Watch and Wait; or, The Young Fugitives

gitives grew stronger. Though Dandy alone knew the route by which they were to reach the land of freedom, they were conscious that any white man whom they might meet would arrest them

ful. Even Lily, gentle and timid as she was, soon became accustomed to the novel situatio

andy?" asked she, as she seated

kindle too strong a hope in the mind of the gi

r would certainly sell us a

a Kun'l," added Cyd. "But I s'pect

call me ma

k you cutting

you mean

Cyd, do dat,-jes as dough d

duty to get her under way. When I told you t

ow," replied Cyd, wi

We may be caugh

tought I wa

de you t

ed away from

catch yo

ose I neber see him any more, and he ne

o a free country,

? Dat's what dis chile

ve no m

e gloom of the night, increased by the deep shadows of the tall

new social position. He laughed, kicked with his heels, sang and danced. He felt t

ou should

assa Kun'l'

you call me

ssa Kun'l, and de white folks. Dis c

ust as goo

row boat; den to git de wherry; and when I ask what for, y

" replied Dandy, whose feelings were inj

u speak to me jes l

that would make me seem like a master,

nk you meant to be my massa, jes like de kun'l. If dis chile jes as goo

things for, now that I have time to do so

us! Wha

d I will obey all your orders w

t, C

Dandy, earnestly. "H

dunno whar

the country, and you shall find the wa

you gi

e m

t's

cket map of the State of Louisiana, of which he ha

nfusion, for it was a great puzzle to him to know how they were to find their way through the swamp by the aid of this

examined the map, and the lantern was prudently

have passed Chicot. Now, if you will take the map, a

good de paper's fur. I

e going to

here I is, and you sh

ce. Our very lives may depen

ll, D

l as slaves. On board a ship,

e ob bein

him from his wife and children. The man is paid for what he

l about it

any more. My name is Daniel, bu

y name? I'se free too, an

me is Th

ydim

will adopt his suggestion, and call

breakfast to speak dat word in

rt, as I am Dan. There is n

good name, Cy

seck, it suits me," said Cyd, shaking his fat sides with satisfaction. "

e questions you asked when

all dem boats drag

see the r

observed, he had not been in the habit of doing his own thinking, an

left the boats,

hab em wid us, kee

will be ready to start on his trip. He will go d

whose imagination was lively enough to enab

then

ke he neber did afore," replied Cy

what

t help hisself,

e had left

, and streak it down de riber like an alligator arter a p

y I have taken

a millstone. You'se got a long head, Da

looking for us. This boat is white now, and we will

'l won't stop lookin fur us

th. He will never suspect that we have come this way. Here we are," said Dan, suddenly

f the bayou, he ordered Cyd to ma

now, Dan?" asked Cyd, whe

to the Mississippi. I left some papers in my room, which will convince him that I intended to go that way. Now, Lily, we

such a position that they seemed to be abandoned. When the search for them was made, these boats would be found two

he wind, which had been quite fresh when they started, had now subsided to a gentle breeze; but as the country was m

e entrance of Lake Chicot. It was about daylight, and as there was a plantation on the western bank, it was not deeme

und a stream flowing into the lake. Hauling up the centre board, he ran his craft into this creek. As the sails would not draw, being sheltered by the trees and cane, the two b

friendly shades of another night should permit th