ep
still about it. But beyond that I'll not go. I am a southerner, Knox;
my father owned slaves. I believe in the system, and have always
upheld it. Nobody in Missouri hates a Black Abolitionist worse than I
do; if anyone had ever said I would help a nigger run away, I'd call
him a liar in a minute. Do you understand the position this damned
affair puts me into?"

"Yes, I do, Haines," and I held out my hand to him, with fresh
cordiality. "It is uncommonly white of you to even go that far. On
the other hand I was brought up to despise slavery. I'll pledge you
this--for Pete here, as well as myself--that if we are caught, your
name shall never be mentioned. Have you any advice to give?"

He paused uncertainly, his hand on the latch, the firelight flashing up
into his face.

"Only this," he said slowly. "If I were you I'd never attempt to go
south. Below St. Louis boats are numerous, and you would be almost
certain to be discovered. If Kirby chases you--and I know him well
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 are
women would convince him of this. To my mind the one chance of your
getting away, lies to the north--up the Illinois."

"That thought was in my mind also," I admitted, thoroughly satisfied
now that he was really friendly, and to be trusted. "I have been told
that the settlers north of that stream came mostly from New England--is
that true?"

"To a large extent. We have reason to believe there is an underground
road in operation from the river to Canada, and many a runaway nigger
makes the trip every year. That ought to be your best course, but
there is no time now to put the women in the care of those men. Of
course I don't know who they are--perhaps Pete does?"

"No, sah," protested the black quickly. "'Pears like I never heerd
tell 'bout dem. I'se a free nigger, sah."

The lawyer's shrewd eyes twinkled.

"And that is exactly why, you black rascal, I believe you really do
know. I reckon, Knox, he'll tell you what he wouldn't tell me.
Anyhow, good luck to you both, and good night."

The door closed behind him, and the negro and I were alone. All at
once I realized the desperate nature of this adventure I had
undertaken, and its possible consequences. Haines' words had driven it
home to my mind, causing me to comprehend the viewpoint of this
neighborhood, the hatred men felt for a nigge