like an angel. I'm a wicked girl to leave her so,
but I can't help it. It must be right; but if it an't right, the good
Lord will forgive me, for I can't help doing it.

'Tom,' said Aunt Chloe, 'why don't you go too? There's time.'

Tom slowly raised his head and looked sorrowfully at her.

'No, no,' he said. 'Let Eliza go. It is right that she should try to
save her boy. Mas'r has always trusted me, and I can't leave him like
that. It is better for me to go alone than for the whole place to be
sold. Mas'r isn't to blame, Chloe. He will take care of you and the
poor--'

Tom could say no more. Big man though he was, he burst into tears, at
the thought of leaving his wife and dear little children, never to see
them any more.

'Aunt Chloe,' said Eliza, in a minute or two, 'I must go. I saw my
husband to-day. He told me he meant to run away soon, because his master
is so cruel to him. Try to send him a message from me. Tell him I have
run away to save our boy. Tell him to come after me if he can. Good-bye,
good-bye. God bless you!'

Then Eliza went out again into the dark night with her little boy in her
arms, and Aunt Chloe shut the door softly behind her.

CHAPTER III

THE MORNING AFTER

Next morning, when it was discovered that Eliza had run away with her
little boy, there was great excitement and confusion all over the house.

Mrs. Shelby was very glad. 'Thank God!' she said. 'I hope Eliza will get
right away. I could not bear to think of Harry being sold to that cruel
man.'

Mr. Shelby was angry. 'Haley knew I didn't want to sell the child,' he
said. 'He will blame me for this.'

One person only was quite silent, and that was Aunt Chloe. She went on,
making the breakfast as if she heard and saw nothing of the excitement
round her.

All the little black boys belonging to the house thought it was fine
fun. Very soon, about a dozen young imps were roosting, like so many
crows, on the railings, waiting for Haley to come. They wanted to see
how angry he would be, when he heard the news.

And he was dreadfully angry. The little nigger boys thought it was
grand. They shouted and laughed and made faces at him to their hearts'
content.

At last Haley became so angry, that Mr. Shelby offered to give him two
men to help him to find Eliza.

But these two men, Sam and Andy, knew quite well that Mrs. Shelby did
not want Eliza to be caught, so they put off as much time as they could.

They let loose t