第3章

Eliza’sEscape

Elizamadeherdesperateretreatacrosstheriverjustintheduskoftwilight。Thegraymistofevening，risingslowlyfromtheriver，envelopedherasshedisappearedupthebank，andtheswollencurrentandflounderingmassesoficepresentedahopelessbarrierbetweenherandherpursuer。Haleythereforeslowlyanddiscontentedlyreturnedtothelittletavern，toponderfurtherwhatwastobedone。Thewomanopenedtohimthedoorofalittleparlor，coveredwitharagcarpet，wherestoodatablewithaveryshiningblackoil-cloth，sundrylank，high-backedwoodchairs，withsomeplasterimagesinresplendentcolorsonthemantel-shelf，aboveaverydimly-smokinggrate；alonghard-woodsettleextendeditsuneasylengthbythechimney，andhereHaleysathimdowntomeditateontheinstabilityofhumanhopesandhappinessingeneral。

“WhatdidIwantwiththelittlecuss，now，”hesaidtohimself，“thatIshouldhavegotmyselftreedlikeacoon，asIam，thisyerway？”andHaleyrelievedhimselfbyrepeatingoveranotveryselectlitanyofimprecationsonhimself，which，thoughtherewasthebestpossiblereasontoconsiderthemastrue，weshall，asamatteroftaste，omit。

Hewasstartledbytheloudanddissonantvoiceofamanwhowasapparentlydismountingatthedoor。Hehurriedtothewindow。

“Bytheland！ifthisyeran’tthenearest，now，towhatI’veheardfolkscallProvidence，”saidHaley。“Idob’lievethatar’sTomLoker。”

Haleyhastenedout。Standingbythebar，inthecorneroftheroom，wasabrawny，muscularman，fullsixfeetinheight，andbroadinproportion。Hewasdressedinacoatofbuffalo-skin，madewiththehairoutward，whichgavehimashaggyandfierceappearance，perfectlyinkeepingwiththewholeairofhisphysiognomy。Intheheadandfaceeveryorganandlineamentexpressiveofbrutalandunhesitatingviolencewasinastateofthehighestpossibledevelopment。Indeed，couldourreadersfancyabull-dogcomeuntoman’sestate，andwalkingaboutinahatandcoat，theywouldhavenounaptideaofthegeneralstyleandeffectofhisphysique。Hewasaccompaniedbyatravellingcompanion，inmanyrespectsanexactcontrasttohimself。Hewasshortandslender，litheandcatlikeinhismotions，andhadapeering，mousingexpressionabouthiskeenblackeyes，withwhicheveryfeatureofhisfaceseemedsharpenedintosympathy；histhin，longnose，ranoutasifitwaseagertoboreintothenatureofthingsingeneral；hissleek，thin，blackhairwasstuckeagerlyforward，andallhismotionsandevolutionsexpressedadry，cautiousacuteness。Thegreatmanpouredoutabigtumblerhalffullofrawspirits，andgulpeditdownwithoutaword。Thelittlemanstoodtiptoe，andputtinghisheadfirsttoonesideandthentheother，andsnuffingconsideratelyinthedirectionsofthevariousbottles，orderedatlastamintjulep，inathinandquiveringvoice，andwithanairofgreatcircumspection。Whenpouredout，hetookitandlookedatitwithasharp，complacentair，like，amanwhothinkshehasdoneabouttherightthing，andhitthenailonthehead，andproceededtodisposeofitinshortandwell-advisedsips。

“Wal，now，who’dathoughtthisyerluck’adcometome？Why，Loker，howareye？”saidHaley，comingforward，andextendinghishandtothebigman。

“Thedevil！”wasthecivilreply。“Whatbroughtyouhere，Haley？”

Themousingman，whoborethenameofMarks，instantlystoppedhissipping，and，pokinghisheadforward，lookedshrewdlyonthenewacquaintance，asacatsometimeslooksatamovingdryleaf，orsomeotherpossibleobjectofpursuit。

“Isay，Tom，thisyer’stheluckiestthingintheworld。I’minadevilofahobble，andyoumusthelpmeout。”

“Ugh？aw！likeenough！”gruntedhiscomplacentacquaintance。“Abodymaybeprettysureofthat，whenyou’regladtosee’em；somethingtobemadeoffof’em。What’stheblownow？”

“You’vegotafriendhere？”saidHaley，lookingdoubtfullyatMarks；“partner，perhaps？”

“Yes，Ihave。Here，Marks！here’sthatarfellerthatIwasinwithinNatchez。”

“Shallbepleasedwithhisacquaintance，”saidMarks，thrustingoutalong，thinhand，likearaven’sclaw。“Mr。Haley，Ibelieve？”

“Thesame，sir，”saidHaley。“Andnow，gentlemen，seein’aswe’vemetsohappily，IthinkI’llstanduptoasmallmatterofatreatinthishereparlor。So，now，oldcoon，”saidhetothemanatthebar，“getushotwater，andsugar，andcigars，andplentyoftherealstuffandwe’llhaveablow-out。”

Behold，then，thecandleslighted，thefirestimulatedtotheburningpointinthegrate，andourthreeworthiesseatedroundatable，wellspreadwithalltheaccessoriestogoodfellowshipenumeratedbefore。

Haleybeganapatheticrecitalofhispeculiartroubles。Lokershutuphismouth，andlistenedtohimwithgruffandsurlyattention。Marks，whowasanxiouslyandwithmuchfidgetingcompoundingatumblerofpunchtohisownpeculiartaste，occasionallylookedupfromhisemployment，and，pokinghissharpnoseandchinalmostintoHaley’sface，gavethemostearnestheedtothewholenarrative。Theconclusionofitappearedtoamusehimextremely，forheshookhisshouldersandsidesinsilence，andperkeduphisthinlipswithanairofgreatinternalenjoyment。

“So，then，ye’rfairlysewedup，an’tye？”hesaid；“he！he！he！It’sneatlydone，too。”

“Thisyeryoung-unbusinessmakeslotsoftroubleinthetrade，”saidHaley，dolefully。

“Ifwecouldgetabreedofgalsthatdidn’tcare，now，fortheiryounguns，”saidMarks；“tellye，Ithink’twouldbe’boutthegreatestmod’rnimprovementIknowson，”—andMarkspatronizedhisjokebyaquietintroductorysniggle。

“Jesso，”saidHaley；“Inevercouldn’tseeintoit；youngunsisheapsoftroubleto’em；onewouldthink，now，they’dbegladtogetclaron’em；buttheyarn’t。Andthemoretroubleayoungunis，andthemoregoodfornothing，asagen’lthing，thetightertheysticksto’em。”

“Wal，Mr。Haley，”saidMarks，“’estpassthehotwater。Yes，sir，yousay’estwhatIfeelandall’ushave。Now，Iboughtagalonce，whenIwasinthetrade，—atight，likelywenchshewas，too，andquiteconsiderablesmart，—andshehadayoungunthatwasmis’ablesickly；ithadacrookedback，orsomethingorother；andIjestgin’tawaytoamanthatthoughthe’dtakehischanceraisingon’t，beingitdidn’tcostnothin’；—neverthought，yerknow，ofthegal’staking’onaboutit，—but，Lord，yeroughterseenhowshewenton。Why，re’lly，shedidseemtometovalleythechildmore’cause’twassicklyandcross，andplaguedher；andshewarn’tmakingb’lieve，neither，—criedaboutit，shedid，andloppedround，asifshe’dlosteveryfriendshehad。Itre’llywasdrolltothinkon’t。Lord，thereain’tnoendtowomen’snotions。”

“Wal，jestsowithme，”saidHaley。“summer，downonRedriver，Igotagaltradedoffonme，withalikelylookin’childenough，andhiseyeslookedasbrightasyourn；but，cometolook，Ifoundhimstoneblind。Fact—hewasstoneblind。Wal，yesee，Ithoughttherewarn’tnoharminmyjestpassinghimalong，andnotsayin’nothin’；andI’dgothimnicelyswappedoffforakego’whiskey；butcometogethimawayfromthegal，shewasjestlikeatiger。So’twasbeforewestarted，andIhadn’tgotmygangchainedup；sowhatshouldshedobutupsonacotton-bale，likeacat，ketchesaknifefromoneofthedeckhands，and，Itellye，shemadeallflyforaminit，tillshesaw’twan’tnouse；andshejestturnsround，andpitchesheadfirst，youngunandall，intotheriver，—wentdownplump，andneverris。”

“Bah！”saidTomLoker，whohadlistenedtothesestorieswithill-represseddisgust，—“shif’less，bothonye！mygalsdon’tcutupnosuchshines，Itellye！”

“Indeed！howdoyouhelpit？”saidMarks，briskly。

“Helpit？why，Ibuysagal，andifshe’sgotayounguntobesold，Ijestwalksupandputsmyfisttoherface，andsays，‘Lookhere，now，ifyougivemeonewordoutofyourhead，I’llsmashyerfacein。Iwon’thearoneword—notthebeginningofaword。’Isaysto’em，‘Thisyeryoungun’smine，andnotyourn，andyou’venokindo’businesswithit。I’mgoingtosellit，firstchance；mind，youdon’tcutupnoneo’yershinesaboutit，orI’llmakeyewishye’dneverbeenborn。’Itellye，theyseesitan’tnoplay，whenIgetshold。Imakes’emaswhistasfishes；andifoneon’embeginsandgivesayelp，why，—”andMr。Lokerbroughtdownhisfistwithathumpthatfullyexplainedthehiatus。

“Thatar’swhatyemaycallemphasis，”saidMarks，pokingHaleyintheside，andgoingintoanothersmallgiggle。“An’tTompeculiar？he！he！Isay，Tom，Is’pectyoumake’emunderstand，forallniggers’headsiswoolly。Theydon’tneverhavenodoubto’yourmeaning，Tom。Ifyouan’tthedevil，Tom，you’shistwinbrother，I’llsaythatforye！”

Tomreceivedthecomplimentwithbecomingmodesty，andbegantolookasaffableaswasconsistent，asJohnBunyansays，“withhisdoggishnature。”

Haley，whohadbeenimbibingveryfreelyofthestapleoftheevening，begantofeelasensibleelevationandenlargementofhismoralfaculties，—aphenomenonnotunusualwithgentlemenofaseriousandreflectiveturn，undersimilarcircumstances。

“Wal，now，Tom，”hesaid，“yere’llyistoobad，asIal’ayshavetoldye；yeknow，Tom，youandIusedtotalkovertheseyermattersdowninNatchez，andIusedtoprovetoyethatwemadefullasmuch，andwasaswelloffforthisyerworld，bytreatin’on’emwell，besideskeepin’abetterchanceforcomin’inthekingdomatlast，whenwustcomestowust，andtharan’tnothingelselefttoget，yeknow。”

“Boh！”saidTom，“don’tIknow？—don’tmakemetoosickwithanyyerstuff，—mystomachisaleetlerilednow；”andTomdrankhalfaglassofrawbrandy。

“Isay，”saidHaley，andleaningbackinhischairandgesturingimpressively，“I’llsaythisnow，Ial’aysmeanttodrivemytradesoastomakemoneyon’tfustandforemost，asmuchasanyman；but，then，tradean’teverything，andmoneyan’teverything，’causewe’sallgotsouls。Idon’tcare，now，whohearsmesayit，—andIthinkacussedsightonit，—soImayaswellcomeoutwithit。Ib’lieveinreligion，andoneofthesedays，whenI’vegotmatterstightandsnug，Icalculatestotendtomysoulandthemarmatters；andsowhat’stheuseofdoin’anymorewickednessthan’sre’llynecessary？—itdon’tseemtomeit’s’tallprudent。”

“Tendtoyersoul！”repeatedTom，contemptuously；“takeabrightlookouttofindasoulinyou，—saveyourselfanycareonthatscore。Ifthedevilsiftsyouthroughahairsieve，hewon’tfindone。”

“Why，Tom，you’recross，”saidHaley；“whycan’tyetakeitpleasant，now，whenafeller’stalkingforyourgood？”

“Stopthatarjawo’yourn，there，”saidTom，gruffly。“Icanstandmostanytalko’yournbutyourpioustalk，—thatkillsmerightup。Afterall，what’stheoddsbetweenmeandyou？’Tan’tthatyoucareonebitmore，orhaveabitmorefeelin’—it’sclean，sheer，dogmeanness，wantingtocheatthedevilandsaveyourownskin；don’tIseethroughit？Andyour‘gettin’religion，’asyoucallit，arterall，istoop’isinmeanforanycrittur；—runupabillwiththedevilallyourlife，andthensneakoutwhenpaytimecomes！Bob！”

“Come，come，gentlemen，Isay；thisisn’tbusiness，”saidMarks。“There’sdifferentways，youknow，oflookingatallsubjects。Mr。Haleyisaveryniceman，nodoubt，andhashisownconscience；and，Tom，youhaveyourways，andverygoodones，too，Tom；butquarrelling，youknow，won’tanswernokindofpurpose。Let’sgotobusiness。Now，Mr。Haley，whatisit？—youwantustoundertaketocatchthisyergal？”

“Thegal’snomatterofmine，—she’sShelby’s；it’sonlytheboy。Iwasafoolforbuyingthemonkey！”

“You’regenerallyafool！”saidTom，gruffly。

“Come，now，Loker，noneofyourhuffs，”saidMarks，lickinghislips；“yousee，Mr。Haley’saputtin’usinawayofagoodjob，Ireckon；justholdstill—theseyerarrangementsismyforte。Thisyergal，Mr。Haley，howisshe？whatisshe？”

“Wal！whiteandhandsome—wellbroughtup。I’daginShelbyeighthundredorathousand，andthenmadewellonher。”

“Whiteandhandsome—wellbroughtup！”saidMarks，hissharpeyes，noseandmouth，allalivewithenterprise。“Lookhere，now，Loker，abeautifulopening。We’lldoabusinesshereonourownaccount；—wedoesthecatchin’；theboy，ofcourse，goestoMr。Haley，—wetakesthegaltoOrleanstospeculateon。An’titbeautiful？”

Tom，whosegreatheavymouthhadstoodajarduringthiscommunication，nowsuddenlysnappedittogether，asabigdogclosesonapieceofmeat，andseemedtobedigestingtheideaathisleisure。

“Yesee，”saidMarkstoHaley，stirringhispunchashedidso，“yesee，wehasjusticesconvenientatallp’intsalongshore，thatdoesupanylittlejobsinourlinequitereasonable。Tom，hedoestheknockin’downandthatar；andIcomeinalldressedup—shiningboots—everythingfirstchop，whentheswearin’’stobedone。Yououghtersee，now，”saidMarks，inaglowofprofessionalpride，“howIcantoneitoff。Oneday，I’mMr。Twickem，fromNewOrleans；’notherday，I’mjustcomefrommyplantationonPearlriver，whereIworkssevenhundredniggers；then，again，IcomeoutadistantrelationofHenryClay，orsomeoldcockinKentuck。Talentsisdifferent，youknow。Now，Tom’sroarerwhenthere’sanythumpingorfightingtobedone；butatlyinghean’tgood，Toman’t，—yeseeitdon’tcomenaturaltohim；but，Lord，ifthar’safellerinthecountrythatcansweartoanythingandeverything，andputinallthecircumstancesandflourisheswithalongface，andcarry’tthroughbetter’nIcan，why，I’dliketoseehim，that’sall！Ib’lievemyheart，Icouldgetalongandsnakethrough，evenifjusticesweremoreparticularthantheyis。SometimesIratherwishtheywasmoreparticular；’twouldbeaheapmorerelishin’iftheywas，—morefun，yerknow。”

TomLoker，who，aswehavemadeitappear，wasamanofslowthoughtsandmovements，hereinterruptedMarksbybringinghisheavyfistdownonthetable，soastomakeallringagain，“It’lldo！”hesaid。

“Lordblessye，Tom，yeneedn’tbreakalltheglasses！”saidMarks；“saveyourfistfortimeo’need。”

“But，gentlemen，an’tItocomeinforashareoftheprofits？”saidHaley。

“An’titenoughwecatchtheboyforye？”saidLoker。“Whatdoyewant？”

“Wal，”saidHaley，“ifIgivesyouthejob，it’sworthsomething，—saytenpercent。ontheprofits，expensespaid。”

“Now，”saidLoker，withatremendousoath，andstrikingthetablewithhisheavyfist，“don’tIknowyou，DanHaley？Don’tyouthinktocomeitoverme！SupposeMarksandIhavetakenupthecatchin’trade，jestto’commodategentlemenlikeyou，andgetnothin’forourselves？—Notbyalongchalk！we’llhavethegaloutandout，andyoukeepquiet，or，yesee，we’llhaveboth，—what’stohinder？Han’tyoushow’dusthegame？It’sasfreetousasyou，Ihope。IfyouorShelbywantstochaseus，lookwherethepartridgeswaslastyear；ifyoufindthemorus，you’requitewelcome。”

“O，wal，certainly，jestletitgoatthat，”saidHaley，alarmed；“youcatchtheboyforthejob；—youallersdidtradefarwithme，Tom，andwasuptoyerword。”

“Yeknowthat，”saidTom；“Idon’tpretendnoneofyoursnivellingways，butIwon’tlieinmy’countswiththedevilhimself。WhatIsesI’lldo，Iwilldo，—youknowthat，DanHaley。”

“Jesso，jesso，—Isaidso，Tom，”saidHaley；“andifyou’donlypromisetohavetheboyformeinaweek，atanypointyou’llname，that’sallIwant。”

“Butitan’tallIwant，byalongjump，”saidTom。“Yedon’tthinkIdidbusinesswithyou，downinNatchez，fornothing，Haley；I’velearnedtoholdaneel，whenIcatchhim。You’vegottoforkoverfiftydollars，flatdown，orthischilddon’tstartapeg。Iknowyer。”

“Why，whenyouhaveajobinhandthatmaybringacleanprofitofsomewhereaboutathousandorsixteenhundred，why，Tom，you’reonreasonable，”saidHaley。

“Yes，andhasn’twebusinessbookedforfiveweekstocome，—allwecando？Andsupposeweleavesall，andgoestobush-whackingroundarteryeryounguns，andfinallydoesn’tcatchthegal，—andgalsallersisthedeviltocatch，—what’sthen？wouldyoupayusacent—wouldyou？IthinkIseeyouadoin’it—ugh！No，no；flapdownyourfifty。Ifwegetthejob，anditpays，I’llhanditback；ifwedon’t，it’sforourtrouble，—that’sfar，an’tit，Marks？”

“Certainly，certainly，”saidMarks，withaconciliatorytone；“it’sonlyaretainingfee，yousee，—he！he！he！—welawyers，youknow。Wal，wemustallkeepgood-natured，—keepeasy，yerknow。Tom’llhavetheboyforyer，anywhereye’llname；won’tye，Tom？”

“IfIfindtheyoungun，I’llbringhimontoCincinnati，andleavehimatGrannyBelcher’s，onthelanding，”saidLoker。

Markshadgotfromhispocketagreasypocket-book，andtakingalongpaperfromthence，hesatdown，andfixinghiskeenblackeyesonit，beganmumblingoveritscontents:“Barnes—ShelbyCounty—boyJim，threehundreddollarsforhim，deadoralive。

“Edwards—DickandLucy—manandwife，sixhundreddollars；wenchPollyandtwochildren—sixhundredforherorherhead。

“I’mjestarunnin’overourbusiness，toseeifwecantakeupthisyerhandily。Loker，”hesaid，afterapause，“wemustsetAdamsandSpringeronthetrackoftheseyer；they’vebeenbookedsometime。”

“They’llchargetoomuch，”saidTom。

“I’llmanagethatar；they’syounginthebusiness，andmustspecttoworkcheap，”saidMarks，ashecontinuedtoread。“Ther’sthreeon’emeasycases，’causeallyou’vegottodoistoshoot’em，orsweartheyisshot；theycouldn’t，ofcourse，chargemuchforthat。Themothercases，”hesaid，foldingthepaper，“willbearputtin’offaspell。Sonowlet’scometotheparticulars。Now，Mr。Haley，yousawthisyergalwhenshelanded？”

“Tobesure，—plainasIseeyou。”

“Andamanhelpin’onherupthebank？”saidLoker。

“Tobesure，Idid。”

“Mostlikely，”saidMarks，“she’stookinsomewhere；butwhere，’saquestion。Tom，whatdoyousay？”

“Wemustcrosstherivertonight，nomistake，”saidTom。

“Butthere’snoboatabout，”saidMarks。“Theiceisrunningawfully，Tom；an’titdangerous？”

“Don’nonothing’boutthat，—onlyit’sgottobedone，”saidTom，decidedly。

“Dearme，”saidMarks，fidgeting，“it’llbe—Isay，”hesaid，walkingtothewindow，“it’sdarkasawolf’smouth，and，Tom—”

“Thelongandshortis，you’rescared，Marks；butIcan’thelpthat，—you’vegottogo。Supposeyouwanttoliebyadayortwo，tillthegal’sbeencarriedontheundergroundlineuptoSanduskyorso，beforeyoustart。”

“O，no；Ian’tagrainafraid，”saidMarks，“only—”

“Onlywhat？”saidTom。

“Well，abouttheboat。Yerseetherean’tanyboat。”

“Iheardthewomansaytherewasonecomingalongthisevening，andthatamanwasgoingtocrossoverinit。Neckornothing，wemustgowithhim，”saidTom。

“Is’poseyou’vegotgooddogs，”saidHaley。

“Firstrate，”saidMarks。“Butwhat’stheuse？youhan’tgotnothin’o’herstosmellon。”

“Yes，Ihave，”saidHaley，triumphantly。“Here’shershawlsheleftonthebedinherhurry；sheleftherbonnet，too。”

“Thatar’slucky，”saidLoker；“forkover。”

“Thoughthedogsmightdamagethegal，iftheycomeonherunawars，”saidHaley。

“Thatar’saconsideration，”saidMarks。“Ourdogstoreafellerhalftopieces，once，downinMobile，’forewecouldget’emoff。”

“Well，yesee，forthissortthat’stobesoldfortheirlooks，thatarwon’tanswer，yesee，”saidHaley。

“Idosee，”saidMarks。“Besides，ifshe’sgottookin，’tan’tnogo，neither。Dogsisno’countintheseyerupstateswherethesecrittersgetscarried；ofcourse，yecan’tgetontheirtrack。Theyonlydoesdowninplantations，whereniggers，whentheyruns，hastodotheirownrunning，anddon’tgetnohelp。”

“Well，”saidLoker，whohadjuststeppedouttothebartomakesomeinquiries，“theysaytheman’scomewiththeboat；so，Marks—”

Thatworthycastaruefullookatthecomfortablequartershewasleaving，butslowlyrosetoobey。Afterexchangingafewwordsoffurtherarrangement，Haley，withvisiblereluctance，handedoverthefiftydollarstoTom，andtheworthytrioseparatedforthenight。

IfanyofourrefinedandChristianreadersobjecttothesocietyintowhichthissceneintroducesthem，letusbegthemtobeginandconquertheirprejudicesintime。Thecatchingbusiness，webegtoremindthem，isrisingtothedignityofalawfulandpatrioticprofession。IfallthebroadlandbetweentheMississippiandthePacificbecomesonegreatmarketforbodiesandsouls，andhumanpropertyretainsthelocomotivetendenciesofthisnineteenthcentury，thetraderandcatchermayyetbeamongouraristocracy。

Whilethisscenewasgoingonatthetavern，SamandAndy，inastateofhighfelicitation，pursuedtheirwayhome。

Samwasinthehighestpossiblefeather，andexpressedhisexultationbyallsortsofsupernaturalhowlsandejaculations，bydiversoddmotionsandcontortionsofhiswholesystem。Sometimeshewouldsitbackward，withhisfacetothehorse’stailandsides，andthen，withawhoopandasomerset，comerightsideupinhisplaceagain，and，drawingonagraveface，begintolectureAndyinhigh-soundingtonesforlaughingandplayingthefool。Anon，slappinghissideswithhisarms，hewouldburstforthinpealsoflaughter，thatmadetheoldwoodsringastheypassed。Withalltheseevolutions，hecontrivedtokeepthehorsesuptothetopoftheirspeed，until，betweentenandeleven，theirheelsresoundedonthegravelattheendofthebalcony。Mrs。Shelbyflewtotherailings。

“Isthatyou，Sam？Wherearethey？”

“Mas’rHaley’sa-restin’atthetavern；he’sdreffulfatigued，Missis。”

“AndEliza，Sam？”

“Wal，she’sclar’crossJordan。Asabodymaysay，inthelando’Canaan。”

“Why，Sam，whatdoyoumean？”saidMrs。Shelby，breathless，andalmostfaint，asthepossiblemeaningofthesewordscameoverher。

“Wal，Missis，deLordhepersarveshisown。Lizy’sdonegoneovertheriverinto’Hio，as’markablyasifdeLordtookheroverinacharritoffireandtwohosses。”

Sam’sveinofpietywasalwaysuncommonlyferventinhismistress’presence；andhemadegreatcapitalofscripturalfiguresandimages。

“Comeuphere，Sam，”saidMr。Shelby，whohadfollowedontotheverandah，“andtellyourmistresswhatshewants。Come，come，Emily，”saidhe，passinghisarmroundher，“youarecoldandallinashiver；youallowyourselftofeeltoomuch。”

“Feeltoomuch！AmnotIawoman，—amother？ArewenotbothresponsibletoGodforthispoorgirl？MyGod！laynotthissintoourcharge。”

“Whatsin，Emily？Youseeyourselfthatwehaveonlydonewhatwewereobligedto。”

“There’sanawfulfeelingofguiltaboutit，though，”saidMrs。Shelby。“Ican’treasonitaway。”

“Here，Andy，younigger，bealive！”calledSam，undertheverandah；“taketheseyerhossestoderbarn；don’tyehearMas’racallin’？”andSamsoonappeared，palm-leafinhand，attheparlordoor。

“Now，Sam，tellusdistinctlyhowthematterwas，”saidMr。Shelby。“WhereisEliza，ifyouknow？”

“Wal，Mas’r，Isawher，withmyowneyes，acrossin’onthefloatin’ice。Shecrossedmost’markably；itwasn’tnolessnoramiracle；andIsawamanhelpherupthe’Hioside，andthenshewaslostinthedusk。”

“Sam，Ithinkthisratherapocryphal，—thismiracle。Crossingonfloatingiceisn’tsoeasilydone，”saidMr。Shelby。

“Easy！couldn’tnobodyadoneit，withoutdeLord。Why，now，”saidSam，“’twasjistdisyerway。Mas’rHaley，andme，andAndy，wecomesuptodelittletavernbytheriver，andIridesaleetleahead，—(I’ssozealoustobeacotchin’Lizy，thatIcouldn’tholdin，noway)，—andwhenIcomesbythetavernwinder，sureenoughthereshewas，rightinplainsight，anddeydiggin’onbehind。Wal，Ilosesoffmyhat，andsingsoutnufftoraisethedead。CourseLizyshehars，andshedodgesback，whenMas’rHaleyhegoespastthedoor；andthen，Itellye，sheclaredoutdesidedoor；shewentdownderiverbank；—Mas’rHaleyheseedher，andyelledout，andhim，andme，andAndy，wetookarter。Downshecometotheriver，andtharwasthecurrentrunningtenfeetwidebytheshore，andovert’othersideiceasawin’andajigglingupanddown，kinderas’twereagreatisland。Wecomerightbehindher，andIthoughtmysoulhe’dgothersureenough，—whensheginsichascreechasIneverhearn，andtharshewas，clarovert’othersideofthecurrent，ontheice，andthenonshewent，ascreechingandajumpin’，—theicewentcrack！c’wallop！cracking！chunk！andsheaboundin’likeabuck！Lord，thespringthatargal’sgotinheran’tcommon，I’mo’’pinion。”

Mrs。Shelbysatperfectlysilent，palewithexcitement，whileSamtoldhisstory。

“Godbepraised，sheisn’tdead！”shesaid；“butwhereisthepoorchildnow？”

“DeLordwillpervide，”saidSam，rollinguphiseyespiously。“AsI’vebeenasayin’，disyer’saprovidenceandnomistake，asMissishasallersbeenainstructin’onus。Thar’sallersinstrumentsrisuptododeLord’swill。Now，if’thadn’tbeenformetoday，she’dabeentookadozentimes。Warn’titIstartedoffdehosses，disyermorning’andkept’emchasin’tillnighdinnertime？Anddidn’tIcarMas’rHaleynightfivemilesoutofderoad，disevening，orelsehe’dacomeupwithLizyaseasyasadogarteracoon。Theseyer’sallprovidences。”

“Theyareakindofprovidencesthatyou’llhavetobeprettysparingof，MasterSam。Iallownosuchpracticeswithgentlemenonmyplace，”saidMr。Shelby，withasmuchsternnessashecouldcommand，underthecircumstances。

Now，thereisnomoreuseinmakingbelievebeangrywithanegrothanwithachild；bothinstinctivelyseethetruestateofthecase，throughallattemptstoaffectthecontrary；andSamwasinnowisedisheartenedbythisrebuke，thoughheassumedanairofdolefulgravity，andstoodwiththecornersofhismouthloweredinmostpenitentialstyle。

“Mas’rquiteright，—quite；itwasuglyonme，—there’snodisputin’thatar；andofcourseMas’randMissiswouldn’tencouragenosuchworks。I’msensibleofdatar；butapoorniggerlikeme’s’mazin’temptedtoactuglysometimes，whenfellerswillcutupsuchshinesasdatarMas’rHaley；hean’tnogen’l’mannoway；anybody’sbeenraisedasI’vebeencan’thelpaseein’datar。”

“Well，Sam，”saidMrs。Shelby，“asyouappeartohaveapropersenseofyourerrors，youmaygonowandtellAuntChloeshemaygetyousomeofthatcoldhamthatwasleftofdinnertoday。YouandAndymustbehungry。”

“Missisisaheaptoogoodforus，”saidSam，makinghisbowwithalacrity，anddeparting。

Itwillbeperceived，ashasbeenbeforeintimated，thatMasterSamhadanativetalentthatmight，undoubtedly，haveraisedhimtoeminenceinpoliticallife，—atalentofmakingcapitaloutofeverythingthatturnedup，tobeinvestedforhisownespecialpraiseandglory；andhavingdoneuphispietyandhumility，ashetrusted，tothesatisfactionoftheparlor，heclappedhispalm-leafonhishead，withasortofrakish，free-and-easyair，andproceededtothedominionsofAuntChloe，withtheintentionofflourishinglargelyinthekitchen。

“I’llspeechifytheseyerniggers，”saidSamtohimself，“nowI’vegotachance。Lord，I’llreelitofftomake’emstare！”

ItmustbeobservedthatoneofSam’sespecialdelightshadbeentorideinattendanceonhismastertoallkindsofpoliticalgatherings，where，roostedonsomerailfence，orperchedaloftinsometree，hewouldsitwatchingtheorators，withthegreatestapparentgusto，andthen，descendingamongthevariousbrethrenofhisowncolor，assembledonthesameerrand，hewouldedifyanddelightthemwiththemostludicrousburlesquesandimitations，alldeliveredwiththemostimperturbableearnestnessandsolemnity；andthoughtheauditorsimmediatelyabouthimweregenerallyofhisowncolor，itnotunfrequentlyhappenedthattheywerefringedprettydeeplywiththoseofafairercomplexion，wholistened，laughingandwinking，toSam’sgreatself-congratulation。Infact，Samconsideredoratoryashisvocation，andneverletslipanopportunityofmagnifyinghisoffice。

Now，betweenSamandAuntChloetherehadexisted，fromancienttimes，asortofchronicfeud，orratheradecidedcoolness；but，asSamwasmeditatingsomethingintheprovisiondepartment，asthenecessaryandobviousfoundationofhisoperations，hedetermined，onthepresentoccasion，tobeeminentlyconciliatory；forhewellknewthatalthough“Missis’orders”wouldundoubtedlybefollowedtotheletter，yetheshouldgainaconsiderabledealbyenlistingthespiritalso。HethereforeappearedbeforeAuntChloewithatouchinglysubdued，resignedexpression，likeonewhohassufferedimmeasurablehardshipsinbehalfofapersecutedfellow-creature，—enlargeduponthefactthatMissishaddirectedhimtocometoAuntChloeforwhatevermightbewantingtomakeupthebalanceinhissolidsandfluids，—andthusunequivocallyacknowledgedherrightandsupremacyinthecookingdepartment，andalltheretopertaining。

Thethingtookaccordingly。Nopoor，simple，virtuousbodywasevercajoledbytheattentionsofanelectioneeringpoliticianwithmoreeasethanAuntChloewaswonoverbyMasterSam’ssuavities；andifhehadbeentheprodigalsonhimself，hecouldnothavebeenoverwhelmedwithmorematernalbountifulness；andhesoonfoundhimselfseated，happyandglorious，overalargetinpan，containingasortofollapodridaofallthathadappearedonthetablefortwoorthreedayspast。Savorymorselsofham，goldenblocksofcorn-cake，fragmentsofpieofeveryconceivablemathematicalfigure，chickenwings，gizzards，anddrumsticks，allappearedinpicturesqueconfusion；andSam，asmonarchofallhesurveyed，satwithhispalm-leafcockedrejoicinglytooneside，andpatronizingAndyathisrighthand。

Thekitchenwasfullofallhiscompeers，whohadhurriedandcrowdedin，fromthevariouscabins，toheartheterminationoftheday’sexploits。NowwasSam’shourofglory。Thestoryofthedaywasrehearsed，withallkindsofornamentandvarnishingwhichmightbenecessarytoheightenitseffect；forSam，likesomeofourfashionabledilettanti，neverallowedastorytoloseanyofitsgildingbypassingthroughhishands。Roarsoflaughterattendedthenarration，andweretakenupandprolongedbyallthesmallerfry，whowerelying，inanyquantity，aboutonthefloor，orperchedineverycorner。Intheheightoftheuproarandlaughter，Sam，however，preservedanimmovablegravity，onlyfromtimetotimerollinghiseyesup，andgivinghisauditorsdiversinexpressiblydrollglances，withoutdepartingfromthesententiouselevationofhisoratory。

“Yersee，fellow-countrymen，”saidSam，elevatingaturkey’sleg，withenergy，“yersee，nowwhatdisyerchile’supter，forfendin’yerall，—yes，allonyer。Forhimastriestogetoneo’ourpeopleisasgoodastryin’togetall；yerseetheprinciple’sdesame，—datar’sclar。Andanyoneo’theseyerdriversthatcomessmellingroundarteranyourpeople，why，he’sgotmeinhisway；I’mthefellerhe’sgottosetinwith，—I’mthefellerforyeralltocometo，bredren，—I’llstandupforyerrights，—I’llfend’emtothelastbreath！”

“Why，butSam，yertelledme，onlythismornin’，thatyou’dhelpthisyerMas’rtocotchLizy；seemstomeyertalkdon’thangtogether，”saidAndy。

“Itellyounow，Andy，”saidSam，withawfulsuperiority，“don’tyerbeatalkin’’boutwhatyerdon’tknownothin’on；boyslikeyou，Andy，meanswell，buttheycan’tbespectedtocollusitatethegreatprinciplesofaction。”

Andylookedrebuked，particularlybythehardwordcollusitate，whichmostoftheyoungerlymembersofthecompanyseemedtoconsiderasasettlerinthecase，whileSamproceeded。

“Datarwasconscience，Andy；whenIthoughtofgwinearterLizy，IraillyspectedMas’rwassotdatway。WhenIfoundMissiswassotthecontrar，datarwasconsciencemoreyet，—causefellersallersgetsmorebystickin’toMissis’side，—soyerseeI’spersistenteitherway，andsticksuptoconscience，andholdsontoprinciples。Yes，principles，”saidSam，givinganenthusiastictosstoachicken’sneck，—“what’sprinciplesgoodfor，ifweisn’tpersistent，Iwanterknow？Thar，Andy，youmayhavedatarbone，—tan’tpickedquiteclean。”

Sam’saudiencehangingonhiswordswithopenmouth，hecouldnotbutproceed。

“Disyermatter’boutpersistence，feller-niggers，”saidSam，withtheairofoneenteringintoanabstrusesubject，“disyer’sistency’sathingwhatan’tseedintoveryclar，bymostanybody。Now，yersee，whenafellerstandsupforathingonedayandnight，decontrardenext，folksses(andnat’rallyenoughdeyses)，whyhean’tpersistent，—handmedatarbito’corn-cake，Andy。Butlet’slookinterit。Ihopethegen’lmenandderfairsexwillscusemyusin’anor’narysorto’’parison。Here！I’matryingtogettopo’derhay。Wal，Iputsupmylarderdisyerside；’tan’tnogo；—den，causeIdon’ttryderenomore，butputsmylarderrightdecontrarside，an’tIpersistent？I’mpersistentinwantin’togetupwhicharysidemylarderis；don’tyousee，allonyer？”

“It’stheonlythingyeeverwaspersistentin，Lordknows！”mutteredAuntChloe，whowasgettingratherrestive；themerrimentoftheeveningbeingtohersomewhataftertheScripturecomparison，—like“vinegaruponnitre。”

“Yes，indeed！”saidSam，rising，fullofsupperandglory，foraclosingeffort。“Yes，myfeller-citizensandladiesofdeothersexingeneral，Ihasprinciples，—I’mproudto’oon’em，—they’sperquisitetodeseyertimes，andteralltimes。Ihasprinciples，andIsticksto’emlikeforty，—jestanythingthatIthinksisprinciple，Igoesinto’t；—Iwouldn’tmindifdeyburntme’live，—I’dwalkrightuptodestake，Iwould，andsay，hereIcomestoshedmylastbloodfurmyprinciples，furmycountry，furdegen’linterestsofsociety。”

“Well，”saidAuntChloe，“oneo’yerprincipleswillhavetobetogettobedsometimetonight，andnotbeakeepin’everybodyuptillmornin’；now，everyoneofyouyoungunsthatdon’twanttobecracked，hadbetterbescase，mightysudden。”

“Niggers！allonyer，”saidSam，wavinghispalm-leafwithbenignity，“Igiveyermyblessin’；gotobednow，andbegoodboys。”

And，withthispatheticbenediction，theassemblydispersed。

InWhichItAppearsThataSenatorIsButaMan

Thelightofthecheerfulfireshoneontherugandcarpetofacoseyparlor，andglitteredonthesidesofthetea-cupsandwell-brightenedtea-pot，asSenatorBirdwasdrawingoffhisboots，preparatorytoinsertinghisfeetinapairofnewhandsomeslippers，whichhiswifehadbeenworkingforhimwhileawayonhissenatorialtour。Mrs。Bird，lookingtheverypictureofdelight，wassuperintendingthearrangementsofthetable，everandanonminglingadmonitoryremarkstoanumberoffrolicsomejuveniles，whowereeffervescinginallthosemodesofuntoldgambolandmischiefthathaveastonishedmotherseversincetheflood。

“Tom，letthedoor-knobalone，—there’saman！Mary！Mary！don’tpullthecat’stail，—poorpussy！Jim，youmustn’tclimbonthattable，—no，no！—Youdon’tknow，mydear，whatasurpriseitistousall，toseeyouheretonight！”saidshe，atlast，whenshefoundaspacetosaysomethingtoherhusband。

“Yes，yes，IthoughtI’djustmakearundown，spendthenight，andhavealittlecomfortathome。I’mtiredtodeath，andmyheadaches！”

Mrs。Birdcastaglanceatacamphor-bottle，whichstoodinthehalf-opencloset，andappearedtomeditateanapproachtoit，butherhusbandinterposed。

“No，no，Mary，nodoctoring！acupofyourgoodhottea，andsomeofourgoodhomeliving，iswhatIwant。It’satiresomebusiness，thislegislating！”

Andthesenatorsmiled，asifheratherlikedtheideaofconsideringhimselfasacrificetohiscountry。

“Well，”saidhiswife，afterthebusinessofthetea-tablewasgettingratherslack，“andwhathavetheybeendoingintheSenate？”

Now，itwasaveryunusualthingforgentlelittleMrs。Birdevertotroubleherheadwithwhatwasgoingoninthehouseofthestate，verywiselyconsideringthatshehadenoughtodotomindherown。Mr。Bird，therefore，openedhiseyesinsurprise，andsaid，

“Notverymuchofimportance。”

“Well；butisittruethattheyhavebeenpassingalawforbiddingpeopletogivemeatanddrinktothosepoorcoloredfolksthatcomealong？Iheardtheyweretalkingofsomesuchlaw，butIdidn’tthinkanyChristianlegislaturewouldpassit！”

“Why，Mary，youaregettingtobeapolitician，allatonce。”

“No，nonsense！Iwouldn’tgiveafipforallyourpolitics，generally，butIthinkthisissomethingdownrightcruelandunchristian。Ihope，mydear，nosuchlawhasbeenpassed。”

“TherehasbeenalawpassedforbiddingpeopletohelpofftheslavesthatcomeoverfromKentucky，mydear；somuchofthatthinghasbeendonebytheserecklessAbolitionists，thatourbrethreninKentuckyareverystronglyexcited，anditseemsnecessary，andnomorethanChristianandkind，thatsomethingshouldbedonebyourstatetoquiettheexcitement。”

“Andwhatisthelaw？Itdon’tforbidustoshelterthosepoorcreaturesanight，doesit，andtogive’emsomethingcomfortabletoeat，andafewoldclothes，andsendthemquietlyabouttheirbusiness？”

“Why，yes，mydear；thatwouldbeaidingandabetting，youknow。”

Mrs。Birdwasatimid，blushinglittlewoman，ofaboutfourfeetinheight，andwithmildblueeyes，andapeach-blowcomplexion，andthegentlest，sweetestvoiceintheworld；—asforcourage，amoderate-sizedcock-turkeyhadbeenknowntoputhertoroutattheveryfirstgobble，andastouthouse-dog，ofmoderatecapacity，wouldbringherintosubjectionmerelybyashowofhisteeth。Herhusbandandchildrenwereherentireworld，andinthesesheruledmorebyentreatyandpersuasionthanbycommandorargument。Therewasonlyonethingthatwascapableofarousingher，andthatprovocationcameinonthesideofherunusuallygentleandsympatheticnature；—anythingintheshapeofcrueltywouldthrowherintoapassion，whichwasthemorealarmingandinexplicableinproportiontothegeneralsoftnessofhernature。Generallythemostindulgentandeasytobeentreatedofallmothers，stillherboyshadaveryreverentremembranceofamostvehementchastisementsheoncebestowedonthem，becauseshefoundthemleaguedwithseveralgracelessboysoftheneighborhood，stoningadefencelesskitten。

“I’lltellyouwhat，”MasterBillusedtosay，“Iwasscaredthattime。MothercameatmesothatIthoughtshewascrazy，andIwaswhippedandtumbledofftobed，withoutanysupper，beforeIcouldgetoverwonderingwhathadcomeabout；and，afterthat，Iheardmothercryingoutsidethedoor，whichmademefeelworsethanalltherest。I’lltellyouwhat，”he’dsay，“weboysneverstonedanotherkitten！”

Onthepresentoccasion，Mrs。Birdrosequickly，withveryredcheeks，whichquiteimprovedhergeneralappearance，andwalkeduptoherhusband，withquitearesoluteair，andsaid，inadeterminedtone，

“Now，John，IwanttoknowifyouthinksuchalawasthatisrightandChristian？”

“Youwon’tshootme，now，Mary，ifIsayIdo！”

“Inevercouldhavethoughtitofyou，John；youdidn’tvoteforit？”

“Evenso，myfairpolitician。”

“Yououghttobeashamed，John！Poor，homeless，houselesscreatures！It’sashameful，wicked，abominablelaw，andI’llbreakit，forone，thefirsttimeIgetachance；andIhopeIshallhaveachance，Ido！Thingshavegottoaprettypass，ifawomancan’tgiveawarmsupperandabedtopoor，starvingcreatures，justbecausetheyareslaves，andhavebeenabusedandoppressedalltheirlives，poorthings！”

“But，Mary，justlistentome。Yourfeelingsareallquiteright，dear，andinteresting，andIloveyouforthem；but，then，dear，wemustn’tsufferourfeelingstorunawaywithourjudgment；youmustconsiderit’samatterofprivatefeeling，—therearegreatpublicinterestsinvolved，—thereissuchastateofpublicagitationrising，thatwemustputasideourprivatefeelings。”

“Now，John，Idon’tknowanythingaboutpolitics，butIcanreadmyBible；andthereIseethatImustfeedthehungry，clothethenaked，andcomfortthedesolate；andthatBibleImeantofollow。”

“Butincaseswhereyourdoingsowouldinvolveagreatpublicevil—”

“ObeyingGodneverbringsonpublicevils。Iknowitcan’t。It’salwayssafest，allround，todoasHebidsus。

“Now，listentome，Mary，andIcanstatetoyouaveryclearargument，toshow—”

“O，nonsense，John！youcantalkallnight，butyouwouldn’tdoit。Iputittoyou，John，—wouldyounowturnawayapoor，shivering，hungrycreaturefromyourdoor，becausehewasarunaway？Wouldyou，now？”

Now，ifthetruthmustbetold，oursenatorhadthemisfortunetobeamanwhohadaparticularlyhumaneandaccessiblenature，andturningawayanybodythatwasintroubleneverhadbeenhisforte；andwhatwasworseforhiminthisparticularpinchoftheargumentwas，thathiswifeknewit，and，ofcoursewasmakinganassaultonratheranindefensiblepoint。Sohehadrecoursetotheusualmeansofgainingtimeforsuchcasesmadeandprovided；hesaid“ahem，”andcoughedseveraltimes，tookouthispocket-handkerchief，andbegantowipehisglasses。Mrs。Bird，seeingthedefencelessconditionoftheenemy’sterritory，hadnomoreconsciencethantopushheradvantage。

“Ishouldliketoseeyoudoingthat，John—Ireallyshould！Turningawomanoutofdoorsinasnowstorm，forinstance；ormaybeyou’dtakeherupandputherinjail，wouldn’tyou？Youwouldmakeagreathandatthat！”

“Ofcourse，itwouldbeaverypainfulduty，”beganMr。Bird，inamoderatetone。

“Duty，John！don’tusethatword！Youknowitisn’taduty—itcan’tbeaduty！Iffolkswanttokeeptheirslavesfromrunningaway，let’emtreat’emwell，—that’smydoctrine。IfIhadslaves(asIhopeInevershallhave)，I’drisktheirwantingtorunawayfromme，oryoueither，John。Itellyoufolksdon’trunawaywhentheyarehappy；andwhentheydorun，poorcreatures！theysufferenoughwithcoldandhungerandfear，withouteverybody’sturningagainstthem；and，lawornolaw，Ineverwill，sohelpmeGod！”

“Mary！Mary！Mydear，letmereasonwithyou。”

“Ihatereasoning，John，—especiallyreasoningonsuchsubjects。There’sawayyoupoliticalfolkshaveofcomingroundandroundaplainrightthing；andyoudon’tbelieveinityourselves，whenitcomestopractice。Iknowyouwellenough，John。Youdon’tbelieveit’srightanymorethanIdo；andyouwouldn’tdoitanysoonerthanI。”

Atthiscriticaljuncture，oldCudjoe，theblackman-of-all-work，puthisheadinatthedoor，andwished“Missiswouldcomeintothekitchen；”andoursenator，tolerablyrelieved，lookedafterhislittlewifewithawhimsicalmixtureofamusementandvexation，and，seatinghimselfinthearm-chair，begantoreadthepapers。

Afteramoment，hiswife’svoicewasheardatthedoor，inaquick，earnesttone，—“John！John！Idowishyou’dcomehere，amoment。”

Helaiddownhispaper，andwentintothekitchen，andstarted，quiteamazedatthesightthatpresenteditself:—Ayoungandslenderwoman，withgarmentstornandfrozen，withoneshoegone，andthestockingtornawayfromthecutandbleedingfoot，waslaidbackinadeadlyswoonupontwochairs。Therewastheimpressofthedespisedraceonherface，yetnonecouldhelpfeelingitsmournfulandpatheticbeauty，whileitsstonysharpness，itscold，fixed，deathlyaspect，struckasolemnchilloverhim。Hedrewhisbreathshort，andstoodinsilence。Hiswife，andtheironlycoloreddomestic，oldAuntDinah，werebusilyengagedinrestorativemeasures；whileoldCudjoehadgottheboyonhisknee，andwasbusypullingoffhisshoesandstockings，andchafinghislittlecoldfeet。

“Sure，now，ifshean’tasighttobehold！”saidoldDinah，compassionately；“’pearslike’twastheheatthatmadeherfaint。Shewastol’ablepeartwhenshecumin，andaskedifshecouldn’twarmherselfhereaspell；andIwasjusta-askin’herwhereshecumfrom，andshefaintedrightdown。Neverdonemuchhardwork，guess，bythelooksofherhands。”

“Poorcreature！”saidMrs。Bird，compassionately，asthewomanslowlyunclosedherlarge，darkeyes，andlookedvacantlyather。Suddenlyanexpressionofagonycrossedherface，andshesprangup，saying，“O，myHarry！Havetheygothim？”

Theboy，atthis，jumpedfromCudjoe’sknee，andrunningtohersideputuphisarms。“O，he’shere！he’shere！”sheexclaimed。

“O，ma’am！”saidshe，wildly，toMrs。Bird，“doprotectus！don’tletthemgethim！”

“Nobodyshallhurtyouhere，poorwoman，”saidMrs。Bird，encouragingly。“Youaresafe；don’tbeafraid。”

“Godblessyou！”saidthewoman，coveringherfaceandsobbing；whilethelittleboy，seeinghercrying，triedtogetintoherlap。

Withmanygentleandwomanlyoffices，whichnoneknewbetterhowtorenderthanMrs。Bird，thepoorwomanwas，intime，renderedmorecalm。Atemporarybedwasprovidedforheronthesettle，nearthefire；and，afterashorttime，shefellintoaheavyslumber，withthechild，whoseemednolessweary，soundlysleepingonherarm；forthemotherresisted，withnervousanxiety，thekindestattemptstotakehimfromher；and，eveninsleep，herarmencircledhimwithanunrelaxingclasp，asifshecouldnoteventhenbebeguiledofhervigilanthold。

Mr。andMrs。Birdhadgonebacktotheparlor，where，strangeasitmayappear，noreferencewasmade，oneitherside，totheprecedingconversation；butMrs。Birdbusiedherselfwithherknitting-work，andMr。Birdpretendedtobereadingthepaper。

“Iwonderwhoandwhatsheis！”saidMr。Bird，atlast，ashelaiditdown。

“Whenshewakesupandfeelsalittlerested，wewillsee，”saidMrs。Bird。

“Isay，wife！”saidMr。Birdaftermusinginsilenceoverhisnewspaper。

“Well，dear！”

“Shecouldn’twearoneofyourgowns，couldshe，byanylettingdown，orsuchmatter？Sheseemstoberatherlargerthanyouare。”

AquiteperceptiblesmileglimmeredonMrs。Bird’sface，assheanswered，“We’llsee。”

Anotherpause，andMr。Birdagainbrokeout，

“Isay，wife！”

“Well！Whatnow？”

“Why，there’sthatoldbombazincloak，thatyoukeeponpurposetoputovermewhenItakemyafternoon’snap；youmightaswellgiveherthat，—sheneedsclothes。”

Atthisinstant，Dinahlookedintosaythatthewomanwasawake，andwantedtoseeMissis。

Mr。andMrs。Birdwentintothekitchen，followedbythetwoeldestboys，thesmallerfryhaving，bythistime，beensafelydisposedofinbed。

Thewomanwasnowsittinguponthesettle，bythefire。Shewaslookingsteadilyintotheblaze，withacalm，heart-brokenexpression，verydifferentfromherformeragitatedwildness。

“Didyouwantme？”saidMrs。Bird，ingentletones。“Ihopeyoufeelbetternow，poorwoman！”

Along-drawn，shiveringsighwastheonlyanswer；butsheliftedherdarkeyes，andfixedthemonherwithsuchaforlornandimploringexpression，thatthetearscameintothelittlewoman’seyes。

“Youneedn’tbeafraidofanything；wearefriendshere，poorwoman！Tellmewhereyoucamefrom，andwhatyouwant，”saidshe。

“IcamefromKentucky，”saidthewoman。

“When？”saidMr。Bird，takinguptheinterogatory。

“Tonight。”

“Howdidyoucome？”

“Icrossedontheice。”

“Crossedontheice！”saideveryonepresent。

“Yes，”saidthewoman，slowly，“Idid。Godhelpingme，Icrossedontheice；fortheywerebehindme—rightbehind—andtherewasnootherway！”

“Law，Missis，”saidCudjoe，“theiceisallinbroken-upblocks，aswingingandateteringupanddowninthewater！”

“Iknowitwas—Iknowit！”saidshe，wildly；“butIdidit！Iwouldn’thavethoughtIcould，—Ididn’tthinkIshouldgetover，butIdidn’tcare！Icouldbutdie，ifIdidn’t。TheLordhelpedme；nobodyknowshowmuchtheLordcanhelp’em，tilltheytry，”saidthewoman，withaflashingeye。

“Wereyouaslave？”saidMr。Bird。

“Yes，sir；IbelongedtoamaninKentucky。”

“Washeunkindtoyou？”

“No，sir；hewasagoodmaster。”

“Andwasyourmistressunkindtoyou？”

“No，sir—no！mymistresswasalwaysgoodtome。”

“Whatcouldinduceyoutoleaveagoodhome，then，andrunaway，andgothroughsuchdangers？”

ThewomanlookedupatMrs。Bird，withakeen，scrutinizingglance，anditdidnotescapeherthatshewasdressedindeepmourning。

“Ma’am，”shesaid，suddenly，“haveyoueverlostachild？”

Thequestionwasunexpected，anditwasthrustonanewwound；foritwasonlyamonthsinceadarlingchildofthefamilyhadbeenlaidinthegrave。

Mr。Birdturnedaroundandwalkedtothewindow，andMrs。Birdburstintotears；but，recoveringhervoice，shesaid，

“Whydoyouaskthat？Ihavelostalittleone。”

“Thenyouwillfeelforme。Ihavelosttwo，oneafteranother，—left’emburiedtherewhenIcameaway；andIhadonlythisoneleft。Ineversleptanightwithouthim；hewasallIhad。Hewasmycomfortandpride，dayandnight；and，ma’am，theyweregoingtotakehimawayfromme，—tosellhim，—sellhimdownsouth，ma’am，togoallalone，—ababythathadneverbeenawayfromhismotherinhislife！Icouldn’tstandit，ma’am。IknewInevershouldbegoodforanything，iftheydid；andwhenIknewthepapersthepapersweresigned，andhewassold，Itookhimandcameoffinthenight；andtheychasedme，—themanthatboughthim，andsomeofMas’r’sfolks，—andtheywerecomingdownrightbehindme，andIheard’em。Ijumpedrightontotheice；andhowIgotacross，Idon’tknow，—but，firstIknew，amanwashelpingmeupthebank。”

Thewomandidnotsobnorweep。Shehadgonetoaplacewheretearsaredry；buteveryonearoundherwas，insomewaycharacteristicofthemselves，showingsignsofheartysympathy。

Thetwolittleboys，afteradesperaterummagingintheirpockets，insearchofthosepocket-handkerchiefswhichmothersknowarenevertobefoundthere，hadthrownthemselvesdisconsolatelyintotheskirtsoftheirmother’sgown，wheretheyweresobbing，andwipingtheireyesandnoses，totheirhearts’content；—Mrs。Birdhadherfacefairlyhiddeninherpocket-handkerchief；andoldDinah，withtearsstreamingdownherblack，honestface，wasejaculating，“Lordhavemercyonus！”withallthefervorofacamp-meeting；—whileoldCudjoe，rubbinghiseyesveryhardwithhiscuffs，andmakingamostuncommonvarietyofwryfaces，occasionallyrespondedinthesamekey，withgreatfervor。Oursenatorwasastatesman，andofcoursecouldnotbeexpectedtocry，likeothermortals；andsoheturnedhisbacktothecompany，andlookedoutofthewindow，andseemedparticularlybusyinclearinghisthroatandwipinghisspectacle-glasses，occasionallyblowinghisnoseinamannerthatwascalculatedtoexcitesuspicion，hadanyonebeeninastatetoobservecritically。

“Howcameyoutotellmeyouhadakindmaster？”hesuddenlyexclaimed，gulpingdownveryresolutelysomekindofrisinginhisthroat，andturningsuddenlyrounduponthewoman。

“Becausehewasakindmaster；I’llsaythatofhim，anyway；—andmymistresswaskind；buttheycouldn’thelpthemselves。Theywereowingmoney；andtherewassomeway，Ican’ttellhow，thatamanhadaholdonthem，andtheywereobligedtogivehimhiswill。Ilistened，andheardhimtellingmistressthat，andshebeggingandpleadingforme，—andhetoldherhecouldn’thelphimself，andthatthepaperswerealldrawn；—andthenitwasItookhimandleftmyhome，andcameaway。Iknew’twasnouseofmytryingtolive，iftheydidit；for’t’pearslikethischildisallIhave。”

“Haveyounohusband？”

“Yes，buthebelongstoanotherman。Hismasterisrealhardtohim，andwon’tlethimcometoseeme，hardlyever；andhe’sgrownharderandharderuponus，andhethreatenstosellhimdownsouth；—it’slikeI’llneverseehimagain！”

Thequiettoneinwhichthewomanpronouncedthesewordsmighthaveledasuperficialobservertothinkthatshewasentirelyapathetic；buttherewasacalm，settleddepthofanguishinherlarge，darkeye，thatspokeofsomethingfarotherwise。

“Andwheredoyoumeantogo，mypoorwoman？”saidMrs。Bird。

“ToCanada，ifIonlyknewwherethatwas。Isitveryfaroff，isCanada？”saidshe，lookingup，withasimple，confidingair，toMrs。Bird’sface。

“Poorthing！”saidMrs。Bird，involuntarily。

“Is’taverygreatwayoff，think？”saidthewoman，earnestly。

“Muchfurtherthanyouthink，poorchild！”saidMrs。Bird；“butwewilltrytothinkwhatcanbedoneforyou。Here，Dinah，makeherupabedinyourownroom，closebythekitchen，andI’llthinkwhattodoforherinthemorning。Meanwhile，neverfear，poorwoman；putyourtrustinGod；hewillprotectyou。”

Mrs。Birdandherhusbandreenteredtheparlor。Shesatdowninherlittlerocking-chairbeforethefire，swayingthoughtfullytoandfro。Mr。Birdstrodeupanddowntheroom，grumblingtohimself，“Pish！pshaw！confoundedawkwardbusiness！”Atlength，stridinguptohiswife，hesaid，

“Isay，wife，she’llhavetogetawayfromhere，thisverynight。Thatfellowwillbedownonthescentbrightandearlytomorrowmorning:if’twasonlythewoman，shecouldliequiettillitwasover；butthatlittlechapcan’tbekeptstillbyatroopofhorseandfoot，I’llwarrantme；he’llbringitallout，poppinghisheadoutofsomewindowordoor。Aprettykettleoffishitwouldbeforme，too，tobecaughtwiththembothhere，justnow！No；they’llhavetobegotofftonight。”

“Tonight！Howisitpossible？—whereto？”

“Well，Iknowprettywellwhereto，”saidthesenator，beginningtoputonhisboots，withareflectiveair；and，stoppingwhenhislegwashalfin，heembracedhiskneewithbothhands，andseemedtogooffindeepmeditation。

“It’saconfoundedawkward，uglybusiness，”saidhe，atlast，beginningtotugathisboot-strapsagain，“andthat’safact！”Afteronebootwasfairlyon，thesenatorsatwiththeotherinhishand，profoundlystudyingthefigureofthecarpet。“Itwillhavetobedone，though，foraughtIsee，—hangitall！”andhedrewtheotherbootanxiouslyon，andlookedoutofthewindow。

Now，littleMrs。Birdwasadiscreetwoman，—awomanwhoneverinherlifesaid，“Itoldyouso！”and，onthepresentoccasion，thoughprettywellawareoftheshapeherhusband’smeditationsweretaking，sheveryprudentlyforboretomeddlewiththem，onlysatveryquietlyinherchair，andlookedquitereadytohearherliegelord’sintentions，whenheshouldthinkpropertoutterthem。

“Yousee，”hesaid，“there’smyoldclient，VanTrompe，hascomeoverfromKentucky，andsetallhisslavesfree；andhehasboughtaplacesevenmilesupthecreek，here，backinthewoods，wherenobodygoes，unlesstheygoonpurpose；andit’saplacethatisn’tfoundinahurry。Thereshe’dbesafeenough；buttheplagueofthethingis，nobodycoulddriveacarriagetheretonight，butme。”

“Whynot？Cudjoeisanexcellentdriver。”

“Ay，ay，buthereitis。Thecreekhastobecrossedtwice；andthesecondcrossingisquitedangerous，unlessoneknowsitasIdo。Ihavecrosseditahundredtimesonhorseback，andknowexactlytheturnstotake。Andso，yousee，there’snohelpforit。Cudjoemustputinthehorses，asquietlyasmaybe，abouttwelveo’clock，andI’lltakeherover；andthen，togivecolortothematter，hemustcarrymeontothenexttaverntotakethestageforColumbus，thatcomesbyaboutthreeorfour，andsoitwilllookasifIhadhadthecarriageonlyforthat。Ishallgetintobusinessbrightandearlyinthemorning。ButI’mthinkingIshallfeelrathercheapthere，afterallthat’sbeensaidanddone；but，hangit，Ican’thelpit！”

“Yourheartisbetterthanyourhead，inthiscase，John，”saidthewife，layingherlittlewhitehandonhis。“CouldIeverhavelovedyou，hadInotknownyoubetterthanyouknowyourself？”Andthelittlewomanlookedsohandsome，withthetearssparklinginhereyes，thatthesenatorthoughthemustbeadecidedlycleverfellow，togetsuchaprettycreatureintosuchapassionateadmirationofhim；andso，whatcouldhedobutwalkoffsoberly，toseeaboutthecarriage。Atthedoor，however，hestoppedamoment，andthencomingback，hesaid，withsomehesitation。

“Mary，Idon’tknowhowyou’dfeelaboutit，butthere’sthatdrawerfullofthings—of—of—poorlittleHenry’s。”Sosaying，heturnedquicklyonhisheel，andshutthedoorafterhim。

Hiswifeopenedthelittlebed-roomdooradjoiningherroomand，takingthecandle，setitdownonthetopofabureauthere；thenfromasmallrecessshetookakey，andputitthoughtfullyinthelockofadrawer，andmadeasuddenpause，whiletwoboys，who，boylike，hadfollowedcloseonherheels，stoodlooking，withsilent，significantglances，attheirmother。Andoh！motherthatreadsthis，hasthereneverbeeninyourhouseadrawer，oracloset，theopeningofwhichhasbeentoyouliketheopeningagainofalittlegrave？Ah！happymotherthatyouare，ifithasnotbeenso。

Mrs。Birdslowlyopenedthedrawer。Therewerelittlecoatsofmanyaformandpattern，pilesofaprons，androwsofsmallstockings；andevenapairoflittleshoes，wornandrubbedatthetoes，werepeepingfromthefoldsofapaper。Therewasatoyhorseandwagon，atop，aball，—memorialsgatheredwithmanyatearandmanyaheart-break！Shesatdownbythedrawer，and，leaningherheadonherhandsoverit，wepttillthetearsfellthroughherfingersintothedrawer；thensuddenlyraisingherhead，shebegan，withnervoushaste，selectingtheplainestandmostsubstantialarticles，andgatheringthemintoabundle。

“Mamma，”saidoneoftheboys，gentlytouchingherarm，“yougoingtogiveawaythosethings？”

“Mydearboys，”shesaid，softlyandearnestly，“ifourdear，lovinglittleHenrylooksdownfromheaven，hewouldbegladtohaveusdothis。Icouldnotfinditinmyhearttogivethemawaytoanycommonperson—toanybodythatwashappy；butIgivethemtoamothermoreheart-brokenandsorrowfulthanIam；andIhopeGodwillsendhisblessingswiththem！”

Thereareinthisworldblessedsouls，whosesorrowsallspringupintojoysforothers；whoseearthlyhopes，laidinthegravewithmanytears，aretheseedfromwhichspringhealingflowersandbalmforthedesolateandthedistressed。Amongsuchwasthedelicatewomanwhositstherebythelamp，droppingslowtears，whileshepreparesthememorialsofherownlostonefortheoutcastwanderer。

Afterawhile，Mrs。Birdopenedawardrobe，and，takingfromthenceaplain，serviceabledressortwo，shesatdownbusilytoherwork-table，and，withneedle，scissors，andthimble，athand，quietlycommencedthe“lettingdown”processwhichherhusbandhadrecommended，andcontinuedbusilyatittilltheoldclockinthecornerstrucktwelve，andsheheardthelowrattlingofwheelsatthedoor。

“Mary，”saidherhusband，comingin，withhisovercoatinhishand，“youmustwakeherupnow；wemustbeoff。”

Mrs。Birdhastilydepositedthevariousarticlesshehadcollectedinasmallplaintrunk，andlockingit，desiredherhusbandtoseeitinthecarriage，andthenproceededtocallthewoman。Soon，arrayedinacloak，bonnet，andshawl，thathadbelongedtoherbenefactress，sheappearedatthedoorwithherchildinherarms。Mr。Birdhurriedherintothecarriage，andMrs。Birdpressedonafterhertothecarriagesteps。Elizaleanedoutofthecarriage，andputoutherhand，—ahandassoftandbeautifulaswasgiveninreturn。Shefixedherlarge，darkeyes，fullofearnestmeaning，onMrs。Bird’sface，andseemedgoingtospeak。Herlipsmoved，—shetriedonceortwice，buttherewasnosound，—andpointingupward，withalooknevertobeforgotten，shefellbackintheseat，andcoveredherface。Thedoorwasshut，andthecarriagedroveon。

Whatasituation，now，forapatrioticsenator，thathadbeenalltheweekbeforespurringupthelegislatureofhisnativestatetopassmorestringentresolutionsagainstescapingfugitives，theirharborersandabettors！