The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-11

and then we'll whip in Mt the back door. and
up into the garrett where I've got nice bed
made ND in one Of the great boxes We must
stay in that garnet good while for tell you
he will raise heaven and earth after us He'll
muster some of those old overseers on the other
plantations and have great hunt and they'll
20 over every inch of ground in that swamp.
He makes it his BOAST that nobody ever got
away from him SO let him hunt at his
leisure
"Cassy, how well you have planned i'll! said
Emmelina "Who ever would have thought
| Of II, but you!"
There was neither pleasure nor exultation.
in Cassy's eyes--only despairing firmness.
aCome, she said, reaching her hand to En-
incline
The two fugitives glided noiselessly from the
house. and fitted, through the gathering
shadows Of evening, along by the quarters. The
crescent moon, set Ike silver signet in the
western sky, delayed little the approach of
night As Classy expected, when quite near
the verge of the swamps that cncircled the
plantation they heard a voice calling to them
| to stop II was not Sambo, however, but Lee
gree, who was pursuing them with violent exc
crations At the sound. the ieebler spirit of
Emmeline gave way, and, laying hold of Cas-
| sy's arm she said
| ooh, Classy, I'm going to FAINT
aft you do III kill you," said Classy, draw
ing a small, glittering stiletto, and flashing it
before the eyes Of the girl
The diversion accomplished the purpose
Emmelne did not faint and succeeded in
| plunging with Classy into part Of the laby-
rinth of swamp so deep and dark that it was
perfectly hopeless for Legree to think of fol-
lowing them without assistance.
"Welln said he, chuckling brutality, cat any
rate they've got themselves into trap now
I me f,ocggasesp They're safe enough They
"Hulloa there! Sambo! Quimbo all
hands /" called Legree coming to the quarters
when the men and women were just returning
from work; ''there's two runaways in the
swamps III give Ave dollars to any niger as
catches EN-. Turn out the dogs! Turn out
Tiger, and Fury, and the rest"
The sensation produced by this news was
immediate-many of the men sprang forward
ofhciousy to offer their services either from the
hope of the reward or from that Bringing SUBJ
serviency which is one OF the most baleful ef-
fects of slavery; some ran one way and soqe
another; some were for getting hambeaux of
pine-knots some were uncoupling tho dogs,
Wuoce uOarse- soNdkc buN ouucu uoe a. ihefo w
the animation of the scene.
"Mass'r. shall we shoot 'em, if we can't
cotch 'em - said Sambo. to whom his master
brought out rife
"You may fire on Cass if you like it's time
she was gone to the devil, where she belongs;
but the gal, not said Legree. "And now,
boys, be spry and smart five dollars for him
that gets 'em; and glass of spirits to every
one of you, any how.
| The whole band with the glare of blazing
torches and whoop, and shout and savage yell
of man and beast proceeded down to the
swamp, followed at some distance by every SER
| want in the house. The establishment was Of
consequence wholly deserted when Classy and
Emmeiine glided into it the back way The
whooping and shouts of their pursuers were
still filing the air; and, looking from the sit
| ting-room windows, CASEY and Emmeline could
see the troop, with their fiambeaux, Just dis
persing themselves along the edge Of the
| swamp
aSee there!n she sad pointing to Classy
"tho hunt is begun Look how those lights
dance about Hark the dogs! Don't you
hear? IF we were only there, our chance
wouldn't be worth pcayune. Oh, for PHYS
sake, do let's hide ourselves. Quick, said En-
| incline.
There's no occasion for hurry" said Casey
coolIy "theyar all out after the hunt-that's
the amusement of the evening! Well 20 up
stairs by and by. Meanwhile said she, de-
| liberately taking key from the pocket of a
coat that Lcgree had thrown down in his hurry,
meanwhile shall take something to pay our
passage
She unlocked the desk, took from il a roll Of
bills which she counted over rapidly.
"Oh. don't let's do that" said Emmelne
@Dont!n said Classy "why mott" Would
you have us starve in the swamps. or have that
that will paw our way to the free States
Money will do anything girl" And as she
spoke she put the money in her bosom.
at would be stealing" said Emmeline, in a
distressed whisper.
Stealing. said Classy. with scornfnl
laugh. "Tbey who steal body and soul needn't
talk to us. Every one of these bills is stolen
stolen from poor starving sweating creatures,
who must go to the devil at last for his profit.
Let him talk about stealing! Bat come, we
may as well 20 up garnet; Pye got a stock
of candies there. and some books to pass
away the time. You may be pretty sure they
won't come there to inquire after US If they
do, III play ghost for them"
When Emmelne reached the garrett she
found an immense box, in which some heavy
pieces of furniture had once been brought,
turned on its side, no that the opening faced the
wall, or rather the caves Classy liz small
lamp, and, creeping round under the caves,
they established themselves in IT, II was spread
with a couple Of small mattresses and some
pillows; box near by was plentifully stored
with candles, provisions, and nil the clothing
necessary to their journey, which Classy had
arranged into bundles of an astonishingly small
compass. t
There" said Classy, as she fixed the lamp
into small hook, which she had driven into
the side Of the box for that purpose. this is to
be our home for the present How do you
like it!p
"Are you sure they won't come and search
the garrett" :,
said Classy. @No indeed, he will be too glad
to keep away. As to the servants, they would
any Of them stand and be shot sooner than
show their faces heren
Somewhat treasured, Emmelne settled her
self back on her pillow.
"What did You mean, Classy, by saying you
would kill me !r she said simply
al meant to stop your fanting,' said Classy
and did do IT, And now ! tell you Emme-
line, YOU must make up your mind NOT to faint,
let what will come; there's no sort Of need Of
IT, If I had not stopped you, that wretch might
have had his hands on you now
Emmene shuddered.
The two remained some time in silence.
Classy busted herself with a French book En-
incline. overcome with the exhaustion, fell into
a doze, and slept some time. She was awaken.
ed by loud shouts and outcries the tramp OF
horses feet, and the baying Of dogs She
started up with faint shrek.
aOnly the hunt coming back" said Classy,
coolly Ineycr fear. Look out Of this knot-hole.
Don't YOU see 'em all down theres Simon has
10 give it up for this night Look how muddy
his horse IT, fiouncing abou, in the swamp; the