lk about it," he answered; "for I have
taken back many a runaway, and I can take you. What's that you have in
your hand?"

"A stick."

He put his hand into his pocket, as if to draw a pistol, and said,--

"Come! give up your weapons."

I said again,--

"'Tis only a stick."

He then reached for it, when I stepped back and struck him a heavy blow
on the arm. It fell as if broken; I think it was. Then he turned and
ran, and I after him. As he ran, he would look back over his shoulder,
see me coming, and then run faster, and halloo with all his might. I
could not catch him, and it seemed, that, the longer he ran, the faster
he went. The other two took to their heels at the first alarm,--thus
illustrating the valor of the chivalry!

At last I gave up the chase. The whole neighborhood by that time was
aroused, and we thought best to retrace our steps to the place whence we
started. Then we took a roundabout course until we reached the railroad,
along which we travelled. For a long distance there was unusual stir and
commotion. Every house was lighted up; and we heard people talking and
horses galloping this way and that way, with other evidences of unusual
excitement. This was between one and two o'clock in the morning. We
walked on a long distance before we lost the sounds; but about four
o'clock the same morning, entered York, where we remained during the
day.

Once in York, we thought we should be safe, but were mistaken. A similar
mistake is often made by fugitives. Not accustomed to travelling, and
unacquainted with the facilities for communication, they think that a
few hours' walk is a long journey, and foolishly suppose, that, if they
have few opportunities of knowledge, their masters can have none at all
at such great distances. But our ideas of security were materially
lessened when we met with a friend during the day, who advised us to
proceed farther, as we were not out of imminent danger.

According to this advice we started that night for Columbia. Going along
in the dark, we heard persons following. We went very near to the fence,
that they might pass without observing us. There were two, apparently in
earnest conversation. The one who spoke so as to be distinctly heard we
discovered to be Master Mack's brother-in-law. He remarked to his
companion that they must hurry and get to the bridge before we crossed.
He knew that we had not gone over yet. We were then near enough to have
killed them, conceal