NEGRO LIFE IN AMERICA. 161

woodsman, a vigorous hunter, and a dead shot at a buck; but
having wooed a pretiy Quakeress, had been moved by the power
of her charms to join the society in this neighbourhood ; and
though he was an honest, sober, and efficient member, and
nothing particular could be alleged against him, yet the more
spiritual among them could not but discern an exceeding lack of
savour in his developments.

‘Friend Phineas will ever have ways of his own,” said Rachel
Halliday smiling ; ‘‘ but we all think his heart is in the right place,
after all.”

“Well,” said George, “isn’t it best that we hasten our
flight ?”

“T got up at four o'clock, and came on with all speed, full two
or three hours ahead of them, if they start at the time they
planned. It isn’t safe to start till dark, at any rate; for there
are some evil persons in the villages ahead that might be disposed
to meddle with us if they saw our wagon, and that would delay
us more than the waiting ; but in two hours I think we may ven-
ture. I will go over to Michael Cross, and engage him to come
behind on his swift nag, and keep a bright look-out on the road,
and warn us if any company of men come on. Michael keeps a
horse that can soon get ahead of most other horses; and he could
shoot ahead and let us know, if there were any danger. I am
going out now to warn Jim and the old woman to be in readiness,
and to see about the horses. We have a pretty fair start, and
stand a good chance to get to the stand before they can come up
with us. So, have good courage, friend George; this isn’t the
first ugly scrape that I’ve been in with thy people,” said Phineas,
as he closed the door.

‘Phineas is pretty shrewd,” said Simeon.. ‘‘ He will do the
best that can be done for thee, George.”

‘All I am sorry for,’ said George, ‘is the risk to you.”

‘‘'Thee'll much oblige us, friend George, to say no more about

that. What we do we are conscience bound to do; we cau do no
other way. And now, mother,” said he, turning to Rachel,
‘hurry thy preparations for these friends, for we must not send
them away fasting.” |

And while Rachel and her children were busy making corn-
cake, and cooking ham and chicken, and hurrying on the e¢-
celeras of the evening meal, George and his wife sat in their little
room, with their arms folded about each other, in such talk as
husband and wife have when they know that a few hours may
pat them for ever.

“ Eliza,” said George, ‘‘ people that have friends, and houses,

and lands, and money, and all those things, can’t love as we do, who
have nothing but each other. Till I knew you, Eliza, no creature

ever had loved me, but my poor heartbroken mother and sister. .

I saw poor Emily that morning the trader carried her off. . She
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