allhalla, and came to the conclusion that a reform was
necessary, in this regard.

We were continually obliged to take one or two short steps and then a long
one, and if the reader does not believe that to be tiresome, let him try
it for two or three hundred miles, and he will believe that I am right,
and that I know something about how railroads ought to be built for foot
passengers. At any rate, I was so completely used up by one o'clock that
night that I tried to have my comrades go on and leave me to try to get
some negro to take care of me until I was able to resume my journey. I
told them that it was impossible for me to proceed; but they said they
would go into camp there, and see what success I met with in finding
shelter.

We went into a piece of woods near the railroad and in sight of the
village of Greenwood, S. C., at one o'clock in the morning, and lay there
all day, watching for some negro to come along the road, which here ran
along the railroad. Towards night, I walked out to the railroad, and saw a
negro coming along on horse back. I sat upon the fence with my blue
overcoat on, and the following dialogue took place:

"Hello uncle!"

"Howde massa?"

"Uncle, did you ever see a Yankee?"

"No sah, I spects I never did."

"Well, now, take a good look at me and you'll see one."

"Is you a Yankee, massa?"

"Yes, I am a Yankee, and I want you to help me. You know we are going to
make the darkies all free. We are your friends. I have been a prisoner at
Columbia, and have escaped to get back North; but I am sick, and cannot go
any farther until I get better. Now I would like to go home with you and
have you take care of me until I am able to travel again, and I will pay
you well for your trouble."

"Well massa, you see I would like to do it mighty well; but I live six
miles back, and there's so many chiller bout dare, and all the house
servants dey can't be trusted. Our oberseer he's a black man, but he do
any ting massa say. I don't dare trust him, and if dey kotch me, dey'd
hang me, sure. But ders a collored fellah up the road, 'Free Mitchell,'
he'll keep you if you get dere."

After making inquiries how to find "Free Mitchell," and getting as
definite directions as it was possible to obtain from a black, which was
quite vague, I bid him "good bye," after enjoining the strictest secrecy,
and receiving his most solemn promise not to say a word. I went back to my
comrades, and reported what I had do