinherarms。ThemessagewhichDanhadconveyedfromVincenttoherhusbandhadgivenhersomehope，andthoughshelookedscaredandfrightenedassheclaspedherbabetoherbreast，shewasnotfilledwithsuchutterdespairaswouldotherwisehavebeenthecase。

Theauctioneerstatedtheadvantagesofthelotinthesamebusiness-liketoneasifhehadbeensellingahorse:

"Lot6。Negrowench，Dinah；agotwenty-two；withmalechild。

Strongandwellmade，asyousee，gentlemen；fitforfieldwork，orcouldbemadeausefulhandaboutahouse；saidtobehandyandgood-tempered。Now，gentlemen，whatshallwesayforthisdesirablelot？"

OneofthemenstandingbyAndrewJacksonbidahundreddollars。

Thebidwasraisedtoahundredandfiftybyarough-lookingfellowstandinginfrontoftheplatform。Forsometimethebiddingwasconfinedtothesetwo，anditroseuntilitreachedsevenhundredandfifty，atwhichpointthemanneartheplatformretired，andtherewasapause。

Vincentfeltuncomfortable。HehadalreadybeenroundtoMr。

Renfrew，whohadtoldhimthathehaddeputedanagenttobuy；

anduntilthemanneartheplatformstoppedhohadsupposedthathewasthesolicitor"sagent。

"Now，gentlemen，"theauctioneersaid，"surelyyouarenotgoingtoletthisdesirablepieceofpropertygoforsevenfifty？Shewouldbecheapatdoubletheprice。Ihavesoldworsearticlesforthreethousand。"

"Iwillgoanothertwenty-fivedollars，"atallmaninhomespunandabroadplanter"sstrawhatsaidquietly。

Thecontestnowrecommenced，andbybidsoftwenty-fivedollarsatatimetheamountwasraisedtotwelvehundredandfiftydollars。

"That"senoughforme，"themanstandingbyAndrewJacksonsaid；

"hemayhaveherattwelvefifty，anddearenough，too，astimesgo。"

Willanyoneelsemakeanoffer？"theauctioneerasked。Therewasnoresponse，andthehammerfell。

"Whatname？"

"NathanielForster，"thetallmansaid；andadvancingtothetablehecountedoutarollofnotesandgavethemtotheauctioneer，whohandedtohimaformalnotecertifyingtohishavingdulyandlegallypurchasedDinahMooreandherinfant，latethepropertyofAndrewJackson，Esquire，oftheCedars，StateofVirginia。

Thepurchaserhadevidentlymadeuphismindbeforehandtosecurethelot，forhehandedaparcelhehadbeenholdingtoDinah，andsaidbriefly，"Slipthosethingson，mylass。"

Thepoorgirl，whohadbeforebeensimplyattiredinthescantiestofpetticoats，retiredtoacorneroftheyard，andspeedilycameforwardagaindressedinaneatcottongown。Therewereseveraljokingremarksmadebythebystanders，butDinah"snewmastertooknonoticeofthem，butwithamotionofhishandtohertofollowhim，walkedoutoftheyard。

AminutelaterVincentfollowed，andalthoughhehadnodoubtthatthemanwastheagentMr。Renfrewhademployed，hedidnotfeelthoroughlysatisfieduntilhesawthementerthelawyer"soffice。Hequicklyfollowed。TheyhadjustenteredtheprivateroomofMr。Renfrew。

"That"sright，Wingfield，"thelawyersaid。"Youseewehavesettledthebusinesssatisfactorily，andIthinkyouhavegotafairlycheapbargain。Justwaitamomentandwewillcompletethetransaction。"

DinahgaveastartasVincententered，butwiththehabitualself-repressionofaslaveshestoodquietlyinthecornertowhichshehadwithdrawnattheotherendoftheroom。

Thelawyerwasbusydrawingupadocument，andtouchingthebellorderedaclerktogoacrosstoMr。Rawlins，justiceofthepeace，andaskhimtostepacrosstheroad。

InaminuteMr。Rawlinsentered。

"Iwantyoutowitnessadeedofsaleofaslave，"Mr。Renfrewsaid。

"Herearetheparticulars:"NathanielForstersellstoVincentWingfieldhisslave，DinahMooreandhermaleinfant，forthesumoffourteenhundreddollars。"Thesearetheparties。Forstersignthisreceipt。"

Themandidso。Thejusticeputhissignatureaswit-nesstothetransaction，droppedintohispocketthefeeoffivedollarsthatthelawyerhandedtohim，andwithoutawordstrolledoutagain。

"There，Dinah，"Mr。Renfrewsaid，"Mr。Wingfieldisnowyourmaster，"

Thegirlranforward，fellonherkneesbeforeVincent，seizedhishandandkissedit，sobbingoutherthanksasshedidso。

"There，thatwilldo，Dinah，"thelawyersaid，seeingthatVincentwasconfusedbyhergreeting。"Ithinkyouarealuckygirl，andhavemadeagoodexchangefortheOrangeryinsteadoftheCedars。Idon"tsupposeyouwillfindMr。Wingfieldaveryhardmaster。WhatheisgoingtodowithyouIamsureIdon"tknow。"

VincentnowwenttothedoorandcalledinDanandtoldhimtotakeDinahtotheOrangery，thenmountinghishorseherodeoffhometopreparehismotherforthereceptionofhisnewpurchase。

CHAPTERIII。AIDINGARUNAWAY。

"WELL，youareanextraordinaryboy，Vincent，"Mrs。Wingfieldsaidashersontoldherthestory，whilehissistersburstintofitsoflaughterattheideaofVincentowningafemaleslavewithababy。

"WhydidyounottellmethatyouwantedthemoneyinsteadofgoingtoMr。Renfrew？IshalltellhimIamveryangrywithhimforlettingyouhaveitforsuchapurpose。"

"Iwasnotsurewhetheryouwouldletmehaveit，mother；andifyouhadrefused，andIhadgotitafterwardfromMr。Renfrew，I

shouldnothavelikedtobringherhomehere。"

"Thatwouldhavebeenfun，"Anniesaid。"FancyVincent"stroubleswithafemaleslaveonhishandsandnowheretoputher。

Whatwouldyouhavedone，Vincent？"

"IsupposeIcouldhavegotahomeforhersomewhere，"Vincentsaidquietly。"Idon"tthinktherewouldhavebeenanydifficultyaboutthat。StillIamgladIdidn"thavetodoso，andoneslavemoreorlesscanmakenodifferencehere。"

"Notatall，"Mrs。Wingfleldsaid；"IdaresayChloewillfindsomethingforhertodointhewayofwashing，andsuchotherlightworkthatsheisfitforaboutthehouse。Itisnotthat，butitisyearssinceaslavewasbroughtintotheOrangery；neversinceIcanremember。Weraisemorethanwewantourselves；andwhenIseeallthosechildrenabout，Iwondersometimeswhatonearthwearetofindforthemalltodo。Still，itwasascandalousthingofthatmanJacksonsellingthegirltopunishherhusband；andasyousayitwasyourfoolishinterferenceinthematterthatbroughtitabout，soIdonotknowthatIcanblameyoufordoingwhatyoucantosetthematterstraight。Still，exceptthattheknowledgethatsheishereandwillbewelltreatedwillbeacomforttotheman，Idonotseethathewillbemuchthebetteroff，unlessindeedtheJacksonsshouldtrytosellhimalso，inwhichcaseIsupposeyouwouldwanttobuyhim。"

"Iamafraidtheywon"t"dothat，mother。Still，some-howorother，intimetheymaycometogetheragain。

"Idon"tseehowtheycan，Vincent。Howeverweneednotthinkofthatnow。AtanyrateIhopetherewillhenofurtheropportunityforyourmixingyourselfupinthisbusiness。Youhavemadetwobitterenemiesnow，andalthoughIdonotseethatsuchpeopleasthesecandoyouanyharm，itisalwayswellnottomakeenemies，especiallyintimeslikethesewhennoonecanforeseeexactlywhatmayoccur。"

AndsoDinahMoorebecameaninmateoftheOrangery；andthoughthegirlshadlaughedattheirbrother，theywereverykindtoherwhenshearrivedwithDan，andmademuchofherandofherbaby。ThesamenightDanwentovertotheCedars，andmanagedtohaveaninterviewwithTony，andtotellhimthathiswifehadbeenboughtbyVincent。Thejoyofthenegrowasextreme。ThepreviousmessagehadraisedhishopesthatVincentwouldsucceedingettingherboughtbysomeonewhowouldbekindtoher，hutheknewwellthatshemightneverthelessfalltothelotofsomehigherbidderandbetakenhundredsofmilesaway，andthathemightneveragaingetnewsofherwhereabouts。Hehadthensufferedterribleanxietyallday，andthereliefoflearningthatVincenthimselfhadboughther，andthatshewasnowinstalledasahouseservantattheOrangery，butafewmilesaway，wasquiteoverpowering，andforsomeminuteshecouldonlygaspouthisjoyandthankfulness。Hecouldhopenowthatwhenbettertimescamehemightbeabletostealawaysomenightandmeether，andthatsomedayerother，thoughhowhecouldnotsee，theymightbereunited。TheJacksonsremainedinignorancethattheirformerslavewaslocatedsoneartothem。

ItwasforthisreasonthatMr。RenfrewhadinstructedhisagenttobuyherinhisownnameinsteadofthatofVincent；andtheJacksons，havingnoideaofthetransferthathadsubsequentlytakenplace，tooknofurtherinterestinthematter，believingthattheyhadachievedtheirobjectoftorturingTony，andavenginguponhimthehumiliationthatAndrewhadsufferedatVincent"shands。Hadtheyquestionedtheirslaves，andhadtheseansweredthemtruly，theywouldhavediscoveredthefacts。ForalthoughTonyhimselfsaidnowordtoanyoneofwhathehadlearnedfromDan，thefactthatDinahwasattheOrangerywasspeedilyknownamongtheslaves；forthedoingsatoneplantationweresoonconveyedtothenegroesontheothersbytheoccasionalvisitswhichtheypaidatnighttoeachother"squarters，ortosomecommonrendezvousfarremovedfrominterruption。

OccasionallyTonyandDinahmet。Danwouldcomeuplateintheeveningtothehouse，andanodtoDinahwouldbesufficienttosendherflyingdownthegardentoaclumpofshrubs，wherehewouldbewaitingforher。Atthesestolenmeetingstheywereperfectlyhappy；forTonysaidnowordtoherofthemiseryofhislife-howhewasalwaysputtothehardestworkandbeatenonthesmallestpretext，howinfacthislifewasmadesounendurablethattheideaofrunningawayandtakingtotheswampswasconstantlypresenttohim。

Astomakinghiswaynorth，itdidnotenterhismindaspossible。

SlatesdidindeedattimessucceedintravelingthroughtheNorthernStatesandmakingtheirwaytoCanada，butthiswasonlypossiblebymeansoftheorganizationknownastheundergroundrailway，anassociationconsistingofanumberofgoodpeoplewhodevotedthem-selvestothepurpose，givingsheltertofugitiveslavesduringtheday，andthenpassingthemontothenextrefugeduringthenight。ForintheNorthernStatesaswellastheSouthernanynegrounprovidedwithpapersshowingthatbewasafreemanwasliabletobearrestedandsentbacktotheSouthaprisoner，largerewardsbeinggiventothesewhoarrestedthem。

Ashewasreturningfromoneoftheseinterviewswithhiswife，Tonywasdetectedbytheoverseer，whowasscrollingaboutroundtheslaves"quarters，andwasnextmorningfloggeduntilhebecameinsensible。Soterriblewasthepunishmentthatforsomedayshewasunabletowalk。Assoonashecouldgetabouthewasagainsettowork，butthefollowingmorninghewasfoundtobemissing。

AndrewJacksonatoncerodeintoRichmond，andInhalfanhourplacardsandhandbillswereprintedofferingarewardforhiscapture。Thesewerenotonlycirculatedintheneighborhood，butweresentofftoallthetownsandvillagesthroughwhichTonymightbeexpectedtopassintheendeavortomakehiswaynorth。

VincentsoonlearnedfromDanwhathadtakenplace。

"Youhavenoidea，Isuppose，Dan，astowhichwayheislikelytogo？"

Danshookhisbead。

"Mesuppose，massa，datmostlikelyhegoneandhiddenindegreatwoodsbydeJamesRiver。Berrydifficulttofindhimdere。"

"Difficulttofindhim，nodoubt，"Vincentagreed。"Buthecouldnotstoptherelong-hewouldfindnothingtoeatinthewoods；andthoughhemightperhapssupporthimselfforatimeoncornorrootsfromtheclearingsscatteredaboutthroughtheJamesPeninsula，hemustsoonerorlaterbecaught。"

"Dararerunawaysindewoodsnow，MassaVincent，"Dansaid；

"someobdemhabbeendarformonth。"

"Buthowdotheylive，Dan？"

"Well，sar，youseedeyhabfriendsondeplantations，andsometimesatnightoneofdeslaveswillstealawaywidabasketobyamsandcorn-cakesandoderthingsandputdemdowninacertainplaceindeforest，andnextmorning，sureenough，deywillbegone。Dangerousworkdat，massa；becauseifdeycaughtwithfood，itknownforsuredatdeycarryittorunaway，anddenyouknowdeyprettywellflogthelifeoutofdem。"

"Yes，Iknow，Dan；itisaveryseriousmatterhidingarunawayslave，andevenawhitemanwouldbeveryheavilypunished，andperhapslynched，ifcaughtintheact。Well，makewhatinquiriesyoucanamongtheslaves，andfindoutifyoucanwhetheranyofthoseJacksonshaveanideawhichwayTonyhasgone。ButdonotgoyourselfontoJackson"splace；ifyouwerecaughttherenowitwouldbeanawkwardmatterforbothofus。"

"Iwillfindout，MassaVincent；butIdon"ts"poseTonysaidawordtoanyoftheothers。HeknowwellenoughdatdeJacksonsquestioneberyoneprettysharp，andperhapsflogdemallroundtofindoutifdeyknowanything。Hekeepittohimselfaboutgoingawayforsush。"

TheJacksonskeptupavigoroushuntaftertheirslaveanddayafterdaypartiesofmenrangedthroughthewoodsbutwithoutdiscoveringanytracesofhim。Bloodhoundswereemployedthefirstday，butbeforethesecouldbefetchedfromRichmondthescenthadgrowncold；forTonyhadgoneoffassoonastheslaveshadbeenshutupforthenightandhad，directlyheleftthehut，wrappedleavesroundhisfeet，thereforethehounds，whentheyarrivedfromRichmond，wereunabletotakeupthescent。

AweekafterTony"sescape，Vincentreturnedlateoneeveningfromavisittosomefriends。Dan，ashetookhishorse，whisperedtohim:"Stopalittleonyourwaytohouse，MassaVincent；mehabsomethingtotellyou。"

"Whatisit，Dan？"Vincentasked，asthelad，afterputtinguphishorseinthestable，camerunninguptohim。

"MehaveseenTony，sah。Heindeshrubsoberdar。HewanttoseeDinah，butmenotakemessagetillmetellyouabouthim。Hehalfstarved，sah；megivehimsomeyams。"

"That"sright，Dan。"

"Heprettynighdesperate，sar；hesaydeyhunthimlikewildbeast。"

"Iwillseehim，Dan。IfIcanhelphiminanywayIwilldoso。

UnfortunatelyIdonotknowanyofthepeoplewhohelptogetslavesaway，soIcangivehimnoadviceastothebestwaytoproceed。StillImighttalkitoverwithhim。WhenIhavejoinedhim，doyougouptothehouseandtellChloefrommetogiveyouapileofcorn-cake-it"snousegivinghimflour，forhewouldbeafraidtolightafiretocookit。Tellhertogiveyou，too，anycoldmeattheremaybeinthehouse。Don"ttellDinahherhusbandisheretillwehavetalkedthematterover。"

DanledVincentuptoaclumpofbushes。

"Itamallright，Tony，"hesaid；"hereisMassaVincentcometoseeyou。"

ThebushespartedandTonycameoutintothefullmoonlight。Helookedhaggardandworn；hisclothesweretornintostripsbythebushes。

"Mypoorfellow，"Vincentsaidkindly，"Iamsorrytoseeyouinsuchastate。"

Agreatsobbrokefromtheblack"DeLordbressyou，sah，foryourgoodnessandforsavingDinahfromdohandsofdosedebils!Nowshesafewidyouanddechild，Tonynocareberrymuchwhatcometohim-dosoonerhedeaddebetter。Hewishdatonedaywhendeyfloghimdeyhadkillhimaltogether；denalldetroubleatanend。Deyhunthimeborydaywithdogsandguns，andsoontheycatchhim。Nocangoonmuchlongerlikedis。To-daymenearlygibmyselfup。DenmethoughtmeliketoseeDinahoncemoretosaygood-by，somakegreateffortandranabitfurder。"

"Ihavebeenthinkingwhetheritwouldbepossibletoplansomewayforyourescape，Tony。"

Thenegroshookhishead。

"Darneverescape，sah，buttogettoCanada；dattoofaranyway。

Notpossibletowalkalldatwayandgetfoodbydoroad。Suahtobecaught。"

"No，Idonotthinkitwillbepossibletoescapethatway，Tony。

TheonlypossibleplanwouldbetogetyouonboardsomeshipgoingtoEngland。"

"Shipsnotdaretakenegroonboard，"Tonysaid。"Mehearddatsaidmanytimes-datagainstdelaw。"

"Yes，Iknowit"sagainstthelaw，"Vincentsaid，"andit"sagainstthelawmytalkingtoyouhere，Tony；butyouseeit"sdone。Thedifficultyishowtodoit。Allvesselsaresearchedbeforetheystart，andanofficergoesdownwiththempastFortressMonroetoseethattheytakenooneenboard。Stillitispossible。Ofcoursethereisriskinthematter；butthereisriskineverything。Iwillthinkitover。Donotloseheart。Danwillbebackdirectlywithenoughfoodtolastyouforsomedays。IfIwereyouIwouldtakerefugethistimeinWhiteOakSwamp。Itismuchnearer，andI

hearithasalreadybeensearchedfromendtoend，sotheyarenotlikelytotryagain；andifyonhearthemyoucan，ifyouarepressed，crosstheChickahominyandmakedownthroughthewoods。DoyoucomeagainonSaturdayevening-thatwillgivemefourdaystoseewhatIcando。Imaynotsucceed，youknow；forthepenaltyissosevereagainsttakingnegroesonboardthatImaynotbeabletofindanyonewillingtoriskit。Butitisworthtrying。"

"DeLordblessyou，sah!"Tonysaid。"Iwilldojusswhatyoutollme；butdon"tyourunnorisksforme，mylifeain"tworthdat。"

"Iwilltakecare，Tony。AndnowherecomesDanwiththeprovisions。"

"CanIseeDinah，sah？"Tonypleaded。

"Ithinkyouhadbetternot，"Vincentreplied。"YouseetheJacksonsmightatanymomentlearnthatsheishere，andthenshemightbequestionedwhethershehadseenyousinceyourescape；

anditwouldbemuchbetterforhertobeabletodenyhavingdoneso。Butyoushallseehernexttimeyoucome，whetherIamabletomakeanyarrangementsforyourescapeornot。Iwilllethe!knowto-morrowmorningthatIhaveseenyou，andthatyouaresafeatpresent。"

ThenextmorningVincentrodeovertoCityPoint，whereshipswithalargedraughtofwatergenerallybroughtup，eithertransferringtheirgoodsintosmallercrafttobesentupbyrivertoRichmond，ortobecarriedonbyrailthroughthetownofPetersburg。Leavinghishorseatahouseneartheriver，hocrossedtheJamesinaboattoCityPoint。Therewereseveralvesselslyinghere，andforsomehourshohungaboutthewharfwatchingtheprocessofdischarging。Bytheendofthattimehohadobtainedaviewofallthecaptains，andhadwatchedthemastheygavetheirorders，andhadatlastcometotheconclusionastowhichwouldbethemostlikelytosuithispurpose。Havingmadeuphismind，hewaiteduntiltheonehehadfixeduponcameashore。Howasamanofsomefive-and-thirtyyearsold，withapleasantfaceandgood-naturedsmile。Hefirstwentintosomeofficesonthewharf，andhalfanhourlatercameoutandwalkedtowardtherailway-station。Vincentatoncefollowedhim，andasheovertookhimsaid:

"Iwantverymuchtospeaktoyou，sir，ifyoucouldsparemeaminuteortwo。"

"Certainly，"thesailorsaidwithsomesurprise。"ThetrainforPetersburgdoesnotgoforanotherhalfhour。WhatcanIdoforyou？"

"MynameisVincentWingfield。MyfatherwasanEnglishofficer，andmymotheristheownerofsomelargeestatesnearRichmond。IammostanxioustogetapersoninwhomIaminterestedonboardship，andIdonotknowhowtosetaboutit。"

"There"snodifficultyaboutthat，"thecaptainsaidsmiling；"youhaveonlytogotoanofficeandpayforhispassagetowherehewantstogo。"

"Ican"tdothat，"Vincentreplied；"forunfortunatelyitisagainstthelawforanycaptaintotakehim。"

"Youmeanheisanegro？"thecaptainasked，stoppingshortinhiswalkandlookingsharplyatVincent。

"Yes，thatiswhatImean，"Vincentsaid。"Heisanegrowhohasbeenbrutallyill-treatedandhasrunawayfromhismaster，andI

wouldwillinglygivefivehundreddollarstogethimsafelyaway。"

Thisisaveryseriousbusinessinwhichyouaremeddling，youngsir，"thesailorsaid。"Puttingasidetheconsequencestoyourself，youareaskingmetobreakthelawandtoruntheriskoftheconfiscationofmyship。EvenifIwerewillingtodowhatyouproposeitwouldbeimpossible，fortheshipwillbesearchedfromendtoendbeforethehatchesareclosed，andanofficialwillbeonboarduntilwedischargethepilotaftergettingwellbeyondthemouthoftheriver。"

"Yes，Iknowthat，"Vincentreplied；"butmyplanwastotakeaboatandgooutbeyondthesightofland，andthentoputhimonboardafteryouhavegotwellaway。"

"Thatmightbemanaged，certainly，"thecaptainsaid。"Itwouldbecontrarytomydutytodoanythingthatwouldriskthepropertyofmyemployers；butifwhenIamoutatseaaboatcamealongside，andapassengercameonboard，it；wouldbeanothermatter。I

suppose，younggentleman，thatyouwouldnotinterfereinsuchabusiness，andruntheriskthatyoucertainlywouldrunifdetected，unlessyouwerecertainthatthiswasadeservingcase，andthatthemanhascommittednosortofcrime；forIwouldnotreceiveonboardmyshipafugitivefromjustice，whetherhewasblackorwhite。"

"Itisindeedadeservingcase，"Vincentsaidearnestly。"ThepoorfellowhasthemisfortuneofbelongingtooneoftheworstmastersintheState。Hehasbeencruellyfloggedonmanyoccasions，andwasfinallydriventorunawaybytheirsellinghiswifeandchild。"

"Thebrutes!"thesailorsaid。"Howyoupeoplecanallowsuchthingstobedoneisamysterytome。Well，lad，underthosecircumstancesIwillagreetodowhatyouaskme，andifyourboatcomesalongsidewhenIamsofarawayfromlandthatitcannotbeseen，IwilltakethemantoEngland。"

"Thankyouverymuchindeed，"Vincentsaid；"youwillbedoingagoodaction。Uponwhatdaydoyousail？"

"IshalldropdownonMondayintoHamptonRoads，andshallgetupsailatdaylightnextmorning。IshallpassFortressMonroeataboutseveninthemorning，andshallsailstraightout。"

"AndhowshallIknowyourship？"Vincentasked。"Theremaybeothersstartingjustaboutthesametime。"

Thesailorthoughtforamoment。"WhenIamfourorfivemilesoutIwillhoistmyowner"sflagattheforemast-head。Itisaredflagwithawhiteball，soyouwillbeabletomakeitoutaconsiderabledistanceaway。Yonmustnotbelessthantenortwelvemilesout，forthepilotoftendoesnotleavetheshiptillsheissomemilespastFortressMonroe，andtheofficialwillnotleavetheshiptillhedoes。Iwillkeepasharplookoutforyou，butI

cannotlosemytimeinwaiting。IfyoudonotcomealongsideI

shallsupposethatyouhavemetwithsomeinterruptiontoyourplans。"

"Thankyouverymuch，sir。UnlesssomethinggoeswrongIshallbealongsideonTuesday。"

"That"ssettled，then，"thecaptainsaid，"andImustbeoff，orelseI

shalllosemytrain。Bytheway，whenyoucomealongsidedonot"rakeanysignthatyouhavemetmebefore。Itisjustaswellthatnoneofmycrewshouldknowthatitisaplannedthing，forifweeverhappenedtoputinhereagaintheymightblababoutit，anditisjustaswellnottogivethemthechance。Good-by，mylad；I

hopethatallwillgowell。But，youknow，youaredoingaveryriskything；fortheassistingarunawayslavetoescapeisaboutasseriousanoffenseasyoucancommitintheseparts。Youmightshoothalfadozenmenandgetoffscotfree，butifyenwerecaughtaidingarunawaytoescapethereisnosayingwhatmightcomeofit。"

Aftertakingleaveofthecaptain，Vincentrecrossedtheriverandrodehome。Hehadfriendswhosefathers"estatesborderedsomeontheJamesandothersontheYorkRiver，andallofthesehadpleasure-boats。ItwasobviouslybettertogodowntheYorkRiver，andthenceroundtothemouthoftheJamesatFortressMonroe，asthetrafficontheYorkwascomparativelysmall，anditwasimprobablethathewouldbenoticedeithergoingdownorreturning。Hehadatfirstthoughtofhiringafishing-boatfromsomeofthefreenegroeswhomadetheirlivingontheriver。Buthefinallydecidedagainstthis；forthefactoftheboatbeingabsentsolongwouldattractitsowner"sattention，andincaseanysuspicionarosethatthefugitivehadescapedbywater，thehiringofaboatbyonewhohadalreadybefriendedtheslave，anditsabsenceforsolongatime，wouldbealmostcertaintocausesuspiciontobedirectedtowardhim。Hethereforedecideduponborrowingaboatfromafriend，andnextmorningrodetotheplantationofthefatherofHarryFurniss，thisbeingsituatedonaconvenientpositiononthePamunky，oneofthebranchesoftheYorkRiver。

"Areyouusingthatsailing-boatofyoursatpresent，Harry？

Because，ifnot，Iwishyouwouldletmehavetheuseofitforaweekorso。"

"Withpleasure，Vincent；andmyfishing-linesandnetsaswell，ifyoulike。Weveryseldomusetheboat。Doyoumeantokeepithereormoveithigheruptheriver，whereitwouldbemorehandyforyou，perhaps？"

"IthinkIwouldratherleaveithere，Furniss。Amileortwoextratoridemakesnodifference。Isupposeit"sinthewater？"

"Yes；atthefootoftheboathousestairs。Thereisapadlockandchain。Iwillgiveyouthekey，soyoucangooffwheneveryoulikewithoutbotheringtocomeuptothehouse。Ifyoujustcallinatthestableasyourideby，oneoftheboyswillgodownwithyouandtakeyourhorseandputhimuptillyoucomebackagain。"

"Thatwilldocapitally，"Vincentreplied。"ItissometimesinceI

wasonthewater，andIseemtohaveafancyforachangeatpresent。OneissickofridingintoRichmondandhearingnothingbutpoliticstalkedofallday。Don"tbealarmedifyouhearatanytimethattheboathasnotcomehackatnight，foriftideandwindareunfavorableatanytimeImightstopatCumberlandforthenight。"

"Ihaveoftenhadtodothat，"Furnisssaid。"Besides，ifyoutookitawayforaweek，Idon"tsupposeanyonewouldnoticeit；fornoonegoesdowntotheboathouseunlesstogettheboatreadyforatrip。"

ThenextdayVincentrodeovertohisfriend"splantation，sendingDanoffanhourbeforehandtobaleouttheboatandgetthemastsandsailsintoherfromtheboathouse。Thegreaterpartofthenexttwodayswasspentonthewater，sometimessailing，sometimesfishing。TheeveningofthesecondofthesedayswasthatuponwhichVincenthadarrangedtomeetTonyagain，andanhourafterdarkhewentdownthroughthegardentothestable；forthatwasthetimethefugitivewastomeethim，forhecouldnotleavehisplaceofconcealmentuntilnightfell。Afterlookingatthehorses，andgivingsomeinstructionstothenegroesincharge，hereturnedtotheshrubbery，and，sendingDanuptosummonDinah，hewenttothebusheswherehehadbeforemetTony。Thenegrocameoutasheapproached。

"Howareyou，Tony？"

"MuchbetterdanIwas，massa。IhabnotbeendisturbedsinceI

sawyou，and，thankstodatandtodegoodfoodandtomassa"skindwords，I"mstrongerandbetternow，andreadytodowhatevermassathinkbest。"

"Well，Tony，IamgladtosaythatIthinkIhavearrangedaplanbywhichyouwillbegotsafelyoutofthecountry。Ofcourse，itmayfail；butthereiseveryhopeofsuccess。Ihavearrangedforaboat，andshalltakeyoudowntheriver，andputyouonboardashipboundforEngland。"

Theblackclappedhishandsindelightatthenews。

"WhenyougetthereyouwilltakeanothershipouttoCanada，andassoonasIlearnfromyouthatyouarethere，andwhatisyouraddress，IwillgiveDinahherpapersoffreedomandsendherontoyou。"

"Oh，!massa，itistoomuch，"Tonysaid，withthetearsrunningdownhischeeks；"toomuchjoyaltogeder。"

"Well，Ihopeitwillallcomeright，Tony。Dinahwillbehereinaminuteortwo。Donotkeepherlong，forIdonotwishherabsencefromthehousetobeobservedjustnow。Now，listentomyinstructions。DoyouknowtheplantationofMr。Furniss，onthePamunky，nearCoalharbor？"

"No，sir；butmecanfindout。"

"No，youcan"t；becauseyoucan"tseeanyoneoraskquestions。

Verywell，then，youmustbehereagainto-morrownightatthesamehour。Danwillmeetyouhere，andactasyourguide。liewillpresentlybringyouprovisionsforto-morrow。Besureyoubecareful，Tony，andgetbacktoyourhiding-placeassoonasyoucan，andlieveryquietto-morrowuntilitistimetostart。Itwouldbeterribleifyouweretobecaughtnow，justaswehavearrangedforyoutogetaway。"

OnthefollowingafternoonVincenttoldhismotherthathewasgoingoverthateveningtohisfriendFurniss，asanearlystartwastobemadenextmorning；theyintendedtogodowntheriverasfarasYorktown，ifnotfurther；thatbecertainlyshouldnotbebackfortwodays，andprobablymightbeevenlonger。

"Thisnewbeatingfreakofyours，Vincent，seemstooccupyallyourthoughts。Iwonderhowlongitwilllast。"

"Idon"tsupposeitwilllastmuchlonger，mother，"Vincentsaidwithalaugh。"Anyhow，itwillmakeajollychangeforaweek。

Onehadgotsosickofhearingnothingtalkedaboutbutsecessionthataweekwithouthearingthewordmentionedwilldoonelotsofgood，andIamsureIfeltthatifonehadmuchmoreofit，onewouldbealmostdriventotakeuptheNorthernsidejustforthesakeofachange。"

"Weshouldalldisownyou，Vin，"Anniesaid，laughing；"weshouldhavenothingtosaytoyou，andyouwouldbecutbyallyourfriends。"

"Well，yousee，aweek"ssailingandfishingwillsavemefromallthat，Annie；andIbeallbeabletobeginagainwithafreshstockofpatience。"

"Ibelieveyouareonlyhalfinearnestinthecause，Vincent，"hismothersaidgravely。

"Iamnotindeed，mother。IquiteagreewithwhatyouandeveryonesayastotherightsoftheStateofVirginia，andiftheNorthshouldreallytrytoforceusandtheotherSouthernStatestoremainwiththem，Ishallbejust"asreadytodoeverythingIcanasanyoneelse；butIcan"tseethegoodofalwaystalkingaboutit，andIthinkit"sverywrongtoill-treatandabusethosewhothinktheotherway。InEnglandintheCivilWarthepeopleofthetownsalmostallthoughtoneway，andalmostallthoseofthecountiestheother，andevennowopinionsdifferalmostaswidelyastowhichwasright。Ihatetohearpeoplealwayslayingdownthelawasiftherecouldnotpossiblybetwosidesofthecase，andasifeveryonewhodifferedfromthemmustbearascalandatraitor。

AlmostallthefellowsIknowsaythatifitcomestofightingtheyshallgointotheStatearmy，andIshouldbequitewilling，iftheywouldreallytakefellowsofmyageforsoldiers，toenlisttoo；butthatisnoreasonwhyoneshouldnotgetsickofhearingnothingbutonesubjecttalkedofforweeks。"

ItwasnearlydarkwhenVincentstartedforhiswalkoftenmiles；

forhehaddecidednottotakehishorsewithhim，ashehadnomeansofsendingitback，anditsstayforthreedaysinhisfriend"sstableswouldattractattentiontothefactofhislongabsence。

Afteraboutthreehours"walkinghereachedtheboat。house，havingseennooneashepassedthroughtheplantation。Hetooktheoarsandsailsfromtheboathouseandplacedthemintheboat，andthensatdowninthesterntoawaitthecomingofthenegroes。

In"anhourtheyarrived；TonycarryingabundleofclothesthatDanhadbyVincent"sordersboughtforhiminRichmond，whileDancarriedalargebasketofprovisions。Vincentgaveanexclamationofthankfullnessashesawthetwofiguresappear，forthedayhavingbeenSundayheknewthatagoodmanymenwouldbelikelytojointhesearchpartiesinhopesofhavingashareintherewardofferedforTony"scapture，andhehadfeltveryanxiousallday。

"Yousitinthebottomoftheboat，Tony，anddoyousteer，Dan。

Youmakesuchasplashingwithyouroarthatweshouldbeheardamileaway。Keepuscloseinshoreintheshadowofthetrees；thelesswearenoticedthebetteratthistimeofnight。"

Takingthesculls，Vincentrowedquietlyaway。Hehadoftenbeenoutonboatingexcursionswithhisfriends，andhadlearnedtorowfairly。DuringthelasttwodayshehaddiligentlyinstructedDan，andaftertwolongdays"worktheyoungnegrohadgotoverthefirstdifficulties，buthewasstillclumsyandawkward。Vincentdidnotexerthimself。Heknewhehadalongnight"srowbeforehim，andhepaddledquietlyalongwiththestream。Theboatwasagood-sizedone，andwhennotundersailwasgenerallyrowedbytwostrongnegroesaccustomedtothework。

SometimesforhalfanhouratatimeVincentceasedrowing，andlettheboatdriftalongquietly。Therewasnohurry，forhehadadayandtwonightstogetdowntothemonthoftheriver，adistanceofsomeseventymiles，andouttoseafarenoughtointerceptthevessel。Atfouro"clocktheyarrivedatCumberland，wherethePamunkyandMattaponyRiversuniteandformtheYorkRiver。Heretheywereintidalwaters；andasthetide，thoughnotstrong，wasflowingup，Vincenttiedtheboattothebranchofatree，andlaydowninthebottomforanhour"ssleep，tellingDantowakehimwhenthetideturned，orifheheardanynoise。Dayhadbrokenwhentheboatdriftedround，andDanarousedhim。

Theboatwasrowedofftothemiddleoftheriver，astherecouldbenolongeranyattemptatconcealment。Dannowtookthebowoar，andtheyroweduntilalightTheJacksonswerenewcomersinVirginia。Sixyearsbefore，theestate，ofwhichtheCedars，astheirplacewascalled，formedapart，wasputupforsale。Itwasaverylargeone，andhavingbeendividedintoseveralportionstosuitbuyers，theCedarshadbeenpurchasedbyJackson，who，havingbeenverysuccessfulasastorekeeperatCharleston，haddecidedupongivingupthebusinessandleavingSouthCarolina，andsettlingdownasaland-ownerinsomeotherState。Hisantecedents，however，weresoonknownatRichmond，andtheoldVirginianfamiliesturnedacoldshouldertothenewcomer。