The Sunday Oregonian., April 29, 1900, PART THREE, Page 30, Image 30

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THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, ARRIL,V 29, 1900
JKePa(h W jJHH
Synopsis of Preceding; Chapter.
Fire yean before the outbreak ot the Civil
'War. love of adventure, hatred of slavery and
the desire to help my friend. George Werner,
led me. Charles Bradley, a civil engineer of
Attakapas County. Louisiana, to become an
agent of the underground railroad. Wesner hod
been nursed through the smallpox by a young
slate, Lucy, belonging to the Coverley planta
tion, lie discovered facts which proved that
Lucy was white and of good family. A secret
loe match followed, which progressed well
until Coverley proposed to sell Lucy to his
son and refused to sell her to anyone else.
Wesner became desperate, I agreed to help
him steal Lucy, and went to New Tork to ar
range with the antl-slaery society for the care
of any slaves we could bring North.
(Copyright. 1900. by F. A. Cummlngs.)
CHAPTER. III.
The next day was the Sabbath, Both
It and, 'Monday passed, and I bod received
no news from Mr. Greeley.
Tuesday afternoon I found a note at tho
hotel clerk's office, requesting me to re
main In my room from o'clock until 8
that evening.
I waited Impatiently for the hour to
come, and about 7:43 the waiter brought
up the card of Mr. Stephens.
He was a thick-headed fellow, and said
that Mr. Entwlssle wished to see me at
his office, and requested mo to accompany
him. I Inquired who Mr. Entwlssle was.
He replied that he did not know him.
though he knew where the office was; that
he (Stephens) was a pressman In the
Tribune office, and was sent by Mr. Gree
ley. I, therefore, concluded that he was
all right, and followed blm to the place of
meeting, not, however, without some sus
picions of trouble.
He took me to the back office of a -building
situated on a little court, a few steoj
from Broadway, I have forgotten the
street, as I was only there once.
In that office I met Horace Greeley, Ger
rlt Smith, a. member of Congress from tho
State of New York (whose name I will
not mention, as he Is still living), and a
gentleman whom they introduced as Mr.
Samuel Entwlssle.
After that night's interview, it was Mr.
Entwlssle with whom I chiefly dealt
From words inadvertently spoken and al
lusions made, I do not think that was his
real name, but all checks and drafts were
drawn and signed or Indorsed by Samuel
Entwlssle.
Later in the evening another gentleman
made his appearance. This was Mr. Blr
ney, of Philadelphia, a former abolition
candidate for President. Mr. Greeley
briefly stated to the other gentlemen my
proposition and called upon me to explain
it, which I did. recapitulating to them all
the reader knows, and fully explaining
my views.
The proposition advanced by me and
accepted by them was:
For every negro man or woman deliv
ered to the agent of the underground rail
road at any point in Indiana. Illinois,
Ohio or any other free state, where they
could be best delivered, wo were to re
ceive a sum of $300. and for all children
less than 6 jears of age $150 (all over 6
years to count as men or women). A cum
sufficient to cover all expenses was to be
paid by sight drafts, drawn by myself
upon some financial agent of the Anti
Slavery Society at New York, the re
port of the agent who received the fugi
tives 1elng deemed sufficient voucher that
our part was fulfilled.
The Anti-Slavery Society was also to
pay for such material and outfit as I then
wanted to enable us to begin operation",
which would amount to about JIJOO Some
hesitancy being shown on their part re
garding this Item, I cut it ehort by agree
ing to furnish the money myself, leaving
them the receipted bills and drawing lor
the amount if we were successful In our
first venture.
We Intended to use two avenues for
transportation, one by vessel or steamer
from the seacoast or on the Atchafalaya
River, the other across the country, via
the tributaries of the Red and Arkansis
Rivers, following the different bayous, to
us well known, and coming out on tho
bank of the Mlsslsrlppl at my woodyard
Here we could keep a party of 100, if
necessary, for months, as the countiy
around was swamp and wilderness, and
no person ever landed thre from the
river, except the deckhands of 'steamers
calling for wood, and they seldom left
the bank where the wood was piled.
I explained this to them as well as my
descriptive powers would allow, returned
to the hotel and wrote to George Wesner
to meet me at Ca'ro In one month from
that day.
Mr. Entwlssle had given me the address
of a young man whom he said would
assist me In getting material together
and take me to the different localities, as
I was a stranger in tne city, and I must
procure mateilal for all my neces'ary
outfit and fomethlng for every possible
emergency.
CHAPTER IV.
What we most needed was a couple of
boats or canoes capable of carryirg 10
men each and hullt so as to be folded
and put into a, box or trunk, for trans
portation. I already had a plan for their con
struction and had the drawings of an
ideal boat, but whether these would de
velop into anything practical or useful
when criticised by a mcchan'c or on
actual trial was yet to be demonstrated.
The next day I called upon Mr. WKlson
and told him my plans. Together we
went to a blacksmith's shop, where I
showed the smith my drawings, but he
was thick-headed and totally devoid ol
mechanical Ideas. sj I wasted no time
with him. but went to a manufacturer ot
small machinery, one Matthew Colon an
Irishman, and a very Ingenious man. who
comprehended the Idea as roon as I ex
plained the drawing. I made a bargain
with him to construct two canoe. These
werr a mart el of slmpllciiy. strength, car
rying capacity and Hghtre&s. One was it
feet long, six feet wide at tne enter,
about two feet deep and would carry 1!
men (we have had 15 In it): the other
was about 18 feet long, four feet wide. If
Inches deep and was to be used more for
exp'oring and working.
When the boats were completed, we
carried the hox containing them to the
river bank, opened it. and In Just 28 min
utes I stepped Into the canoe, ready for
use and floating upon the bosom of the
Hudson undeniably a perfect succew.
A crowd of bo s and men lined the river
bank, gazing and wa'chlng our movicnt'
and making comments. I called two or
three to step in and try the new bo-it.
Three of the boys did so. and I paddl'd
out perhaps a half mile and back again.
"Now. gentlemen." said I. "I 'have a
great curiosity to try the capacity of my
boat, and would like to have a few ot
you step in. I will promise not to drown
you."
I held her well up to the bank until
15 men and half-grown boys were seated
on her thwarts, then shoved her off. She
floated hnrdsomcly. with her gunwale at
least 10 Inches out,
Th's was be'tcr than I expected. We
paddled around for perhaps 15 minutes,
landed, hauled pur Uflftt on the siors.
went to the hotel for our dinner, returned
and started down the river In the canoe,
arriving at New York yes, at Colson's
shop in less than four hours.
I was well satisfied.
CHAPTER V.
It was now about time to expect Wes
ner at Cairo, and I was obliged to re-
main 'at least 10 days longer in New York. I
I wrote to him to continue 'his Journey to
New York. I
At tho expiration of & week George
Wesner one evening walked into the As
tor House, I was glad enough to see him,
as I had already another project In my
mind, and this was to buy a small stock
of general goods and open a store near
the Wesner plantation, a very good loca
tion, and the store would have a tendency
to help our scheme, extend our acquaint
ance and bring us into more immediate
contact with the free negroes In our dis
trict.
The purchase ot these goods took some
what longer than we expected, and it was
the last of November before we were back
in Cairo. Our boats were packed in two
boxes, marxed for Bradley's yard. Ar
kansas. One box contained both boat
frames, paddles to suit nnd a few other
little tools, the whole weighing a trifle
over C0 pounds. The other contained the
canoe covers, and weighed about 250
pounds.
Boats and utensils weighed less than
TOO pounds. We had several colls of rope,
rigging and bolt rope, and had also pro
vided ourselves with a small tent of No.
S duck, simply a fly with no walls or
ends. This was s'mllar to one nlre-idy
owned by me and used wh-n surveying.
It was about 7 o'clock la the forenoon.
December 10. 1SS5. when I larded at the
woodyard. Standing tesliJe the .boxen I
watched by partner on the deck of the
fast receding steamer, as shs swept d wn
the muddy river. Then for the first time
a realizing sense of the work I had under
taken began to stare me In the face.
It Is well known that back some miles
from the Mississippi, the waters of the
various streams runnlrg ln.o the Red and
Arkansas Rivers make a water course
almost parallel to the former river.
My Idea was to make a path to the wat
ers of the St. Francis on one of Its trib
utaries, carry our canoes ihrcu-h to the
stream, and from thence open a way down
the various creeks and bnyous to the
Teche, and there construct a rendezvous
as near our base of operations as conven
ient. My wcodyard was situated Just be'ow a
little place called Oreo's, West of the
yard, at a distance of about 11 miles Wuj
a small stream called Baker Creek.
This I had never exp'orcd, but under
stood that It flowed Into the St. Francis
River. Big Creek, a tributary of the
White River, was but a short d'stance
from the St. Francis, and 1 s head waters
were well over toward that stream.
Although It was but 11 ml es in a direct
line to Baker Creek from our yard, it was
perhaps 13 or It miles by any trail which
we could make, as we would have to sk-rt
around various swamps and keep the high
land, a straight line bilng tjipoalblc on
acccu.it of these obstrucLocs.
Bak.r Creek la a little drlei-up affair,
very s.ugglsh, r.ot oer .wo rols wide, at
any placj. and where we propes'd to t til a
It not even as wide as that, la tne d.o.th
of thi Summer there was but 1 ttl: wa.cr
In its channel, in fact, scarce enough t
float a canoe; but at this s:ason of the
year we had hoped to find three or four
feet. It flowed most of the way thrcugb
an Impassable swamp, and there were no
settlements for SO miles a ong I s banks,
where we proposed .o anting our road.
lower down wai a c e-r ng or to. but
no houses or fie ds with n eight of Its
banks. We therefore had no fear of In
terruption or discovery at this end of the
route, and Inde.d if It had not been thus
we mut have abandonednhe yard as our
t:rxn nus.
rrom the creek to Bradley's yard was
a dense wilderness, and through this 1
determined to-make a -pa h so plain that
pait.es could get to the yarn In one day
after leaving the steamer.
It was Important for'us to have a reli
able man at this end of the route one
whom throats could not intimidate, or
money buy. "
I fund'such a one in Dan'el V. Moore,
a nat.ve of Mlsslss.ppl; he was afterward
a Captain In the Coniederate service,
and was shot at S-lloh, to th s narrative
eannot Injure him..
Poor Moore! His parents were on th:
sttamer L. H. Smith, when h.r bolier ex
ploded at Vidal a In J8.0. Both were
hi ed, and left him a chl d, penniless and
fr end.efs. Slr.ce th n he had roamed the
world, and finally engaged with mi to
tak charge of my woodyard. where he
had ben, I bcllee about two y:ars.
To him I un.o ded my plars. careful
not to mention Wearer's nam;. I felt
sure of his co-operation, first from hU
love of adventure, se ond fiom his hatred
of the planters, and la-tir. b.czu'e of his
passible chance to make money, wh.ch
th.s sch me promised.
To him we owed, in a great measure,
the success of our worlc
I had 10 men cutting wood slaves hired
for the seasjn, but as they camped and
woiked two miles from the landing, they
saw nothing of us.
CHAPTER VL
Monday Moore and myself set out to
locate our road. I carried a compass, and
we each had an ax; our rifle, we left
at the landing, but we carried our revolv
ers and three days' provisions.
From one of our disused wood roads we
struck into the forest, shaping our gen
eral course a little south of west, our
plan being to go straight for the creek.
then spot back on the trees. and clear our
road. We had spotted a lew trees on
the way over to mark our trail; this was
necessary, as we expected to make some
very short turns to avoid windfall and
swampy land.
About 9 o'clock we left the head- of the
old road, traveling through the close
woods at the rate of about two miles an
hour. Having accomp.lshed four miles,
wc halted and left one-third of our pro
visions At a point some four miles farther on
we left the second Installment, Intending
to have supper and breakfast only at the
creek. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon,
tired and well scratched with briars, we
arrived at a little pond about one-halt
mile distant and having a good outlet
leading from the creek. This was the end
of our land Journey1 at this section of
the route, and we prepared to encamp for
the night
Wc stretched our tired limbs by the fire,
lighted our pipes, and smoked for a few
minutes In silence.
"Moore." said I. "this Is rather a des
perate game to play."
"Captain." replied he. "our greatest dan
ger lies In being obliged to trust some
scoundrel that will betray us. Now as to
the risk at this end ot the route. It is
small; onco get your niggers here, and
they are tale, for I do not think it has
been visited by man for 20 years. The
treachery of some persons we may be
obliged to trust Is our only danger, and
that we must carefully guard against.
Nsvor tnt a nigger aXtrj yojj gei.hiin
started. You perhaps may have a little
philanthropy or some sentimental feeling
In this thing; I haven't; with me It Is
business, nothing else."
"I confess that I am not quite so prac
tical as yourself, Moore, but really I have
no particular love for the master, nor re
spect for the system. You and I are
practical abolitionists, or will be."
"Yes, It sizes down to about that," Moore
answered, "but it Isn't exactly the way
I was raised." and in a few minutes w
were fast asleep.
Next morning at daybreak we were up
and moving, and by the time It was Ugh,
enough to see plainly, were at work. Both
ot us were quite experienced woodsmen
and made pretty fair progress. All we
did was to cut off the dead limbs and
clear out the brush, to form a trail pass
able for foot passengers and plain to ba
seen by people not well versed In wood
craft. In three days we had accomplished our
purpose and had a path sufficiently wide
for the transportation of our canoes and
such other material as we Intended to
move, and were pretty well fatigued when
we returned to the woodyard. We un
packed our canoes, taking them apart, to
enable us to pack them on tho back of
a mule, and this by the aid of an Im
provised saddle we accomplished ratlsfac
torily. Monday we started, and at 9 o'clock both
canoes were on the banks of Baker
Creek, put together and ready to launch.
At 5 P. M. we were back with our mule.
The next morning, putting on: of the
hands In charge of the yard while Moore
was absent, we started, mule and all. and
by 4 o'clock were at the creek again. We
built a pen a few yards square nnd penned
"TIIE .NIGGERS IS GO RIVE,
the mule, leaving him a supply of hay for
three days, and as one side of the pen
was on the water front, he need not go
thirsty.
At daylight the next morning wc were
up,' and by S o'clock wete o.T. Taking the
rmn.ll canoe In tow ot the other, we ped
dled, qu'etly across the little po-d no
the outlet, forced our way through the
overhanging branches, and In less than
an hour were on the waters of the creek.
We ran down, not over two milee. d!scm
barked, and prepared to carry the large
canoe across to Big Creek. The next two"
days we spent In clearing the road. The
third day we succeeded In getting out
large canoe through, but were oh.l;ed to
take It apart and make two trips, one
with the frame, and one with the canoe
cover.
In three days more we had our large
canoe safely hidden four miles from the
mouth of the White River. Moore was
on "board a steamer bound for Bradley s
yard, and I was on my way to New Or
leans. One thing In our undertaking was
p-tcured, viz.. a safe and secret route from
the mouth ot the White River to our
yard.
For the navigation of the Teche and
Tensas we could easily procure boats; but
the manner ot crossing from the polni
where we would leave the Tensas to our
big canoe was yet to be provided for. In
this I wanted and must have George
Wesner'r help.
Ten da from the time I left the mouth
of the White River I wason board the
little steamer St, Mary, bound up the
bayou Teche from Brashear City. t
The next morning I was at Wesncr's
plantation. George had be:n at heme
nearly two weeks, and had a small bu ld
lng for a store well under way. It would
take two weeks' time to complete the
building ready for occupancy.
Throughout the Attakapas country, the
Plantations were large, the prairies roll
ing, and timber scattering. Our work
must be night work and the dark swamps
our refuge. We must find a location at
once, secure from the visits of the coon
hunter or bis prowling hound. We se
lected a large swamp some distance from
the Teche. A small creek made up Into
It. The land along Its banks was low. and
the country for miles around was covered
with Its stagnant overflow. Twisted cy
press, gnarled oaks and pecans grew in
luxuriance and the undergrowth wag
black and dense. In this swamp, upon a
small hummock, we located our depot or
rendezvous, the only oasis In this noisome
wilderness.
Across the wide stretch of prairie, but
a mile or so from the outer edge, was
the main traveled road to Opelousas and
the northern parishes.
A narrow but unfrequented read skirted
the edge of the swamp. Between the two
roads were scattered patches .of timber,
and through this were bridle 'and cattle
paths. A few miles above the point where
the White River entered the Mississippi
there teas a chute leading into the Ar
kansas: this chute we determined to use,
as it was near the hiding place of our
big canoe. From the Teche to this point
it was necessary to explore and locate a
route by water, practicable for our use,
and also to establish safe places for our
encampment.
As our traveling would be by night, T-e
must have secure hiding places by day,
and know where to find them. Now was
the time to locate these while we were
ytX guiltless. Wlttx a party ot fugitives,
and the pursuer following there would be
little time for deliberating or changing
routes.
One bright December morning we started
for the swamp communicating with the
Tensas Bayou, ostensibly on a duck-shooting
expedition.
Near a plantation owned by a man by
the name of Gllroy, we ran across a free
negro with an old rattle-trap of a canoe.
The old man was paddling around the
Bayou looking out for bis duck snares.
George bantered him to sell the old trap.
"No, massa, don't like to seems too much
like selling an old friend; dls yer boat
an me has been togedder for lots of yean;
can't sell her 'thout a pow'r of money."
"Well, daddy," replied George, "how
much do you call "pow'r ot moneyr "
"Speks free dollars."
We paid him S3 and transferred our
selves to the canoe, which we decided
was better than borrowing Gllroy's, as we
intended.
Bayou Tensas on a dark night is a
lonesome place for navigation. Now
and then on Its bankscould be seen the
buildings of a planter; these we must
pass, hidden only by the friendly shades
of night.
On our way we made careful note ot
location as we slowly paddled up the
stream. Every rod of shore was carefully
scrutinized, for, although both ot us
had been up the Tensas as far as Moses
Landing, never before had we cause for
such eager Interest.
Wherever there was a growth of oaks
or of other hard wood, the frosts of De
cember had seared their leaves, and al
though clinging to the boughs, the eyes
could distinguish objects 6ome distance be
tween the shriveled foliage. Above us was
the clear, blue sky of Louisiana, the shad
ows of the passing clouds reflecting upon
tits glassy black waters of the bayou.
Here was a plantation and we turned
Into the mouth of a diminutive chute,
scarcely three yards wldo and nearly
invisible from the stream.
How sudden the change! The tangled
vines shut out the sun's light as we pushed
our canoe through the gloomy waters.
Here was the swamp! The chill, ma
larial vapors filled the air. heavy, dense
and thick. Down through the tangled fo
liage straggling rays of light gleamed
and shimmered on the dark surface of
the chute and lost themselves in the
dense growth that lined Its banks. Alli
gators clustered around every spot of
sunshine, eager to enjoy the last ray
before retiring for their short Winter nap.
Wo pushed our canoe 10 miles before
we again came out to the Tensas sun
light. Althourh there were four feet of
water In the chute where Its waters united
with tho Tensas, we had to throw our
selves flat In the canoe to avoid the over-
lid bii
ULL
Bisk rm mk ssiM WS3
THE DORCS IS DEAD. AXIJ ABOUT A
hnnglr.g bushes. From the Tensas its
opening was barely distinguishable.
R'ght here was a secure camping and
hiding place; we marked the spot and
rushed on. The outlet below we had
also marked by placing a buoy tome 10
rod3 below tho op r.Ir.g.
No -one has any Idea of the Intrica
cies or thee waterways beyend the lev
ees unter.s he makrs an attempt to nal
gate them. Often did we wander up some
wsli-deflncd rcurse. to find It end In an
Impa?sab.e swamp.
Bcycus de Glace and Bocuf were dis
turbed by our canoe, and It was nearly
four weeks before we arrived at Mescs'
Landing, near which point wc determined
to strike for tho Arkansas River.
Bypaths by day nnd secure roads by
night these we must have. There was
the Red RUer to cross, portages to make
and men to avoid everywhere. I kept
an accurate map of the way. The last
of January found us across the Arkansas
and paddling up the White River In our
big car.oe.
One bright mornlrg we stood on the
landing at Bradley's y-ird. Surveys had
been made, tits and track laid, and, with
the exception of tho rolling-stock, the
Undergroutd Railroad was completed
from the banks of the Teche to Brad- '
ley's yard. '
Moore wr.s In the woods when wo ar
rived, and. ns we were pretty tired, we
threw ourselves down on the floor and
slept urtll about dark, when he came In
and awoke us. Moore was a silent man
usually, but this evening he was quite
talkative.
"Gentlemen." said he, "we have our'
railroad, and. there Is no doubt, plenty '
of work. In cascof accident, the engineer,
and conductor will be likely to go under;
as for the passengers, the extent of thelri
Injuries would be a sound flogging, if we
succeed, we have a gold mine; If we fall,
we hang, unless we are lucky enough to
escape."
Th's we knew, and that night felt pretty
sober over It. Moore's argument and rea
soning were close and plausible. No one
would suspect negroes' ot attempting to
escape to the North from a place so far
removed as Attakapas. If they disap
peared, the most that would be done to
recover them would be to search some
neighborhood and the swamps roundabout,
for usually when they did run away, this
was their refuge for-a few weeks. When
starved out they would- return to their
old homes, sadder, wiser and much hun
grier and dirtier than before. After re
ceiving their usual 100 lashes they would
crawl Into some old glnhouse and lay
there until the first smart was over, then
stupidly return to their work.
On the contrary, the escaping negro
In the border states would be followed
to death or capture. A white man caught
near their quarters must explain his bus!
ness pretty conclusively, or the home
guards, taking his case Into their hands,
would escort him across the border, the '
chances being that he would die en route. -I
For these reasons Moore agreed with us
that the farther south we conducted our
operations the better.
The next day. bidding Mcore farewell,
we commenced the return trip to Atta
kapus. via the Underground Railroad.
On arriving, we found the store finished.
It was a small wooden building, nbout 24
feet wide by 40 long, with a shed attached.
We began to unpack our goods. There
were one or two boxes, the covers of
which wc did not display on our counters.
These -AT't'''n', various dUgulses--ta4&a
tor the skin, false hair, wigs and com
plete paraphernalia for different costumes.
While away we had shaved our face
smooth, to be better prepared.
The goods unpacked, we had our open
Ing and trade commenced. Business was
good.
CHAPTER VIL
One day I was busy trying to trad
with an Acadian for a couple of bales
of cotton, when with a wild whoop a
chap called Skew Bill Snelder dashed up
to the door. Skew Bill was a charac
ter. An unlucky blow received when a
child had twisted his nose so that it
stood at an angle of 45 deg. with his face
hence Skew B11L
Snelder believed himself to be a cele
brated negro-hunter, although to my
knowledge he never caught or found one
runaway. There were one or two in
stances on record where it was proved by
court that he had been quite successful
in finding other people's mules, but these
matters were arranged by the Sheriff, and,
contrary to the wishes of the general pub
lic. Snelder had as yet escaped the rope.
A dozen or more dogs followed at his
heels hound, cur. bull and mongrel,
none ot them, to listen to his brag, hut
could smell a nigger a mile away.
"Brad!" he yelled. "Brad!" Recognis
ing his peculiar voice, I went to the door.
"What U it?"
"There's h 1 to pay at Coverly's. I've
got the best Job I've had for 10 years."
"What is it, SkewT What Is It?"
"Oh. a dozen of tne old man's best hands
have took to the, swamp, and all his dorgs
was plzened."
"Surer I asked.
"Wall, I reckon It must be niggers Is
gome, the dorgs Is dead, and about a
dozen mules gome, too something up!"
My heart stood still, and It seemed as
If I should suffocate before I could breaths
again. Wesner had been gone two days,
and. unknown to me, had set the ball
rolling. There was no turning back now.
I had not suspected that he contemplated
the step so soon, as he had said nothing
to me about it.
"Say, you haven't heard 'em go by your
place, have your cried Snelder.
"Of course not: it I had I would havo
stopped them."
"You can't track 'cm by the mules, for
they're not shod, and all mules and nig
gers goes barefoot In this country," says
Bill.
"Do you know who they are?"
"No; the old man Just sent for me."
"Tell .him I will come over, BUI. and
Join the hunt with you."
"All right: .you're a good one. Bring
Terror, my dog. with you."
"I'll be there without fall, and leave
George here to tend store."
Here was business enough for one day.
Where Wesner was-1 did not know, but
DOZEJf MULES GOnjfE."
I .surmised that his absence was connected
with the stampede of Coverly's negroes,
nnd I longed for sunset, knowing pretty
well that he would, not leave the swamps
by daylight, I did not more than halt
way believe that he was with the run
atray.v "
George usually rode a small Creole pony
of perhaps SOO pounds weight, but he also
owned a magnificent stallion, black s
nlrht. and the swiftest runner In all
Southwestern Louisiana.
After my customers were gone I went
over to the stables where George kept
his saddle-horse. Kitty was goie. Th re
was no further clew to his absence, and
I came back to the store.
During the day various people caran
driving alons the road from Coverly's.
all having more or less to say concern
ing the flight. About 4 o'clock that af
ternoon an old darkey who was known
as Hannah's Pete came along. Pete was
an old gossip, and knew everything and
everybody, but was a born liar-. In fact,
a verbal novelist of the worst kind. The
way Pete came by his name was this:
Hannah was a free negress. and Pete a
slave. By the laws of Louisiana, then,
the husbands of free blacks were.free. Sho
bought him.
"Shnkes. Massi BradUy." old Pete wou'd
jay. "she flogs a poor nigger worser than
an overseer." ,
Pete was as worthless .a negro as ever
drew breath, but he fondly Imagined that
the possession of him by his wife was a
fortune In Itself. "Golly," he would say,
"dls chile take good care of hlsself. for
dar's a thousand dollars ob Hannah's
money In me. an It's too much to risk
working hard." So he never took the r sk.
I stood in the doorway as Pete came
alone. "Pete Oh. Pete!"
He stopped. "What's up at Coverly's.
Peter'
The old scoundrel grinned. "Him been
whaling some ob dem Mefodlst niggers
ob hls'n (Pete was a Baptist), an' dey no
done like It, so dem scoot,"
"Where 7"
"To de swamp."
"How many. PeteT"
"Oh. 'bout 10,000 ob 'em," said he. "Dar's
BUI, he's gome; Mose, he's gome; Moie's
woman, she's gorne; bofe young 'uns, dem
gome; how many dat make?"
"That's only five. Pete."
"Wall. Lemuel Mason, de yaller feller,
an all dat lot. four ob 'em Tom, Jack
an Pharo how many datt"
"Nine," said I.
"O. yah. fo mooh shuah. for dar tou
sand gone Lucy, she gone, dats all, I
tink. Dats tousand. Massa Bradley."
"That's only 10. Pete."
"Wall, ain't dat 'nough. 10 niggers, get
one good licking byme by. massa. Cov
erly catch 'em, 40 hosses. hundred mules,
ten tousand dorgs. an' ole Skew BUI
Snelder, he gome, too."
It was the general opinion that the ne
groes had taken to the swamp, and that
after getting starved out they would re
turn and take their punishment as hun
dreds ofothers had done before.
Never before had such an exodus as
this taken place. Here were $10,000 worth
ot property In the swamp. Think of It,
you Northern farmer. How would you
feel If you had lost Sib.oOO in horses'or
cattlo In one night? Very much. I think,
as the old man Coverly did the next morn.
Ing when he awoke and found himself
minus 10 negroes.
Of course. I knew that he would never,
agala see his property. Thera were pro
visions enough to last 10 persons three
months, at our depot. We had hard bread,
coffee, sugar, tea, salt beef, dried beef,
pork, fish and dried apples. There were
also a tew boxes of canned fresh meats
to use In case of slckncn. as well as flour
and meal In small quantities.
We had a rough log house built. to
shelter them. Intending to-make our first
party build suitable quarters for our refu.
gees, for we might be compelled to stay
there weeks and perhaps months, though
we did not Intend to stop but a day or two.
Just long enough to let the runaways- get
well rested.
I thought these things over as I moved
about the store that afternoon, anxiously
expecting George Wesner's return. I very
well knew that he might have to spend
three days, perhaps more, at the rendez
vous, and then possibly keep on with the
fugitives. I thought It more than likely,
however, that he would come back to the
store and stay a week or so and thus
avoid even the shadow of suspicion.
.Night came and no Wesner morning,
noon the next day, 4. 5. 6 o'clock sunset
he did not come. I closed the store and
went home.
Next morning, about 7 o'clock, as I was
sitting down to my breakfast, the door
opened and "my absent partner, wearing
a smile of content and triumph on his
face, walked into the room.
"Brad, I thought I would breakfast with
you."
"All right: sit down."
"Jane (to tho waitress), get a plate and
cup for Mr. Wesner." Jane disappeared.
I gave George a look, of Inquiry.
"All right," said be, "safe and sound.
I will tell you on the road. Walls have
ears, and ears find tongues; we must
trust no one now."
Breakfast finished, we mounted our
horses and set out for the store. Once
clear of the house, George commenced:
"Well. Brad, what do you think ot it?"
"How far have you gone, George?"
"Into the swamp, do you mean?"
"Well, no. not exactly: but let us know
how you managed, how did you spirit 10
darkles, away from Coverley's place; why
were you not discovered? Give me the
whole story. I have been In a fever of ex
citement ever since the news came. Why
did you not let me know about it?"
v ell. to answer your last question first.
I didn't want you to know about It until
It was over, for your face might betray
you. In your anxiety to hear from me;
and. again, I did not really know myself
that I should begin as soon as I did.
"I mado nrrangements with Lucy long '
ago to meet her regularly every Thursday
night at a deserted corahouse, a short
distance from the negro quarters.
"Sometimes she came and I was not
there, hut generally both of us managed
to get there at the same time. All the
sign that either ever left that one had
waited for the other was the removal of
a small stono from one side of the build
ing to the other: thus you perceive I am
on old hand at deception. I dare not write
to her: she has written to me. for, while
I could receive her lettcrj and she could
mail them, whoever hearj of a plantation
nigger receiving letters?
"Last Thursday I was early at the corn.
house. Lucy was there, full of trouble
That young devil of Coverly's was ex
pected home the next week or sooner, and
what should she do? Poor girl, she cried
as though her heart would break. I sat
there awhile and thought; my brain seem
ed on fire. There was but one course to
take, one path to pursue. For the first
time the awful responsibility that I was
taking forced Itself upon my mind I must
decide. The morning sun must not shed
Its light 'upon her and she a slave In the
power of Richard Coverly. Briefly I un
folded my plans. In 30 minutes she had
gathered her poor little kit of clothes and
called around her those of the sltves
whom she could trust. Giving Tier direc
tions how to proceed, I left her, as I had
to procure my own disguise."
CHAPTER VIII.
George continued his story of how he
carried Lucy away.
"I had given Lucy directions." he said,
"to take the party as far as Keldra's
place, and, if I did not overtake them.
to turn off at the fork of the road, go
into the woods and await my coming.
"My disguise was that of a negro, black
as the blackest. My darkey Idiom Is per
fect, and I felt no fear of discovery In
that character. When I spoke, old Mose
cried out, "It's a strange nigger.
"I waited a minute or two until all was
quiet. There were four miles to coter.
and In less than three hours It would be
daybreak.
"I slipped off my horse, helped Lucy
to the saddle, tucked old Mose's two small
children on behind, and. taking the lead,
started off at a, dogtrot. Lucy came next,
while the rest' followed, sometimes run
ning, and then falling along as they stum
bled over roots and fell. Into ruts of the
old bayou road. Old Mose must havo
crawled the last mile before we left the
wood. 'Bradley, those were moments of
Intense anxiety.
"I was on a public highway but sel
dom used It Is true, yet some benighted
Individual might come that way. I start
ed into a sharp run and kept a short
distance ahead of the party, straining my
eyes In the vain endeavor to pierce the
condensed darkness, and listening for the
slightest indication that would give notice
of the approach of strangers.
"I verily believe- every dog In the par
ish barked am, every mule -brayed, for
there was one constant succession of
barking, howling and braying, and to add
to our perl), beside the road and not over
three rods distant, was the shanty of a
free negro, who like most of his kind
keeps a legion of dogs, that either hearing
or scenting us. cleared their throats and
set up their wolfish and unearthly howl.
"I knew there was no danger, for noth
ing save an earthquake or a chicken-stealing
expedition will turn a nigger out in
the night. Yet I could but feel alarmed at
the infernal din. especially as we were
not above a mile away from where wo
left the road tot the swamp. Had any
man attempted to stop us. It would have
cost him his life.
"Much to my relief, we reached the
place without Interruption, and at day
break were a mile from the old road and
tinkle deep In the waters of the swamp.
I kept on about a mile, and at sunrise
halted on a knoll that rose a few feet
above the waters of the surrounding coun
try, and was' comparatively dry. Slowly
the poor, tired creatures came straggling
In and threw themselves at full length
upon the moss and leaves.
"I dared not build a Are, for the day
was still, and the tell-tale smoke might be
tray our whereabouts to eyes that I well
knew must bo watching for us ere this,
hut whom I trusted I had thrown off tho
scent by the ruse ot the .mule stampede,
and I have since learned that I did,
"I have forgotten to tell you that I
turned a dozen of the old man's mules
loose and sent them scampering In an
other direction. Just the opposite of ours.
"In the morning I told my fugitives to
take a bite at their luncheons, and gave
each of them a good horn ot corn whis
ky. This temperance beverage revived
their courage amazingly.
"We rested here perhaps two or three
hours, and as the sun gradually mount
ed higher and the air grew warmer and
the party were more cheerful, having al
ready begun to build air castles as to
what they were going to do In de Norf.
"Again we started. I took the lead with
Lucy. Next come old Mose. then his
wife, then BUI. Tom, Jack and Pharo
came next, while Lemuel Mason brought
up In the rear. The two children were
carried In turn by tho men; they're only
little bits one. two and three years old.
"Lemuel Mason, as the boys all call
htm. Is a very smart, bright man. a
mulatto; he can read a little, and is
going to be of great help In getting the
party through. I have left him In charge
of the crowd at our camp.
"The water In the swamp Is now about
six Inches to a foot In depth, with now
and then a hummock where It is quite
dry; these I avoided as much as possi
ble, for I was careful to leave no trace
or trail for a dog to follow. I know a
VfhMinfl wall. No nigger hunter ever
catches me or mine with one or a dozen.
"However, to make an end of my story.
we arrived safe and unpursued at our
rendezvous about,noon. It was slow walk
ing and tiresome.
"Brad, you should have heard their
exclamations of delight at the sight of the
cabins we had built, I never knew a ne
gro had. so much feeling that Is, I sup
pose I knew but I never realized the fact
before.
"I was known to them only as a strange
nigger, and they had a notion in their
heads that 1 was from the North. They
could not conceive how I got there, but
whUe they felt that I was one ot them,
they well knew they were lost without
me," so after dinner when I called Mason
up to me and put him in charge of the
place they accepted the position without
a word.
"The disguise of a negro will not d
for us when we have our convoy In a
difficult or a dangerous position. It does
not carry with It that idea ot obedience)
we must exact ot these people to get
them through the perils of our swamp
and night Journeys, I realized lt,flrst. and
Lucy further told me that to succeed we
must don our natural characters, 'or at
least appear as white men.
"I set Lemuel and the other men ot
work roofing and fixing the house to make
it comfortable, and Lucy will have gen
eral superintendence of the camp, as they
aro used to obeying her. I then told them
that a white man would bo their guide
out of the swamp.
"About 3 o'clock I left, cautioning them
not to lose sight of the camp, to be as
quiet as possible and keep but little fire
at night, although I do not think any
person will ever see or hear them, the
place is so lonesome and dismal.
'About nightfall I reached tho spot
where I left my horse, and. after dark
ness ha dfalrly set In, Issued forth into
the road, a white man, rode home, went
to bed, enjoyed a few hours' rest, and
here I am. ready for business. So, if you
please, we will open the store and proceed
to sell (by day) molasses, tea. coffee, or
any other commodity we have to our
friends and neighbors, while we steal their
niggers by night. How's that, my boy,
for a fire-eater!"
"Well. George." I said, "we only have
one chance now, and that is to play the
hand out,"
"Yes." cried George, "and no pack to
draw from." a friendly allusion to draw
poker, a game quite familiar in thosa
days to many of the citizens of Louisiana,
especially those whose business called
them to travel much upon the Mississippi
steamers.
"How long," I Inquired, "do you pro- I
pose to leave the fugitives In the swampr
want the excitement to subside and tho
hunt In this vicinity over before I start.;
Not that I think, there Is a chance of
being even remotely suspected. I even
want to Join In the hunt, but I have
such a hatred of old Coverly (and I
know he would sooner draw a bead on
mo than on a deer) that It might look
suspicious for me to be hunting up his
niggers. So I guess I will forego that
pleasure, but wouldn't I like to see tho
old devil squirm, as he thinks of hta
dollars In niggers, and those niggers in
the swamp, safe as the Bank of New
Orleans! Brad, old fellow, you had better
go. I can have the story second-hand;
that will be some comfort."
"I will do It." replied I.
I sent Coverly word by Hannah's Pete
that I would come up and Join them.
Skew Bill Schneider was going to try tha
swamp the next day, and. I agreed to
go and bring Terror.
"Go, Brad go by all means," said
George.
I went, leaving my companion In the
road about a mile frren the store. I
turned to the right up a road that led
out to a small prairie, and, giving my
horse the rein and a touch with the spur,
reached the edge of the prairie in a few
moments.
There Louisiana prairies are generally
of small extent, perhaps four or ten miles),
across., and usually bordered by a bayou
or swamp, sometimes both, and often as
fertile as the Garden ot Eden, but halt
cultivated.
Beforo and around me lay thousands
of acres of virgin soIL I drank In tha
fresh morning air as a thirsty man would!
pure water, as I sped away over tho bil
lowy earth.
Bulwer's Paul Clifford was uppermost
In my thoughts, and I Imagined Georgd
and myself a brace of modern heroes.
Conscience said. "You rascals, you are
but a couple of nlgger-stealers!"
I had .ridden perhaps two or three
miles when I saw approaching me from
the direction of what was then called
Perry's Slough a party of horsemen.
Perry's Slough lay at the left of Cover
ly's. and the swamp that the slough end
ed In was at least 16 miles distant from
where George Wesner left the road with
the fugitives. This swamp was a general
refuge for runaways, and. as it led to
nowhere, when one of the unfortunates
got Into lt-to use the expressive vernacu
lar of Attakapas h was "therefor sure.
.It was an Impossibility for him to es
cape upon the bayou, and. should ha
make the attempt by land, the negro
hunter and his savage hound soon pulled
the poor wretch down.
I stopped my horse and waited the ap
nronch of the party. Foremost roda
Dick Coverly. I rode up to him and ex
tended my hand, for l naa no quarra
with him nnd did not think It policy
pick up Wesner's. even If I felt se-Ts
Cllned. DICIC accosiea me vrrj pn:ajj...j.
"Good morning. Mr. Bradley."
Good morning. Dick. What news from
the runaways! Are you on the trail?"
"Yes. uthdj-T anj evidently In Perry a
Swamp poor fools!"
"What makes you think so?"
"Well, that's where they all go. We
followed the mules, nnd found all of them
inrlde of three miles from the slough.
When they left the mules they must hava
taken to the swamp."
"What do you propose to dor
"Leave them there for a while, and
they will be glad to come out. for it Is
not very pleasant even for a nigger to
starve, as they will surely do It thoy
stay there. The worst trouble Is. It will
put us out this Spring, so we shall bo
obliged to buy or hire more help. Wo
have pretty much made up our mlnda
to buy. then catch these and sell them.
That will teach the rest of tho boy3 In
this parish a lesson."
I agreed fully with Dick Coverly In
this matter, coming to tho conclusion
that as long as his money held out to
buy negroes, ours would hold out to
steal them. I rode back to the store, tha
hunt being Indefinitely postponed.
(To Be Continued.)
Alphabet Children.
Annie Allen ate an apple in the acres.
Bobby Ballard bought a brace of buttered
bakers.
Carrie Curran cooked a crate of curly candles.
Dicky Duttcn drew a doien doleful dandles.
Effle Ellis emulated early etchers.
Freddy Fuller fought a flock of fossll-fetchers.
Gertie Gammldge grew aghast at grewsoraa
grammar.
Harry Hallam had a hundred heavy hammers.
Ida Ibsen Idled In incessant ingles.
Jamie Johnson Joked and Jabbered Jolly Jlng)ea,
Katie 'Ketehara kicked a kettle In the kitchen.
Louts Leonard lost a Joelr little lichen.
Molly Martin made mistakes In moving maples.
Neddy Norton never navigated Naples.
Olive Orson ought to ostracise the otters.
Peter Perkins pestered pompous, portly potters.
Queenle Quilled quelled a quart or quaking
qulvero.
Klchard Rcbbtns rowed on raging, roaring
'rivers.
Ratlv Knnwrs stril a set of irolendld sables.
Tommy Trotter took his tea on twenty tables.
Una Upton underrated useful urgers. '
Victor Vincent viewed some very verdant
vergers.
Winnie Wllklns winks and wiggles when she
wearies.
Xencphon xacted xtra xeres.
Tvette Terktna yearned for yellow yarn a yean
oh.
Zebby Zlgler zealously froxe sine to zero.
Carolyn Wells hi Pittsburg Dispatch.
T really can't begin to tell tha benefit
I derived from Hood's San-aparllla," U
what many write.