his note."

"All I can say, Madam, is that this is not signed, and that he did
not tell me he was going to leave. I can not allow you to go
ashore at this point. In fact, I should consider you safer here on
the boat than anywhere else."

"Are there then no gentlemen in all the world? Are you not a man
yourself? Have you no pity for a woman in such plight as mine?"

"Your words cut me deeply, my dear lady. I want to give you such
protection as I can. Any man would do that. I am a man, but also
I am an officer. You are a woman, but apparently also some sort of
fugitive, I don't know just what. We learn not to meddle in these
matters. But I think no harm will come to you--I'm sure not, from
the care the gentlemen used regarding you. Please don't make it
hard for me."

The boat was now alongside the dock at the river settlement, and
there was some stir at the gangway as room was made for the
reception of additional passengers. As they looked over the rail
they discovered these to be made up of a somewhat singular group.
Two or three roughly dressed men were guarding as many prisoners.
Of the latter, two were coal black negroes. The third was a young
woman apparently of white blood, of comely features and of composed
bearing in spite of her situation. A second glance showed that all
these three were in irons. Obviously then the law, which at that
time under the newly formed Compromise Acts allowed an owner to
follow his fugitive slaves into any state, was here finding an
example, one offering indeed all the extremes of cruelty both to
body and to soul.

"For instance, young lady, look at that," went on the boat captain,
turning to Josephine, who was carried back by the incoming rush of
the new passengers. "It is something we see now and again on this
river. Sometimes my heart aches, but what can I do? That's the
law, too. I have learned not to meddle."

[Illustration: "That's the law, too"]

"My God! My God!" exclaimed Josephine St. Auban, her eyes dilating
with horror, forgetting her own plight as she looked at the
spectacle before her. "Can these things really be in America! You
submit to this, and you are men? Law? Is there _any_ law?"

She did not hear the step behind them, but presently a voice broke
in.

"If you please, Captain Rogers," said Warville Dunwody, "I think it
will not be necessary to restrain this lady in any way. By this
time she knows it will be better not to make any