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30
THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, 'PQRTLAND, MAT 20, 1900.
Synopsis of Preceding: Chapters. i
fAVC JCMO UVlUi7 IUV VUklLl-Mt V- ..
War, love of adventure, hatred of slavery and
the desire to help my friend, George Wesner,
led me, Charles Bradley, a civil engineer of
Attakapas County. Louisiana, to become an
agent of the underground railroad. "Wesner
had been nursed through the smallpox by a
young slave, Lucy, belonging to the Coverley
plantation. He discovered facts -which proved
that Lucy was -white and of good family. A
secret love 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 arrange with the anti-slavery society for the
care of any tlaves we could bring North. Re
turning home, I secure a boat and supplies,
locate a refuge station at my wood camp, sev
eral miles up the river, lay out a safe and se
cret route from the mouth of the "White lUver
to our yard. "Wesner and I put up a store
building at home, where, to-avoid all suspicion,
we carry on a general merchandise business.
In a few days "Wesner starts the first batch of
Coverleys slaves, including Lucy, for the
North, and immediately a searching party Is
sent out. Under clever disguises "Wesner
evades the pursuers. Lucy renders great as
sistance. The enture is succes&fuL "Wesner
delivers the slaves to the agents of the under
ground railroad In New York, and places Lucy
In school' at Andover. Encouraged by our suc
cess, v,e plan a second raid. Disguised as a
peddler, I arrange with the Raymond negroes
for their escape.
' (Copyright, 1900, by F. A- Cummings.)
CHAPTER XV.
For two hours or more we "waited Im
patiently before our ears, sharpened by
danger, detected the deadened sound of
quick tramping cf feet on the soft soil as
they passed over it.
"Here they come," cried George; "I will
creep up nearer to the Bayou road and see
how the thing looks," for It was a verita
ble column. "We were astonished and
alarmed. It looked as if Dave had gath
ered the entire colored population of the
four parishes, "and was taking them en
masse, as Moses took the children of Is.
rael to the promised land. I could not see
distinctly enough to count them, but
George came back as soon as the last one
had passed.
"Brad, for heaven's sake hurry up and
let's get thesa people Into the bush; here
are 73 men, w omen and children all in one
drove! There'll be walling and gnashing
of teeth in Attakapas tomorrow."
We made all haste toward the Bayou
road, and ran 'down that a few rods until
we met the column. They were huddled
together in the bushes. Dave came out
cautiously as soon as he heard our foot
stepsindeed most of them did the same,
but had we been strangers the whole
movement would have been discovered.
George darted Into the woods on the lower
side of the read.
"Out of this. Brad," he cried; "out ol
this; see the last man in, will you?"
I spoke quick and low to Dave: "After
him, boy! after him! I'll see to the peo
ple, Dave "
Recognizing my voice, he cried, "It's the
peddler; It's all right." I spoke two or
three words of the west coast idiom to
assure him.
"We're all safe." cried he, and followed
George. One by one, at Intervals of a few
feet, they entered the wpods, and In a
very short time were wading ankle deep
in swamp mud and water, where no dog
could track them, certainly no hunter.
About 1:30 o'clock we were, perhaps, a
mile and a half into the swamp, when
George, halting the column, came back.
"Well, Brad, I must leave you," said
he. "I think it best that I take your
horse back with me. Both of us ought to
be at the store in the morning. I do not
think these people can be tracked; the
sun has hardened every bare spot, and
their feet leave no impression except
where it is dusty. I do sish, though, that
there were more water in the swamp."
We were standing a few yards fom
our party. As George ceased, my eara
detected the sound of approaching foot
steps. Wesner cocked his rifle.
"So, George; too much noise; get
Dave."
In a moment Dave was with us. A lit
tle to our right we could hear footsteps.
A bright flash shot through the gloom.
"A dark lantern," cried George. "1ft
Mason and Obed. This is the night th;y
were to arrive. I don't believe there Is
another dark lantern in Attakapas."
The strangers had certainly heard our
movements, for they stopped, and were
eagerly peering into the darkness. Again
they moved forward, and the lantern
flashed. This time I recognized the ebonj
features of Obed. ;
"Ho. Obed," cried George, but no an
swer came back. The water splashed
close by, the light from the lantern shone
full in my face, and the ominous cIIck,
click of a gunlock was anything but wel
come to my ears.
George spoke. "Obed, is that you?'
"This is me, but who are your
George replied: "I am the man who
knocked you on the head with the paddle
the night you ran away from Lannon's.
This Is the strange nigger with me."
"Good." cried Obed. "I know your
voice, but that strange nigger is white
tonight. If you were any one else you
would bof been dead before now, for we
has been watching you."
Obed and Mason came up. "Now, boys."
said George, as he presented Dave, "take
these people to the rendezvous and lay
low. If one attempts to run away, kill
him. We will come for you when ready;
good-bye" and we were on our way
back.
"BraH," said George, "Dave tells me
-that, save one or two, perhaps three,
hands too old for work, Coverly has not
a field hand left: and he has also lost
one or two of his house servants. I dread
the morning, for I shall have to enact
.the hypocrite until I fairly loathe my
self." Leaving our prospective emigrants In
charge of Obed, we hastened to the high
road, and were but a short time reach
ing our horses; once mounted, we struck
a 10-milc gait, and at 3 o'clock arrived
home.
A few minutes aifflced to rub down out
animals and retire for the rest of the
night, or rather morning. George slept
at the store and I at home.
I Next morning business opened as usual.
I had no fear of evil results from our
night's transactions. Wesner was a bit
nervous.
By and by people dropping in from the
country up north of us brought rumors
that Coverly had lost more negroes. Fly
ing reports came of Raymond's losses,
but no one from either place put in an
appearance. The next day the rumors
were confirmed. The Wills brothers were
on the warpath. We heard from them
before noon; they had all the men and
dogs they could raise, scouring the coun.
try about their places. Rumor said they
had lost 50 negroes, but of course, as
usual, rumor was mistaken.
I knew well enough that, failing to And
traces of them near home, they would
start for the Yankee brig at Franklin.
Thursday afternoon came, and with it
men and dogs. Wesner and myself were
both at the store when there" arrived
George Wilis, Dick Coverly, Mr. James
(Raymond's overseer) and two or three
planters from above Opelousas. The ne
croes belonging to some of these men had
left the week before, but no great exer
tion had been made to recover them, as it
was no unusual occurrence- The stam
pede at Raymond's brought the planters
together and opened their eyes, and with
a malediction against the Abolitionist. It
was agreed to search the brig, if she "Sad
not already sailed.
Wills, a rough, pugnacious and quarrel
some man, was spokesman of the party.
Dick Coverly dropped into insignificance
and made no attempt to lead. Wild with
excitement and some of them pretty well
alarmed, the crowd filled the store. They
did not know where this would end.
"Isn't that vessel at Franklin loaded?"
cried Wills.
"No," said I. "What is It? Have you
anything to ship on her?"
"Ship on her!" he shouted. "Not un
less she has shipped my niggers. Twenty
five of them skipped somewhere, and we
are going to search the vessel!"
"Mr. Wills," said I, "as that vessel is
under charter to Wesner & Bradley, I
shall feel it my duty to demand a search,
and I shall accompany you, but first send
and get a Sheriff or Constable and have
these proceedings legal, for the owners
of the vessels will hold us responsible
for any delay or damage."
Wills immediately sent for the consta
ble, and upon his arrival we were off for
Franklin.
Arriving there, I asked Wills If he did
not think it best that he and Dick Cov
erly. together with the Constable and my
self, should constitute the searching partr.
He immediately agreed to this, and,
explaining to the rest, we left them to
enjoy themselves, while we searched the
brig for negroes who were at least 60
miles away. On board the brig we found
the captain busy with his cargo.' I In
troduced him to Messrs. Wells. Coverlv
and James the Constable Introduced him
self and stated his business.
The bluff old sea dog roared with laugh
ter, -wen, well! Well, well!" he cried.
"This is nice! Captain Harris accused of
stealing negroes! Say. Mr. Wells." he
continued, "I have stolen them" Wells
looked ugly "on the coast of Africa,
many a cargo, but none in Louisiana."
"Go ahead! Search away!"
We called to the crowd and they
swarmed on board. The search was made,
but nothing was found more closely re
sembling a negro than a few bottles of
West India rum. Captain Harris owned
these. Safe to say the rum accompanied
the searching party ashore the bottles
remained with the brig.
Various were the suggestions given and
the opinions volunteered. Dick Coverly
took the same view as before the swamp.
Everything was swamp to Dick. Wells
was furious, and swore that he would Hog
every nigger left on the plantation. James
said nothing, except that the Yankee cap
tain was no Yankee, and that he kept
good rum.
With the Information derived from the
search we started homeward, the rest of
the party swearing vengeance against the
unknown scoundrel who had stolen those
negroes.
Dick Coverly could not reconcile him
self to the loss his father was old, Dick
himself lacked energy, and their planta
tion was left practically without hands.
George said he looked carefully, but there
was no trace of blood upon Coverly's door
post3. Old Eben could eat no bread of
the passover.
As the discouraged troopers udged their
tired horses homeward, Dick, who always
came to me In h'.s troubles, rode along be
side me.
."Mr. Bradley, thifl looks curious," said
he. "Lightning has struck our place
twice, sure. What clever scoundrel Is
at the head of these doings? It Is evi
dently a well-organized scheme and backed
by money."
The good had been done, the evil as a
sequence followed; so, satisfying myself
with this fallacy. I responded with the
outrageous lie, "that I did not know."
"No," said Dick; "how should you? Now
there is but one place for them to go. and
that Is the swamps, and I do not believe
that they are there. I think they have
made their escape Into the Indian Terri
tory, or that they aro scattered among
the free niggers.
"They dare not do that, for the free
n'ggers would betray them at the first
offer of reward. There is some smart nig
ger at the bottom of all this. I wish there
could be a law pasred to kill every free
nigger in the States, or to sell them to
the highest bidder!"
"That would be pleasing to you, Dick:
but how about old Jeffrey, who owns 50
slaves? He Is as black as Erebus."
"D n old Jeffrey!" he replied. "I
would like to own him for Just one week.
He wouldn't bring much money the next."
I did not doubt th!s declaration.
Dick Insisted that "Lem Mason, the
yeller fellow," was the guilty one, and
said if he caught him ho would burn
him. He was sure that Lem and Obed
had gone to the Indian Territory and
taken the rest with them. I did not
fear much from such threats, and im
mediately coincided with the opinion.
Next he changed his commentaries to
the first exodus, and moralized upon
Lucy's disappearance. I listened eagerly
to him, and found that he had learned she
could read. She had been reading a
French paper, and one of the servants
had found a lot of paper written over,
tucked between the Jeaves of a book, and
brought the book to him.
'Til be shot!" he exclaimed. "If the
book wan't a school edition of Xenophon's
'Anabasis,' and the writing was a half
dozen pages of the translation from the
original. Good straight work," he added.
"Now, Brad, you don't suppose that
Wesner could have taught her to translate
Greek, when she nursed him through the
smallpox, do you?"
At this I laughed.
"Dick, could you go from A B C to
Xenophon In six weeks?" I replied. Well,
no. he could not. "I don't know who
could." said he. "but there Is one of the
old man's niggers who can translate Xeno
phon." "More than likely the translation wafl
left by some of your schoolmates when
visiting you." I replied.
"Possibly, but not probably: for If one
of them had had that translation. It
would have passed around the class untli
It was thunVbed. finger-worn and illegible."
answered Dick. "That girl never went
with the reet: It's a big mystery."
I succeeded In changing the subject, for
I did not want too- many falsehoods to an
swer for.
Dick was not very dangerous, but the
Wells brothers were energetic, and If on
the right scent would push through and
make a thorough search.
Their firm belief was that the captalr
of the brig- was In the scheme.
James was really glad the Oboe mar.
was gone, and I think his pleasure at
Dave's disappearance more than compen
sated for the chagrin ho felt at the loss
of the other negroes.
Raymond was in New Orleans and knew
nothing about the affair.
We were Jogging along slowly, when
we met more negro-hunters on their way
to Franklin. They burst upon us at full
gallop, leaving the road behind them at
the rate of IS miles an hour. Foremost
among them was George Wesner, his
horeo covered with foam and duet.
"Whoa." they yelled In concert, arid
George brought his mustang to his
Tiaunches by a vicious tug of the Spanish
bit.
"What's up? What have you shut up
shop for, George? . Some one murdered?"
cried L
"Murdered?" cried Hen Chapman (one
of the horsemen). "Murdered no, but
there are 15 of the old man's niggcra
gone, all of Coverly's and Ave of Harri
son's, a lot from Raymond's and about
every planter around has lost from two to
ten."
"Boys," said Dick, "where ye going and
what for?"
"To Franklin to search the Yankee ves
sel." "She has been searched from stem t
stern; there aro no niggers there."
"What next, theri?" I asked George, who
was the most eager one of the crowd.
"This sort of thing can't go on very long;
we shall all be ruined."
"Well, said Ed. Harrison, "we bettet
HE TOLD ME THE STORY IX
go back and start fair." They turned
back with us.
Among this crowd were Ed Harrison,
Henry Chapman, George Wesner and a
Frenchman by name Dubois, a careless
young fellow, ripe for any sort of fun.
who had -Joined the party out of good
will, and who would not go two rods
Into a swamp for 500 negroes. He was
pretty quick and a good partner In a
frolic, but not a very reliable companion
on a negro hunt. Dubois was only IS
years old and had little Teverence for
the "peculiar Institution," although he
owned a few negroes, but he wassuch a
kind master that they could not be
driven away, and again, scapegrace aa
he was, he had free papers recorded for
every one of them, val.d, in case he
should die. He rode up by my side:
"Mr. Bradley," said he, "if these peo
ple would use their negroes better they
wouldn't run off. I can pick more cot
ton and make more sugar to the hand
than any man in this section of the
country and none of my negroes run
off; why do theirs? I will help them find
their property, for I do not think the
example would be a good one to inaugu
rate, but it will not be many years be
fore the whole system will be blown to
atoms, if they do not use their slaves
better; the Northern people are ugly."
Again the crowd halted and began an
other heated argument. Some were for
continuing on to the vessel, and others
for returning. George did not express
his opinion, or Join in the clamor.
The corn Juice had circulated freely,
and, to use Jack Forrester's expression,
they "argered the pint explicitly and
explosively"; finally they turned their
horses toward home, and, with another
square drink all around, gave a Comanche
yell for a prelude, and driving their spurs
into their mustangs, broke into a wild race
for the store.
CHAPTER XVI.
Every road, lane and path leading to the
vessel would be patrolled, and well we
knew It. The magnitude of this unparal
leled robbery, and the astounding assur
ance of Its authors, had aroused the whole
country, so our original intentions must be
abandoned. Sunday I visited the brig and
talked the Captain.
"You must get them to the Chafalaya
then; I came for them niggers," said he,
"and I am going to have 'em. Can't you
cross the Teche and hide them some
where around the Grand Lake? I'll lay
the brig down the bay and run a boat up
there."
"Captain," said I. "go ashore and ride
back with me."
The Captain hired a pony and rode back
to the store with me.
Our original plan had been the take the
negroes to the brig by boat or to take them
by night down some of the by roads, and
cross one of the numerous bridges that
spanned the Teche. We now saw that
this project was destined to be a miserable
failure and would undoubtedly hang us
both, if even attempted.
The Captain heard our plans and Im
mediately pronounced them Quixotic In the
extreme. "I am afraid, gentlemen, you
are in a bad fix .but we won't despair un
til the noose Is around our necks. Have
you a chart or map of this country?"
We did have one, and George brought it
out, pointing out the locations.
"Can you make a course from here and
up around, then across the Teche. and
make the Atchafalaya waters at Grand
Lake, tell me?"
George, who had followed the sweep of
the Captain's pencil, thought we could,
and that It would take about 10 days, or
rather nights to make the circuit.
"Dare you try it?"
"It is all we can do," I replied.
"Now," said Captain Harris, "I have
some repairs to make on my vessel, and
will llo here as long as possible. If I can
not stick here long enough, I will drop
down to Bcrwlcks and lie there. Tom6r
row night do you start. Don't fear me I
won't leave you; and you can understand
clearly that it Is no person's business, ex
cept her owner's, how long the Flllmcre
lies at Franklin. I should not be sur
prised if the crew were so drunk tomor
row they couldn't work."
The Captain was right; Monday they
were drunk and did nothing. Monday af
ternoon I started for the rendezvors. The
next afternoon, very early, we made our
final start, and at 3 P. M. were at the
base of the high ground, where I silently
gathered my band together We wera not
two miles from the main road and about
five from our half-way' place- We had one
bridge, about 200 feet. long, to cross. This
I did not consider dangerous, as the read
was seldom traveled at night. One thing
did trouble me very badly, though. We
were pretty well aware that the Copeland
road, as this was called, would be prob
ably patroled by mounted horsemen, fcr
the country around was aroused.
George was to meet me at 9 o'clock that
-evening, In the edge of the woods, at a
sDOt Dreviouslv agreed upon. From thence
we were to start about midnight, giving j
us about three hours to accomplish the
five miles. At 3 precisely George arrived.
He was not disguised. I cautioned him
about it.
"Why, Brad!" said ne, "I" am on patrol, J
I agreed to take this road from here to
the bridge for my share tonight."
"Ed Harrison meets me here and gcej
the other way to Clark's, three miles fur
ther. You must bring the people up and
He low, until we are well separated. Ed
will he here about 10. and by 10:20 you
must be in the road, and trot for the
bridge 'when I give the Blgnal to move.
Listen I believe, upon my soul, this Is he
coming now."
I rode hastily a few rods Into the woods.
Ed saw George's outline (as it was not
then very dark) and halloed.
"Ho! Wesner! Halloo'"1 cried Geonre.
"All rieht " and Ed came ud. 1
"Any news?" "None," both asked and
replied.
"Ed," said George, "as It is early and
you have Just come over your route and
I have, too, let's ride to the bridge. I will
come back with you; then we will sepa
rate." "All right," said he, and off they gal
loped. Now was my time. I went back to my
party and started them. Noiselessly we
i moved thiough the still woods, and in less
THE HOPELESS TOXE PECULIAR TO
than two hours from my parting with
George, they were lying within 50 feet of
the highway. I stood within 10 feet of
Harrison, when he and George rode by.
Here they separated. George rode on a
few rods, then came back to me.
"Now, move if you ever did. You ride
on ahead; I will drop far enough In the
rear to give notice If there is any one
coming. Harrison is not sharp, Vut he
rides well, and will soon be back."
I called to Dave and the procession
started. The road was narrow, the wood3
dark and the fresh night air drew through
the narrow channel.
"Move," I cried; "shoulder the young
ones and move only move. If you are
caught, you will surely die."
"Rush them the best you can," cried
George. "Leave your Oboe man in the rear
to let you know If. I. am coming."
It was three miles to the bridge well
I knew, for I had traveled this road be
fore, but not at the head of a lot of
runaway negroes. On th east side of
the bayou was a thicket; the river
banks were high generally, but here they
were low and swampy. This thicket
was our haven, here we could rest. Heav
ens! How we rushed through the night!
I can remember the wind, the bel
lowing of the frogs from the low marshes,
the glow of- the fireflies as they darted
out and flashed above our heads, the
shriek of the steamer's whistle away down
the distant bayou. It is all before me
now, and I can he'ar "the heavy breathing
and panting of the excited negroes as
they fled onward.
Twenty rods from the bridge. Above
the dull sound of the tramping feet I
heard the sound of rushing hoofs. Dave
had heard it also; a low murmur ran
through the column, and It disappeared
In the woods. I was alone. Frantically
I urged my unwillng pony through the
thick brush that lined the roadside. The
bushes were still quivering from the
shock, when Wesner dashed by and the
echo of his horse's hoofs resounded
through the woods, as he crossed the
bridge. Presently he returned at the same
pace. I could hear another horse coming
from the opposite direction. This was
Harrison. George met him, and, turning,
both at a slower pace rode back to the
bridge. Five minutes passed, and they re
turned, walking their horses. I could hear
them talking as they passed us.
Waiting a suitable time, I called the
refugees from their hidlng place, quick
ly we crossed the bridge and were safe
ly ensconced among the rank growth
that lined the east bank of the bayou.
I breathed freely as the last man dis
appeared. Mason, had his directions and
knew where to go no fear of trouble
with him.
I turned my horse and walked him
leisurely down the road on the east side.
Intending to cross at one of the lower
bridges.
Ab I entered the shadow of the trees
a man sprang from his concealment and
stood in the road before me. Men who
are in constant danger, think and act
quickly; my hand was on the butt of m?
revolver.
"Halt! Throw up your hands, or you
are a dead man!" he cried, and brought
his gun to his shoulder, the muzzle not
20 feet from my face. As I obeyed him.
my right hand brought up my 44-caliber
Colt's navy, my finger pressed the trig
ger, and the crack jbf the pistol mingled
with the report of his shotgun, his bul
let whizzing disagreeably near my ear.
My aim was close, tor he dropped In his
track, his gun rattling on the ground as
he fell.
Mason, hearing the firing, ran out of the
bushes toward j: "For God's sake,
go back." cried I. "or you will have the
whole crowd stampeded. The man is
dead."
Mason turned back; I could hear a
horse rapidly approaching, evidently urged
to his best gait. Again I secreted my
self. I had a. good view of the bridge
from my hiding place and recognized tie
rider; It was Wesner!
"Brad." he cried, "what did you shoot
for?"
"I have killed a man!" I replied,
"I hope not," he replied, and dismounting
examined the man.
"He's only stunned, your bullet glanced
from his foreheadL" was his verdict.
"What shall we do with him?" That was
soon answered. Beside the bridge and
fastened to it was an old dug-out. Wes
ner slipped the handcuffs on our prisoner,
and stunned as he was, tumbled him into
the boat, called Obed. and with him I
entered the canoe. That night we pushed
down the bayou 15 miles and stopped in
a place secure from observation. Mean
time, my prisoner had recovered his senses,
he said nothing and could see nothing,
for I had taken the precaution to tie a
handkerchief over his eyes.
All that day, we lay by and the next
morning, before daylight, were along
side the Fillmore. Capt Harris knew
of the adventure from Wesner. My
prisoner was hustled Into a stateroom,
we split the dug-out into kindling wood,
and poor Obed, for once, had a soft
couch, for there was no other place to
hide him except in the captain's cabin.
The interruption delayed us one day.
This was unfortunate, as there was more
or les3 danger of some stranger running
across the party. Capt Harris had sat
isfied himself that the Fillmore would be
watched day and night. For this reason he
was determined to take them from Grand
Lake. Wesner knew the shore of the
lake and was well acquainted with the
country lying between the bayous. I woo
not. therefore it fell upon him to take
them through. Meanwhile we must wait
until the Fillmore was ready.
CHAPTER XVT.
he time passed very quickly, but we
were anxious to get our refugees away.
There was no place known to us where
they would be as safe as where they
were. One day we received a, note from
Capt Harris, saying that he should be
delayed a day or two longer.
This was bad. The people were almost
fiftstitntP. and I did not feel easy about
them. That afternoon I rode down to the J
brig. Capt Harris was as Impatient aa I.
A BROKEX-SPIRITED MAW.
but very cool. He had engaged a tug and
would start the following morning, calk
ing fiis aecKs, wnne ne lay at Aicnaiaiaya.
Said he: "I mean to make that tug,
bring the niggers alongside; $500 will do
It. and, once done, a million will not pur
chase the secret from the man who Is
fool enough to risk his life for the money.
"Are you or your partner going with
the niggers?" he asked.
"My partner," I answered.
"Tell him he need not take them to the
lake. I will have them on board this brig
within 10 miles from FrankUn."
"Let us take the yawl and visit them.
It Is too dark to be seen by any one."
We took the boat, quietly dropped down
the bayou and sculled across. It was
some distance "below Franklin, and out of
the way of patrols where we landed. As
we went up over the bank I stopped the
Captain, for I was rather suspicious that
my colored friends might be Inclined to
shoot or run.although I had confidence that
Mason would be cool enough In an emer
gency. I went forward alone.
"Who's dat?" came in a hoarse whisper
not 10 feet from me. I gave the counter
sign and called for Mason. He came for--ward.
"Well, Lem. how Is everything?"
"All smooth, sab."
I told him we could not take them until
the next night. He was a little disap
pointed, but there was no remedy.
We landed a quantity of hard bread
and pork we had brought, and then left
them for the night. Everything was as
still as death at the camp; the fireflies
were flashing over the bayou and the
owls hooting shrill and unconcerned, as
if there was not a hundred negroes lying
within as many yards of the shore of
Bayou Teche.
I went on board the brig again, the
boat was dropped Into her accustomed
place, and Capt Harris and myself re
tired to the cabin to talk and speculate
on the affair.
No man knew negro character better
than the Captain of the Fillmore, Edwin
Harris. He was about 45 years of age. CO
years had he spent at sea, and 10 years
as an African slaver. He assured me, and
I have no reason to doubt his word, that
he had helped run 15 cargoes of negroes
Into the United States, and had been five
years master of a slaver. How many
cargoes he had landed in the West Indies
he did not know, nor could he tell without
consulting his journal certainly more
than 20. Many times had he been chased
by a man-of-war, once captured, twice
tried, once sent to prison and made his
escape; he had been in two or three fights
with boats from men-ofwar, and wounded
both by knife and bullet. As for fear, he
had none, and was therefore Just the man
to engage In such an expedition as this;
If his piratical notions did not impel him
to run h!3 cargo into Havana and sell
it. I did not think he would do that, al
beit, conscience would not struggle very
hard to prevent him; yet he had a dogged
sense of honor toward his employers, and,
although a slaver, and perhaps a pirate,
he would always be true to his trust.
"Mr. Bradley, this Is a difficult place
for a man to De In." he said, "I can't
flght, neither can I run. Them planters
will make short work of me if I am
caught. In this little stream, flight Is im
possible. A mistake, on my part will cost
us our vessel and cargo, besides the lives
of all hands. But, sir. I shall flght it
found out. and mark my words the Fill
more will make those Frenchmen howl
before the Captain and crew go aloft on
any of these live oaks."
"Captain." I replied, "this affair calls
for strategy, and I have sufficient confi
dence In your tact to believe that you
wUl succeed. If the worst comes, take
to the bush and make for my place. 1
can hide you so all the detectives south
of Washington would not find you."
Captain Harris assented, as he replied:
"Trust me, and tomorrow morning return
to your store. I wilL sign the bills of lad
ing In blank, leave them at the store
and trust you to fill them out correctly,
and forward mine."
I thought this excellent advice, and did
leave for home. Two days after I went
to Franklin on other bushu-TS. The brig
was gone. I beard nothing irom the ne
groes, and aa there yr&a no excitement
about the. sailing of the vessel, I came
to believe that she was all right. The
search and patrol continued a few days
longer, and then dwindled down to the
particular planters Interested. Wesner
and myself concluded that for a few
months we would give the emancipation
business a rest.
Our supply of goods was running quite
low, and as we could purchase to bettet
advantage In New York than New Or
leans, I thought I could do no better
than to visit the former place.
When the brig had been gone a couple
of weeks, I started north, via New Or
leans and Cincinnati, thence by rail to
New York, a Journey of aboirt two weeks
duration. Upon looking over the shipping news
in the daily papers. I learned that the Fill
more had not arrived, so I employed my
time In purchasing goods. On the street
I met Mr. Entwlssle. He did not know me
at first, but recognized me as I spoke. He
was expecting the Fillmore every day,
as she had been passed off Hattcras by
the Savanneh steamer and reported all
welL The captain had Instructions that
the vessel must be anchored in the stream
and her live cargo landed at night, as we
might as well bo discovered in Attakapas
as In New York.
One Sunday afternoon the telegraph re
ported "Brig Fillmore" inside Sandy
Hook, and Mr. Entwlssle and myself took
the tug and went down to meet her. This
tug was manned by three men, all belong
ing to the U. G. R. R. Entwlssle was
a man of few words and made no blun
ders. We ran alongside of the -brig, aa
she was becalmed, and had anchored near
the Jersey shore. Captdin Harris was
on the quarterdeck not an African in
sight! "All well?"
The captain nodded, and we climbed
aboard. I was pretty well disguised by
a full beard and eye glasses, so even the
captain, shrewd observer as he wa3,
did not recognize me.
"So. captain, you don't know your old
friends?"
"Your voice sounds familiar, but really
I don't recognize your countenance," re
plied he.
I had to tell him who I was, and raise
my false whiskers, before he was con
vinced. "I owe you one," said he.
We went helow and took a look at our
cargo. They were closely stowed, but
were all there and well.
Entwlssle looked grave as he came on
deck.
"It wUl never do to land all that crowd
in Jersey," said he. "The whole country
would be In arms. No, sir! When these
lads land, Johnnie Bull's soil must hold
them."
I Inquired of the captain. In the after
noon, for the prisoner, and learned that
he was still on board. A stateroom in
the cabin had been assigned him, and he
had never been allowed to leave It, so
did not even know the name of the vessel.
That night the captain filled him full of
whisky, put $50 In his pocket and left him
senseless on board a Stonlngton steamer.
We heard no more of him until Wesner
met him, long afterwards, at a landing on
the Mississippi.
The most difficult problem was now to
land our cargo without the knowledge of
the authorities; we did not know but we
were watched at this end of the route,
and the idea of landing 100 plantation ne
groes and turning them loose in New York
was not entitled to a moment's consider
ation. At Philadelphia, arrangements could be
made for their reception, as there was
the principal depot for escaped slaves.
and the officers of the Underground Rail
road had a building for that purpose. That
night a tugboat dropped alongside of the
Fillmore, the negroes were transferred to
her, and the next night but one were
landed in Philadelphia. My connection
with the negroes ceased when the Anti
Slavery Society tok possession.
I had examined the registers at the ho
tels to find, If possible, the name of some
acquaintance from Teche County that
knew of the Fillmore being at FrankUn.
I found two young fellows, brothers, by
the name of Lacrolx. I told them that
the brig was expected at the wharf that
morning, and 'had a lot of cotton in her
belonging to us. As anything from At
takapas was good In their eyes, they went
down with me to see her; we three stood
on the pier as she was hauled In.
The captain gave me a greetine as
though he had not seen me for years,
wanted to know when I left, how Wesner
was, etc
Shortly after hauHng In her hatches
were removed, and the longshoremen com
menced unloading the cargo. I Introduced
the Lacrolx boys to Captain Harris, who
seemed much pleaeed with them, and took
us about the vessel. The boys were well
pleased also, and left, after promising to
call at my hotel that evening.
"There," said Captam Harris, "there go
two men who will swear that the Fill
more brought no negroes to New York.
Bradley, you have a couple of alibis."
"Captain," I asked, "why did you change
your plans so suddenly from Grand Lake
to the Teche, and how did you get the
negroes on this vessel so silently and
quickly?"
"Mr. Bradley," he replied, "the thing
was easy; the captain of the tug was an
old shipmate of mine, and a friend as
well. I bought him. Five hundred dol
lars was the price. You and your part
ner were In a bad box, and only a fool's,
luck saved you from the noose. You are
getting almost too bold. Look out, young
men!"
CHAPTER XVII.
One bright Autumn day I walked into
Bradley & Wesnere store.
"Back again, ah!" cried George. "Wel
come to Attakapas! I am right glad to
see you. How are our friends in New
York?"
My story was short. We had realized
about JSOOO on the Fillmore cargo. Includ
ing the negroes.
Time Jogged along, and the big stam
pede was almost forgotten except by the
owners of the stolen negroes and the ne
groes themselves. The latter were scat
tered far and wide. All he could keep
track of wore Obed and Lemuel Maon.
George, of course, corresponded regular
ly with Lucy. She was still In Massachu
setts. Lemuel Mason and Obed were both
In Cincinnati, at work, and waiting devel
opments. Lanman's Jim was at Chicago.
George had promised him some day that
he would bring his wife and deliver her
to Gllot's.
Our next venture, we determined, should
Include about 15 or 20. Lanman could
spare a few, and we kept our eyes open
for all the scattering ones we could pick
up easily, with a little help from Obed.
About the middle of January I was In
New Orleans, and while there I wrote
to Obed and Lemuel to be at the ren
dezvous March 1.
It will be remembered that we never
had been seen by the?e two men except
when we were disguised, and neither of
them knew our names. To them I was
Massa Edwards, and George was known
as Captain Williams. I did not think that
either of us In our own characters were
ever very well known to Lem; Obed cer
tainly knew neither before the eventful
night when George cracked his skull with
the paddle.
We made a trip to our swamp hut, and
found everything .as we had left It, but
moldy and rather wet. We carried In a
few provisions and spent a day or two ar
ranging things to our own satisfaction.
We also left a note telUng the two men
to clear up the premises.
Our canoes were at Bradley's yard, I
wrote Moore to send them, securely
packed, to Bradley and Wesner, per
steamer. They arrived about the last of
February, and were transported to the
camp. We set them up and gave them a
fresh coat of varnish, so that by the
time Obed and Lemuel should arrive we
would be ready for business.
The night of March 3 we started for the
camp. It was a bright, starlight even
ing, and we rode at a pretty good pace
until we left the main road, then rattled
down the old logging road and left our
horses In the swamp, not two miles from
camp. It was wet work, swashing
through the swamp, but as we came in
sight of the camp a light, streaming
through the cracks, told us that the boys
were awaiting us.
I was eager to see them and ask about
the emigrants, questions that J did not
dare to write, and it was with satisfac
tion that I pulled the latchstring. There
was a click of a revolver and a shout:
"Haiti Who's there?" From the Inside
the door opened about three Inches or
less, and was stopped by a chain across
It, It was Obed's dogged voice that
hailed, and I answered him. He did
not recognize me. and it took some par-Irvine-
before ha would let us in. We had
no code of signals or countersign, and it
was extremely dlfllcuit to getinssae uniess
they were convinced that we were all
Htrhf AftM- five minutes Questions and
answers Lemuel took down the chain and"
we walked in.
(To be continued.)
THE PALATIAL
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