The Isabel dashed furiously on her way, passing over the bateau of the slave-hunters, which presently reappeared astern of her. Colonel Raybone, who, in spite of his years and his habits, was an active man, seized the bowsprit of the sail-boat, as it bore his frail bark beneath the waves; and while Dan and Cyd were eagerly gazing into the water astern of them in search of their dreaded master, he climbed upon the forecastle of the Isabel, thus saving himself from the wreck and the water.
"Hossifus!" groaned Cyd, as he turned to observe the course of the boat, and discovered upon deck the stalwart form of Colonel Raybone—to him the most terrible man on the face of the earth.
The exclamation attracted the attention of Dan, and a glance forward revealed to him the desperatesituation of his party. The slave-master, nearly exhausted by the shock of the collision, and his exertions in hauling himself up to the deck of the Isabel, had failed to improve the first moment that ushered him into the presence of his astonished chattels; and the loss of that opportunity was the ruin of his expectations. Dan instantly raised his rifle; but the old feeling of awe and reverence for the sacred person of his master prevented him from firing at once.
"Hah, you villains! I've got you at last!" said Colonel Raybone.
Without making any reply to this expression of rage and malice, Dan fired, but not at the head or the heart of the colonel; for he did not wish to kill him. The rifle was aimed at one of his legs, and the ball passed through the fleshy part of his thigh. Colonel Raybone, with a volley of curses, sank upon the deck of the Isabel, a stream of blood flowing from his wound. Dan dropped the rifle, and took one of the fowling pieces, ready to complete his work if the occasion should require. His face was deadly pale, his lips quivered, and his frame trembled, as though the ball had passed through him, instead of his master.He had watched and waited too long for liberty and true life to sacrifice all his hopes, when they were on the point of being realized, to a sentimental horror of shedding the blood of a slave-master.
Lily, as soon as she heard the report of the rifle, opened her cabin door, and stepped out into the standing room. The pale face and quivering lip of Dan first attracted her attention; and when he pointed to the forecastle, she saw the prostrate form of her master, and sank upon the seat, overcome with fear and horror.
"Don't be afraid, Lily," said he. "He cannot harm us now."
"Have you killed him?" gasped she.
"No; I did not intend to kill him. I would not have fired at him if I could have helped it. I only hit him in the leg."
"But he will die."
"He may; I cannot help it. We should have been slaves again in a moment more if I had not fired."
"This is horrible!" moaned Lily.
"But it is better than slavery," replied Dan, firmly, though he was scarcely less agitated thanhis gentle companion. "Mind your helm, Cyd, and go to windward of that little island ahead," he continued; for the helmsman's ideas had been considerably shaken up by the stirring events which had just transpired.
The second boat, astern of the Isabel, was engaged in picking up the oarsmen of the first, and with the fresh breeze there was no danger of pursuit from that direction. Colonel Raybone was evidently suffering severely from his wound, but his mental tortures seemed to be greater than his physical pain. His mouth was still filled with curses, and maledictions of rage and hatred were poured out upon the runaways. He was so violent in his agony, that none of the party dared to approach him, and Dan stood with the fowling piece in his hand, ready to protect himself and his companions from any possible assault. There he lay, unable to rise; but still the Isabel dashed on, as if reckless of the terrible scene which had just been enacted upon her deck.
Colonel Raybone's wound bled freely, and the loss of blood soon moderated his fiery temper. Gradually he calmed down, and became quite reasonable,at least so far as outward manifestations were concerned. Then Dan ventured to approach him, though he did not relax his hold upon the gun, and took every precaution to guard against any sudden movement on the part of the sufferer.
"Are you much hurt, sir?" asked Dan.
"You have killed your master, Dandy," replied he, faintly, as he looked up at the redeemed chattel.
"I did not mean to kill you, sir, and I am sorry you compelled me to fire upon you," added Dan, in respectful and sympathizing tones.
"I am wounded and in your power now; I can do nothing more, and you may finish me as soon as you please," groaned Colonel Raybone, completely subdued by weakness and the fear of death.
"I do not wish to kill you, Colonel Raybone, and I am willing to do all I can for you. But if you attempt to make me a slave again, I will shoot you at once."
"I can't harm you now if I would," said the sufferer, faintly.
"Then we will take you into the cabin out of the sun, and do what we can for you."
"Can't you land me at Mr. Lascelles' plantation?" asked he, lifting his eyes up with an expression so pitiful that Dan could hardly resist the petition.
"No, sir. I dare not do that," he replied. "But I will do all I can to save your life."
Dan then went aft, and explained to his companions the condition of Colonel Raybone. Lily was placed at the helm, with instructions how to steer, and Dan and Cyd, with a great deal of difficulty, removed the wounded planter to the cabin. But he had lost so much blood that he fainted as soon as they had placed him upon the bunk. Cyd then took his place at the helm; and while Lily bathed the head of the patient with lavender, Dan examined his wound. The ball had passed entirely through the fleshy part of the thigh, about half way between the hip and the knee. The blood flowed steadily from the two openings, but not in jets, which would indicate the severing of an artery.
Dan was no surgeon, but he had ingenuity and common sense, and he used these to the best advantage his limited means would permit. He tore up one of his shirts for bandages, and Lily made lintof his collars. When the sufferer had recovered from his faintness he drank a glass of brandy, which seemed to revive him. But he was still very weak, and breathed not a word of hatred or malice.
"Hallo! Dan! Where we gwine?" shouted Cyd from the deck, who had come to a point in the lake where he required further sailing directions.
The skipper took his map and went on deck. From the position of three islands laid down on his chart, and which he identified as those near him, he concluded that the Isabel had reached the outlet of the lake, which is the Atchafalaya River. Its course gave him a fair wind, and he headed the boat down the stream. As the sailing of the boat was now a matter of the utmost importance, Dan was compelled to remain on deck. He took the precaution to place all the fire-arms on board in a safe place, where Colonel Raybone, if his condition should so far improve as to encourage him to make an attempt to obtain possession of the boat, could not get them, and where he and Cyd could get them.
It was sunset when the Isabel entered the great bayou; and as she dashed on her course, the anxiousskipper saw many boats, and even some larger craft, but no one offered to molest them. Colonel Raybone remained as quiet as a lamb. He was feverish, and in much pain, and all night long Lily sat by his bunk, and watched over him as tenderly as though he had been her dearest friend, instead of her most terrible enemy. She not only watched; she prayed for him—prayed that God would forgive him, heal his wounds, and soften his heart.
And all night long the Isabel sped on her course, and at midnight she entered the great bay. Dan was worn out with anxiety and long watching, and as the waters of the bay were comparatively smooth, the wind having subsided to a gentle breeze, he gave the helm to Cyd, and slept three hours upon the floor of the standing room, with a cushion under his head.
At daybreak, Point au Fer light, which was marked on Dan's map, lay directly ahead of them. The land to the westward was low and swampy, and with frequent indentations. In one of these Dan came to anchor about sunrise. He was much perplexed to know what he should do with Colonel Raybone. He could not think of going to seawith him on board, and to send him back was to invite an immediate pursuit.
The good care which had been bestowed upon the planter had very sensibly improved his condition. After breakfast he inquired of Dan where he had been for a year, and the whole story of the residence in the swamp was narrated to him. In return he told the fugitives what had been done to recover them, and added that he was on his way from New Orleans to Mr. Lascelles' plantation when he discovered the Isabel. Colonel Raybone said not a word about reclaiming his property, and apparently only cherished the hope of saving himself.
"Now, Dandy, what are you going to do with me?" asked he, when he had finished his narrative.
"I don't know, sir. After the whipping I got, I determined to run away; and I say now I would rather die than go back," replied he.
"Didn't I use you well?" asked the colonel.
"As well as any master can use a slave."
"I was rather sorry afterwards that I whipped you; but you were treated as well as the members of my own family; and so was Lily."
"But I was a slave, and so was she. Master Archy tormented me, and Miss Edith tormented Lily. I could have borne it, perhaps, if I hadn't been whipped."
"You have your revenge now," added the planter, meekly. "I am in your power."
"I don't seek revenge, and I wouldn't harm you for all the world," replied Dan.
The proud spirit of the planter was subdued by pain, weakness, and the fear of death, and he was in no condition to think of resistance. He offered to give the fugitives free papers if they would land him at any place where there was a surgeon, and from which he could be removed to Redlawn; but Dan dared not run any risks. The planter wanted to know where they were going, but the prudent skipper declined to answer this question.
The Isabel remained at anchor for three days, under the lea of the land, during which time Colonel Raybone was carefully nursed by Dan and Lily; but his wound was still very painful, and the patient, fearful of mortification, or some other unfavorable turn in his condition, declared himself willing to do any thing rather than remain any longer in this place.
"I might put you on board of some vessel if I dared to do so," said Dan.
"What do you fear?" demanded the sufferer.
"If you should tell the people of the vessel what we are, they would capture us."
"Do you think I would do that, Dandy?" asked he, in reproachful tones.
"I am afraid to run any risks, sir."
"Will you let me die here? My wound may mortify. I think it is growing worse instead of better," added he, with a groan of anguish. "I will give you my word, Dandy, if you will put me on board of any vessel bound to any place where I can get home, I will give you all your freedom. If you are arrested, send to me, and you shall have free papers. You know I always keep my word, Dandy."
It was a terrible necessity which could extort such a declaration from the imperious planter, and Dan decided to accept the proposition. The anchor was weighed, and the Isabel stood out of the inlet where she had lain for three days. They cruised all day without meeting a vessel; but on the following morning they hailed a small schooner bound up the bay.
"I will keep my promise, Dandy, to the letter," said Colonel Raybone, as they bore him to the deck. "Here is some money, which you may want before long;" and he handed Dan a roll of bills.
"Thank you, sir," replied he. "I hope we part friends."
"Yes, Dandy; and if you ever want a friend, come to me."
The crew of the schooner asked a great many questions, all of which Colonel Raybone took it upon himself to answer. He was placed in the cabin of the vessel, and Dan, bidding him good by, hastened back to the Isabel. They parted in peace, and Lily could not restrain her tears as the schooner bore away on her course.
"Colonel Raybone is not a bad man, after all," said Dan, as the Isabel filled away.
"He wouldn't be, if he wasn't a slaveholder," replied Lily.
"Possifus! I feel 'tickler sorry for ole massa, when he lay dar and couldn't help hisself," added Cyd.
"If he could have helped himself, he wouldn't have lain there. I never saw such a change come over a man. He will be ashamed of himself, I know, when he gets well, and it will be lucky for us that we are out of his reach."
"He would keep his word, Dan; you know that," said Lily, whose looks seemed to contain a mild rebuke of the sentiment just uttered.
"He would; at least, he wouldn't wish to break his word; but he will want me as soon as he gets to be Colonel Raybone again."
"Why, he was always good to us," responded Lily.
"He was always liberal and generous, and treated all the people well, while they behaved to suit him."
"They ought to behave well."
"I had to fawn and cringe before him, and before Archy. If I dared to say my soul was my own, I was punished for it. What did I get whipped for?"
"For striking Archy."
"Well, why did I strike him? Didn't he insist upon my striking him? and when he came at me like a madman, because I happened to hit him rather harder than I intended, I was tied up to the Dead Oak, and whipped like a mule. I shall carry the marks of that day to my grave," continued Dan, earnestly.
"But he has changed."
"He was afraid he was going to die, and he was in my power. He knew I could blow out his brains any moment when he attempted to lay his hands upon me; and he knew I would do it, too."
"I never saw him so mild and gentle as he was while on board the boat."
"I hope he will always continue so, and treat thepeople well when he gets back to Redlawn. I have nothing against him now. I forgive him, and I did all I could for him when he was wounded."
"I know you did. Do you suppose he will get well, Dan?"
"I have no doubt he will."
"Shall you send for your free papers?"
"I shouldn't dare to let him know where I am."
"He gave us our freedom."
"I should be afraid that he would alter his mind; and though he might keep his word, he might cause us to be taken up for killing the slave-hunters, or stealing the boat and provisions, or something of that kind. I shall keep out of his way. If we should be arrested, I would appeal to him then."
"Where are we going now, Dan?" asked Lily, as she glanced out upon the vast expanse of waters which rolled to the southward.
"I hardly know, Lily. We have got to the bottom of my map; I shall stand to the south-east till something happens. If we can fall in with a vessel which does not sail from or to a southern port, I should have some hopes, especially as we have money enough now to pay our passage."
"How much have you, Dan?"
"Two hundred dollars," replied Dan, exhibiting the roll of bills which the planter had given him. "Colonel Raybone is generous, but this would not half pay us for the services we have rendered him."
The pocket compass upon which the skipper had to depend for his course was now produced, and before dark that night the Isabel was out of sight of land. The wind was light, the weather pleasant, and the sea not heavier than they had seen on the lake. It was arranged that each of the boys should steer four hours in his turn, night and day, and the voyage, which had been looked upon as involving many perils, was found to be very pleasant.
For two days they were favored with good weather; but on the third it came on cloudy and blowy after dinner. The foresail was taken in, and every thing made snug about the Isabel, in preparation for the worst. The storm increased in violence, and they soon had their first experience of a heavy sea. The waves tossed them about like a feather, dashing over the decks, and several times filling the standing room half full of water.
"Gossifus! Dis big sea!" exclaimed Cyd, as he shook the water from his woolly locks.
"Yes, and it is coming heavier yet," replied Dan. "But the Isabel stands it well."
"Plenty ob water on fora'd dar," said Cyd, pointing to the forecastle, which was often submerged in the heavy billows.
"Perhaps we can remedy that. I don't think we shall want the bateau any more, and we may as well toss it overboard. It sinks her head down too much."
"Hossifus! Frow de boat overboard?"
"Yes; over with it, if you can."
Cyd took a boat-hook, and pried up the bateau, and after much labor succeeded in getting it over the side, though he had nearly gone with it, when a big sea, swooping over the deck, finished his work. The effect of the step was instantly apparent in the working of the Isabel. She no longer scooped up the seas, but rode over them. Before night it began to rain, and the gale increased in violence. The bonnet had been taken off the jib, and a reef put in the mainsail; but she could not much longer carry this sail, and at dark she was put under a close-reefed foresail.
Poor Lily was obliged to remain in the cabin, andshe was very much alarmed at the roaring of the waves and the terrible pitching of the schooner; but Dan often assured her that there was no danger; that the Isabel was behaving splendidly. During that long, tempestuous night, there was no sleep for the fugitives. Dan did not leave the helm, and Cyd stood by to obey the orders of the skipper. At midnight the gale began to moderate, but the sea still ran high.
The sun rose bright and clear on the following morning. The wind had subsided to a gentle breeze, and the Isabel moved slowly along over the rolling waves. Cyd and Lily went to sleep after breakfast, and Dan still maintained his position at the helm, which he had not left for fourteen hours. He was nearly exhausted; but so was Cyd, and he was afraid the latter would drop asleep if he left the boat in his care.
While he sat by the tiller, dreaming of the future, and struggling to keep awake, he discovered a sail far to the southward of him. The sight roused him from his lethargy, for he had not seen any thing that looked like a vessel since the day he parted withColonel Raybone. He was wide awake; and laying his course so as to intercept the vessel, he waited patiently till the winds wafted her within hailing distance.
It was two hours before he could clearly make her out, for the wind was very light. She was a bark, and Dan could only hope that she was not bound to any port in the slave states. He had a very good knowledge of geography, and after calculating the position of the Isabel, he concluded that the bark could not have come from any southern city.
"Sail ho!" shouted he, when he was within half a mile of the bark.
"What's the matter?" called Lily, roused from her slumbers by the shout.
"Come on deck. We are close by a vessel."
"Gossifus!" shouted Cyd, as he rushed out of the cabin, and discovered the bark. "Wha—wha—what vessel's dat?"
"I don't know," answered Dan; "but we shall soon know all about her."
"What a monster she is!" added Lily.
Dan hailed the bark, and ascertained that she was an English vessel, bound from Vera Cruz to NewYork. As this information was satisfactory, he asked to be taken on board, with his companions. The vessel backed her main topsail, and Dan ran the Isabel alongside. The captain and crew were astonished to find a small boat, with two boys and a girl in her, at this distance from land; but they were kindly taken on board. In as few words as possible Dan told the substance of his story, and the captain consented to carry the fugitives to New York.
"I can pay our passage, captain," added he; "and if you will take us you shall lose nothing by it."
"I should be in duty bound to take you, any how," replied the captain; "but what shall we do with your boat?"
"Cut her adrift, if you can't do any better. We have done with her now."
"I think we can save her," added the captain.
As the wind was light, the Isabel was lashed to the side, and the bark squared away upon her course. In a short time every thing on board of the sail-boat was passed on board, and she was stripped and her masts taken out. She was then hoisted on deck, and set up between the fore and main masts. Dan and his companions were rejoiced to preserve her, for shehad been their home for a year, and had borne them safely through many perils. They regarded her as a dear friend.
Captain Oxnard gave Lily a state-room, and the two boys were berthed in the steerage. It took all the rest of the day for Dan to relate the experience of the young fugitives on board the Isabel; and the officers of the bark were intensely interested in the narrative and in the runaways. The listeners were all Englishmen, and had no sympathy with slave-holders.
The passage was rather long, but it was pleasant, and on the twentieth of June the bark anchored in New York harbor. Her consignees were informed of the incidents which had placed the three passengers on board, and they were not disposed to undo what Captain Oxnard had done. While the vessel lay at anchor, the Isabel was hoisted into the water again, rigged, and every thing placed on board of her, just as she was when she left the camp in the swamp.
It so happened that the junior member of the firm to which the bark was consigned, was a friend of Mr. Grant, and had dined at Woodville the daybefore. It occurred to him that the young fugitives would be well cared for in the hands of his friends, and being a boatman himself, he resolved to proceed up the river in the Isabel.
It was a pleasant day and a happy occasion, and at an early hour in the afternoon, the party landed at the pier in front of the Woodville mansion. I need not inform my readers that they were kindly received by the family; and the story of the young fugitives was again repeated to a group of partial listeners.
Mr. Grant and his friend Presby immediately set their heads at work to determine what should be done with the party which had just arrived at Woodville. Bertha soon settled the question so far as Lily was concerned, by declaring that she must live with her, and go to school at the village, for she had become strongly attached to the fair fugitive, and would not think of permitting her lot to be cast among those who might possibly be unkind to her.
There was less difficulty in disposing of Dan andCyd. Boats and boatmen were in great demand at Whitestone and other places on the river, and the Isabel promised to bring in a fortune to her owners during the summer months. A few days later, she was employed in carrying parties out upon excursions, with Dan as skipper, old Ben as pilot, and Cyd as foremast hand. In a short time Dan learned the navigation of the river, and dispensed with the services of the pilot. They boarded with Mr. Grant's gardener; but Cyd, very much to his disgust, was not permitted to sit down at the first table because he was black.
Dan and Cyd made a great deal of money in the Isabel during the remainder of the season, and when she was laid up for the winter, both of them went down to the city and worked in a hotel; but they much preferred a life on the water. In the spring they resumed their business as boatmen, and for several years continued to thrive at this occupation.
"See here, Possifus," said Mr. Presby, who never called Cyd by any other name; "don't you want to own a boat yourself?"
"I does own one, sar," replied he. "De Isabel jus as much mine as Dan's."
"I was going to set you up in business for yourself, Possifus."
"No, sar, tank ye; can't leabe Dan, no how; he fotched dis chile out of de swamp, and I don't run no popposition to him."
"That's right, Possifus; stick to your friends."
But Mr. Presby continued to do a great many kind deeds for "Possifus," which were duly appreciated.
When Dan was twenty-one, he and Cyd had saved a considerable sum of money; and the Isabel having become rather shaky from old age, they proposed to procure another boat, and establish themselves at the city. With the aid of Mr. Presby, they built a yacht of forty tons, which was called the "Lily." It was a beautiful little vessel, and soon became very popular among people devoted to the sea. They were very fortunate in this new enterprise, and made money beyond their most sanguine expectations.
Dan lived in the city now. The name on the doorplate of his house was Daniel Preston, for he had chosen a family name to suit himself—a privilege allotted to only a few. Mrs. Preston—of course the reader will at once understand that this was the Lily of our story—was as happy as liberty and prosperitycould make her. Cyd—who has improved upon his former cognomen, and now calls himself Sidney Davidson—lives on board the Lily, a contented, happy man. He almost worships Dan and his wife, at whose house he is an occasional visitor.
They never heard anything from Colonel Raybone, or any of his family, perhaps because they made no inquiries. Certainly no efforts were ever made to reclaim the chattels. They had proved that they could take care of themselves, and that freedom was their true sphere of life.
And now, having seen the young fugitives safely through all their trials and perplexities, and securely established in the enjoyment of those rights and privileges with which the great Creator had endowed them, we take leave of them, in the hope that the reign of Freedom will soon be extended to every part of our beloved country, and that the sons of toil shall no longerWatch and Waitfor deliverance from the bonds of the slave-master.
I.THE SOLDIER BOY;Or, Tom Somers in the Army.
II.THE SAILOR BOY;Or, Jack Somers in the Navy.
III.THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT;Or, The Adventures of an Army Officer.A SEQUEL TO "THE SOLDIER BOY."
IV.THE YANKEE MIDDY;Or, The Adventures of a Naval Officer.A SEQUEL TO "THE SAILOR BOY."
V.FIGHTING JOE;Or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer.A SEQUEL TO "THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT."
VI.BRAVE OLD SALT;Or, Life on the Quarter Deck.A SEQUEL TO "THE YANKEE MIDDY."
I.RICH AND HUMBLE;Or, The Mission of Bertha Grant.
II.IN SCHOOL AND OUT;Or, The Conquest of Richard Grant.
III.WATCH AND WAIT;Or, The Young Fugitives.
IV.WORK AND WIN;Or, Noddy Newman on a Cruise.
V.HOPE AND HAVE;Or, Fanny Grant among the Indians.
VI.HASTE AND WASTE;Or, The Young Pilot of Lake Champlain.
LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers.
I.THE LITTLE MERCHANT.
II.THE YOUNG VOYAGERS.
III.THE CHRISTMAS GIFT.
IV.DOLLY AND I.
V.UNCLE BEN.
VI.BIRTH-DAY PARTY.
VII.PROUD AND LAZY.
VIII.CARELESS KATE.
IX.ROBINSON CRUSOE, JR.
X.THE PICNIC PARTY.
XI.THE GOLD THIMBLE.
XII.THE DO-SOMETHINGS.
LEE & SHEPARD Publishers.
I.THE BOAT CLUB;OR, THE BUNKERS OF RIPPLETON.
II.ALL ABOARD;OR, LIFE ON THE LAKE.
III.LITTLE BY LITTLE;OR, THE CRUISE OF THE FLYAWAY.
IV.TRY AGAIN;OR, THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF HARRY WEST.
V.NOW OR NEVER;OR, THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY BRIGHT.
VI.POOR AND PROUD;OR, THE FORTUNES OF KATY REDBURN.
Six volumes, put up in a neat box.
LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers.
Transcriber's NoteTypographical errors corrected in the text:Page 12 consquently changed to consequentlyPage 150 youv'e changed to you'vePage 234 siently changed to silently
Transcriber's Note