The National tribune., 1905-11-16
.cAME FACE TO FACE WITH THE MASTER OF 10 SLAVES.

fer1ngs and sickness carried on thou
sands. 1t is also true that "hope eternal
saved many who longingly looked for
general exchange" who, the poor fel-
lows banteringly declared, was the
greatest General Of the war. Alas, tens
Of thousands Of them were never per-
mitted to muster under his banners.
Doubtless next to exchange the hope
Of escape held first place in their de-
sires, although, but for the remoteness
Of probability Of consummation, release
through some raiding expedition of the
Federal forces would have contested
for first choice OF method for deliver
ance. My Georgia Captain had never
served in the Army Of Northern Vir-
ginia. He seemed a man Of good parts
and humane instincts. BY this no dis
paragement of that army is meant, but
as the governing powers about the
rebel Capital may receive some atten-
ton further on, the matter Of that
army is here alluded to. The rejection
Of my Georgia friends hospitable invi-
tation was regretted later on.
Sunk In the River.
Again, as illustrating the native gen.
erOsity Of those people, q case came to
my experience during an escape effort
a few weeks later. In company with a
Michigan soldier an escape from Jack
SON was effected, which from the diff
culties encountered involved us in the
usual hardships and uncertainties ex-
perienced in traversing a hostile coun-
try. We had captured boat and were
floating and rowing down the Pearl
River, with an idea of reaching New
Orleans. This course was pursued for
six nights, but in the evening of the
seventh we ran into the top Of a tree
into the stream, with the roots fast in
the banks. This tree top, through the
action Of the swift current, was flop
ping like a trip-hammer, and before
we could pull into midstream to avoid
1t, our boat was caught and sunk, leav-
ing US to struggle among the branches,
from which, after seeming complete
disaster, we reached the trunk of the
tree and, along that, the shore. Ex-
ploration disclosed that we were on an
extensive cotton plantation, upon which
several gin and storage houses were
located, but no dwelling, and what was
most serious, the high waters of the
river had it cut completely off from the
habitation of man.
Finding a roadbed leading from the
open fields into the woods, we ventured
upon 1t, and after what seemed hours
Of wading, often in more than three feet
depth, we came at last upon dry ground
in the early morning. After two days
without food and the last night en-
many places to the waist, we saw at
dawn a large plantation house sur
rounded by an unusual number of ne
gro cabins. and as we were starving and
completely bewndered as to our where
abouts, it was decided to take advant-
age of the early morning hour in an
attempt to secure, unObserved by the
master, food and information from the
slaves. In this scheme we failed, for in
turning the corner Of the first cabin
approached / came face to face upon a
white man, who proved to be the mas
ter of nearly 700 slaves-two brothers,
then serving in the rebel army, being
part owners with him OF five planta-
tions and 700 slaves. In modern par
lance we were "up against it." So, be-
ing spokesman of the fugitives and in a
dilemma, 1t appeared to me best to
adopt the maxim that "honesty is the
best policy" Accordingly he was CIV
en- q fair account Of our escape, our
misfortuneS and our hopes.
To my surprise he became interested,
asked us into his house. saying his wife
was not up yet, but he would order
breakfast cooked for us and give US
such advice as seemed to him best for
our future. He seated US in magniff-
Gently appointed parlor, and proved a
royal entertainer. After some time had
elapsed he stepped out of the room
and presently ushered in a most deli
cately-molded and attired young lady
OF decidedly brunette type, whom he
introduced as his wife and us as two
Yankees. The little lady's black eyes