Hadhebeenamanofpleasantmanners，hewouldgraduallyhavemadehisway；buthewasevidentlynotagentleman。Thehabitsoftradestucktohim，andinaveryshorttimetherewererumorsthattheslaves，whomhehadboughtwiththeproperty，foundhimaharshandcruelmaster。ThisinitselfwouldhavebeensufficienttobringhimdisreputeinVirginia，whereasaruletheslavesweretreatedwithgreatkindness，andindeedconsideredtheirpositiontobeinfinitelysuperiortothatofthepoorerclassofwhites。AndrewJacksonhadbeenforafewmonthsatschoolwithVincent；hewasunpopularthere，andfromtherumorscurrentastothetreatmentofIheslavesontheestate，wasknownbythenicknameofhe\"slave-driver。\"
HadVincentbeenthesonofawhitetrader，rasmallcultivator，heknewwellenoughthathispositionwouldbeaveryseriousone，andthathewouldhavehadtoridetotheborderoftheStatewithallspeed。HewouldhavebeendenouncedatonceasanAbolitionist，andwouldhavebeenaccusedofstirringuptheslavestorebellion。againsttheirmasters；acrimeofthemostseriouskind\'，intheSouthernStates。Butplacedashewas，astheheirofagreatestateworkedbyslaves，suchacrycouldhardlyberaisedagainsthim。Hemightdoubtlessbefinedandadmonished1\'orinterferingbetweenamasterandhisslave；butthesympathyofthebetterclassesinVirginiawouldbeentirelywithhim。Vincent，therefore，wasbutlittleconcernedforhimself；buthedoubtedgreatlywhetherhisinterferencehadnotdonemuchmoreharmthangoodtotheslaveandhiswife，foruponthemAndrewJacksonwouldventhisfury。Herodedirecttothestablesinsteadofalightingasusualatthedoor。Dan，whohadbeensittingintheverandawaitingforhim，randowntothestablesashesawhimcoming。
\"Givethehorsetooneoftheothers，Dan；Iwanttospeaktoyou。
Dan，\"hewentonwhenhehadwalkedwithhimashortdistancefromthestaNes，\"IsupposeyouknowsomeofthehandsonJackson\'splantation。\"
Dangrinned，foralthoughtherewasnotsupposedtoheanycommunicationbetweentheslavesonthedifferentestates，itwasnotoriousthatatnighttheywereinthehabitofslippingoutoftheirhutsandvisitingeachother。
\"Iknowsomeohdem，MassaVincent。Whatyouwantobdem？
Berryhadmaster，MassaJackson。Wustmasterhereabouts。\"
Vincentrelatedwhathadhappened，toDan\'sintensedelight。
\"Now，Dan，\"hewenton，\"Iamafraidthataftermyinterferencetheywilltreatthatpoorfellowandhiswifeworsethanbefore。I
wantyoutofindoutformewhatisgoingonatJackson\'s。IdonotknowthatIcandoanything，howeverbadlytheytreatthem；butI
havebeenthinkingthatiftheyill-treatthemverygrossly，IwillgettogetherapartyoffifteenortwentyofmyfriendsandwewillgoinabodytoJackson\'s，andwarnhimthatifhebehaveswithcrueltytohisslaves，wewillmakeitsohotforhimthathewillhavetoleavethestate。Idon\'tsaythatwecoulddoanything；butasweshouldrepresentmostofthelargeestatesroundhere，Idon\'tthinkoldJacksonandhissonwouldlikebeingsenttoCoventry。
Thefeelingisverystrongatpresentagainstill-treatmentoftheslaves。Ifthesetroublesleadtowaralmostallofuswillgointothearmy，andwedonotlikethethoughtofthepossibilityoftroublesamongthehandswhenthewhitesareallaway。\"
\"Iwillfindoutallaboutitforyouto-night，sah。Idon\'tsuspectdatdeywilldonuffinto-day。AndrewJacksontoosickafterdatknockagainstdetump。Hekeepquietadayortwo。\"
\"Well，Dan，yougooverto-nightandfindoutallaboutit。IexpectIhadbetterhaveleftthingsalone，butnowIhaveinterferedIshallgoonwithit。\"
Mrs。WingfieldwasmuchdispleasedwhenVincenttoldheratdinnerofhisincidentatJackson\'splantationandevenhissisterswereshockedatthisinterferencebetweenamasterandhisslave。
\"Youwillgetyourselfintoserioustroublewiththesefancifulnotionsofyours，\"Mrs。Wingfieldsaidangrily。\"YouknowaswellasIdohoweasyitistogetupacryagainstanyoneasanAbolitionistandhowdifficulttodisprovetheaccusation；andjustatpresent，whenthepassionsofeverymanintheSouthareinflamedtotheutmost，suchanaccusationwillbemostserious。
Inthepresentinstancetheredoesnotseemthatthereisashadowofexcuseforyourconduct。Yousimplyheardcriesofaslavebeingflogged。Youdeliberatelyleavetheroadandenterthesepeople\'splantationandinterferewithout，sofarasIcansee，theleastreasonfordoingso。Youdidnotinquirewhattheman\'soffensewas；andhemayforaughtyouknowhavehalfmurderedhismaster。Yousimplyseeaslavebeingfloggedandyouassaulthisowner。lftheJacksonslaycomplaintsagainstyouitisquiteprobablethatyoumayhavetoleavethestate。Whatonearthcanhaveinfluencedyoutoactinsuchamad-brainedway？\"
\"Ididnotinterferetopreventhisfloggingtheslave，mother，buttopreventhisfloggingtheslave\'swife，whichwaspurewantonbrutality。Itisnotaquestionofslaveryonewayortheother。Anyonehasarighttointerferetoputastoptobrutality。IfIsawamanbrutallytreatingahorseoradogIshouldcertainlydoso；andifitisrighttointerferetosaveadumbanimalfrombrutalill-treatmentsurelyitmustbejustifiabletosaveawomaninthesamecase。I
amnotanAbolitionist。Thatistosay，Iconsiderthatslavesonaproperlymanagedestate，likeours，forinstance，arejustaswelloffasarethelaborersonanestateinEurope；butIshouldcertainlyliketoseelawspassedtoprotectthemfromill-treatment。Why，inEnglandtherearelawsagainstcrueltytoanimals；andamanwhobrutallyfloggedadogorahorsewouldgetamonth\'simprisonmentwithhardlabor。Iconsideritadisgracetousthatamanmayhereill-treatahumanbeingworsethanhemightinEnglandadumbanimal。\"
\"Youknow，Vincent，\"hismothersaidmorequietly，\"thatIobjectasmuchasyoudototheill-treatmentoftheslaves，andthattheslaveshere，asonallwell-conductedplantationsinVirginia，arewelltreated；butthisisnotatimeforbringinginlawsorcarryingoutreforms。ItisbadenoughtohavescoresofNorthernersdoingtheirbesttostirupmischiefbetweenmastersandslaveswithoutaSoutherngentlemanmixinghimselfupinthematter。WehavegottostandtogetherasonepeopleandtoprotectourStaterightsfrominterference。\"
\"IamjustasmuchinfavorofStaterightsasanyoneelse，mother；
andif，asseemslikely，thepresentquarrelistobefoughtout，I
hopeIshalldomybestforVirginiaaswellasotherfellowsofmyownage。ButjustasIprotestagainstanyinterferencebytheNorthernerswithourlaws，Isaythatweoughttoamendourlawssoasnottogivethemtheshadowofanexcuseforinterference。Itisbreezesprangup。Vincentthenputupthemast，and，havinghoistedthesail，tookhisplaceatthehelm，whileDanwentforwardintothebow。Theypassedseveralfishing-boats，andthesmokewasseencurlingupfromthehutsintheclearingsscatteredhereandtherealongtheshore。Thesunhadnowrisen，anditsheatwaspleasantafterthedampnightair。
Althoughthebreezewaslight，theboatmadefairwaywiththetide，andwhentheebbceasedataboutteno\'clockthemouthoftheriverwasbutafewmilesaway。Themastwasloweredandthesailsstowed。Theboatwasthenrowedintoalittlecreekandtieduptothebushes。Thebasketofprovisionswasopened，andaheartymealenjoyed，Tonybeingnowpermittedforthefirsttimetositupintheboat。AfterthemealVincentandDanlaydownforalongsleep，whileTony，whohadsleptsomehoursduringthenight，keptwatch。
Atfourintheafternoontideagainslackened，andassoonasithadfairlyturnedtheypushedoutfromthecreekandagainsetsail。Inthreehourstheywereatthemouthoftheriver。Ashortdistanceouttheysawseveralboatsfishing，anddroppinganchorashortdistanceawayfromthese，theyloweredtheirsail，andtakingthefishing-linesfromthelockeroftheboat，settotofish。Assoonasitwasquitedarktheanchorwashauledup，andVincentandDantooktheoars，thewindhavingnowcompletelydropped。Forsometimetheyrowedsteadily，keepingthelandinsightontheirrighthand。
Tonywasmostanxioustohelp，butashehadneverhadanoarinhishandinhislife，Vincentthoughtthathowoulddomoreharmthangood。Itwas，heknew，sometenmilesfromthemouthoftheYorkRivertoFortressMonroe，attheentrancetoHamptonRoads，andafterrowingforthreehourshethoughtthathecouldnotbefarfromthatpoint，andthereforeturnedtheboat\'sheadouttowardthesea。Theyroweduntiltheycouldnolongermakeoutthelandastern，andthenlayingintheiroarswaitedtillthemorning，Vincentsittinginthesternandoftennoddingofftosleep，whilethetwonegroeskeptupaconstantconversationinthebow。
Assoonasitwasdaylighttheoarswereagaingotout。Theycouldclearlymakeouttheoutlineofthecoast，andsawthebreakintheshorethatmarkedtheentrancetoHamptonRoads。Therewasalightbreezenow，butVincentwouldnothoistthesaillestitmightattracttheattentionofsomeoneonshore。Hedidnotthinktheboatitselfcouldbeseen，astheyweresomeeightorninemilesfromtheland。Theyrowedforaquarterofanhour，whenVincentsawthewhitesailsofashipcomingoutfromtheentrance。
Thebreezewassolightthatshewould，hethought，benearlythreehoursbeforeshereachedthespotwheretheywerenow，andwhethersheheadedtotherightorleftofithewouldhaveplentyoftimetocutheroff。ForanothertwohoursheandDanrowedsteadily。Thewindhadfreshenedagooddeal，andtheshipwasnowcomingupfasttothem。Twoothershadcomeoutafterher，butweresomemilesastern。Theyhadalreadymadeoutthattheshipwasflyingaflagathermasthead，andalthoughtheyhadnotbeenabletodistinguishitscolors，Vincentfeltsurethatitwastherightship；forhefeltcertainthatthecaptainwouldgetupsailassoonaspossible，soastocomeupwiththembeforeanyothervesselscameout。Theyhadsomewhatalteredtheircourse，toputthemselvesinlinewiththevessel。WhenshewaswithinadistanceofaboutamileandahalfVincentwasabletomakeouttheflag，andknewthatitwastherightone。
\"There\'stheship，Tony，\"hesaid；\"itisallright，andinafewminutesyouwillbeonyourwaytoEngland。\"
Tonyhadalreadychangedhistatteredgarmentsforthesuitofsailor\'sclothesthatatDanhadboughtforhim。Vincenthadgivenhimfullinstructionsastothecoursebewastopursue。TheshipwasboundforLiverpool；onhisarrivaltherebewasatoncetogoroundthedocksandtakeapassageinthesteerageofthenextsteamergoingtoCanada。
\"Thefarewillbeabouttwenty-fivedollars，\"hesaid。\"WhenyougettoCanadayouwilllandatQuebec，andyoubadbettergoonbyrailtoMontreal，whereyouwill，Ithink，finditeasiertogetworkthanatQuebec。Assoonasyougetaplaceyouarelikelytostopin，getsomebodytowriteforyoutome，givingmeyouraddress。
Hereareahundreddollars，whichwillbesufficienttopayyourexpensestoMontrealandleaveyouaboutfiftydollarstokeepyoutillyoucangetsomethingtodo。\"
CHAPTERIV。SAFELYBACK。
WHENtheshipcamewithinafewhundredyards，Vincentstoodupandwavedhiscap，andaminutelatertheshipwasbroughtupintothewindandhersailsthrownaback。Thecaptainappearedatthesideandshoutedtotheboatnowbutfiftyyardsaway:
\"Whatdoyouwantthere？\"
\"IhaveapassengerforEngland，\"Vincentreplied。\"Willyoutakehim？\"
\"Comealongside，\"thecaptainsaid。\"Whydidn\'thecomeonhoardbeforeIstarted？\"
Theboatwasrowedalongside，andVincentclimbedonboard。
Thecaptaingreetedhimasastrangerandledthewaytohiscabin。
\"Youhavemanagedthatwell，\"hesaidwhentheywerealone，\"andIamheartilygladthatyouhavesucceeded。Imadeyououttwohoursago。Wewillstophereanothertwoorthreeminutessothatthemenmaythinkyouarebargainingforapassageforthenegro，andthenthesoonerheisonboardandyouareonyourwaybackthebetter，forthewindisrising，andIfancyitisgoingtoblowagooddealharderbeforenight。\"
\"Andwon\'tyouletmepayfortheman\'spassage，captam？ItisonlyfairanyhowthatIshouldpayforwhathewilleat。\"
\"Oh，nonsense!\"thecaptainreplied。\"Hewillmakehimselfusefulandpayforhiskeep。Iamonlytoogladtoget；thepoorfellowoff。Now，wewillhaveaglassofwinetogetherandthensaygood-by。\"
TwominuteslatertheyreturnedtothedeckVincentwenttotheside。
Jumponboard，Tony。Ihavearrangedforyourpassage。\"
Thenegroclimbeduptheside。
\"Good-by，captain，andthankyouheartily。Good-by，Tony。\"
Thenegrocouldnotspeak，butheseizedthehandVincentheldouttohimandpressedit；tohislips。Vincentdroppedlightlyintohisboat；andpushedofffromthesideofthevessel。Ashedidsoheheardordersshouted，theyardsswunground，andthevesselalmost；atoncebegantomovethroughthewater。
\"Now，Dan，upwiththemast；andsailagain；butletmeputtworeefsinfirst，thewindisgettingup。\"
Infiveminutesthesailwashoisted，andwithVincentatthehelmandDansittinguptowindward，wasdashingthroughtilewater。
AlthoughVincentunderstoodthemanagementofasailing-boatonthecalmwatersoftherivers，thiswashisfirstexperienceofsea-sailing；andalthoughthewaveswerestillbutsmall，hefeltatfirstsomewhatnervousastheboatdashedthroughthem，sendingupattimesasheetofsprayfromherbows。Buthesoongotoverthissensation，andenjoyedthelivelymotionandthefreshwind。
Tilehigherpointsofthelaudwerestillvisible；butevenhadtheynotbeensoitwouldhavematteredlittle，asbehadtakentheprecautiontobringwithhimasmallpocket-compass。Thewindwasfromtilesouthwest；，andhewasthereforeable，withthesheethauledin，tomakeforapointwherehejudgedthemouthoftheYorkRiverlay。
\"Golly，massa!howdoboatdojumpupanddown。\"
\"Sheislively，Dan，anditwouldbejustaswellifwehadsomeballastonboard；however，shehasagoodbeamandwalksalongsplendidly。Ifthewindkeepsasitis，weshallbebackatthemouthoftheYorkinthreeorfourhours。You\'nayaswellopenthatbasketagainandhandmethat；coldchickenandapieceofbread；cutthemeatoffthebonesandputitonthebread，forIhaveonlyonehanddisengaged；andhandmethatbottleofcoldtea。
That\'sright。Nowyouhadbettertakesomethingyour-self。Youmustbehungry。Weforgotallaboutthebasketinourinterestintheship。\"
Danshookhishead。
\"Alittlewhileago，massa，meseemberryhungry，nowmedoesn\'tfeelhungryatall。\"
\"That\'sbad，Dan。Iamafraidyouaregoingtobeseasick。\"
Menofeelseasick，massa；onlymedon\'tfeelhungry。\"ButinafewminutesDanwasforcedtoconfessthat；liedidfeelill，andafewmomentsafterwardwasgroaningintheagoniesofseasickness。
\"Nevermind，Dan，\"Vincentsaidcheerfully。\"Youwillbebetterafterthis。\"
\"Menotseasick，massa；deseahavenuffintodowithit；。It\'sdeboatdatwilljumpupanddowninsteadofgoingquiet。\"
\"It\'sallthesamething，Dan；andIhopeshewon\'tjumpaboutmorebeforewegetintotheriver。\"
But；inanotherhalfhourVincenthadtobringtheboat\'sheaduptothewind，lowerthelug，andtiedownthelast；reef。
\"There，shegoeseasiernow，Dan，\"hesaid，astheboatresumedhercourse；butDan，whowasleaninghelplesslyoverthesideoftheboat，couldseenodifference。
Vincent，however，feltthat；underherclosesailtheboatwasdoingbetter，andrisingmoreeasilyonthewaves，whichwerenowhigherandfartherapartthanbefore。Inanotherhourthewholeoftheshore-linewasvisible；butthewindhadrisensomuchthat，evenunderherreducedsail，theboathadasmuchasshecouldcarry，andoftenheeledoveruntilhergunwalewasnearlyunderwater。Anotherhourandtheshorewasbutsomefourmilesaway，butVincentfelt；hecouldnolongerholdon。
Inthehandsofanexperiencedsailor，whowouldhavehumoredtheboatandeasedherupalittletomeettheseas，theentrancetotheYorkRivercouldnodoubt；havebeenreachedwithsafety；butVincentwasignorantoftheartofsailingaboatinthesea，andshewasshippingwaterheavily。Danhadforsometimebeenbailing，havingonlyundertakentheworkinobediencetoVincent\'sangryorders，beingtooilltocaremuchwhatbecameofthem。
\"Now，Dan，Iamgoingtobringherheaduptothewind，sogetreadytothrowoffthathalyardandgatherinthesailasit；comesdown。That\'sright，man；nowdownwiththemast；。\"
Vincenthadreadthat；thebest；planwhencaughtinanopenboatinagale，wastotietheoarsandmast，ifshehadone，together，andtothrowthemoverboardwiththeheadropetiedtothem，asbythatmeanstheboatwouldrideheadtosea。Theoars，sculls，mast，andsailwerefirmlytiedtogetherandlaunchedoverboard，theropebeingfirsttakenofftheanchorandtiedroundthemiddleoftheclumpofspars。
Vincentcarefullyplayedouttheropetillsomefifteenyardswereover，thenhefastenedittotheringoftheheadrope，andhadthesatisfactionoffindingthattheboatrodeeasilytothefloatinganchor，risinglightlyoverthewaves，andnotshippingadropofwater。Hethentookthebalerandgotridofthewaterthathadfounditswayonboard，Dan，aftergettingdownthesail，havingcollapsedutterly。
\"Now，Dan，situp；there，man，themotionismucheasiernow，andwearetakingnowateronboard。Iwillgiveyouaglassofrum，thatwillputnewstrengthintoyou。It\'sluckyweputitinthebasketineaseofemergency。\"
Thenegro，whoseteethwerechatteringfromcold，fright，andexhaustion，eagerlydrankoffthespirit。Vincent，whowaswettotheskinwiththespray，tookalittlehimself，andthensettledhimselfascomfortablyashecouldonthefloor-hoardsinthesternoftheboat，andquietlythoughtouttheposition。Thewindwasstillrising，andathickhazeobscuredtheland。Hehadnodoubtthatbynightitwouldbeblowingagale；buttheboatrodesoeasilyandlightlythathebelievedshewouldgetthroughit。
Theymight，itwastrue，heblownmanymilesofftheshore，andnotbeabletogetbackforsometime，forthegalemightlasttwoorthreedays。Thebasketofprovisionswas，however，alargeone。
Danhadreceivedorderstobringplentyandhadobeyedthemliterally，andVincentsawthatthesupplyoffood，ifcarefullyhusbanded，wouldlast；withoutdifficultyforaweek。Thesupplyofliquorwaslesssatisfactory。Therewasthebottleofrum，twobottlesofclaret，andatwo-gallonjar，nearlyhalfempty，ofwater。
Thecoldteawasfinished。
\"Thatwouldbeapoorsupplyforaweekfortwoofus，\"Vincent；
muttered，asheremovedthecontentsofthebasketandstoredthemcarefullyinthelocker；\"however，ifit\'sgoingtobeagalethereissuretobesomerainwithit，so1thinkweshallmanageverywell。\"
Bynightitwasblowingreallyheavily，butalthoughthewaveswerehightheboatshippedbutlittlewater。Danhadfallenofftosleep，andVincenthadbeengladtowraphimselfinthethickcoathehadbroughtwithhimasaprotectionagainsttheheavydewswhensleepingontheriver。At；timessharprainsquallsburstuponthem，andVincenthadnodifficultyinfillingupthewater-bottleagainwiththebaler。
Thewaterwasratherbrackish，butnorsufficientlysotobeofconsequence。Allnighttheheatwastossedheavilyonthewaves。
Vincentdozedoffattimes，rousinghimselfoccasionallyandbalingoutthewater，whichcameintheshapeofsprayandrain。
Theprospect；inthemorningwasnotcheering。Graycloudscoveredtheskyandseemedtocomedownalmostontothewater，theangryseawascrestedwithwhiteheads，andit；seemedtoVincentwonderfulthattheboatshouldliveinsuchasea。
\"Now，Dan，wakeyourselfupandgetsomebreakfast，\"Vincentsaid，stirringupthenegrowithhisfoot。
\"OhLor\'!\"Dangroaned，raisinghimselfintoasittingpositionfromthebottomoftheboat，\"disamawful；weneberseetheshorenomore，massa。\"
\"Nonsense，man，\"Vincentsaidcheerily；\"wearegettingoncapitally。\"
\"Ithabbeenanawfulnight，sah。\"
\"Anawfulnight!Youlazyrascal，yousleptlikeapigallnight，whileIhavebeenbalingtheboatandlookingoutforyou。Itisyourturnnow，Icantellyou。Well，doyoufeelreadyforyourbreakfast？\"
Dan，afteramoment\'sconsideration，declaredthathewas。Thefeelingofseasicknesshadpassedoff，andexceptthathewaswetthroughandmiserable，hefelthimselfagain，andcouldhaveeatenfourtimestheallowanceoffoodthatVincenthandedhim。A
pannikinofrumandwaterdidmuchtorestorehislifeandvitality，andhewassoon，withthelight-heartednessofhisrace，laughingandchattingcheerfully。
\"Howlongdisgoon，youtink，sah？\"
\"Notlong，Ihope，Dan。Iwasafraidlastnightitwasgoingtobeabiggale，butIdonotthinkitisblowingsohardnowasit；wasinthenight。\"
\"Wherehavewegettonow，sah？\"
\"Idon\'texactlyknow，Dan；butIdonotsupposethatweareverymanymilesawayfromshore。Themastandoarspreventourdriftingfast，andIdon\'tthinkwearefurtheroffnowthanwewerewhenweleftthatshipyesterday。Butevenifwewerefourorfivetimesasfarasthat，weshouldnottakeverylonginsailingbackagainwhenthewinddrops，andaswehavegotenoughtoeatforaweekweneednotbeuncomfortableaboutthat。\"
\"Notmuchfoodforaweek，MassaVincent。\"
\"Notaverygreatdeal，Dan；butquiteenoughtokeepusgoing。
Youcanmakeupforlosttimewhenyougettoshoreagain。\"
Inafewhoursitwascertainthatthewindwasgoingdown。Bymiddaythecloudsbegantobreakup，andanhourlaterthesunwasshiningbrightly。Thewindwasstillblowingstrongly，hrttheseahadaverydifferentappearanceinthebrightlightofthesuntothatwhichithadborneunderthecanopyofdarkgrayclouds。Standing\'upintheboattwohourslater，Vincentcouldseenosignsofland。
\"Howshallwefindourwayback，MassaVincent？\"
\"Wehavegotacompass；besides，weshouldmanageverywellevenifwehadnot。Lookatthesun，Dan。Thereit；isrightaheadofus。So，youknow，that\'sthewest-that\'sthewaywehavetogo。\"
\"Thatveryusefulohdesun，sah；butsupposewenotliveindewestdosunnotpointdewayden。\"
\"Oh，yes，hewould，justthesame，Dan。Weshouldknowwhethertogoawayfromhim，ortokeephimentherighthandorontheleft。\"
ThiswasbeyondDan。\"AndIs\'posethemoonwillshowdewayatnight，massa？\"
\"Themoonwouldshowthewayifshewere\'up，butsheisnotalwaysup；butIhavegotacompasshere，andsowhetherwehavethesunorthemoon，orneitherofthem，Icanfindmywaybacktoland。\"
Danhadneverseenacompass，andforanhouramusedhimselfturningitroundandroundandtryingtogetittopointinsomeotherdirectionthanthenorth。
\"Now，Dan，\"Vincentsaidatlast，\"givemethatcompass，andgetoutthefood。Wewillhaveabettermealthanwedidthismorning，fornowthatthewindisgoingdownthere\'snochanceoffoodrunningshort。Whenwehavehaddinnerwewillgetupthesailagain。Theseaisnotsoroughasitwas，anditiscertainlynotsohighasitwasbeforeweloweredthesailyesterday。\"
\"Dewavesberrybig，massa。\"
\"Theyarebig，Dan；buttheyarenotsoangry。Theheadsarenotbreakingoverastheydidlastnight，andtheboatwillgobetteroverthoselongwavesthanshedidthroughthechoppyseaatthebeginningofthegale。\"
Accordinglythebundleofsparswaspulledupalongsideandlifted。Themastwassetupandthesailhoisted。Daninafewminutesforgothisfearsandlostevenhissenseofuneasinessashefoundtheboatmountedwaveafterwavewithoutshippingwater。
Severaltimes，indeed，ashowerofsprayflewhighupintheair，butthegustsnolongerburiedhersothatthewatercameoverthegunwale，anditwasalongtimebeforetherewasanyoccasiontousethebaler。Asthesunsetitcouldbeseenthattherewasadarklinebetweenitandthewater。
\"Thereistheland，Dan；andIdonotsupposeitismorethantwentymilesaway，formostofthecoastlieslow。\"
\"ButhowwefinddoYorkRiver，massa？Willdecompasstellyoudat？\"
\"No，Dan。Idon\'tknowwhetherwehavedriftednorthorsouthofit。Atordinarytimesthecurrentrunsupthecoast，butthewindthismorningwasblowingfromthenorthofwest，andmayhavebeendoingsoallthroughthenightforanythingIknow。Well，thegreatthingistomakeland。Wearealmostsuretocomeacrosssomefishing-boats，but，ifnot，wemustrunashoreandfindahouse。\"
TheycontinuedsailinguntilVincent\'swatchtoldhimitwastwelveo\'clock，bywhichtimethecoastwasquiteclose。Thewindnowalmostdropped，and，loweringtheirsail，theyrowedinuntil，onloweringtheanchor，theyfoundthatittouchedtheground。
Thentheylaydownandslept；tillmorning。Danwasthefirsttowaken。
\"Dararesomehousesdereclosedownbytheshore，sah，andsomemengettingoutaboat；。\"
\"That\'sallright，Dan，\"Vincentsaidasherousedhimselfandlookedover。\"Weshalllearnsoonwhereweare。\"
Inaquarterofanhourthefishing-boatputoff，andtheladsatoncerowedtoit。
\"HowfararewefromthemouthoftheYorkRiver？\"Vincentaskedthetwonegroesonboard。
\"Abouttwentymiles，sah。Whereyoucomefrom？\"
\"Wewereoffthemonthoftheriver，andwereblownoffinthegale。\"
\"Youtinkyourselfberryluckyyougetback，\"oneofthemsaid。
\"Berryfoolishtogooutlikedatwhennotknowhowtogetback。\"
\"Well，wehavemanagedtogetbacknow，yousee，andnonetheworseforit。Now，Dan，upwiththesailagain。\"
Therewasalightwindoffshore，andallthereefsbeingshakenouttheboatranalongfast。
\"Ishouldthinkwearegoingaboutfivemilesanhour，Dan。Weoughttobeoffthemouthoftheriverinfourhours。Wemustlookoutsharporelseweshallpassit，formanyoftheseisletslookjustlikethemouthoftheriver。However，weareprettysuretopassseveralfishing-boatsonourway，andweshallbeabletoinquirefromthem。\"
Therewasnoneed，however，todothis。Itwasjustthefourhoursfromthetimeofstartingwhentheysawsomeeightortenfishing-boatsaheadofthem。
\"Iexpectthatthatistheentrancetotheriver。Whenwegethalfamilefurtherweshallseeitopen。\"
Onapproachingthefishing-boatstheyrecognizedatoncetheappearanceoftheshore，astheyhadnoticeditwhenfishingtherebefore，andweresoonintheentrancetotheriver。
Itwillbehightideinabouttwohours，\"Vincentsaid，\"accordingtothetimeitwastheotherday。Iamafraidwhenitturnsweshallhavetogetdownoursails；therewillhenobeatingagainstbothwindandtide。Thenwemustgetoutoarsandrow。Thereisverylittletidecloseinbythebank，andeverylittlegainwillbeahelp。
Wehavebeenout；fourdays。ItisThursdaynow，andtheywillbebeginningtogetveryanxiousathome，sowemustdoourbesttogetback。\"
Keepingcloseunderthebank，theyrowedsteadily，makingonanaverageabouttwomilesanhour。Afterfivehours\'rowingtheytieduptothebank，hadameal，andresteduntiltideturned；thentheyagainhoistedtheirsailandproceededontheirway。Tidecarriedthemjustuptothejunctionofthetworivers，andlandingatCumberlandtheyprocuredbedsandslepttillmorning。
Anotherlongday\'sworktookthemuptotheplantationofMr。
Furniss，andfasteninguptheboat，andcarryingthesailsandoarsonshore，theystartedontheirwalkhome。
\"Why，Vincent，whereonearthhaveyoubeenallthistime？\"Mrs。
Wingfieldsaidashersonentered。\"Yousaidyoumightbeawayacoupleofnights；andweexpectedyoubackonWednesdayatthelatest，andnowitisFridayevening。\"
\"Well，mother，wehavehadgreatfun。WewentsailingaboutrightdowntothemouthoftheYorkRiver。Ididnotcalculatethatitwouldtakememorethantwiceaslongtogetbackastogetdown；butasthewindblew\'rightdowntheriveritwaspreciousslowwork，andwehadtorowalltheway。However，ithasbeenajollytrip，andIfeelalotbetterforit。\"
\"Youdon\'tlookanybettorforit，\"Anniesaid。\"Theskinisalloffyourface，andyouareasredasfire。Yourclotheslookshrunkaswellashorriblydirty。Youarequiteanobject，Vincent。\"
\"Wegotcaughtinaheavygale，\"Vincentsaid，\"andgotathoroughducking。Astomyface，adayortwowillsetitalltorightsagain；
andsotheywillmyhands，Ihope，forIhavegotnicelyblisteredtuggingatthoseoars。Andnow，mother，Iwantsomesupper，forI
amashungryasahunter。ItoldDantogointothekitchenandgetagoodsquaremeal。\"
Thenextmorning，justafterbreakfast，therewasthesoundofhorses\'hoofsoutsidethehouse，and，lookingout；，VincentsawMr。
Jackson，withamanheknewtobethesheriff，andfourorfiveothers。Aminutelateroneoftheservantscamein，andsaidthatthesheriffwishedtospeaktoMrs。Wingfield。
\"Iwillgoouttohim，\"Mrs。Wingfieldreplied。Vincentfollowedhertothedoor。
\"Mrs。Wingfield，\"thesheriffsaid，\"Iamtheholderofawarrant；tosearchyourslave-hutsandgroundsforarun-awaynegronamedAnthonyMoore，thepropertyofMr。Jacksonhere。\"
\"Doyousuppose，sir，\"Mrs。Wingfieldaskedangrily，\"thatIamthesortofpersontogivesheltertorunawayslaves？\"
No，madam，certainlynot，\"thesheriffreplied；\"noonewouldsupposeforamomentthatMrs。WingfieldoftheOrangerywouldhaveanythingtodowitharunaway，butMr。Jacksonherelearnedonlyyesterdaythatthewifeofthisslavewashere，andeveryoneknowsthatwherethewifeisthehusbandisnotlikelytobefaroff。\"
\"Isuppose，sir，\"Mrs。Wingfleldsaidcoldly，\"thattherewasnonecessityformetoacquaintMr。JacksonformerlywiththefactthatIhadpurchasedthroughmyagentthewomanhesoldtoseparateherfromherhusband。\"。\'Bynomeans，madam，bynomeans；though，hadweknownit；
before，itmighthavebeensomeaidtousinoursearch。Haveweyourpermissiontoseethiswomanandtoquestionher？\"
\"Certainlynot，\"Mrs。Wingfieldsaid；\"butifyouhaveanyquestiontoaskIwillaskherandgiveyouheranswer。\"
\"Wewanttoknowwhethershehasseenherhusbandsincethedayofhisflight；fromtheplantation？\"
\"Ishallcertainlynotaskherthatquestion，Mr。Sheriff。Ihavenodoubtthat，astheplacefromwhichhehasescapedisonlyafewmilesfromhere，hedidcometoseehiswife。Itwouldhavebeenverystrangeifhedidnot。Ihopethatbythistimethemanishundredsofmilesaway。Hewasbrutallytreatedbyabrutalmaster，who，Ibelieve，deliberatelysettoworktomakehimrunaway，sothathecouldhunthimdownandpunishhim。Ipresume，sir，youdonotwishtosearchthishouse，andyoudonotsupposethatthemanishiddenhere。Astotheslave-hutsandtheplantation，youcan，ofcourse，searchthemthoroughly；butasitisnowmorethanafortnightsincethemanescaped，itisnotlikelyyouwillfindhimhidingwithinafewmilesofhismaster\'splantation。\"
Sosayingshewentintothehouseandshutthedoorbehindher。
Mr。Jacksongroundhisteethwithrage，butthesheriffrodeofftowardtheslave-hutswithoutaword。ThepositionofMrs。
WingfieldoftheOrangery，connectedasshewaswithhalftheoldfamiliesofVirginia，andherselfalargeslave-owner，wasbeyondsuspicion，andnoonewouldventuretosuggestthatsuchaladycouldhavethesmallestsympathyforarunawayslave。
\"Shewasdownuponyouprettyhot，Mr。Jackson，\"thesheriffsaidastheyrodeoff。\"Youdon\'tseemtobeinhergoodbooks。\"
Jacksonmutteredanimprecation。
\"Itiscertainlyodd，\"thesheriffwenton，\"afterwhatyouweretellingmeabouthersonpitchingintoAndrewoverfloggingthisveryslave，thatsheshouldgoandbuyhiswife。Still，that\'saverydifferentthingfromhidingarunaway。Idaresaythat，asshesays，thefellowcameheretoseehiswifewhenhefirstranaway；butI
don\'t；thinkyouwillfindhimanywhereaboutherenow。It\'sprettycertainfromwhatwehearthathehasn\'tmadefortheNorth，andwherethefellowcanbehidingIcan\'tthink。Stillthewoodsaboutthiscountryaremightybig，andthefellowcangooutontothefarmsandpickcornandkeephimselfgoingforalongtime。Still，he\'ssuretobebrought；upsoonerorlater。\"
Athoroughsearchwasmadeoftheslave-huts，andtheslaveswerecloselyquestioned，butalldeniedanyknowledgeoftherunaway。
Danescapedquestioning，ashehadtakenupVincent\'shorsetothehouseinreadinessforhimtostartassoonashehadfinishedbreakfast。
Alldaythesearchersrodeabouttheplantationexaminingeveryclumpofbushes，andassuringthemselvesthatnoneofthemhadbeenusedasaplaceofrefugefortherunaway。
，\"It\'snogood，Mr。Jackson，\"thesheriffsaidatlast。\"Themanmayhavebeenhere；heain\'therenow。Theonlyplacewehaven\'t；
searchedisthehouse，andyoumaybequitesuretheslavesdarenotconcealhimthere。Toomanywouldgettoknowit。No，sir，he\'smadeaboltofit，andyouwillhavetowaitnowtillheiscaughtbychance，orshot；bysomefarmerorotherintheactofstealing。\"
\"Iwouldlayathousanddollars，\"AndrewJacksonexclaimedpassionately，\"thatyoungWingfieldknowssomethingabout；hiswhereabouts，andhaslenthimahand!\"
\"Well，Ishouldadviseyoutokeepyourmouthshutabout；it；tillyougetsomepositiveproof，\"thesheriffsaiddryly。\"Itellyouit\'snojoketoaccuseamemberofafamilyliketheWingfieldsofhelpingrunawayslavestoescape。\"
\"Iwillbidemytime，\"theplantersaid。\"YousaidthatsomedayyouwouldlayhandsonTonydeadoralive。YouseeifsomedayI
don\'tlayhandsonyoungWingfield。\"
Well，itseems，Mr。Jackson，\"thesheriffremarkedwithasneer，forhewasoutoftemperattheillsuccessoftheday\'swork，\"that；hehasalreadylaidhandsonyourson。Itseemstomequiteaslikelythathewilllayhandsonyouasyouonhim。\"
TwodaysafterwardasVincentwasridingthroughthestreetsofRichmondhesawtohissurpriseAndrewJacksonincloseconversationwithJonasPearson。
\"Iwonderwhatthosetwofellowsaretalkingabout？\"hesaidtohimself。\"Iexpect；JacksonistryingtopumpPearsonastothedoingsattheOrangery。Idon\'tlikethat；fellow，andnevershall，andheisjustthesortofmantodooneabadturnifhehadthechance。However，asIhaveneverspokentohimabout；thataffairfrombeginningtoend，Idon\'tseethathecandoanymischiefifhewantsto。\"
AndrewJackson，however，hadobtainedinformationwhichheconsideredvaluable。HelearnedthatVincenthadbeenawayinaboatforfivedays，andthathismotherhadbeenveryuneasyabouthim。HealsolearnedthattheboatwasonebelongingtoMr。
Furniss，andthatitwasonlyquitelatelythatVincenthadtakentogoingoutsailing。
AfterconsiderabletroublehesucceededingettingatoneoftheslavesuponMr。Furniss\'plantation。ButhecouldonlylearnfromhimthatVincenthadbeenunaccompaniedwhenhewentoutintheboateitherbyyoungFurnissorbyanyoftheplantationhands；
thathehadtakenwithhimonlyhisownslave，andhadcomeandgoneashechose，takingoutandfasteninguptheboathimself，sothatnoonecouldsaywhenhehadgoneout；，except；thathishorsewasputupatthestables。Theslavesaidthatcertainlythehorsebadonlystoodthereontwoorthreeoccasions，andthenonlyforafewhours，andthatunlessMr。Wingfieldhadwalkedoverhecouldneverhavehadtheboatoutallnight，asthehorsecertainlyhadnotstoodallnightinthestables。
AndrewJacksontalkedthematteroverwithhisson，andbothagreedthatVincent\'sconduct；wassuspiciousHisownpeoplesaidhehadbeenawayforfivedaysintheboat。ThepeopleatFurniss\'
knewnothingaboutthis，andthereforetheremustbesomemysteryaboutit，andtheydoubtednotthat；thatmysterywasconnectedwiththerunawayslave，andtheyguessedthathehadeithertakenTonyandlandedhimnearthemouthoftheYorkRiveronthenorthernshore，orthathehadputhimonbeardaship。Theyagreed，however，thatwhatevertheirsuspicious，theyhadnotsufficientgroundsforopenlyaccusingVincentofaidingtheirrunaway。
CHAPTERV。SECESSION……
WHILEVincenthadbeenoccupiedwiththeaffairsofTonyandhiswife，publiceventshadmovedforwardrapidly。TheSouthCarolinaConventionmetinthethirdweekinDecember，andonthe20thofthatmonththeOrdinanceofSecessionwaspassed。Onthe10thofJan-nary，threedaysafterVincentreturnedhomefromhisexpedition，FloridafollowedtheexampleofSouthCarolinaandseceded。AlabamaandMississippipassedtheOrdinanceofSecessiononthefollowingday；Georgiaonthe18th，Louisianaonthe23d，andTexasonthe1stofFebruary。
InalltheseStatestheOrdinanceofSessionwasreceivedwithgreat；rejoicing:bonfireswerelit，thetownsilluminated，andthemilitiaparadedthestreets，andinmanycasestheFederalarsenalswereseizedandtheFederalfortsoccupiedbytheStatetroops。InthemeantimetheNorthernSlaveStates，Virginia，NorthCarolina，Tennessee，Kentucky，andMissouri，remainedirresolute。ThegeneralfeelingwasstronglyinfavoroftheirSouthernbrethren；
buttheywereanxiousforpeace，andforacompromisebeingarrivedat。WhethertheNorthwouldagreetoadmit；theconstitutionalrightsofsecession，orwhetheritwoulduseforcetocompeltheSecedingStatestoremainintheUnion，wasstilluncertain；buttheideaofacivilwarwassoterribleaonethatthegeneralbeliefwasthatsomearrangementtoallowtheStatestogotheirownwaywouldprobablybearrivedat。
ForthetimetheideaofVincentgoingtoWestPointwasabandoned。AmonghisacquaintanceswereseveralyoungmenwhowerealreadyatWestPoint，andveryfewofthesereturnedtotheacademy。Thefeelingtherewasverystronglyonthesideofsecession。AgreatmajorityofthestudentscamefromtheSouthernStates，aswhilethesonsoftheNorthernmenwentprincipallyintotradeandcommerce，theSouthernplanterssenttheirsonsintothearmy，andagreatproportionoftheofficersofthearmyandnavywereSoutherners。
AstheprofessorsatWest；Pointwereallmilitarymen，thefeelingamongthem，aswellasamongthestudents，wasinfavorofStaterights；theyconsideringthat，accordingtotheconstitution，theirallegiancewasduefirsttotheStatesofwhichtheywerenatives，andinthesecondplacetotheUnion。Thus，then，manyoftheprofessorswhowerenativesofthesevenStateswhichhadsecededresignedtheirappointments，andreturnedhometooccupythemselvesindrillingthemilitiaandthelevies，whowereatoncecalledtoarms。
Stillallhopedthat；peacewouldbepreserved，untilonthe11thofAprilGeneralBeauregard，whocommandedthetroopsofSouthCarolina，summonedMajorAnderson，whowasincommandoftheFederaltroopsinFortSumter，tosurrender，andonhisrefusalopenedfireuponthefortonthefollowingday。
Onthe13th，thebarracksofthefort；beingsetonfire，andMajorAndersonseeingthehopelessnessofaprolongedresistance，surrendered。TheeffectofthenewsthroughouttheUnitedStateswastremendous，andMr。Lincolnatoncecalledout75，000menofthemilitiaofthevariousStatestoputdowntherebellion-theborderStatesbeingorderedtosendtheirproportion。Thisbroughtmatterstoaclimax。Virginia，NorthCarolina，Kentucky，Tennessee，andMissouriallrefusedtofurnishcontingentstoactagainsttheSouthernStates；andVirginia，NorthCarolina，andKansasafewdayslaterpassedOrdinancesofSecessionandjoinedtheSouthernStates。Missouri，Maryland，andDelawareweredividedintheircounsels。
Thestrugglethatwasabout；tocommencewasanunevenone。
ThewhitepopulationoftheSecedingStateswasabout8，000，000；
whilethattheNorthernStateswere19，614，885。TheNorthpossessedanimmenseadvantage，inasmuchastheyretainedthewholeoftheFederalnavy，andweretherebyenabledatoncetocutoffallcommunicationbetweentheSouthernStatesandEurope，whiletheythemselvescoulddrawunlimitedsuppliesofmunitionsofwarofallkindsfromacrosstheAtlantic。
AlthoughthepeopleofVirginiahadhopedtothelastthatsomepeacefularrangementmightbeeffected，theActofSecessionwasreceivedwithenthusiasm。ThedemandofMr。LincolnthattheyshouldfurnishtroopstocrushtheirSouthernbrethrenexcitedtheliveliestindignation，andVirginiafeltthattherewasnocourseopentohernowbuttothrowinherlotwiththeotherSlavesStates。Hermilitiawasatoncecalledout，andvolunteerscalledfortoformaprovisionalarmytoprotecttheStatefrominvasionbytheNorth。
Theappealwasansweredwithenthusiasm；menofallagestookuparms；thewealthyraisedregimentsattheirownexpense，generallyhandingoverthecommandstoexperiencedarmyofficers，andthemselvestakingtheirplacesintheranks；thousandofladsoffromfifteentosixteenyearsofageenrolledthemselves，andmenwhohadneverdoneaday\'sworkintheirlifepreparedtosufferallthehardshipsofthecampaignasprivatesoldiers。
Mrs。WingfieldwasanenthusiasticsupporterofStaterights；andwhenVincenttoldherthatnumbersofhisfriendsweregoingtoenrollthemselvesassoonasthelistswereopened，sheofferednoobjectiontohisdoingthesame。
\"Ofcourseyouareveryyoung，Vincent；butnoonethinkstherewillbeanyseriousfighting。NowthatVirginiaandtheotherfourStateshavecastintheirlotwiththeseventhathaveseceded，theNorthcanneverhopetoforcethesolidSouthbackintotheUnion。
Stillitisrightyoushouldjoin。Icertainlyshouldnot；likeanoldVirginianfamilylikeourstobeunrepresented；butIshouldpreferyourjoiningoneofthemountedcorps。
\"Inthefirst；placeitwillbemuchlessfatiguingthancarryingaheavyrifleandknapsack；andinthesecondplace，thecavalrywillforthemost；partbegentlemen。IwasspeakingonlyyesterdaywhenIwentintoRichmondtoMr。Ashley，whoisraisingacorps。
