few
hundred yards revealed the mouth of Rassuer Creek, a narrow but
sluggish stream, so crooked and encroached upon by the woods as to be
practically invisible from the center of the river. The water was not
deep, yet fortunately proved sufficiently so for our purpose, although
we were obliged to both pole and paddle the boat upward against the
slow current, and it required an hour of hard labor to place the craft
safely beyond the first bend where it might lie thoroughly concealed by
the intervening fringe of trees. Here we made fast to the bank.

I assisted Rene ashore, and aided her to climb to a higher level,
carpeted with grass. The broad river was invisible, but we could look
directly down upon the boat, where Sam was already busily rummaging
through the lockers, in search of something to eat. He came ashore
presently bearing some corn pone, and a goodly portion of jerked beef.
Deciding it would be better not to attempt a fire, we divided this, and
made the best meal possible, meanwhile discussing the situation anew,
and planning what to do next. The negro, seated at one side alone upon
the grass, said little, beyond replying to my questions, yet scarcely
once removed his eyes from the girl's face. He seemed unable to grasp
the thought that she was actually of his race, a runaway slave, or
permit his tongue to utter any words of equality. Indeed, I could not
prevent my own glance from being constantly attracted in her direction,
also. Whatever had been her mental strain and anguish, the long hours
of the night had in no marked degree diminished her beauty. To me she
appeared even younger, and more attractive than in the dim glare of the
lamplight the evening before; and this in spite of a weariness in her
eyes, and the lassitude of her manner. She spoke but little,
compelling herself to eat, and assuming a cheerfulness I was sure she
was far from feeling. It was clearly evident her thoughts were
elsewhere, and finally the conviction came to me, that, more than all
else, she desired to be alone. My eyes sought the outlines of the boat
lying in the stream below.

"What is there forward of the cockpit, Sam?" I questioned. "Beneath
the deck, I mean; there seem to be several portholes."

"A cabin, sah; 'tain't so awful big, but Massa Donaldson he uster sleep
dar off an' on."

"The young lady could rest there then?"

"Sure she cud. 'Twas all fixed up fine afore we lef Saint Louee.
Ah'll show yer de w