第15章

As he was returning from one of these interviews with his wife, Tony was detected by the overseer, who was scrolling about round the slaves' quarters, and was next morning flogged until he became insensible.So terrible was the punishment that for some days he was unable to walk.As soon as he could get about he was again set to work, but the following morning he was found to be missing.

Andrew Jackson at once rode into Richmond, and In half an hour placards and handbills were printed offering a reward for his capture.These were not only circulated in the neighborhood, but were sent off to all the towns and villages through which Tony might be expected to pass in the endeavor to make his way north.

Vincent soon learned from Dan what had taken place.

"You have no idea, I suppose, Dan, as to which way he is likely to go?"Dan shook his bead.

"Me suppose, massa, dat most likely he gone and hidden in de great woods by de James River.Berry difficult to find him dere.""Difficult to find him, no doubt," Vincent agreed."But he could not stop there long-he would find nothing to eat in the woods; and though he might perhaps support himself for a time on corn or roots from the clearings scattered about through the James Peninsula, he must sooner or later be caught.""Dar are runaways in de woods now, Massa Vincent," Dan said;"some ob dem hab been dar for month.""But how do they live, Dan?"

"Well, sar, you see dey hab friends on de plantations, and sometimes at night one of de slaves will steal away wid a basket ob yams and corn-cakes and oder things and put dem down in a certain place in de forest, and next morning, sure enough, dey will be gone.Dangerous work dat, massa; because if dey caught with food, it known for sure dat dey carry it to runaway, and den you know dey pretty well flog the life out of dem.""Yes, I know, Dan; it is a very serious matter hiding a runaway slave, and even a white man would be very heavily punished, and perhaps lynched, if caught in the act.Well, make what inquiries you can among the slaves, and find out if you can whether any of those Jacksons have an idea which way Tony has gone.But do not go yourself on to Jackson's place; if you were caught there now it would be an awkward matter for both of us.""I will find out, Massa Vincent; but I don't s'pose Tony said a word to any of the others.He know well enough dat de Jacksons question ebery one pretty sharp, and per haps flog dem all round to find out if dey know anything.He keep it to himself about going away for sush."The Jacksons kept up a vigorous hunt after their slave and day after day parties of men ranged through the woods but without discovering any traces of him.Bloodhounds were employed the first day, but before these could be fetched from Richmond the scent had grown cold; for Tony had gone off as soon as the slaves had been shut up for the night and had, directly he left the hut, wrapped leaves round his feet, therefore the hounds, when they arrived from Richmond, were unable to take up the scent.

A week after Tony's escape, Vincent returned late one evening from a visit to some friends.Dan, as he took his horse, whispered to him: "Stop a little on your way to house, Massa Vincent; me hab something to tell you.""What is it, Dan?" Vincent asked, as the lad, after putting up his horse in the stable, came running up to him.

"Me have seen Tony, sah.He in de shrubs ober dar.He want to see Dinah, but me no take message till me tell you about him.He half starved, sah; me give him some yams.""That's right, Dan.""He pretty nigh desperate, sar; he say dey hunt him like wild beast.""I will see him, Dan.If I can help him in any way I will do so.

Unfortunately I do not know any of the people who help to get slaves away, so I can give him no advice as to the best way to proceed.Still I might talk it over with him.When I have joined him, do you go up to the house and tell Chloe from me to give you a pile of corn-cake- it's no use giving him flour, for he would be afraid to light a fire to cook it.Tell her to give you, too, any cold meat there may be in the house.Don't tell Dinah her husband is here till we have talked the matter over."Dan led Vincent up to a clump of bushes.

"It am all right, Tony," he said; "here is Massa Vincent come to see you."The bushes parted and Tony came out into the full moonlight.He looked haggard and worn; his clothes were torn into strips by the bushes.

"My poor fellow," Vincent said kindly, "I am sorry to see you in such a state."A great sob broke from the black"De Lord bress you, sah, for your goodness and for saving Dinah from do hands of dose debils! Now she safe wid you and de child, Tony no care berry much what come to him-do sooner he dead de better.He wish dat one day when dey flog him dey had kill him altogether; den all de trouble at an end.Dey hunt him ebory day with dogs and guns, and soon they catch him.No can go on much longer like dis.To-day me nearly gib myself up.Den me thought me like to see Dinah once more to say good-by, so make great effort and ran a bit furder.""I have been thinking whether it would be possible to plan some way for your escape, Tony."The negro shook his head.

"Dar never escape, sah, but to get to Canada; dat too far any way.

Not possible to walk all dat way and get food by do road.Suah to be caught.""No, I do not think it will be possible to escape that way, Tony.