le traversed in that direction brought us
nearer the goal sought, and among those who were the enemies of
slavery. To proceed northward along the Mississippi would only serve
to plunge us into an unbroken wilderness, already threatened by Indian
war, while to venture down that stream meant almost certain capture.
The Illinois route offered the only hope, and we decided to venture it,
although Rene pleaded earnestly that she and the negro be permitted to
go on alone. To this suggestion, however, I would not consent, and the
girl finally yielded her reluctant permission for me to accompany them
until she could be safely left in the care of white friends.

She took anxious part in our discussion, bravely endeavoring to hide
the anguish she felt, yet I knew her real thought was elsewhere--with
those two in Kirby's hands, already well on their way to St. Louis.
Try as she would she was unable to banish from her mind the conception
that she was largely to blame for their misfortune, or submerge the
idea that it was cowardly in her to seek escape, while leaving them in
such peril. I lingered, talking with her for some time after Sam had
fallen asleep, yet the only result was the bringing of tears to her
eyes and a reluctantly given pledge that she would do whatever I
believed to be best and right. The girl was not wholly convinced by my
argument, but no other course of action seemed open to her. She
appeared so tired and worn that I left her at last in the little glade
where we had found refuge, hoping she might fall asleep. I doubt if
she did, although I dozed irregularly, my back against a tree, and it
was already growing dusk when she came forth again from her retreat,
and joined us in a hastily prepared meal.

Sam and I stowed away in the boat whatever provender remained, and I
assisted her to a seat at the stern, wrapping a blanket carefully about
her body, for the night air in those dank shadows already began to
chill. I took possession of the oars myself, believing the negro would
serve best as a lookout in the bow, and thus settled we headed the boat
out through the tangle of trees toward the invisible river. The silent
gloom of night shut about us in an impenetrable veil, and we simply had
to feel our slow way to the mouth of the creek, Sam calling back
directions, and pressing aside the branches that impeded progress. I
sat facing the motionless girl, but could barely distinguish her
shapeless form, wrapped