\"Ididnotinterferetopreventhisfloggingtheslave，mother，buttopreventhisfloggingtheslave\'swife，whichwaspurewantonbrutality。Itisnotaquestionofslaveryonewayortheother。Anyonehasarighttointerferetoputastoptobrutality。IfIsawamanbrutallytreatingahorseoradogIshouldcertainlydoso；andifitisrighttointerferetosaveadumbanimalfrombrutalill-treatmentsurelyitmustbejustifiabletosaveawomaninthesamecase。I
amnotanAbolitionist。Thatistosay，Iconsiderthatslavesonaproperlymanagedestate，likeours，forinstance，arejustaswelloffasarethelaborersonanestateinEurope；butIshouldcertainlyliketoseelawspassedtoprotectthemfromill-treatment。Why，inEnglandtherearelawsagainstcrueltytoanimals；andamanwhobrutallyfloggedadogorahorsewouldgetamonth\'simprisonmentwithhardlabor。Iconsideritadisgracetousthatamanmayhereill-treatahumanbeingworsethanhemightinEnglandadumbanimal。\"
\"Youknow，Vincent，\"hismothersaidmorequietly，\"thatIobjectasmuchasyoudototheill-treatmentoftheslaves，andthattheslaveshere，asonallwell-conductedplantationsinVirginia，arewelltreated；butthisisnotatimeforbringinginlawsorcarryingoutreforms。ItisbadenoughtohavescoresofNorthernersdoingtheirbesttostirupmischiefbetweenmastersandslaveswithoutaSoutherngentlemanmixinghimselfupinthematter。WehavegottostandtogetherasonepeopleandtoprotectourStaterightsfrominterference。\"
\"IamjustasmuchinfavorofStaterightsasanyoneelse，mother；
andif，asseemslikely，thepresentquarrelistobefoughtout，I
hopeIshalldomybestforVirginiaaswellasotherfellowsofmyownage。ButjustasIprotestagainstanyinterferencebytheNorthernerswithourlaws，Isaythatweoughttoamendourlawssoasnottogivethemtheshadowofanexcuseforinterference。ItisbrutesliketheJacksonswhohaveaffordedthematerialsforlibelslike\'UncleTom\'sCabin\'uponusasapeople；andIcan\'tsaythatIamabitsorryforhavinggiventhatyoungJacksonwhathedeserved。\"
\"Well，Ihopetherewillbenotroublecomeofit，\"Mrs。Wingfieldsaid。\"Ishouldn\'tthinktheJacksonswouldliketheexposureoftheirdoingswhichwouldbecausedbybringingthematterintocourt；butiftheydo，youmaybequitesurethatajuryinRichmondatthepresenttimewouldfindagainstyou。\"
\"Idon\'tsupposethattheywilldoanything，mother。Butiftheymust，theymust；andIdon\'tsupposeanythingseriouswillcomeofitanyway。\"
ThenextmorningVincentwentdownearlytothestables。AsheapproachedthemDancameouttomeethim。
\"Well，Dan，what\'syournews？\"
\"BerrygreatbobberyoberatJackson\'slastnight，MassaVincent。
FustofallIcreptroundtodehutsobdefieldhands。Deyallknownullinboutit；butoneofdemhegoesoffandgetstohabatalkwithagalemployedindohousewhowasindohabitofslippingouttoseehim。Shesaywhendoyoungunwarcarriedindeoldmangoonfurious；hebringsuitagainstyou，hehabyoupunishedberrymuch-nosayingwhathenotgoingtodo。Afteratimedoyounguncomeround，helistentowhattheouldmansayforsometime；denheanswer:\'Nousegoingonlikedat。Setalldecountyfamiliesagainstusifwehavesuit。Astodatinfernalyoungvillain，mepayhimoutsomeotherway。\'Dendeoldmansayhecutdefleshoffdebonesobdatnigger；butdoyoungonesay:
\'Mustn\'tdodat。Yousuretohearaboutit，andmakegreatbobbery。
Findsomeodorwaytopunishhim。\'Dendeytalktogetherforsometime，butgirlnothearanymore。\"
\"Well，then，therewillbenosuitanyhow，\"Vincentsaid。\"Astopayingmeoutsomeotherway，Iwilllookaftermyself，Dan。I
believethatfollowJacksoniscapableofanything，andIwillbeonthelookoutforhim。\"
\"Besureyoudo，MassaVincent。Yourideaboutagreatdeal，datfellowberyliketakeashotatyoufrombehindtree。Don\'tyougoneardatplantation，orsureenufftroublecome。\"
\"Iwilllookout，Dan。Thereisonething，Ialwaysridefast；anditwantsaverygoodshottohitoneatagallop。Idon\'tthinktheywilltrythat；forifhemissed，ashewouldbealmostsuretodo，itwouldbeagooddealworseforhimthanthisaffairwouldhavebeenhadhebroughtitintocourt。Youkeepyourearsopen，Dan，andfindouthowtheyarethinkingofpunishingthatpoorfollowformyinterferenceonhisbehalf。\"
AfterbreakfastanegroarrivedwithanoteforMrs。WingfieldfromMr。Jackson，complainingoftheunwarrantableandillegalinterferencebyhersononbehalfofaslavewhowasbeingveryproperlypunishedforgrossmisconduct；andofthepersonalassaultuponhisson。Thewritersaidthathowasmostreluctanttotakelegalproceedingsagainstamemberofsohighlyrespectedafamily，butthatitwasimpossiblethathocouldsubmittosuchanoutrageasthis。
AlthoughMrs。WingfieldhadexpressedherdisapprovalofVincent\'sconductontheeveningbefore，therewasnotraceofthatfeelinginherreplytothisletter。Shewroteinthethirdperson，coldlyacknowledgingthereceiptofMr。Jackson\'sletter，andsayingthatshehadheardfromhersonofhisinterferencetoputastoptooneofthosebrutalsceneswhichbroughtdiscreditupontheSouthernStates，andthatsheconsideredhehadmostrightlypunishedMr。Jackson，jun。，forhisinhumanandrevoltingconduct；
thatshewasperfectlyawaretheinterferencehadbeentechnicallyillegal，butthathersonwasfullypreparedtodefendhisconductifcalledupontodosointhecourts，andtopayanyfinethatmightbeinflictedforhissufferinghimselftobecarriedawaybyhisrighteousindignation。SheendedbysayingthatasMr。JacksonwasastrangerinVirginia，hewasperhapsnotawarethatthepublicsentimentofthatStatewasaltogetheropposedtosuchactsofbrutalityasthatofwhichhissonhadbeenguilty。
\"WhathaveyoubeendoingtothatfellowAndrewJackson？\"oneofVincent\'sfriends，ayoungfellowtwoyearsolderthanhimself，saidtohimafewdayslater。\"Thereworealotofustalkingoverthingsyesterday，inRichmond，andhecameupandjoinedin。
SomethingwassaidaboutAbolitionists，andhesaidthatheshouldliketoseeeveryAbolitionistintheStatestrunguptoatree。Heisalwaysprettyviolent，asyouknow；butonthepresentoccasionhewentfurtherthanusual，andthenwentontosaythattheworstandmostdangerousAbolitionistswerenotNorthernmenbutSoutherners，whoweretraitorstotheirState。
Hesaid:\'Forexample，thereisthatyoungWingfield。HehasbeentoEngland，andhascomebackwithhisheartfilledwithAbolitionistnotions；\'andthatsuchopinionsatthepresenttimewereadangertotheState。
\"Twoorthreeofustookthematterup，asyoumightguess，andtoldhimhehadbettermindwhathewassayingoritwouldbetheworseforhim。HarryFurnisswentsofarastotell。himthathewasaliar，andthatifhedidn\'tlikethathewouldhavesatisfactionintheusualway。MasterJacksondidn\'tlikeit，butmutteredsomethingandslunkoff。What\'sthematterbetweenyou？\"
\"Ishouldnothavesaidanythingaboutit，\"Vincentreplied，\"ifJacksonhadchosentoholdhistongue；butashechoosestogoaboutattackingme，thereisnoreasonwhyIshouldkeepthemattersecret。\"Andhethenrelatedwhathadtakenplace。
TheyoungVirginiangavealowwhistle。
\"Idon\'tsayIblameyou，Wingfield；butItellyou，youmighthavegotyourselfintoanawfulmessiftheJacksonshadchosentotakeitup。Youknowhowhotthefeelingisatpresent，anditisaseriousmatteratanytimetointerferebetweenamasterandhisslavesintheSouthernStates。OfcourseamongusourfeelingswouldbeallagainstJackson；butamongthepoorerclassofwhites，whohavebeentremendouslyexcitedbythespeeches，bothintheNorthandhere，thecryofAbolitionistatthepresentmomentislikearedragtoabull。However，Iunderstandnowthefellow\'senmitytoyou。
\"Noneofuseverlikedhimwhenhowasatschoolwithus。Heisanevil-temperedbrute，andIamafraidyoumayhavesometroublewithhim。Ifhogoesabouttalkingashedidtous，hewouldsoongetupafeelingagainstyou。OfcourseitwouldbenonsensetoopenlyaccuseamemberofanoldVirginianfamilyofbeinganAbolitionist；butitwouldbeeasyenoughtosetapackoftheroughclassesofthetownagainstyou，andyoumightgetbadlymaulediftheycaughtyoualone。ThefollowisevidentlyacowardorhewouldhavetakenupwhatFurnisssaid；butacowardwhoisrevengefulisagooddealmoredangerousthananopenfoe。
However，Iwilltalkitoverwithsomeoftheothers，andwewillseeifwecan\'tstopAndrewJackson\'smouth。\"
TheresultofthiswasthatthenextdayhalfadozenofVincent\'sfriendswroteajointlettertoAndrewJackson，sayingthattheyregardedhisstatementsrespectingVincentasfalseandcalumnious，andthatifherepeatedthemtheywouldjointlyandseverallyholdhimresponsible；andthatif，asaresultofsuchaccusations，anyharmhappenedtoVincent，theyshouldknowwheretolookfortheoriginatorofthemischief，andpunishhimaccordingly。
\"Youshouldbemorecareful，Andrew，\"hisfathersaid，aswhitewithfury，heshowedhimhisletter。\"Itwasyouwhowerepreachingprudencetheotherday，andwarningmeagainsttakingstepsthatwouldsetallthewholecountryagainstus；andnow，yousee，youhavebeenlettingyourtonguerun，andhavedrawnthisuponyourself。Keepquietforthepresent，myson；allsortsofthingsmayoccurbeforelong，andyouwillgetyourchance。Letthismattersleepforthepresent。\"
AdayortwolaterwhenVincentwentdowntothestableshosawthatDanhadsomethingtotellhim，andsoonfoundoutthathewishedtospeaktohimalone。
\"Whatisyournews，Dan？\"
\"Iheardlastnight，MassaVincent，thatoldmanJacksonisgoingtosellDinah；datdewifeobdomandayflogged。\"
\"Theyaregoingtosellher!\"Vincentrepeatedindignantly。\"Whataretheygoingtodothatfor？\"
\"TopunishTony，sah。Daramnolawagainstdarsellingher。I
heardatdayaregoingtoselltwooderboys，sodatitcannotbesaiddatdaydoitonpurposetospiteTony。Ireckon，sah，daycalculatedatwhendeysellhiswifeTonygetmadandrunaway，anddenwhendaycatchhimagaindayfloghimprettyneartodeath。Folkalwaysdodatwithrunawayslaves；noonecansaynuffinagindemfordat。\"
\"It\'saninfamousshamethatitshouldbelawfultoseparatemanandwife，\"Vincentsaid。\"However，wewillseewhatwecando。
YoumanagetopassthewordtoTonytokeepuphisspirits，andnotletthemdrivehimtodoanythingrash。TollhimIwillseethathiswifedoesnotgetintobadhands。Isupposetheywillsellthebabytoo？\"
\"Yes，MassaVincent。Naturalthebabywillgowiddemodder。\"
Vincentwatchedthelistofadvertisementsofslavestobesold，andadayortwolatersawanoticetotheeffectthatDinahMorris，agetwenty-two，withamalebabyatherbreast，wouldbesoldonthefollowingSaturday。HomountedhishorseandrodeintoRichmond。Hehadnotlikedtospeaktohismotheronthesubject，forshehadnottoldhimofthelettershehadwrittentoJackson；
andhethoughtthatshemightdisapproveofanyinterferenceinthematter，consequentlyhowentdowntoMr。Renfrew，thefamilysolicitor。
\"Mr。Renfrew，\"hesaid，\"Iwantsomemoney；canyoulenditme？\"
\"Youwantmoney，\"thesolicitorsaidinsurprise。\"Whatonearthdoyouwantmoneyfor？andifyouwantit，whydon\'tyouaskyourmotherforit？Howmuchdoyouwant？\"
\"Idon\'tknowexactly。Abouteighthundreddollars，Ishouldthink；
thoughitmaybeathousand。Iwanttobuyaslave。\"
\"Youwanttobuyaslave!\"repeatedMr。Renfrew。\"Whatonearthdoyouwanttobuyaslavefor？YouhavemorethanyouwantnowattheOrangery。\"
\"It\'saslavethatmanJacksonisgoingtosellnextSaturday，onpurposetospitethepoorcreature\'shusbandanddrivehimtodesperation，\"andVincentthenrepeatedthewholestoryofthecircumstancesthathadleduptothesale。
\"ItisallveryabominableonthepartoftheseJacksons，\"Mr。
Renfrewsaid，\"butyourinterferencewasmostimprudent，myyoungfriend；and，asyousee，ithasdoneharmratherthangood。
Ifyouaresoquixoticastobecomethechampionofeveryill-treatedslaveintheState，yourworkisprettywellcutoutforyou。\"
\"Iknowthat，sir，\"Vincentreplied，smiling，\"andIcanassureyouI
didnotintendtoenteruponanysuchcrusade；but，yousee，Ihavewronglyorrightlymixedmyselfupinthis，andIwanttorepairthemischiefwhich，asyousay，Ihavecaused。TheonlywayIcanseeistobuythisnegressandherbaby。\"
\"ButIdonotseethatyouwillcarryoutyourobjectifyoudo，Vincent。Shewillbeseparatedjustasmuchfromherhusbandifyoubuyherasifanyoneelsedoes。Heisatoneplantationandsheisatanother，andweretheytenmilesapartorahundred，theyareequallyseparated。\"
\"Iquiteseethat，Mr。Renfrew；but，atleast，shewillbekindlytreated，andhismindwillbeatrestonthatscore。PerhapssomedayorothertheJacksonsmayputhimupforsale，andthenIcanbuyhim，andtheywillbereunited。Atanyrate，thefirststepistobuyher。Canyouletmehavethemoney？Mymothermakesmeaverygoodallowance。\"
\"AndIsupposeyouspendit，\"thelawyerinterrupted。
\"Well，yes，Igenerallyspendit；butthen，yousee，whenIcomeofageIcomeinfortheoutlyingestates。\"
\"Andifyoudiebefore，orgetshot，oranyotheraccidentbefallsyou，\"Mr。Renfrewsaid，\"theygotoyoursisters。However，onemustrisksomethingforaclient，soIwilllendyouthemoney。I
hadbetterputsomebodyuptobidforyou，forafterwhathashappenedtheJacksonswouldprobablynotlethergoiftheyknewthatyouworegoingtobethepurchaser。\"
\"Thankyouverymuch，\"Vincentsaidwarmly；\"itwillbeagreatweightoffmymind，\"andwithalightheartherodebacktotheOrangery。
VincentsaidnothingduringthenexttwodaystoanyofhisfriendsastothecoursetheJacksonsworetakinginsellingTony\'swife；
forhethoughtthatifthenewsgotabout，someofhisfriendswhohadheardthecircumstancesmightgodowntotheauctionandmakesuchademonstrationthatJacksonwouldbeobligedtowithdrawDinahfromthesale，inwhichcasehewouldnodoubtdisposeofherprivately。OntheSaturdayhemountedhishorseandrodeintoRichmond，tellingDantomeethimthere。Atthehourthesalewasannouncedhewenttotheyardwhereitwastotakeplace。
Thiswasasomewhatquietandsecludedplace；foralthoughthesaleofslaveswaspermittedbylawinVirginia，atanyratetheseauctionswereconductedquietlyandwithaslittlepublicityaspossible。Foralthoughthebetterclassesstillregardedslaveryasanecessaryinstitution，theywereconsciousthatthesesales，involvingastheydidtheseparationoffamilies，wereindefensible，andthemorethoughtfulwouldgladlyhaveseenthemabolished，andalawpassedforbiddingthesaleofnegroessaveaspartandparceloftheestateuponwhichtheyworked，anexceptiononlybeingmadeinthecaseofgrossmisconduct。Manyoftheslave-owners，indeed，forbadeallfloggingupontheirestates，andpunishedrefractoryslaves，inthefirstplace，bythecuttingoffoftheprivilegestheyenjoyedinthewayofholidays，andifthisdidnotanswer，threatenedtosellthem-athreatwhichwas，inthevastmajorityofcases，quitesufficienttoensuregoodbehavior；fortheslaveswerewellawareofthedifferencebetweenlifeinthewell-managedestablishmentsinVirginiaandthatinsomeoftheotherSouthernStates。HandinghishorsetoDan，Vincentjoinedaknotoffourorfiveofhisacquaintanceswhohadstrolledinfrommerecuriosity。
Thereweresomethirtyorfortymenintheyard，afewofwhomhadcomeinforthepurposeofbuying；butthegreatmajorityhadonlyattendedforthesakeofpassinganidlehour。Slaveshadfalleninvalue；foralthoughallintheSouthprofessedtheirconfidencethatthelawwouldneverattemptbyforceofarmstopreventtheirsecession，itwasfeltthatslavepropertywouldinfuturebemoreprecarious，fortheNorthwouldnotimprobablyrepealtheJawsforthearrestoffugitiveslaves，andconsequentlyallrunawayswhosucceededincrossingtheborderwouldbelosttotheirmasters。
UpontheothersideoftheyardVincentsawAndrewJacksontalkingtotwoorthreemenwhowerestrangerstohim，andwho，heguessed，werebuyersfromsomeofthemoresouthernStatesTherewereinalltwelvelotstobedisposedof。Ofthesetwoorthreewerehandswhoworenolongerfitforfieldwork，andwhowereboughtatverylowpricesbymenwhoownedbutafewacresofland，andwhocouldutilizethemforoddjobsrequiringbutlittlestrength。Thentherewasastirofattention。DinahMooretookherstandupontheplatform，withherbabyinherarms。ThemessagewhichDanhadconveyedfromVincenttoherhusbandhadgivenhersomehope，andthoughshelookedscaredandfrightenedassheclaspedherbabetoherbreast，shewasnotfilledwithsuchutterdespairaswouldotherwisehavebeenthecase。
Theauctioneerstatedtheadvantagesofthelotinthesamebusiness-liketoneasifhehadbeensellingahorse:
\"Lot6。Negrowench，Dinah；agotwenty-two；withmalechild。
Strongandwellmade，asyousee，gentlemen；fitforfieldwork，orcouldbemadeausefulhandaboutahouse；saidtobehandyandgood-tempered。Now，gentlemen，whatshallwesayforthisdesirablelot？\"
OneofthemenstandingbyAndrewJacksonbidahundreddollars。
Thebidwasraisedtoahundredandfiftybyarough-lookingfellowstandinginfrontoftheplatform。Forsometimethebiddingwasconfinedtothesetwo，anditroseuntilitreachedsevenhundredandfifty，atwhichpointthemanneartheplatformretired，andtherewasapause。
Vincentfeltuncomfortable。HehadalreadybeenroundtoMr。
Renfrew，whohadtoldhimthathehaddeputedanagenttobuy；
anduntilthemanneartheplatformstoppedhohadsupposedthathewasthesolicitor\'sagent。
\"Now，gentlemen，\"theauctioneersaid，\"surelyyouarenotgoingtoletthisdesirablepieceofpropertygoforsevenfifty？Shewouldbecheapatdoubletheprice。Ihavesoldworsearticlesforthreethousand。\"
\"Iwillgoanothertwenty-fivedollars，\"atallmaninhomespunandabroadplanter\'sstrawhatsaidquietly。
Thecontestnowrecommenced，andbybidsoftwenty-fivedollarsatatimetheamountwasraisedtotwelvehundredandfiftydollars。
\"That\'senoughforme，\"themanstandingbyAndrewJacksonsaid；
\"hemayhaveherattwelvefifty，anddearenough，too，astimesgo。\"
Willanyoneelsemakeanoffer？\"theauctioneerasked。Therewasnoresponse，andthehammerfell。
\"Whatname？\"
\"NathanielForster，\"thetallmansaid；andadvancingtothetablehecountedoutarollofnotesandgavethemtotheauctioneer，whohandedtohimaformalnotecertifyingtohishavingdulyandlegallypurchasedDinahMooreandherinfant，latethepropertyofAndrewJackson，Esquire，oftheCedars，StateofVirginia。
Thepurchaserhadevidentlymadeuphismindbeforehandtosecurethelot，forhehandedaparcelhehadbeenholdingtoDinah，andsaidbriefly，\"Slipthosethingson，mylass。\"
Thepoorgirl，whohadbeforebeensimplyattiredinthescantiestofpetticoats，retiredtoacorneroftheyard，andspeedilycameforwardagaindressedinaneatcottongown。Therewereseveraljokingremarksmadebythebystanders，butDinah\'snewmastertooknonoticeofthem，butwithamotionofhishandtohertofollowhim，walkedoutoftheyard。
AminutelaterVincentfollowed，andalthoughhehadnodoubtthatthemanwastheagentMr。Renfrewhademployed，hedidnotfeelthoroughlysatisfieduntilhesawthementerthelawyer\'soffice。Hequicklyfollowed。TheyhadjustenteredtheprivateroomofMr。Renfrew。
\"That\'sright，Wingfield，\"thelawyersaid。\"Youseewehavesettledthebusinesssatisfactorily，andIthinkyouhavegotafairlycheapbargain。Justwaitamomentandwewillcompletethetransaction。\"
DinahgaveastartasVincententered，butwiththehabitualself-repressionofaslaveshestoodquietlyinthecornertowhichshehadwithdrawnattheotherendoftheroom。
Thelawyerwasbusydrawingupadocument，andtouchingthebellorderedaclerktogoacrosstoMr。Rawlins，justiceofthepeace，andaskhimtostepacrosstheroad。
InaminuteMr。Rawlinsentered。
\"Iwantyoutowitnessadeedofsaleofaslave，\"Mr。Renfrewsaid。
\"Herearetheparticulars:\'NathanielForstersellstoVincentWingfieldhisslave，DinahMooreandhermaleinfant，forthesumoffourteenhundreddollars。\'Thesearetheparties。Forstersignthisreceipt。\"
Themandidso。Thejusticeputhissignatureaswit-nesstothetransaction，droppedintohispocketthefeeoffivedollarsthatthelawyerhandedtohim，andwithoutawordstrolledoutagain。
\"There，Dinah，\"Mr。Renfrewsaid，\"Mr。Wingfieldisnowyourmaster，\"
Thegirlranforward，fellonherkneesbeforeVincent，seizedhishandandkissedit，sobbingoutherthanksasshedidso。
\"There，thatwilldo，Dinah，\"thelawyersaid，seeingthatVincentwasconfusedbyhergreeting。\"Ithinkyouarealuckygirl，andhavemadeagoodexchangefortheOrangeryinsteadoftheCedars。Idon\'tsupposeyouwillfindMr。Wingfieldaveryhardmaster。WhatheisgoingtodowithyouIamsureIdon\'tknow。\"
VincentnowwenttothedoorandcalledinDanandtoldhimtotakeDinahtotheOrangery，thenmountinghishorseherodeoffhometopreparehismotherforthereceptionofhisnewpurchase。
CHAPTERIII。AIDINGARUNAWAY。
\"WELL，youareanextraordinaryboy，Vincent，\"Mrs。Wingfieldsaidashersontoldherthestory，whilehissistersburstintofitsoflaughterattheideaofVincentowningafemaleslavewithababy。
\"WhydidyounottellmethatyouwantedthemoneyinsteadofgoingtoMr。Renfrew？IshalltellhimIamveryangrywithhimforlettingyouhaveitforsuchapurpose。\"
\"Iwasnotsurewhetheryouwouldletmehaveit，mother；andifyouhadrefused，andIhadgotitafterwardfromMr。Renfrew，I
shouldnothavelikedtobringherhomehere。\"
\"Thatwouldhavebeenfun，\"Anniesaid。\"FancyVincent\'stroubleswithafemaleslaveonhishandsandnowheretoputher。
Whatwouldyouhavedone，Vincent？\"
\"IsupposeIcouldhavegotahomeforhersomewhere，\"Vincentsaidquietly。\"Idon\'tthinktherewouldhavebeenanydifficultyaboutthat。StillIamgladIdidn\'thavetodoso，andoneslavemoreorlesscanmakenodifferencehere。\"
\"Notatall，\"Mrs。Wingfleldsaid；\"IdaresayChloewillfindsomethingforhertodointhewayofwashing，andsuchotherlightworkthatsheisfitforaboutthehouse。Itisnotthat，butitisyearssinceaslavewasbroughtintotheOrangery；neversinceIcanremember。Weraisemorethanwewantourselves；andwhenIseeallthosechildrenabout，Iwondersometimeswhatonearthwearetofindforthemalltodo。Still，itwasascandalousthingofthatmanJacksonsellingthegirltopunishherhusband；andasyousayitwasyourfoolishinterferenceinthematterthatbroughtitabout，soIdonotknowthatIcanblameyoufordoingwhatyoucantosetthematterstraight。Still，exceptthattheknowledgethatsheishereandwillbewelltreatedwillbeacomforttotheman，Idonotseethathewillbemuchthebetteroff，unlessindeedtheJacksonsshouldtrytosellhimalso，inwhichcaseIsupposeyouwouldwanttobuyhim。\"
\"Iamafraidtheywon\'t\'dothat，mother。Still，some-howorother，intimetheymaycometogetheragain。
\"Idon\'tseehowtheycan，Vincent。Howeverweneednotthinkofthatnow。AtanyrateIhopetherewillhenofurtheropportunityforyourmixingyourselfupinthisbusiness。Youhavemadetwobitterenemiesnow，andalthoughIdonotseethatsuchpeopleasthesecandoyouanyharm，itisalwayswellnottomakeenemies，especiallyintimeslikethesewhennoonecanforeseeexactlywhatmayoccur。\"
AndsoDinahMoorebecameaninmateoftheOrangery；andthoughthegirlshadlaughedattheirbrother，theywereverykindtoherwhenshearrivedwithDan，andmademuchofherandofherbaby。ThesamenightDanwentovertotheCedars，andmanagedtohaveaninterviewwithTony，andtotellhimthathiswifehadbeenboughtbyVincent。Thejoyofthenegrowasextreme。ThepreviousmessagehadraisedhishopesthatVincentwouldsucceedingettingherboughtbysomeonewhowouldbekindtoher，hutheknewwellthatshemightneverthelessfalltothelotofsomehigherbidderandbetakenhundredsofmilesaway，andthathemightneveragaingetnewsofherwhereabouts。Hehadthensufferedterribleanxietyallday，andthereliefoflearningthatVincenthimselfhadboughther，andthatshewasnowinstalledasahouseservantattheOrangery，butafewmilesaway，wasquiteoverpowering，andforsomeminuteshecouldonlygaspouthisjoyandthankfulness。Hecouldhopenowthatwhenbettertimescamehemightbeabletostealawaysomenightandmeether，andthatsomedayerother，thoughhowhecouldnotsee，theymightbereunited。TheJacksonsremainedinignorancethattheirformerslavewaslocatedsoneartothem。
ItwasforthisreasonthatMr。RenfrewhadinstructedhisagenttobuyherinhisownnameinsteadofthatofVincent；andtheJacksons，havingnoideaofthetransferthathadsubsequentlytakenplace，tooknofurtherinterestinthematter，believingthattheyhadachievedtheirobjectoftorturingTony，andavenginguponhimthehumiliationthatAndrewhadsufferedatVincent\'shands。Hadtheyquestionedtheirslaves，andhadtheseansweredthemtruly，theywouldhavediscoveredthefacts。ForalthoughTonyhimselfsaidnowordtoanyoneofwhathehadlearnedfromDan，thefactthatDinahwasattheOrangerywasspeedilyknownamongtheslaves；forthedoingsatoneplantationweresoonconveyedtothenegroesontheothersbytheoccasionalvisitswhichtheypaidatnighttoeachother\'squarters，ortosomecommonrendezvousfarremovedfrominterruption。
OccasionallyTonyandDinahmet。Danwouldcomeuplateintheeveningtothehouse，andanodtoDinahwouldbesufficienttosendherflyingdownthegardentoaclumpofshrubs，wherehewouldbewaitingforher。Atthesestolenmeetingstheywereperfectlyhappy；forTonysaidnowordtoherofthemiseryofhislife-howhewasalwaysputtothehardestworkandbeatenonthesmallestpretext，howinfacthislifewasmadesounendurablethattheideaofrunningawayandtakingtotheswampswasconstantlypresenttohim。
Astomakinghiswaynorth，itdidnotenterhismindaspossible。
SlatesdidindeedattimessucceedintravelingthroughtheNorthernStatesandmakingtheirwaytoCanada，butthiswasonlypossiblebymeansoftheorganizationknownastheundergroundrailway，anassociationconsistingofanumberofgoodpeoplewhodevotedthem-selvestothepurpose，givingsheltertofugitiveslavesduringtheday，andthenpassingthemontothenextrefugeduringthenight。ForintheNorthernStatesaswellastheSouthernanynegrounprovidedwithpapersshowingthatbewasafreemanwasliabletobearrestedandsentbacktotheSouthaprisoner，largerewardsbeinggiventothesewhoarrestedthem。
Ashewasreturningfromoneoftheseinterviewswithhiswife，Tonywasdetectedbytheoverseer，whowasscrollingaboutroundtheslaves\'quarters，andwasnextmorningfloggeduntilhebecameinsensible。Soterriblewasthepunishmentthatforsomedayshewasunabletowalk。Assoonashecouldgetabouthewasagainsettowork，butthefollowingmorninghewasfoundtobemissing。
AndrewJacksonatoncerodeintoRichmond，andInhalfanhourplacardsandhandbillswereprintedofferingarewardforhiscapture。Thesewerenotonlycirculatedintheneighborhood，butweresentofftoallthetownsandvillagesthroughwhichTonymightbeexpectedtopassintheendeavortomakehiswaynorth。
VincentsoonlearnedfromDanwhathadtakenplace。
\"Youhavenoidea，Isuppose，Dan，astowhichwayheislikelytogo？\"
Danshookhisbead。
\"Mesuppose，massa，datmostlikelyhegoneandhiddenindegreatwoodsbydeJamesRiver。Berrydifficulttofindhimdere。\"
\"Difficulttofindhim，nodoubt，\"Vincentagreed。\"Buthecouldnotstoptherelong-hewouldfindnothingtoeatinthewoods；andthoughhemightperhapssupporthimselfforatimeoncornorrootsfromtheclearingsscatteredaboutthroughtheJamesPeninsula，hemustsoonerorlaterbecaught。\"
\"Dararerunawaysindewoodsnow，MassaVincent，\"Dansaid；
\"someobdemhabbeendarformonth。\"
\"Buthowdotheylive，Dan？\"
\"Well，sar，youseedeyhabfriendsondeplantations，andsometimesatnightoneofdeslaveswillstealawaywidabasketobyamsandcorn-cakesandoderthingsandputdemdowninacertainplaceindeforest，andnextmorning，sureenough，deywillbegone。Dangerousworkdat，massa；becauseifdeycaughtwithfood，itknownforsuredatdeycarryittorunaway，anddenyouknowdeyprettywellflogthelifeoutofdem。\"
\"Yes，Iknow，Dan；itisaveryseriousmatterhidingarunawayslave，andevenawhitemanwouldbeveryheavilypunished，andperhapslynched，ifcaughtintheact。Well，makewhatinquiriesyoucanamongtheslaves，andfindoutifyoucanwhetheranyofthoseJacksonshaveanideawhichwayTonyhasgone。ButdonotgoyourselfontoJackson\'splace；ifyouwerecaughttherenowitwouldbeanawkwardmatterforbothofus。\"
\"Iwillfindout，MassaVincent；butIdon\'ts\'poseTonysaidawordtoanyoftheothers。HeknowwellenoughdatdeJacksonsquestioneberyoneprettysharp，andperhapsflogdemallroundtofindoutifdeyknowanything。Hekeepittohimselfaboutgoingawayforsush。\"
TheJacksonskeptupavigoroushuntaftertheirslaveanddayafterdaypartiesofmenrangedthroughthewoodsbutwithoutdiscoveringanytracesofhim。Bloodhoundswereemployedthefirstday，butbeforethesecouldbefetchedfromRichmondthescenthadgrowncold；forTonyhadgoneoffassoonastheslaveshadbeenshutupforthenightandhad，directlyheleftthehut，wrappedleavesroundhisfeet，thereforethehounds，whentheyarrivedfromRichmond，wereunabletotakeupthescent。
AweekafterTony\'sescape，Vincentreturnedlateoneeveningfromavisittosomefriends。Dan，ashetookhishorse，whisperedtohim:\"Stopalittleonyourwaytohouse，MassaVincent；mehabsomethingtotellyou。\"
\"Whatisit，Dan？\"Vincentasked，asthelad，afterputtinguphishorseinthestable，camerunninguptohim。
\"MehaveseenTony，sah。Heindeshrubsoberdar。HewanttoseeDinah，butmenotakemessagetillmetellyouabouthim。Hehalfstarved，sah；megivehimsomeyams。\"
\"That\'sright，Dan。\"
\"Heprettynighdesperate，sar；hesaydeyhunthimlikewildbeast。\"
\"Iwillseehim，Dan。IfIcanhelphiminanywayIwilldoso。
UnfortunatelyIdonotknowanyofthepeoplewhohelptogetslavesaway，soIcangivehimnoadviceastothebestwaytoproceed。StillImighttalkitoverwithhim。WhenIhavejoinedhim，doyougouptothehouseandtellChloefrommetogiveyouapileofcorn-cake-it\'snousegivinghimflour，forhewouldbeafraidtolightafiretocookit。Tellhertogiveyou，too，anycoldmeattheremaybeinthehouse。Don\'ttellDinahherhusbandisheretillwehavetalkedthematterover。\"
DanledVincentuptoaclumpofbushes。
\"Itamallright，Tony，\"hesaid；\"hereisMassaVincentcometoseeyou。\"
ThebushespartedandTonycameoutintothefullmoonlight。Helookedhaggardandworn；hisclothesweretornintostripsbythebushes。
\"Mypoorfellow，\"Vincentsaidkindly，\"Iamsorrytoseeyouinsuchastate。\"
Agreatsobbrokefromtheblack\"DeLordbressyou，sah，foryourgoodnessandforsavingDinahfromdohandsofdosedebils!Nowshesafewidyouanddechild，Tonynocareberrymuchwhatcometohim-dosoonerhedeaddebetter。Hewishdatonedaywhendeyfloghimdeyhadkillhimaltogether；denalldetroubleatanend。Deyhunthimeborydaywithdogsandguns，andsoontheycatchhim。Nocangoonmuchlongerlikedis。To-daymenearlygibmyselfup。DenmethoughtmeliketoseeDinahoncemoretosaygood-by，somakegreateffortandranabitfurder。\"
\"Ihavebeenthinkingwhetheritwouldbepossibletoplansomewayforyourescape，Tony。\"
Thenegroshookhishead。
\"Darneverescape，sah，buttogettoCanada；dattoofaranyway。
Notpossibletowalkalldatwayandgetfoodbydoroad。Suahtobecaught。\"
\"No，Idonotthinkitwillbepossibletoescapethatway，Tony。
TheonlypossibleplanwouldbetogetyouonboardsomeshipgoingtoEngland。\"
\"Shipsnotdaretakenegroonboard，\"Tonysaid。\"Mehearddatsaidmanytimes-datagainstdelaw。\"
\"Yes，Iknowit\'sagainstthelaw，\"Vincentsaid，\"andit\'sagainstthelawmytalkingtoyouhere，Tony；butyouseeit\'sdone。Thedifficultyishowtodoit。Allvesselsaresearchedbeforetheystart，andanofficergoesdownwiththempastFortressMonroetoseethattheytakenooneenboard。Stillitispossible。Ofcoursethereisriskinthematter；butthereisriskineverything。Iwillthinkitover。Donotloseheart。Danwillbebackdirectlywithenoughfoodtolastyouforsomedays。IfIwereyouIwouldtakerefugethistimeinWhiteOakSwamp。Itismuchnearer，andI
hearithasalreadybeensearchedfromendtoend，sotheyarenotlikelytotryagain；andifyonhearthemyoucan，ifyouarepressed，crosstheChickahominyandmakedownthroughthewoods。DoyoucomeagainonSaturdayevening-thatwillgivemefourdaystoseewhatIcando。Imaynotsucceed，youknow；forthepenaltyissosevereagainsttakingnegroesonboardthatImaynotbeabletofindanyonewillingtoriskit。Butitisworthtrying。\"
\"DeLordblessyou，sah!\"Tonysaid。\"Iwilldojusswhatyoutollme；butdon\'tyourunnorisksforme，mylifeain\'tworthdat。\"
\"Iwilltakecare，Tony。AndnowherecomesDanwiththeprovisions。\"
\"CanIseeDinah，sah？\"Tonypleaded。
\"Ithinkyouhadbetternot，\"Vincentreplied。\"YouseetheJacksonsmightatanymomentlearnthatsheishere，andthenshemightbequestionedwhethershehadseenyousinceyourescape；
anditwouldbemuchbetterforhertobeabletodenyhavingdoneso。Butyoushallseehernexttimeyoucome，whetherIamabletomakeanyarrangementsforyourescapeornot。Iwilllethe!knowto-morrowmorningthatIhaveseenyou，andthatyouaresafeatpresent。\"
ThenextmorningVincentrodeovertoCityPoint，whereshipswithalargedraughtofwatergenerallybroughtup，eithertransferringtheirgoodsintosmallercrafttobesentupbyrivertoRichmond，ortobecarriedonbyrailthroughthetownofPetersburg。Leavinghishorseatahouseneartheriver，hocrossedtheJamesinaboattoCityPoint。Therewereseveralvesselslyinghere，andforsomehourshohungaboutthewharfwatchingtheprocessofdischarging。Bytheendofthattimehohadobtainedaviewofallthecaptains，andhadwatchedthemastheygavetheirorders，andhadatlastcometotheconclusionastowhichwouldbethemostlikelytosuithispurpose。Havingmadeuphismind，hewaiteduntiltheonehehadfixeduponcameashore。Howasamanofsomefive-and-thirtyyearsold，withapleasantfaceandgood-naturedsmile。Hefirstwentintosomeofficesonthewharf，andhalfanhourlatercameoutandwalkedtowardtherailway-station。Vincentatoncefollowedhim，andasheovertookhimsaid:
\"Iwantverymuchtospeaktoyou，sir，ifyoucouldsparemeaminuteortwo。\"
\"Certainly，\"thesailorsaidwithsomesurprise。\"ThetrainforPetersburgdoesnotgoforanotherhalfhour。WhatcanIdoforyou？\"
\"MynameisVincentWingfield。MyfatherwasanEnglishofficer，andmymotheristheownerofsomelargeestatesnearRichmond。IammostanxioustogetapersoninwhomIaminterestedonboardship，andIdonotknowhowtosetaboutit。\"
\"There\'snodifficultyaboutthat，\"thecaptainsaidsmiling；\"youhaveonlytogotoanofficeandpayforhispassagetowherehewantstogo。\"
\"Ican\'tdothat，\"Vincentreplied；\"forunfortunatelyitisagainstthelawforanycaptaintotakehim。\"
\"Youmeanheisanegro？\"thecaptainasked，stoppingshortinhiswalkandlookingsharplyatVincent。
\"Yes，thatiswhatImean，\"Vincentsaid。\"Heisanegrowhohasbeenbrutallyill-treatedandhasrunawayfromhismaster，andI
wouldwillinglygivefivehundreddollarstogethimsafelyaway。\"
Thisisaveryseriousbusinessinwhichyouaremeddling，youngsir，\"thesailorsaid。\"Puttingasidetheconsequencestoyourself，youareaskingmetobreakthelawandtoruntheriskoftheconfiscationofmyship。EvenifIwerewillingtodowhatyouproposeitwouldbeimpossible，fortheshipwillbesearchedfromendtoendbeforethehatchesareclosed，andanofficialwillbeonboarduntilwedischargethepilotaftergettingwellbeyondthemouthoftheriver。\"
\"Yes，Iknowthat，\"Vincentreplied；\"butmyplanwastotakeaboatandgooutbeyondthesightofland，andthentoputhimonboardafteryouhavegotwellaway。\"
\"Thatmightbemanaged，certainly，\"thecaptainsaid。\"Itwouldbecontrarytomydutytodoanythingthatwouldriskthepropertyofmyemployers；butifwhenIamoutatseaaboatcamealongside，andapassengercameonboard，it；wouldbeanothermatter。I
suppose，younggentleman，thatyouwouldnotinterfereinsuchabusiness，andruntheriskthatyoucertainlywouldrunifdetected，unlessyouwerecertainthatthiswasadeservingcase，andthatthemanhascommittednosortofcrime；forIwouldnotreceiveonboardmyshipafugitivefromjustice，whetherhewasblackorwhite。\"
\"Itisindeedadeservingcase，\"Vincentsaidearnestly。\"ThepoorfellowhasthemisfortuneofbelongingtooneoftheworstmastersintheState。Hehasbeencruellyfloggedonmanyoccasions，andwasfinallydriventorunawaybytheirsellinghiswifeandchild。\"
\"Thebrutes!\"thesailorsaid。\"Howyoupeoplecanallowsuchthingstobedoneisamysterytome。Well，lad，underthosecircumstancesIwillagreetodowhatyouaskme，andifyourboatcomesalongsidewhenIamsofarawayfromlandthatitcannotbeseen，IwilltakethemantoEngland。\"
\"Thankyouverymuchindeed，\"Vincentsaid；\"youwillbedoingagoodaction。Uponwhatdaydoyousail？\"
\"IshalldropdownonMondayintoHamptonRoads，andshallgetupsailatdaylightnextmorning。IshallpassFortressMonroeataboutseveninthemorning，andshallsailstraightout。\"
\"AndhowshallIknowyourship？\"Vincentasked。\"Theremaybeothersstartingjustaboutthesametime。\"
Thesailorthoughtforamoment。\"WhenIamfourorfivemilesoutIwillhoistmyowner\'sflagattheforemast-head。Itisaredflagwithawhiteball，soyouwillbeabletomakeitoutaconsiderabledistanceaway。Yonmustnotbelessthantenortwelvemilesout，forthepilotoftendoesnotleavetheshiptillsheissomemilespastFortressMonroe，andtheofficialwillnotleavetheshiptillhedoes。Iwillkeepasharplookoutforyou，butI
cannotlosemytimeinwaiting。IfyoudonotcomealongsideI
shallsupposethatyouhavemetwithsomeinterruptiontoyourplans。\"
\"Thankyouverymuch，sir。UnlesssomethinggoeswrongIshallbealongsideonTuesday。\"
\"That\'ssettled，then，\"thecaptainsaid，\"andImustbeoff，orelseI
shalllosemytrain。Bytheway，whenyoucomealongsidedonot\'rakeanysignthatyouhavemetmebefore。Itisjustaswellthatnoneofmycrewshouldknowthatitisaplannedthing，forifweeverhappenedtoputinhereagaintheymightblababoutit，anditisjustaswellnottogivethemthechance。Good-by，mylad；I
hopethatallwillgowell。But，youknow，youaredoingaveryriskything；fortheassistingarunawayslavetoescapeisaboutasseriousanoffenseasyoucancommitintheseparts。Youmightshoothalfadozenmenandgetoffscotfree，butifyenwerecaughtaidingarunawaytoescapethereisnosayingwhatmightcomeofit。\"
Aftertakingleaveofthecaptain，Vincentrecrossedtheriverandrodehome。Hehadfriendswhosefathers\'estatesborderedsomeontheJamesandothersontheYorkRiver，andallofthesehadpleasure-boats。ItwasobviouslybettertogodowntheYorkRiver，andthenceroundtothemouthoftheJamesatFortressMonroe，asthetrafficontheYorkwascomparativelysmall，anditwasimprobablethathewouldbenoticedeithergoingdownorreturning。Hehadatfirstthoughtofhiringafishing-boatfromsomeofthefreenegroeswhomadetheirlivingontheriver。Buthefinallydecidedagainstthis；forthefactoftheboatbeingabsentsolongwouldattractitsowner\'sattention，andincaseanysuspicionarosethatthefugitivehadescapedbywater，thehiringofaboatbyonewhohadalreadybefriendedtheslave，anditsabsenceforsolongatime，wouldbealmostcertaintocausesuspiciontobedirectedtowardhim。Hethereforedecideduponborrowingaboatfromafriend，andnextmorningrodetotheplantationofthefatherofHarryFurniss，thisbeingsituatedonaconvenientpositiononthePamunky，oneofthebranchesoftheYorkRiver。
\"Areyouusingthatsailing-boatofyoursatpresent，Harry？
Because，ifnot，Iwishyouwouldletmehavetheuseofitforaweekorso。\"
\"Withpleasure，Vincent；andmyfishing-linesandnetsaswell，ifyoulike。Weveryseldomusetheboat。Doyoumeantokeepithereormoveithigheruptheriver，whereitwouldbemorehandyforyou，perhaps？\"
\"IthinkIwouldratherleaveithere，Furniss。Amileortwoextratoridemakesnodifference。Isupposeit\'sinthewater？\"
\"Yes；atthefootoftheboathousestairs。Thereisapadlockandchain。Iwillgiveyouthekey，soyoucangooffwheneveryoulikewithoutbotheringtocomeuptothehouse。Ifyoujustcallinatthestableasyourideby，oneoftheboyswillgodownwithyouandtakeyourhorseandputhimuptillyoucomebackagain。\"
\"Thatwilldocapitally，\"Vincentreplied。\"ItissometimesinceI
wasonthewater，andIseemtohaveafancyforachangeatpresent。OneissickofridingintoRichmondandhearingnothingbutpoliticstalkedofallday。Don\'tbealarmedifyouhearatanytimethattheboathasnotcomehackatnight，foriftideandwindareunfavorableatanytimeImightstopatCumberlandforthenight。\"
\"Ihaveoftenhadtodothat，\"Furnisssaid。\"Besides，ifyoutookitawayforaweek，Idon\'tsupposeanyonewouldnoticeit；fornoonegoesdowntotheboathouseunlesstogettheboatreadyforatrip。\"
ThenextdayVincentrodeovertohisfriend\'splantation，sendingDanoffanhourbeforehandtobaleouttheboatandgetthemastsandsailsintoherfromtheboathouse。Thegreaterpartofthenexttwodayswasspentonthewater，sometimessailing，sometimesfishing。TheeveningofthesecondofthesedayswasthatuponwhichVincenthadarrangedtomeetTonyagain，andanhourafterdarkhewentdownthroughthegardentothestable；forthatwasthetimethefugitivewastomeethim，forhecouldnotleavehisplaceofconcealmentuntilnightfell。Afterlookingatthehorses，andgivingsomeinstructionstothenegroesincharge，hereturnedtotheshrubbery，and，sendingDanuptosummonDinah，hewenttothebusheswherehehadbeforemetTony。Thenegrocameoutasheapproached。
\"Howareyou，Tony？\"
\"MuchbetterdanIwas，massa。IhabnotbeendisturbedsinceI
sawyou，and，thankstodatandtodegoodfoodandtomassa\'skindwords，I\'mstrongerandbetternow，andreadytodowhatevermassathinkbest。\"
\"Well，Tony，IamgladtosaythatIthinkIhavearrangedaplanbywhichyouwillbegotsafelyoutofthecountry。Ofcourse，itmayfail；butthereiseveryhopeofsuccess。Ihavearrangedforaboat，andshalltakeyoudowntheriver，andputyouonboardashipboundforEngland。\"
Theblackclappedhishandsindelightatthenews。
\"WhenyougetthereyouwilltakeanothershipouttoCanada，andassoonasIlearnfromyouthatyouarethere，andwhatisyouraddress，IwillgiveDinahherpapersoffreedomandsendherontoyou。\"
\"Oh，!massa，itistoomuch，\"Tonysaid，withthetearsrunningdownhischeeks；\"toomuchjoyaltogeder。\"
\"Well，Ihopeitwillallcomeright，Tony。Dinahwillbehereinaminuteortwo。Donotkeepherlong，forIdonotwishherabsencefromthehousetobeobservedjustnow。Now，listentomyinstructions。DoyouknowtheplantationofMr。Furniss，onthePamunky，nearCoalharbor？\"
\"No，sir；butmecanfindout。\"
\"No，youcan\'t；becauseyoucan\'tseeanyoneoraskquestions。
Verywell，then，youmustbehereagainto-morrownightatthesamehour。Danwillmeetyouhere，andactasyourguide。liewillpresentlybringyouprovisionsforto-morrow。Besureyoubecareful，Tony，andgetbacktoyourhiding-placeassoonasyoucan，andlieveryquietto-morrowuntilitistimetostart。Itwouldbeterribleifyouweretobecaughtnow，justaswehavearrangedforyoutogetaway。\"
OnthefollowingafternoonVincenttoldhismotherthathewasgoingoverthateveningtohisfriendFurniss，asanearlystartwastobemadenextmorning；theyintendedtogodowntheriverasfarasYorktown，ifnotfurther；thatbecertainlyshouldnotbebackfortwodays，andprobablymightbeevenlonger。
\"Thisnewbeatingfreakofyours，Vincent，seemstooccupyallyourthoughts。Iwonderhowlongitwilllast。\"
\"Idon\'tsupposeitwilllastmuchlonger，mother，\"Vincentsaidwithalaugh。\"Anyhow，itwillmakeajollychangeforaweek。
Onehadgotsosickofhearingnothingtalkedaboutbutsecessionthataweekwithouthearingthewordmentionedwilldoonelotsofgood，andIamsureIfeltthatifonehadmuchmoreofit，onewouldbealmostdriventotakeuptheNorthernsidejustforthesakeofachange。\"
\"Weshouldalldisownyou，Vin，\"Anniesaid，laughing；\"weshouldhavenothingtosaytoyou，andyouwouldbecutbyallyourfriends。\"
\"Well，yousee，aweek\'ssailingandfishingwillsavemefromallthat，Annie；andIbeallbeabletobeginagainwithafreshstockofpatience。\"
\"Ibelieveyouareonlyhalfinearnestinthecause，Vincent，\"hismothersaidgravely。
\"Iamnotindeed，mother。IquiteagreewithwhatyouandeveryonesayastotherightsoftheStateofVirginia，andiftheNorthshouldreallytrytoforceusandtheotherSouthernStatestoremainwiththem，Ishallbejust\'asreadytodoeverythingIcanasanyoneelse；butIcan\'tseethegoodofalwaystalkingaboutit，andIthinkit\'sverywrongtoill-treatandabusethosewhothinktheotherway。InEnglandintheCivilWarthepeopleofthetownsalmostallthoughtoneway，andalmostallthoseofthecountiestheother，andevennowopinionsdifferalmostaswidelyastowhichwasright。Ihatetohearpeoplealwayslayingdownthelawasiftherecouldnotpossiblybetwosidesofthecase，andasifeveryonewhodifferedfromthemmustbearascalandatraitor。
AlmostallthefellowsIknowsaythatifitcomestofightingtheyshallgointotheStatearmy，andIshouldbequitewilling，iftheywouldreallytakefellowsofmyageforsoldiers，toenlisttoo；butthatisnoreasonwhyoneshouldnotgetsickofhearingnothingbutonesubjecttalkedofforweeks。\"
ItwasnearlydarkwhenVincentstartedforhiswalkoftenmiles；
forhehaddecidednottotakehishorsewithhim，ashehadnomeansofsendingitback，anditsstayforthreedaysinhisfriend\'sstableswouldattractattentiontothefactofhislongabsence。
Afteraboutthreehours\'walkinghereachedtheboat。house，havingseennooneashepassedthroughtheplantation。Hetooktheoarsandsailsfromtheboathouseandplacedthemintheboat，andthensatdowninthesterntoawaitthecomingofthenegroes。
In\'anhourtheyarrived；TonycarryingabundleofclothesthatDanhadbyVincent\'sordersboughtforhiminRichmond，whileDancarriedalargebasketofprovisions。Vincentgaveanexclamationofthankfullnessashesawthetwofiguresappear，forthedayhavingbeenSundayheknewthatagoodmanymenwouldbelikelytojointhesearchpartiesinhopesofhavingashareintherewardofferedforTony\'scapture，andhehadfeltveryanxiousallday。
\"Yousitinthebottomoftheboat，Tony，anddoyousteer，Dan。
Youmakesuchasplashingwithyouroarthatweshouldbeheardamileaway。Keepuscloseinshoreintheshadowofthetrees；thelesswearenoticedthebetteratthistimeofnight。\"
Takingthesculls，Vincentrowedquietlyaway。Hehadoftenbeenoutonboatingexcursionswithhisfriends，andhadlearnedtorowfairly。DuringthelasttwodayshehaddiligentlyinstructedDan，andaftertwolongdays\'worktheyoungnegrohadgotoverthefirstdifficulties，buthewasstillclumsyandawkward。Vincentdidnotexerthimself。Heknewhehadalongnight\'srowbeforehim，andhepaddledquietlyalongwiththestream。Theboatwasagood-sizedone，andwhennotundersailwasgenerallyrowedbytwostrongnegroesaccustomedtothework。
SometimesforhalfanhouratatimeVincentceasedrowing，andlettheboatdriftalongquietly。Therewasnohurry，forhehadadayandtwonightstogetdowntothemonthoftheriver，adistanceofsomeseventymiles，andouttoseafarenoughtointerceptthevessel。Atfouro\'clocktheyarrivedatCumberland，wherethePamunkyandMattaponyRiversuniteandformtheYorkRiver。Heretheywereintidalwaters；andasthetide，thoughnotstrong，wasflowingup，Vincenttiedtheboattothebranchofatree，andlaydowninthebottomforanhour\'ssleep，tellingDantowakehimwhenthetideturned，orifheheardanynoise。Dayhadbrokenwhentheboatdriftedround，andDanarousedhim。
Theboatwasrowedofftothemiddleoftheriver，astherecouldbenolongeranyattemptatconcealment。Dannowtookthebowoar，andtheyroweduntilalightTheJacksonswerenewcomersinVirginia。Sixyearsbefore，theestate，ofwhichtheCedars，astheirplacewascalled，formedapart，wasputupforsale。Itwasaverylargeone，andhavingbeendividedintoseveralportionstosuitbuyers，theCedarshadbeenpurchasedbyJackson，who，havingbeenverysuccessfulasastorekeeperatCharleston，haddecidedupongivingupthebusinessandleavingSouthCarolina，andsettlingdownasaland-ownerinsomeotherState。Hisantecedents，however，weresoonknownatRichmond，andtheoldVirginianfamiliesturnedacoldshouldertothenewcomer。