第3章

Hadhebeenamanofpleasantmanners，hewouldgraduallyhavemadehisway；buthewasevidentlynotagentleman。Thehabitsoftradestucktohim，andinaveryshorttimetherewererumorsthattheslaves，whomhehadboughtwiththeproperty，foundhimaharshandcruelmaster。ThisinitselfwouldhavebeensufficienttobringhimdisreputeinVirginia，whereasaruletheslavesweretreatedwithgreatkindness，andindeedconsideredtheirpositiontobeinfinitelysuperiortothatofthepoorerclassofwhites。AndrewJacksonhadbeenforafewmonthsatschoolwithVincent；hewasunpopularthere，andfromtherumorscurrentastothetreatmentofIheslavesontheestate，wasknownbythenicknameofhe"slave-driver。"

HadVincentbeenthesonofawhitetrader，rasmallcultivator，heknewwellenoughthathispositionwouldbeaveryseriousone，andthathewouldhavehadtoridetotheborderoftheStatewithallspeed。HewouldhavebeendenouncedatonceasanAbolitionist，andwouldhavebeenaccusedofstirringuptheslavestorebellion。againsttheirmasters；acrimeofthemostseriouskind"，intheSouthernStates。Butplacedashewas，astheheirofagreatestateworkedbyslaves，suchacrycouldhardlyberaisedagainsthim。Hemightdoubtlessbefinedandadmonished1"orinterferingbetweenamasterandhisslave；butthesympathyofthebetterclassesinVirginiawouldbeentirelywithhim。Vincent，therefore，wasbutlittleconcernedforhimself；buthedoubtedgreatlywhetherhisinterferencehadnotdonemuchmoreharmthangoodtotheslaveandhiswife，foruponthemAndrewJacksonwouldventhisfury。Herodedirecttothestablesinsteadofalightingasusualatthedoor。Dan，whohadbeensittingintheverandawaitingforhim，randowntothestablesashesawhimcoming。

"Givethehorsetooneoftheothers，Dan；Iwanttospeaktoyou。

Dan，"hewentonwhenhehadwalkedwithhimashortdistancefromthestaNes，"IsupposeyouknowsomeofthehandsonJackson"splantation。"

Dangrinned，foralthoughtherewasnotsupposedtoheanycommunicationbetweentheslavesonthedifferentestates，itwasnotoriousthatatnighttheywereinthehabitofslippingoutoftheirhutsandvisitingeachother。

"Iknowsomeohdem，MassaVincent。Whatyouwantobdem？

Berryhadmaster，MassaJackson。Wustmasterhereabouts。"

Vincentrelatedwhathadhappened，toDan"sintensedelight。

"Now，Dan，"hewenton，"Iamafraidthataftermyinterferencetheywilltreatthatpoorfellowandhiswifeworsethanbefore。I

wantyoutofindoutformewhatisgoingonatJackson"s。IdonotknowthatIcandoanything，howeverbadlytheytreatthem；butI

havebeenthinkingthatiftheyill-treatthemverygrossly，IwillgettogetherapartyoffifteenortwentyofmyfriendsandwewillgoinabodytoJackson"s，andwarnhimthatifhebehaveswithcrueltytohisslaves，wewillmakeitsohotforhimthathewillhavetoleavethestate。Idon"tsaythatwecoulddoanything；butasweshouldrepresentmostofthelargeestatesroundhere，Idon"tthinkoldJacksonandhissonwouldlikebeingsenttoCoventry。

Thefeelingisverystrongatpresentagainstill-treatmentoftheslaves。Ifthesetroublesleadtowaralmostallofuswillgointothearmy，andwedonotlikethethoughtofthepossibilityoftroublesamongthehandswhenthewhitesareallaway。"

"Iwillfindoutallaboutitforyouto-night，sah。Idon"tsuspectdatdeywilldonuffinto-day。AndrewJacksontoosickafterdatknockagainstdetump。Hekeepquietadayortwo。"

"Well，Dan，yougooverto-nightandfindoutallaboutit。IexpectIhadbetterhaveleftthingsalone，butnowIhaveinterferedIshallgoonwithit。"

Mrs。WingfieldwasmuchdispleasedwhenVincenttoldheratdinnerofhisincidentatJackson"splantationandevenhissisterswereshockedatthisinterferencebetweenamasterandhisslave。

"Youwillgetyourselfintoserioustroublewiththesefancifulnotionsofyours，"Mrs。Wingfieldsaidangrily。"YouknowaswellasIdohoweasyitistogetupacryagainstanyoneasanAbolitionistandhowdifficulttodisprovetheaccusation；andjustatpresent，whenthepassionsofeverymanintheSouthareinflamedtotheutmost，suchanaccusationwillbemostserious。

Inthepresentinstancetheredoesnotseemthatthereisashadowofexcuseforyourconduct。Yousimplyheardcriesofaslavebeingflogged。Youdeliberatelyleavetheroadandenterthesepeople"splantationandinterferewithout，sofarasIcansee，theleastreasonfordoingso。Youdidnotinquirewhattheman"soffensewas；andhemayforaughtyouknowhavehalfmurderedhismaster。Yousimplyseeaslavebeingfloggedandyouassaulthisowner。lftheJacksonslaycomplaintsagainstyouitisquiteprobablethatyoumayhavetoleavethestate。Whatonearthcanhaveinfluencedyoutoactinsuchamad-brainedway？"

"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。Itisbreezesprangup。Vincentthenputupthemast，and，havinghoistedthesail，tookhisplaceatthehelm，whileDanwentforwardintothebow。Theypassedseveralfishing-boats，andthesmokewasseencurlingupfromthehutsintheclearingsscatteredhereandtherealongtheshore。Thesunhadnowrisen，anditsheatwaspleasantafterthedampnightair。

Althoughthebreezewaslight，theboatmadefairwaywiththetide，andwhentheebbceasedataboutteno"clockthemouthoftheriverwasbutafewmilesaway。Themastwasloweredandthesailsstowed。Theboatwasthenrowedintoalittlecreekandtieduptothebushes。Thebasketofprovisionswasopened，andaheartymealenjoyed，Tonybeingnowpermittedforthefirsttimetositupintheboat。AfterthemealVincentandDanlaydownforalongsleep，whileTony，whohadsleptsomehoursduringthenight，keptwatch。

Atfourintheafternoontideagainslackened，andassoonasithadfairlyturnedtheypushedoutfromthecreekandagainsetsail。Inthreehourstheywereatthemouthoftheriver。Ashortdistanceouttheysawseveralboatsfishing，anddroppinganchorashortdistanceawayfromthese，theyloweredtheirsail，andtakingthefishing-linesfromthelockeroftheboat，settotofish。Assoonasitwasquitedarktheanchorwashauledup，andVincentandDantooktheoars，thewindhavingnowcompletelydropped。Forsometimetheyrowedsteadily，keepingthelandinsightontheirrighthand。

Tonywasmostanxioustohelp，butashehadneverhadanoarinhishandinhislife，Vincentthoughtthathowoulddomoreharmthangood。Itwas，heknew，sometenmilesfromthemouthoftheYorkRivertoFortressMonroe，attheentrancetoHamptonRoads，andafterrowingforthreehourshethoughtthathecouldnotbefarfromthatpoint，andthereforeturnedtheboat"sheadouttowardthesea。Theyroweduntiltheycouldnolongermakeoutthelandastern，andthenlayingintheiroarswaitedtillthemorning，Vincentsittinginthesternandoftennoddingofftosleep，whilethetwonegroeskeptupaconstantconversationinthebow。

Assoonasitwasdaylighttheoarswereagaingotout。Theycouldclearlymakeouttheoutlineofthecoast，andsawthebreakintheshorethatmarkedtheentrancetoHamptonRoads。Therewasalightbreezenow，butVincentwouldnothoistthesaillestitmightattracttheattentionofsomeoneonshore。Hedidnotthinktheboatitselfcouldbeseen，astheyweresomeeightorninemilesfromtheland。Theyrowedforaquarterofanhour，whenVincentsawthewhitesailsofashipcomingoutfromtheentrance。

Thebreezewassolightthatshewould，hethought，benearlythreehoursbeforeshereachedthespotwheretheywerenow，andwhethersheheadedtotherightorleftofithewouldhaveplentyoftimetocutheroff。ForanothertwohoursheandDanrowedsteadily。Thewindhadfreshenedagooddeal，andtheshipwasnowcomingupfasttothem。Twoothershadcomeoutafterher，butweresomemilesastern。Theyhadalreadymadeoutthattheshipwasflyingaflagathermasthead，andalthoughtheyhadnotbeenabletodistinguishitscolors，Vincentfeltsurethatitwastherightship；forhefeltcertainthatthecaptainwouldgetupsailassoonaspossible，soastocomeupwiththembeforeanyothervesselscameout。Theyhadsomewhatalteredtheircourse，toputthemselvesinlinewiththevessel。WhenshewaswithinadistanceofaboutamileandahalfVincentwasabletomakeouttheflag，andknewthatitwastherightone。

"There"stheship，Tony，"hesaid；"itisallright，andinafewminutesyouwillbeonyourwaytoEngland。"

Tonyhadalreadychangedhistatteredgarmentsforthesuitofsailor"sclothesthatatDanhadboughtforhim。Vincenthadgivenhimfullinstructionsastothecoursebewastopursue。TheshipwasboundforLiverpool；onhisarrivaltherebewasatoncetogoroundthedocksandtakeapassageinthesteerageofthenextsteamergoingtoCanada。

"Thefarewillbeabouttwenty-fivedollars，"hesaid。"WhenyougettoCanadayouwilllandatQuebec，andyoubadbettergoonbyrailtoMontreal，whereyouwill，Ithink，finditeasiertogetworkthanatQuebec。Assoonasyougetaplaceyouarelikelytostopin，getsomebodytowriteforyoutome，givingmeyouraddress。

Hereareahundreddollars，whichwillbesufficienttopayyourexpensestoMontrealandleaveyouaboutfiftydollarstokeepyoutillyoucangetsomethingtodo。"

CHAPTERIV。SAFELYBACK。

WHENtheshipcamewithinafewhundredyards，Vincentstoodupandwavedhiscap，andaminutelatertheshipwasbroughtupintothewindandhersailsthrownaback。Thecaptainappearedatthesideandshoutedtotheboatnowbutfiftyyardsaway:

"Whatdoyouwantthere？"

"IhaveapassengerforEngland，"Vincentreplied。"Willyoutakehim？"

"Comealongside，"thecaptainsaid。"Whydidn"thecomeonhoardbeforeIstarted？"

Theboatwasrowedalongside，andVincentclimbedonboard。

Thecaptaingreetedhimasastrangerandledthewaytohiscabin。

"Youhavemanagedthatwell，"hesaidwhentheywerealone，"andIamheartilygladthatyouhavesucceeded。Imadeyououttwohoursago。Wewillstophereanothertwoorthreeminutessothatthemenmaythinkyouarebargainingforapassageforthenegro，andthenthesoonerheisonboardandyouareonyourwaybackthebetter，forthewindisrising，andIfancyitisgoingtoblowagooddealharderbeforenight。"

"Andwon"tyouletmepayfortheman"spassage，captam？ItisonlyfairanyhowthatIshouldpayforwhathewilleat。"

"Oh，nonsense!"thecaptainreplied。"Hewillmakehimselfusefulandpayforhiskeep。Iamonlytoogladtoget；thepoorfellowoff。Now，wewillhaveaglassofwinetogetherandthensaygood-by。"

TwominuteslatertheyreturnedtothedeckVincentwenttotheside。

Jumponboard，Tony。Ihavearrangedforyourpassage。"

Thenegroclimbeduptheside。

"Good-by，captain，andthankyouheartily。Good-by，Tony。"

Thenegrocouldnotspeak，butheseizedthehandVincentheldouttohimandpressedit；tohislips。Vincentdroppedlightlyintohisboat；andpushedofffromthesideofthevessel。Ashedidsoheheardordersshouted，theyardsswunground，andthevesselalmost；atoncebegantomovethroughthewater。

"Now，Dan，upwiththemast；andsailagain；butletmeputtworeefsinfirst，thewindisgettingup。"

Infiveminutesthesailwashoisted，andwithVincentatthehelmandDansittinguptowindward，wasdashingthroughtilewater。

AlthoughVincentunderstoodthemanagementofasailing-boatonthecalmwatersoftherivers，thiswashisfirstexperienceofsea-sailing；andalthoughthewaveswerestillbutsmall，hefeltatfirstsomewhatnervousastheboatdashedthroughthem，sendingupattimesasheetofsprayfromherbows。Buthesoongotoverthissensation，andenjoyedthelivelymotionandthefreshwind。

Tilehigherpointsofthelaudwerestillvisible；butevenhadtheynotbeensoitwouldhavematteredlittle，asbehadtakentheprecautiontobringwithhimasmallpocket-compass。Thewindwasfromtilesouthwest；，andhewasthereforeable，withthesheethauledin，tomakeforapointwherehejudgedthemouthoftheYorkRiverlay。

"Golly，massa!howdoboatdojumpupanddown。"

"Sheislively，Dan，anditwouldbejustaswellifwehadsomeballastonboard；however，shehasagoodbeamandwalksalongsplendidly。Ifthewindkeepsasitis，weshallbebackatthemouthoftheYorkinthreeorfourhours。You"nayaswellopenthatbasketagainandhandmethat；coldchickenandapieceofbread；cutthemeatoffthebonesandputitonthebread，forIhaveonlyonehanddisengaged；andhandmethatbottleofcoldtea。

That"sright。Nowyouhadbettertakesomethingyour-self。Youmustbehungry。Weforgotallaboutthebasketinourinterestintheship。"

Danshookhishead。

"Alittlewhileago，massa，meseemberryhungry，nowmedoesn"tfeelhungryatall。"

"That"sbad，Dan。Iamafraidyouaregoingtobeseasick。"

Menofeelseasick，massa；onlymedon"tfeelhungry。"ButinafewminutesDanwasforcedtoconfessthat；liedidfeelill，andafewmomentsafterwardwasgroaningintheagoniesofseasickness。

"Nevermind，Dan，"Vincentsaidcheerfully。"Youwillbebetterafterthis。"

"Menotseasick，massa；deseahavenuffintodowithit；。It"sdeboatdatwilljumpupanddowninsteadofgoingquiet。"

"It"sallthesamething，Dan；andIhopeshewon"tjumpaboutmorebeforewegetintotheriver。"

But；inanotherhalfhourVincenthadtobringtheboat"sheaduptothewind，lowerthelug，andtiedownthelast；reef。

"There，shegoeseasiernow，Dan，"hesaid，astheboatresumedhercourse；butDan，whowasleaninghelplesslyoverthesideoftheboat，couldseenodifference。

Vincent，however，feltthat；underherclosesailtheboatwasdoingbetter，andrisingmoreeasilyonthewaves，whichwerenowhigherandfartherapartthanbefore。Inanotherhourthewholeoftheshore-linewasvisible；butthewindhadrisensomuchthat，evenunderherreducedsail，theboathadasmuchasshecouldcarry，andoftenheeledoveruntilhergunwalewasnearlyunderwater。Anotherhourandtheshorewasbutsomefourmilesaway，butVincentfelt；hecouldnolongerholdon。

Inthehandsofanexperiencedsailor，whowouldhavehumoredtheboatandeasedherupalittletomeettheseas，theentrancetotheYorkRivercouldnodoubt；havebeenreachedwithsafety；butVincentwasignorantoftheartofsailingaboatinthesea，andshewasshippingwaterheavily。Danhadforsometimebeenbailing，havingonlyundertakentheworkinobediencetoVincent"sangryorders，beingtooilltocaremuchwhatbecameofthem。

"Now，Dan，Iamgoingtobringherheaduptothewind，sogetreadytothrowoffthathalyardandgatherinthesailasit；comesdown。That"sright，man；nowdownwiththemast；。"

Vincenthadreadthat；thebest；planwhencaughtinanopenboatinagale，wastotietheoarsandmast，ifshehadone，together，andtothrowthemoverboardwiththeheadropetiedtothem，asbythatmeanstheboatwouldrideheadtosea。Theoars，sculls，mast，andsailwerefirmlytiedtogetherandlaunchedoverboard，theropebeingfirsttakenofftheanchorandtiedroundthemiddleoftheclumpofspars。

Vincentcarefullyplayedouttheropetillsomefifteenyardswereover，thenhefastenedittotheringoftheheadrope，andhadthesatisfactionoffindingthattheboatrodeeasilytothefloatinganchor，risinglightlyoverthewaves，andnotshippingadropofwater。Hethentookthebalerandgotridofthewaterthathadfounditswayonboard，Dan，aftergettingdownthesail，havingcollapsedutterly。

"Now，Dan，situp；there，man，themotionismucheasiernow，andwearetakingnowateronboard。Iwillgiveyouaglassofrum，thatwillputnewstrengthintoyou。It"sluckyweputitinthebasketineaseofemergency。"

Thenegro，whoseteethwerechatteringfromcold，fright，andexhaustion，eagerlydrankoffthespirit。Vincent，whowaswettotheskinwiththespray，tookalittlehimself，andthensettledhimselfascomfortablyashecouldonthefloor-hoardsinthesternoftheboat，andquietlythoughtouttheposition。Thewindwasstillrising，andathickhazeobscuredtheland。Hehadnodoubtthatbynightitwouldbeblowingagale；buttheboatrodesoeasilyandlightlythathebelievedshewouldgetthroughit。

Theymight，itwastrue，heblownmanymilesofftheshore，andnotbeabletogetbackforsometime，forthegalemightlasttwoorthreedays。Thebasketofprovisionswas，however，alargeone。

Danhadreceivedorderstobringplentyandhadobeyedthemliterally，andVincentsawthatthesupplyoffood，ifcarefullyhusbanded，wouldlast；withoutdifficultyforaweek。Thesupplyofliquorwaslesssatisfactory。Therewasthebottleofrum，twobottlesofclaret，andatwo-gallonjar，nearlyhalfempty，ofwater。

Thecoldteawasfinished。

"Thatwouldbeapoorsupplyforaweekfortwoofus，"Vincent；

muttered，asheremovedthecontentsofthebasketandstoredthemcarefullyinthelocker；"however，ifit"sgoingtobeagalethereissuretobesomerainwithit，so1thinkweshallmanageverywell。"

Bynightitwasblowingreallyheavily，butalthoughthewaveswerehightheboatshippedbutlittlewater。Danhadfallenofftosleep，andVincenthadbeengladtowraphimselfinthethickcoathehadbroughtwithhimasaprotectionagainsttheheavydewswhensleepingontheriver。At；timessharprainsquallsburstuponthem，andVincenthadnodifficultyinfillingupthewater-bottleagainwiththebaler。

Thewaterwasratherbrackish，butnorsufficientlysotobeofconsequence。Allnighttheheatwastossedheavilyonthewaves。

Vincentdozedoffattimes，rousinghimselfoccasionallyandbalingoutthewater，whichcameintheshapeofsprayandrain。

Theprospect；inthemorningwasnotcheering。Graycloudscoveredtheskyandseemedtocomedownalmostontothewater，theangryseawascrestedwithwhiteheads，andit；seemedtoVincentwonderfulthattheboatshouldliveinsuchasea。

"Now，Dan，wakeyourselfupandgetsomebreakfast，"Vincentsaid，stirringupthenegrowithhisfoot。

"OhLor"!"Dangroaned，raisinghimselfintoasittingpositionfromthebottomoftheboat，"disamawful；weneberseetheshorenomore，massa。"

"Nonsense，man，"Vincentsaidcheerily；"wearegettingoncapitally。"

"Ithabbeenanawfulnight，sah。"

"Anawfulnight!Youlazyrascal，yousleptlikeapigallnight，whileIhavebeenbalingtheboatandlookingoutforyou。Itisyourturnnow，Icantellyou。Well，doyoufeelreadyforyourbreakfast？"

Dan，afteramoment"sconsideration，declaredthathewas。Thefeelingofseasicknesshadpassedoff，andexceptthathewaswetthroughandmiserable，hefelthimselfagain，andcouldhaveeatenfourtimestheallowanceoffoodthatVincenthandedhim。A

pannikinofrumandwaterdidmuchtorestorehislifeandvitality，andhewassoon，withthelight-heartednessofhisrace，laughingandchattingcheerfully。

"Howlongdisgoon，youtink，sah？"

"Notlong，Ihope，Dan。Iwasafraidlastnightitwasgoingtobeabiggale，butIdonotthinkitisblowingsohardnowasit；wasinthenight。"

"Wherehavewegettonow，sah？"

"Idon"texactlyknow，Dan；butIdonotsupposethatweareverymanymilesawayfromshore。Themastandoarspreventourdriftingfast，andIdon"tthinkwearefurtheroffnowthanwewerewhenweleftthatshipyesterday。Butevenifwewerefourorfivetimesasfarasthat，weshouldnottakeverylonginsailingbackagainwhenthewinddrops，andaswehavegotenoughtoeatforaweekweneednotbeuncomfortableaboutthat。"

"Notmuchfoodforaweek，MassaVincent。"

"Notaverygreatdeal，Dan；butquiteenoughtokeepusgoing。

Youcanmakeupforlosttimewhenyougettoshoreagain。"

Inafewhoursitwascertainthatthewindwasgoingdown。Bymiddaythecloudsbegantobreakup，andanhourlaterthesunwasshiningbrightly。Thewindwasstillblowingstrongly，hrttheseahadaverydifferentappearanceinthebrightlightofthesuntothatwhichithadborneunderthecanopyofdarkgrayclouds。Standing"upintheboattwohourslater，Vincentcouldseenosignsofland。

"Howshallwefindourwayback，MassaVincent？"

"Wehavegotacompass；besides，weshouldmanageverywellevenifwehadnot。Lookatthesun，Dan。Thereit；isrightaheadofus。So，youknow，that"sthewest-that"sthewaywehavetogo。"

"Thatveryusefulohdesun，sah；butsupposewenotliveindewestdosunnotpointdewayden。"

"Oh，yes，hewould，justthesame，Dan。Weshouldknowwhethertogoawayfromhim，ortokeephimentherighthandorontheleft。"

ThiswasbeyondDan。"AndIs"posethemoonwillshowdewayatnight，massa？"

"Themoonwouldshowthewayifshewere"up，butsheisnotalwaysup；butIhavegotacompasshere，andsowhetherwehavethesunorthemoon，orneitherofthem，Icanfindmywaybacktoland。"

Danhadneverseenacompass，andforanhouramusedhimselfturningitroundandroundandtryingtogetittopointinsomeotherdirectionthanthenorth。

"Now，Dan，"Vincentsaidatlast，"givemethatcompass，andgetoutthefood。Wewillhaveabettermealthanwedidthismorning，fornowthatthewindisgoingdownthere"snochanceoffoodrunningshort。Whenwehavehaddinnerwewillgetupthesailagain。Theseaisnotsoroughasitwas，anditiscertainlynotsohighasitwasbeforeweloweredthesailyesterday。"

"Dewavesberrybig，massa。"

"Theyarebig，Dan；buttheyarenotsoangry。Theheadsarenotbreakingoverastheydidlastnight，andtheboatwillgobetteroverthoselongwavesthanshedidthroughthechoppyseaatthebeginningofthegale。"

Accordinglythebundleofsparswaspulledupalongsideandlifted。Themastwassetupandthesailhoisted。Daninafewminutesforgothisfearsandlostevenhissenseofuneasinessashefoundtheboatmountedwaveafterwavewithoutshippingwater。

Severaltimes，indeed，ashowerofsprayflewhighupintheair，butthegustsnolongerburiedhersothatthewatercameoverthegunwale，anditwasalongtimebeforetherewasanyoccasiontousethebaler。Asthesunsetitcouldbeseenthattherewasadarklinebetweenitandthewater。

"Thereistheland，Dan；andIdonotsupposeitismorethantwentymilesaway，formostofthecoastlieslow。"

"ButhowwefinddoYorkRiver，massa？Willdecompasstellyoudat？"

"No，Dan。Idon"tknowwhetherwehavedriftednorthorsouthofit。Atordinarytimesthecurrentrunsupthecoast，butthewindthismorningwasblowingfromthenorthofwest，andmayhavebeendoingsoallthroughthenightforanythingIknow。Well，thegreatthingistomakeland。Wearealmostsuretocomeacrosssomefishing-boats，but，ifnot，wemustrunashoreandfindahouse。"

TheycontinuedsailinguntilVincent"swatchtoldhimitwastwelveo"clock，bywhichtimethecoastwasquiteclose。Thewindnowalmostdropped，and，loweringtheirsail，theyrowedinuntil，onloweringtheanchor，theyfoundthatittouchedtheground。

Thentheylaydownandslept；tillmorning。Danwasthefirsttowaken。

"Dararesomehousesdereclosedownbytheshore，sah，andsomemengettingoutaboat；。"

"That"sallright，Dan，"Vincentsaidasherousedhimselfandlookedover。"Weshalllearnsoonwhereweare。"

Inaquarterofanhourthefishing-boatputoff，andtheladsatoncerowedtoit。

"HowfararewefromthemouthoftheYorkRiver？"Vincentaskedthetwonegroesonboard。

"Abouttwentymiles，sah。Whereyoucomefrom？"

"Wewereoffthemonthoftheriver，andwereblownoffinthegale。"

"Youtinkyourselfberryluckyyougetback，"oneofthemsaid。

"Berryfoolishtogooutlikedatwhennotknowhowtogetback。"

"Well，wehavemanagedtogetbacknow，yousee，andnonetheworseforit。Now，Dan，upwiththesailagain。"

Therewasalightwindoffshore，andallthereefsbeingshakenouttheboatranalongfast。

"Ishouldthinkwearegoingaboutfivemilesanhour，Dan。Weoughttobeoffthemouthoftheriverinfourhours。Wemustlookoutsharporelseweshallpassit，formanyoftheseisletslookjustlikethemouthoftheriver。However，weareprettysuretopassseveralfishing-boatsonourway，andweshallbeabletoinquirefromthem。"

Therewasnoneed，however，todothis。Itwasjustthefourhoursfromthetimeofstartingwhentheysawsomeeightortenfishing-boatsaheadofthem。

"Iexpectthatthatistheentrancetotheriver。Whenwegethalfamilefurtherweshallseeitopen。"

Onapproachingthefishing-boatstheyrecognizedatoncetheappearanceoftheshore，astheyhadnoticeditwhenfishingtherebefore，andweresoonintheentrancetotheriver。

Itwillbehightideinabouttwohours，"Vincentsaid，"accordingtothetimeitwastheotherday。Iamafraidwhenitturnsweshallhavetogetdownoursails；therewillhenobeatingagainstbothwindandtide。Thenwemustgetoutoarsandrow。Thereisverylittletidecloseinbythebank，andeverylittlegainwillbeahelp。

Wehavebeenout；fourdays。ItisThursdaynow，andtheywillbebeginningtogetveryanxiousathome，sowemustdoourbesttogetback。"

Keepingcloseunderthebank，theyrowedsteadily，makingonanaverageabouttwomilesanhour。Afterfivehours"rowingtheytieduptothebank，hadameal，andresteduntiltideturned；thentheyagainhoistedtheirsailandproceededontheirway。Tidecarriedthemjustuptothejunctionofthetworivers，andlandingatCumberlandtheyprocuredbedsandslepttillmorning。

Anotherlongday"sworktookthemuptotheplantationofMr。

Furniss，andfasteninguptheboat，andcarryingthesailsandoarsonshore，theystartedontheirwalkhome。

"Why，Vincent，whereonearthhaveyoubeenallthistime？"Mrs。

Wingfieldsaidashersonentered。"Yousaidyoumightbeawayacoupleofnights；andweexpectedyoubackonWednesdayatthelatest，andnowitisFridayevening。"

"Well，mother，wehavehadgreatfun。WewentsailingaboutrightdowntothemouthoftheYorkRiver。Ididnotcalculatethatitwouldtakememorethantwiceaslongtogetbackastogetdown；butasthewindblew"rightdowntheriveritwaspreciousslowwork，andwehadtorowalltheway。However，ithasbeenajollytrip，andIfeelalotbetterforit。"

"Youdon"tlookanybettorforit，"Anniesaid。"Theskinisalloffyourface，andyouareasredasfire。Yourclotheslookshrunkaswellashorriblydirty。Youarequiteanobject，Vincent。"

"Wegotcaughtinaheavygale，"Vincentsaid，"andgotathoroughducking。Astomyface，adayortwowillsetitalltorightsagain；

andsotheywillmyhands，Ihope，forIhavegotnicelyblisteredtuggingatthoseoars。Andnow，mother，Iwantsomesupper，forI

amashungryasahunter。ItoldDantogointothekitchenandgetagoodsquaremeal。"

Thenextmorning，justafterbreakfast，therewasthesoundofhorses"hoofsoutsidethehouse，and，lookingout；，VincentsawMr。

Jackson，withamanheknewtobethesheriff，andfourorfiveothers。Aminutelateroneoftheservantscamein，andsaidthatthesheriffwishedtospeaktoMrs。Wingfield。

"Iwillgoouttohim，"Mrs。Wingfieldreplied。Vincentfollowedhertothedoor。

"Mrs。Wingfield，"thesheriffsaid，"Iamtheholderofawarrant；tosearchyourslave-hutsandgroundsforarun-awaynegronamedAnthonyMoore，thepropertyofMr。Jacksonhere。"

"Doyousuppose，sir，"Mrs。Wingfieldaskedangrily，"thatIamthesortofpersontogivesheltertorunawayslaves？"

No，madam，certainlynot，"thesheriffreplied；"noonewouldsupposeforamomentthatMrs。WingfieldoftheOrangerywouldhaveanythingtodowitharunaway，butMr。Jacksonherelearnedonlyyesterdaythatthewifeofthisslavewashere，andeveryoneknowsthatwherethewifeisthehusbandisnotlikelytobefaroff。"

"Isuppose，sir，"Mrs。Wingfleldsaidcoldly，"thattherewasnonecessityformetoacquaintMr。JacksonformerlywiththefactthatIhadpurchasedthroughmyagentthewomanhesoldtoseparateherfromherhusband。"。"Bynomeans，madam，bynomeans；though，hadweknownit；

before，itmighthavebeensomeaidtousinoursearch。Haveweyourpermissiontoseethiswomanandtoquestionher？"

"Certainlynot，"Mrs。Wingfieldsaid；"butifyouhaveanyquestiontoaskIwillaskherandgiveyouheranswer。"

"Wewanttoknowwhethershehasseenherhusbandsincethedayofhisflight；fromtheplantation？"

"Ishallcertainlynotaskherthatquestion，Mr。Sheriff。Ihavenodoubtthat，astheplacefromwhichhehasescapedisonlyafewmilesfromhere，hedidcometoseehiswife。Itwouldhavebeenverystrangeifhedidnot。Ihopethatbythistimethemanishundredsofmilesaway。Hewasbrutallytreatedbyabrutalmaster，who，Ibelieve，deliberatelysettoworktomakehimrunaway，sothathecouldhunthimdownandpunishhim。Ipresume，sir，youdonotwishtosearchthishouse，andyoudonotsupposethatthemanishiddenhere。Astotheslave-hutsandtheplantation，youcan，ofcourse，searchthemthoroughly；butasitisnowmorethanafortnightsincethemanescaped，itisnotlikelyyouwillfindhimhidingwithinafewmilesofhismaster"splantation。"

Sosayingshewentintothehouseandshutthedoorbehindher。

Mr。Jacksongroundhisteethwithrage，butthesheriffrodeofftowardtheslave-hutswithoutaword。ThepositionofMrs。

WingfieldoftheOrangery，connectedasshewaswithhalftheoldfamiliesofVirginia，andherselfalargeslave-owner，wasbeyondsuspicion，andnoonewouldventuretosuggestthatsuchaladycouldhavethesmallestsympathyforarunawayslave。

"Shewasdownuponyouprettyhot，Mr。Jackson，"thesheriffsaidastheyrodeoff。"Youdon"tseemtobeinhergoodbooks。"

Jacksonmutteredanimprecation。

"Itiscertainlyodd，"thesheriffwenton，"afterwhatyouweretellingmeabouthersonpitchingintoAndrewoverfloggingthisveryslave，thatsheshouldgoandbuyhiswife。Still，that"saverydifferentthingfromhidingarunaway。Idaresaythat，asshesays，thefellowcameheretoseehiswifewhenhefirstranaway；butI

don"t；thinkyouwillfindhimanywhereaboutherenow。It"sprettycertainfromwhatwehearthathehasn"tmadefortheNorth，andwherethefellowcanbehidingIcan"tthink。Stillthewoodsaboutthiscountryaremightybig，andthefellowcangooutontothefarmsandpickcornandkeephimselfgoingforalongtime。Still，he"ssuretobebrought；upsoonerorlater。"

Athoroughsearchwasmadeoftheslave-huts，andtheslaveswerecloselyquestioned，butalldeniedanyknowledgeoftherunaway。

Danescapedquestioning，ashehadtakenupVincent"shorsetothehouseinreadinessforhimtostartassoonashehadfinishedbreakfast。

Alldaythesearchersrodeabouttheplantationexaminingeveryclumpofbushes，andassuringthemselvesthatnoneofthemhadbeenusedasaplaceofrefugefortherunaway。

，"It"snogood，Mr。Jackson，"thesheriffsaidatlast。"Themanmayhavebeenhere；heain"therenow。Theonlyplacewehaven"t；

searchedisthehouse，andyoumaybequitesuretheslavesdarenotconcealhimthere。Toomanywouldgettoknowit。No，sir，he"smadeaboltofit，andyouwillhavetowaitnowtillheiscaughtbychance，orshot；bysomefarmerorotherintheactofstealing。"

"Iwouldlayathousanddollars，"AndrewJacksonexclaimedpassionately，"thatyoungWingfieldknowssomethingabout；hiswhereabouts，andhaslenthimahand!"

"Well，Ishouldadviseyoutokeepyourmouthshutabout；it；tillyougetsomepositiveproof，"thesheriffsaiddryly。"Itellyouit"snojoketoaccuseamemberofafamilyliketheWingfieldsofhelpingrunawayslavestoescape。"

"Iwillbidemytime，"theplantersaid。"YousaidthatsomedayyouwouldlayhandsonTonydeadoralive。YouseeifsomedayI

don"tlayhandsonyoungWingfield。"

Well，itseems，Mr。Jackson，"thesheriffremarkedwithasneer，forhewasoutoftemperattheillsuccessoftheday"swork，"that；hehasalreadylaidhandsonyourson。Itseemstomequiteaslikelythathewilllayhandsonyouasyouonhim。"

TwodaysafterwardasVincentwasridingthroughthestreetsofRichmondhesawtohissurpriseAndrewJacksonincloseconversationwithJonasPearson。

"Iwonderwhatthosetwofellowsaretalkingabout？"hesaidtohimself。"Iexpect；JacksonistryingtopumpPearsonastothedoingsattheOrangery。Idon"tlikethat；fellow，andnevershall，andheisjustthesortofmantodooneabadturnifhehadthechance。However，asIhaveneverspokentohimabout；thataffairfrombeginningtoend，Idon"tseethathecandoanymischiefifhewantsto。"

AndrewJackson，however，hadobtainedinformationwhichheconsideredvaluable。HelearnedthatVincenthadbeenawayinaboatforfivedays，andthathismotherhadbeenveryuneasyabouthim。HealsolearnedthattheboatwasonebelongingtoMr。

Furniss，andthatitwasonlyquitelatelythatVincenthadtakentogoingoutsailing。

AfterconsiderabletroublehesucceededingettingatoneoftheslavesuponMr。Furniss"plantation。ButhecouldonlylearnfromhimthatVincenthadbeenunaccompaniedwhenhewentoutintheboateitherbyyoungFurnissorbyanyoftheplantationhands；

thathehadtakenwithhimonlyhisownslave，andhadcomeandgoneashechose，takingoutandfasteninguptheboathimself，sothatnoonecouldsaywhenhehadgoneout；，except；thathishorsewasputupatthestables。Theslavesaidthatcertainlythehorsebadonlystoodthereontwoorthreeoccasions，andthenonlyforafewhours，andthatunlessMr。Wingfieldhadwalkedoverhecouldneverhavehadtheboatoutallnight，asthehorsecertainlyhadnotstoodallnightinthestables。

AndrewJacksontalkedthematteroverwithhisson，andbothagreedthatVincent"sconduct；wassuspiciousHisownpeoplesaidhehadbeenawayforfivedaysintheboat。ThepeopleatFurniss"

knewnothingaboutthis，andthereforetheremustbesomemysteryaboutit，andtheydoubtednotthat；thatmysterywasconnectedwiththerunawayslave，andtheyguessedthathehadeithertakenTonyandlandedhimnearthemouthoftheYorkRiveronthenorthernshore，orthathehadputhimonbeardaship。Theyagreed，however，thatwhatevertheirsuspicious，theyhadnotsufficientgroundsforopenlyaccusingVincentofaidingtheirrunaway。

CHAPTERV。SECESSION……

WHILEVincenthadbeenoccupiedwiththeaffairsofTonyandhiswife，publiceventshadmovedforwardrapidly。TheSouthCarolinaConventionmetinthethirdweekinDecember，andonthe20thofthatmonththeOrdinanceofSecessionwaspassed。Onthe10thofJan-nary，threedaysafterVincentreturnedhomefromhisexpedition，FloridafollowedtheexampleofSouthCarolinaandseceded。AlabamaandMississippipassedtheOrdinanceofSecessiononthefollowingday；Georgiaonthe18th，Louisianaonthe23d，andTexasonthe1stofFebruary。

InalltheseStatestheOrdinanceofSessionwasreceivedwithgreat；rejoicing:bonfireswerelit，thetownsilluminated，andthemilitiaparadedthestreets，andinmanycasestheFederalarsenalswereseizedandtheFederalfortsoccupiedbytheStatetroops。InthemeantimetheNorthernSlaveStates，Virginia，NorthCarolina，Tennessee，Kentucky，andMissouri，remainedirresolute。ThegeneralfeelingwasstronglyinfavoroftheirSouthernbrethren；

buttheywereanxiousforpeace，andforacompromisebeingarrivedat。WhethertheNorthwouldagreetoadmit；theconstitutionalrightsofsecession，orwhetheritwoulduseforcetocompeltheSecedingStatestoremainintheUnion，wasstilluncertain；buttheideaofacivilwarwassoterribleaonethatthegeneralbeliefwasthatsomearrangementtoallowtheStatestogotheirownwaywouldprobablybearrivedat。

ForthetimetheideaofVincentgoingtoWestPointwasabandoned。AmonghisacquaintanceswereseveralyoungmenwhowerealreadyatWestPoint，andveryfewofthesereturnedtotheacademy。Thefeelingtherewasverystronglyonthesideofsecession。AgreatmajorityofthestudentscamefromtheSouthernStates，aswhilethesonsoftheNorthernmenwentprincipallyintotradeandcommerce，theSouthernplanterssenttheirsonsintothearmy，andagreatproportionoftheofficersofthearmyandnavywereSoutherners。

AstheprofessorsatWest；Pointwereallmilitarymen，thefeelingamongthem，aswellasamongthestudents，wasinfavorofStaterights；theyconsideringthat，accordingtotheconstitution，theirallegiancewasduefirsttotheStatesofwhichtheywerenatives，andinthesecondplacetotheUnion。Thus，then，manyoftheprofessorswhowerenativesofthesevenStateswhichhadsecededresignedtheirappointments，andreturnedhometooccupythemselvesindrillingthemilitiaandthelevies，whowereatoncecalledtoarms。

Stillallhopedthat；peacewouldbepreserved，untilonthe11thofAprilGeneralBeauregard，whocommandedthetroopsofSouthCarolina，summonedMajorAnderson，whowasincommandoftheFederaltroopsinFortSumter，tosurrender，andonhisrefusalopenedfireuponthefortonthefollowingday。

Onthe13th，thebarracksofthefort；beingsetonfire，andMajorAndersonseeingthehopelessnessofaprolongedresistance，surrendered。TheeffectofthenewsthroughouttheUnitedStateswastremendous，andMr。Lincolnatoncecalledout75，000menofthemilitiaofthevariousStatestoputdowntherebellion-theborderStatesbeingorderedtosendtheirproportion。Thisbroughtmatterstoaclimax。Virginia，NorthCarolina，Kentucky，Tennessee，andMissouriallrefusedtofurnishcontingentstoactagainsttheSouthernStates；andVirginia，NorthCarolina，andKansasafewdayslaterpassedOrdinancesofSecessionandjoinedtheSouthernStates。Missouri，Maryland，andDelawareweredividedintheircounsels。

Thestrugglethatwasabout；tocommencewasanunevenone。

ThewhitepopulationoftheSecedingStateswasabout8，000，000；

whilethattheNorthernStateswere19，614，885。TheNorthpossessedanimmenseadvantage，inasmuchastheyretainedthewholeoftheFederalnavy，andweretherebyenabledatoncetocutoffallcommunicationbetweentheSouthernStatesandEurope，whiletheythemselvescoulddrawunlimitedsuppliesofmunitionsofwarofallkindsfromacrosstheAtlantic。

AlthoughthepeopleofVirginiahadhopedtothelastthatsomepeacefularrangementmightbeeffected，theActofSecessionwasreceivedwithenthusiasm。ThedemandofMr。LincolnthattheyshouldfurnishtroopstocrushtheirSouthernbrethrenexcitedtheliveliestindignation，andVirginiafeltthattherewasnocourseopentohernowbuttothrowinherlotwiththeotherSlavesStates。Hermilitiawasatoncecalledout，andvolunteerscalledfortoformaprovisionalarmytoprotecttheStatefrominvasionbytheNorth。

Theappealwasansweredwithenthusiasm；menofallagestookuparms；thewealthyraisedregimentsattheirownexpense，generallyhandingoverthecommandstoexperiencedarmyofficers，andthemselvestakingtheirplacesintheranks；thousandofladsoffromfifteentosixteenyearsofageenrolledthemselves，andmenwhohadneverdoneaday"sworkintheirlifepreparedtosufferallthehardshipsofthecampaignasprivatesoldiers。

Mrs。WingfieldwasanenthusiasticsupporterofStaterights；andwhenVincenttoldherthatnumbersofhisfriendsweregoingtoenrollthemselvesassoonasthelistswereopened，sheofferednoobjectiontohisdoingthesame。

"Ofcourseyouareveryyoung，Vincent；butnoonethinkstherewillbeanyseriousfighting。NowthatVirginiaandtheotherfourStateshavecastintheirlotwiththeseventhathaveseceded，theNorthcanneverhopetoforcethesolidSouthbackintotheUnion。

Stillitisrightyoushouldjoin。Icertainlyshouldnot；likeanoldVirginianfamilylikeourstobeunrepresented；butIshouldpreferyourjoiningoneofthemountedcorps。

"Inthefirst；placeitwillbemuchlessfatiguingthancarryingaheavyrifleandknapsack；andinthesecondplace，thecavalrywillforthemost；partbegentlemen。IwasspeakingonlyyesterdaywhenIwentintoRichmondtoMr。Ashley，whoisraisingacorps。