Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-19

down the bay and run boat up there"
Captain" said 1. go ashore and ride
back with me-
The captain hired q pony and rode back
to the store with me.
Our original plan had been to take the
negroes to the brig by boat or to take
them by night down some of the byroads,
and across one of the numerous bridges
that spanncd the Tcche. We that
this project was destined to be a miserable
failure and would undoubtedly hang US
, both, II even attempted.
The captain heard our plans and imme-
diately pronounced them QuiXOtic in the
extreme. Il am afraid. gentlemen. You are
in bad fix, but we don't despair until the
moose is around our necks. Have you a
chart or map Of this country?"
We did have one and George brought 1t
out. pointing out the locations.
can you make course from here and
up around. then across the Teche and
| make the Atchafalaya waters at Grand
lake, tell me-
George, who had followed the sweep of
the captains pencil. thought We could, and
that il would take about ten days, or rather
nights. to make the circuit.
Dare You try it,
at is all We can do" replied.
Now" said Capt Harris, 81 have some
repairs to make my vessel. and Will
lie here as long as possible. If l cannot
stick here long enough, l Will drop down
to Bcrwicks and lie there. Tomorrow night
do you start. Don't fear me- won't leave
YOU, ana YOU can understand clearly that
ii is no persons business, except her own
ers, how long the Fillmore lies at Frank
IN should not be surprised if the crew
We're SO drunk tomorrow they could not
work"
The captain was right Monday they were
drunk and did nothing. Monday afternoon
l started for the rendezvous. The next af-
tcrnoon, very early, We made our final
start, and at pm were at the base of
the high ground. where I silently gathered
my band together. We were now two miles
from The main road and about five from our
halfway place. We had one bridge about
2po feet long to cross. This ! did not con-
slider dangerous. as the road was seldom
Travelled at night. One thing did trouble
me very badly, though. We were pretty
well aware that the Copeland road, as this
was called. would be probably patrolled by
mounted horsemcn. for the country around
was aroused.
George was to meet me at 0 o'clock that
evening in the edge of the woods, at a spot
previously agreed upon. From thence we
were to start about midnight giving us
about three hours to accomplish the five
miles. AT precisely George arrived. He
was not disguised ! cautioned him about it.
why, Brad. said he, II am on patrol.
! agreed TO take this road from here to the
bridge for my share tonight.
Ed Harrison meets me here and goes the
other way to Clark's, three miles further
You must bring the people up and lie low,
until We are well separated. Ed will be
here about 10, and by 1890 you must be in
the road and trot for the bridge when
give the signal to move. Listen. / believe,
upon my soul, this is he coming now"
l rode rode hastily few rods into the
woods. Ed saw Georges outline (as 1t was
not then very dark, and halloed:
'Ho, Wesncr, Halloo. cried George "All
! right" and Ed came up.
ANY news?' None" both asked and re-
piled.
Ed. said George "as 1t is early and you
have Just come over your route and / have,
too, let's ride to the bridge. l will come
back with you: then We will separate"
"All right" said he, and off they galloped.
Now was my time. l went back to my
party and started them. Noiselessly we
| moved through the still woods and in less
than two hours from my parting with
George they were lying within fifty feet of
the highway. l stood within ten feet of
Harrison, when he and George rode by.
Here they separated. George rode on a
few rods, then came back to me.
Now, move, If you ever did. You ride on
ahead; l will drop far enough in the rear to
give notice If there is any one coming Har-
| rison is not sharp, but he rides well and will
soon be back
l called to Dave and the procession start
ed. The road was narrow, the woods dark
and the fresh night air drew through the
| narrow channel.
Move I cried; shoulder the young
caught you will surely die"
Rush them the best you can" cried
George. Leave your Oboe man in the rear
to let you know If am coming"
1t was three miles to the bridge-well 1
knew, for had travelled this road before
but not at the head Of lot Of runaway
negroes. On the east side Of the bayou was