The National tribune., 1899-04-13

soup as ever ate, and within 100 feet Of
where the master and owner was sleeping.
A little before daybreak Pete reused me
up and took me out to rough. empty barn
lust outside of the yard. We went upstairs
to q floor overhead, where was to remain
until night. He told me not to make any
noise; that the children would come out to
the barn to play. but would not come up
stairs, as they had been told that there were
ghosts up there that would catch them if they
did. l did not dare to go to sleep through
the day, but amused myself watching through
the cracks the soldiers and civilians 90 by on
the road and the women, children and sery-
ants pass in and out of the mansion, and
black and white girls and boys play Oh the
barn floor below me.
After the people at the mansion had re-
tired for the night Pete came to the barn for
me aud took me into his cabin, where
warmed myself by the fire and ate another
good, warm meal. Pete packed my haver-
sack with rations, filling my quart cup nearly
full of what was left of the chicken soup tthe
thick part of itl, and packing it in my haver-
sack in such way that it would not tip
over, filled my canteen, slung them over his
shoulder, and we were ready for our start for
| Broad River and, hoped, freedom within 4
day or two.
In going to Broad River from Grahamville
we had topass over corduroy road for about
Is miles. The mounted patrol would pass
us one way or the other about every half
hour, and as we heard them coming we would
hide in the swamp on either side of the road.
l think it must have been or o'clock
when We arrived near the river. Pete said
he knew an old uncle and auntic that were
near there, and asked me if could get them
on board of our gunboat if they would go. l
told him l would if could get there myself.
Out of gratitude for what the slaves had done
for me, and in consideration of what had
suffered at the hands of the rebels, would
have been glad if could have loaded down
the gunbOat with fugitive slaves, and was
willing to run good deal of risk in order to
take this old couple along.
We found them at the mill grinding corn,
and when told them who was and made
my proposition to them they became fright
ened, and threatened to betray US both. Pete
then became frightened and left for home,
and had some difficulty in pacifying the
old couple and getting them to promise not
10 betray NE, which they finally did, and l
went away, being left to shift for myself once
more.
i kept in the swamp, and after an hours
hard work arrived at the beach lit is tide
water here) at the edge of the swamp and
camped. i built small fire, dried myself,
warmed up my chicken soup, which, with a
piece of cornbread, constituted my breakfast.
After q few hours of refreshing sleep l reused,
and looking down the river saw one of our
gnnboats approaching with the most beauti-
iul flag that was ever flung to the breeze
floating at her masthead. got my signal
ready and placed it at the edge OF the swamp,
where l thought it would be seen from the
boat as it came up, and then l waited, with
what emotions will leave you to imagine.
l lad watched the boat but short time,
when, 10 my dismay, she changed her course
and either passed up another river, or else
there was an island in the stream and the
boat went on the other side. The river here
was very broad, but resol, ed that If l could
find boat or something tit to make it
would venture to cross and try to get on board
the boat on her down trip.
Ito be continued.)