The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1919-12-18
they could travel Dy night, AMI

N~~~ '"AA~ ~ W AA~oA'
oarsmen, sufficient food, and a boat
big enough to carry them safely. You
have small boats, surelyT
Il got one, Massa knox," burst out
Pete eagerly. "She's down by de
mouth OBJ de creek, sab, an she sure
am a mighty good boat. We could
load her up right here, an I'd be one
oh de niggers fer ter take dem ladies'
down ribber. Use a free boy, an no.
body care whar / done CO."
These unexpected words heartened
me, strengthened my own resolve, and
1 obeyed the first impulse, instantly
! crossing the room and frankly extend
ing my hand to the surprised negro.
THAT sounds like a man, Pete" I
exclaimed warmly. eyes, of course :
mean it-shake hands. You are white
enough for me, boy, and l do not pro-
pose letting you Go any more than I
am willing to do. I'll 60 along with
you on this trip. l have sixty days
furlough.
"And now, what about you, Hafnes?"
] demanded "Are you ready to help?
Come, man, surely this Is not some
thing we have any time to debate.
Kirby is liable to show up at any mo-
lnent with full authority, and the sher-
If to back him. 1t Is still early in
the evening, and we must work to-
night if at ALL"
"YLu haven't the strength for such
a venture" he protested.
Haven't ~ and I laughed. ooh,
yes, I have. 1 nm young and this
wound is nothing. Are you with us?"
He was slow in replying, and, as l
eagerly watched his face, I could al
most comprehend the working of the
lawyer mind. He saw and argued
every doubt, considered every danger.
I'm spirit, yes" he answered at last,
but not physically. I believe under
the circumstances you are justified,
Knox. Perhaps I'd do the same thing
if I was in your place and had your
! youth behind me. But I I'M a lawyer,
; fifty years old, and this is my home.
If the story ever got out that I took
part in niger stealing, that would be
the end Of me in Missouri. You can
take the risk, but about all 1 can do
will be to keep a quiet tongue in my
head. I'll promise you that. But that
is all I can promise"
"Yet you acknowledge this is the
only way? No legal course is open to
. us?"
absolutely none. If there was I
should never consent to be a party to
this plan, or shield you in any way.
Kirby has undoubtedly got the law
with him. We cannot establish fraud ;
the property actually belongs to him
both mother and daughter are his
slaves"
"And how about the other girl
ElOise7"
He has no legal hold o. her; she is
a free white woman. He could only
hope to overcome her resistance by
threats. The plantation is irrevocably
lost to the Beaucaires, but she pos.
sesses the power to defy him because
Of her mothers property. If Kirby
marries her, it will only be through
her consent"
He picked up his hat from the table,
and q stout stick he had brought
along with him, taking a step toward
the door.
II might as we'll tell you I consider
this a mad scheme,"h he paused to add
gravely, land that it will probably fail.
There is a possible chance of success,
I admit, and for that reason I permit
you to go ahead with it, and pledge
myself to keep the secret. I was rather
intimately associated with Beaucaire
for a number of years, and to see his
granddaughter sold into slavery, even
If she does have a drop of niger
blood in her veins, is more than I can
stand, without giving her a chance to
get away. That is why I consent to
abet a crime, and keep still about 1t.
But beyond that I'll not go. Do you
understand the position this internal
affair puts me into?"
Eyes, I do, Haines," and l held out
my hand to him, with fresh cordiality.
1T is uncommOnly white of you to
even 10 that far. I'll pledge you thi.
for Pete here, as well as myself
that. If we are caught, your name shall
never be mentioned. Have you any adj
vice to give?"
He paused uncertainty, his hand on
the latch, the freight flashing up into
his face.
"Only this" he said slowly. IF ]
were you I'd never attempt to go
south. Below st. Louis boars are nu.
merous, and you would be almost GER
tain to be discovered. If Kirby chases
you-and I know him we'll enough to
be sure he will-he will naturally take
it for granted that you have headed
for the Ohio. The very fact that the
fugitives r women would convince
him Of this. To my mind the one
chance of your getting away, lies to
the north-up the Illinois. Anyhow,
good luck to you both, and good
night"
The door closed behind him, and the
negro and I were alone. The die was