.
the river. Perhaps during those intervening hours, we might, by
conferring together, decide our future course; some new thought might
guide us in the right direction, or some occurrence drive us into
definite action.

I spoke of this to her, as I finally approached where she rested on the
stump, eager and glad to escape from all memories of that somber cabin
I had just left. She stood before me, listening quietly, her eyes
lifting to my face, as though she sought to read there the exact
meaning of my words.

"You--you are no longer so confident," she said, "your plan has failed?"

"I am afraid it has," I admitted, "for it was based altogether on the
assistance of Amos Shrunk. He is no longer alive, and I do not know
where to turn for guidance. There would seem to be danger in every
direction; the only question is--in which way lies the least?"

"You begin to regret your attempt to aid me?"

"No," impulsively. "So far as that goes, I would do it all over again.
Your safety means more to me now than ever before--you must believe
that."

"Why should I? All I have brought you is trouble. I can read in your
face how discouraged you are. You must not think I do not understand.
I do understand--perfectly. I can see how all this has happened. You
cannot really care. What you have done has been only a response to
impulse; merely undertaken through a spirit of adventure. Then--then
why not let it end here, and--Sam and I can go on to--to whatever is
before us? It is nothing to you."

"You actually believe I would consent to that?" I asked, in startled
surprise at the vehemence of her words. "That I could prove such a
cur?"

"But why not? It would not be a cowardly act at all. I could not
blame you, for I have no claim on your service--never have had. You
have done a thousand times too much already; you have risked honor,
reputation, and neglected duty to aid my escape; and--and I am nothing
to you--can be nothing."

"Nothing to me!"

"Certainly not. Why speak like that? Have you forgotten again that I
am a slave--a negress? Think, Lieutenant Knox, what it would mean to
you to be caught in my company; to be overtaken while attempting to
assist me in escaping from my master. Now no one dreams of such a
thing, and no one ever need dream. You have had your adventure; let it
end here. I shall be grateful to you always, but--but I cannot bear to
drag you deeper into this mire."

"You order me to