Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-11-08


as TO admit air and some light wi,hou,
giving opportunity TO those outside 10 see
within and he bored one directly tbro'
on each side IN such position that he
could catch an occasional view of what
might be passing. These he filled up
with the stubs of nails to be removed as
he might have occasion. Having pu, in
their bundle, and bags of implements and
provisions and fastened them SO as to
prevent their rolling about, they now put
out the lightwood torch they had in the
chimney, and carefully Git being now
near dawn) adjusted themselves in the
box, and drawing the slide made all fas,
and snug.
In about half hour they heard the
wagon wheels rafting In to the yard, the
front door opened, and the voice of Mr..
Bessles made their hearts beat heavily.
Here, boys, lake this box right out and
lay II down by the wagon--be in hurry"
| In moment they found themselves
lifted and soon set down in the yard
The other box was next brought out and
lald beside IL; then several other pack
ages.
"All out, sir"
Put those large boxes into the wagon
| first
Massa, dis one amt got no writin' on
it, Sir"
" Careless dogs, / reckon you have
turned it upside down. Turn it up and
let me see."
The negro tilted the box for his mas
ter TO look under. Seeing no direction
there he said. Perhaps this is not 10
go, bring the wagon hammer here and
raise the lid."
Tis screw down. Sir"
Then run over 10 Rhodes and ask
him to lend me a screw-driver."
In few minutes the negro returned
with the tool, the lid was unscrewed and
an examination of the contents being sat-
lstactory, the lid was again replaced and
| a few nails driven in besides the screw
ing to make it all safe the proper direc-
ton was marked on it with some SCOT and
water, and all were quickly placed in the
wagon. As the negro started off, Mr..
Bessles charged him 10 be sure to get a
bill of lading, and our fugitives were
fairly on their way. George, as is com
mon in Carolina, rode on the near horse
instead of in the wagon, and from the
time he had answered "yes, Sir" 10 his
master, unit. they had reached the ford
of Boggy Branch, some miles from Law
tonrllle, he had not ceased to sing a loud
hymn tune he had learned at the Metho-
dist camp meeting. Ben and Sue taking
advantage of this occasionally addressed
each other IN whisper. AS the wagon
neared the ford George suddenly check
ed up his song ready te stop his horses
for watering. Al that momen: the sound
of rather loud whisper reached his ear
My sakes, worra dat 2" said George.
Stopping his horses he dismounted, and
examined circumspeclly all around and
within the wagon.
With a word or two muttered so low
as not to be artculate, he lei down the
check lines and mounting again drove in
to the middle of the ford, and there let
the horses stop and drink.
Nhila ,ba l-,.t.,.~
took the opportunity 10 remove his revol-
yer from the position IN which he had
placed II, so as to have it handy and yet
without endangering their own lives by
an accidental discharge. Unfortunately,
however, he had probably left it cooked
and just as be thought lie had located it
safely, by some unaccounlatie means a
barrel was discharged and the bali passed
through the bottom of the box and wagon.
The horses took fright and ran. Gee rge
himself was much frightened but sue
ceeded in keeping the wagon in the road.
After running about quarter of mile
he got them soothed and finally stopped.
In the meantime the fugitives in the
box kept perfectly still, Ben from policy
and Sue from fright.
4 wonder" SAID George to himself,
" who shoot dat gun. Eh SCUM same's if
j, was in de wagn.
Raising himself on his horse he looked
back for some time towards the Branch,
and finally said:
Il no see nobody, but wouldn', be
| s'prized if some OBJ dem who is out hunt
in for Ben is been lryin' to scare me-"
With that he put whip to his horses,
and Ben and Sue breathed freely again
| At the avenue of the next plantation