' said Eliza, 'they have sold you. But mother
will save you yet!'

She did not cry. She was too sad and sorrowful for that. Taking a piece
of paper and a pencil, she wrote quickly.

[Illustration]

'Oh, missis! dear missis! don't think me ungrateful--don't think hard of
me, anyway! I heard all you and master said to-night. I am going to try
to save my boy--you will not blame me I God bless and reward you for all
your kindness!'

Eliza was going to run away.

She gathered a few of Harry's clothes into a bundle, put on her hat and
jacket, and went to wake him.

Poor Harry was rather frightened at being waked in the middle of the
night, and at seeing his mother bending over him, with her hat and
jacket on.

'What is the matter, mother?' he said beginning to cry.

[Illustration]

'Hush,' she said, 'Harry mustn't cry or speak aloud, or they will hear
us. A wicked man was coming to take little Harry away from his mother,
and carry him 'way off in the dark. But mother won't let him. She's
going to put on her little boy's cap and coat, and run off with him, so
the ugly man can't catch him.'

Harry stopped crying at once, and was good and quiet as a little mouse,
while his mother dressed him. When he was ready, she lifted him in her
arms, and crept softly out of the house.

It was a beautiful, clear, starlight night, but very cold, for it was
winter-time. Eliza ran quickly to Uncle Tom's cottage, and tapped on the
window.

Aunt Chloe was not asleep, so she jumped up at once, and opened the
door. She was very much astonished to see Eliza standing there with
Harry in her arms. Uncle Tom followed her to the door, and was very much
astonished too.

'I'm running away, Uncle Tom and Aunt Chloe--carrying off my child,'
said Eliza. 'Master sold him.'

'Sold him?' they both echoed, lifting up their hands in dismay.

'Yes, sold him,' said Eliza. 'I heard master tell missis that he had
sold my Harry, and you, Uncle Tom. The man is coming to take you away
to-morrow.'

At first Tom could hardly believe what he heard. Then he sank down, and
buried his face in his hands.

'The good Lord have pity on us!' said Aunt Chloe. 'What has Tom done
that master should sell him?'

[Illustration]

'He hasn't done anything--it isn't for that. Master don't want to sell;
but he owes this man money. If he doesn't pay him it will end in his
having to sell the house and all the slaves. Master said he was sorry.
But missis she talked