10
THE OMAJIA J)A1Ij ISI'JIS: SUNDAY. .MAY 'JO, 1 MIU.
.C
Synopsl of I'ri-cvilliiK C linptcrx.
Flvo years before thn outbreak of the
civil war lop of adventure, hatred of
slavery nnd the deslie lo help my friend,
George Wesner. led mr, Charles Hrndlcy. a
civil engineer of AtiiikninM county, I,uuli
ann. lo heroine mi nent f the under
ground railroad Wesner hud been nursed
through the smallpox liv n voung slave,
Lucy, belonging to tho t'overlev pliiiituti jd.
Ho discovered farls which proved that
Lucy wan wbitc und of gmd family. A
serret lovo matrh followed, which pro
tresed Well until t'overley proposed to sell
T.ury to his hop and rcf used to sell her to
any ono else. Wesner been inn desperate.
I agreed to help him steal Lucy and went
to New York to arrange with the atl
slavcry society fur the care of any slave
wo could bring north. itcturnlng home, I
secured a boat and supplies, engaged a
man, Moore, nnd located n refugee station
nt my wood camp, several miles tip the
river, and lay out a safe and secret route,
from the mouth of the White river to our
yard. Wesner and I put dp a store building
near home, where, to avoid all suspicion,
wo carry on a general merchandise business.
Jti a few days Wesner starts the tlrst batch
of Coverley's slaves, Including l.ucy, for
thn north, and immediately a searching
twirtv Is sent out. 1'nder clever disguises
Wesner ovndos the pursuer. The venture
is successful. Wesner delivers the slaves
to the agents of the underground railroad
in New York and phues Lucv In school at
Andovcr. Kncouriiged bv our success we
plan a sccoml raid. Disguised as a peddler
1 arrange with the llaymond negroes for
their escape.
ll.l'Ti:U XV.
Tor two 'hour or more wo walled Im
patiently before our ears, sharpened by dan
ger, detected tho clendcned sound of quick
tramping feet on tho soft soil an they passed
over It
"Hero they crime," cried (leorge; "I will
creep up nearer to tho Ilayou road and see
how tho thltiR looks," for It was a veritable
column. Wo were astonished and nlarnied. It
looked as If Dave had withered tho entire
colored population of tho four parishes nnd
was taking thorn en masse, as .Moses took
tho children of Israel to tho promised land.
1 could not hco distinctly enough to count
them, but Oeorge cninc back as soon as tho
last ono had puBscd.
"Urad, for heaven's sake hurry up and
let's get theso people Into the bush; here
nro Boventy-threo men. women and children
nil In ono drove! There'll be walling and
gnashing of teeth In Attakapas tomorrow."
Wo mado all hasto toward the Ilayou road
nnd ran down that a few rods until we met
tho column. They wero huddled together In
tho bushes. Dave came out cautiously ns
soon ns ho heard our footsteps Indeed most
of them did tho same, but had we been
strangers tho whole movement would have
been discovered. Oeorge darted Into tho
voods on tho lower side of tho road.
"Out of thin, Urad." ho cried; "out of
this; hco the last man In, will you?"
t spoke quick and low to Dave: "After
him, boy! after him! I'll see to the people,
Dave."
Recognizing my voice, he cried: "It's the
peddler; It's all right." 1 spoke two or three
words of the west coast Idiom to assure him.
"We're all tafe," cried he. and followed
Ocorgc. Ono by one, at Intervals of a few
feet, the;' entered tho woc;?s nnd In a very
nhort tlmo were wading ankle deep In swamp
mud and water, where no dog could track
them, certainly no hunter.
About 1:30 o'clock wo were, perhaps, a
mllo and a hulf Into the swamp, when
Ccorgc, halting tho column, came back.
"Well, Brad, I must leave you," said he.
"I think it best that I tako your horse back
with me. Iloth of us ought to bo at the
store In tho morning. I do not think these
people can bo tracked ; the sun has hardened
every bare spot and their feet leave no kn
presslon except where It Is dusty. I do
wish, though, that thcro were more water
in tho swamp."
Wo wero standing a few yards from our
party. As (Jeorge ceased my ears detected
the sound of approaching footsteps. Wesner
cocked his ride.
"No, (ieorge; too much noise get Dave."
In a moment Dave was with u. A little
to our right we could hear footsteps. A
bright flash shot through the gloom.
"A dark lantern " cried (leorge. "It's
Mason and Ohed. This Is the night they
wero to nrrlvo. I don't believe there Is
another dark lantern In Attnkapas."
Tho Mirangers had certainly heard our
movements, for thoy stopped and were
eagerly peering Into tho darkness. Again
thoy moved forward, and the lantern
flashed. This time I recognized tho ebony
features of Ohed.
"Ho, Ohed," cried (leorge, but no nnswer
camo back. The water splashed close by,
tho light from tho lantern ehone full In my
face and the nmlnctis click, click of a gun
lock was anything but welcomo to my im.
(Icorgo spoke: "Ohed, Is that yo.i?"
"This 1h me, but who nro you?"
Oeorgo replied: "l am tho man who
knocked you ou. tho head with the paddle
the night you ran away from l.anmoti's.
This Is the strange nigger with me."
"flood," cried Ohed. "I know your voice,
hut that strange nigger Is white tonight. If
you wero any one else you would hot boon
lead before now, for we ban been watching
you."
Obed nnd Mason came up. "Now, boys,"
paid Oeorge, as he presented Dave, "tako
theso people to tho rendezvous and lay low.
If one attempts to run nway kill him. Wo
will como for you when ready: gojdby" and
wo wero on our way back.
"Urad," said Oeorge, "Davo tells mo that,
nave ono or two, perhaps three, hands too
old for work, Coverly has not a Held hand
left, nnd ho has nlRo lost one or two of his
hoiitio servants. I dread tho mcrnlng, for I
shall have to enact tho hypocrite until I
fairly lontho myself."
Leaving our prospective emigrants In
chnrgo of Obed, we hastened to the high
road and wero but a Hhort time reaching
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'..J'xVi'njuiuil
our hones, once mounted, wc struck a ten
mile gait and at 3 o'clock arrived home.
A few minutes sufficed to rub down our
animals und retire for the rest of tho night,
or rather morning. Oeorgo slept at tho
store and I at home.
Next morning business opened as usual.
I had no fear of evil results from our
night's transactions. Wesner v.as a tit nerv
ous. lly and by people dropping in from tho
country up north of us brought rumors that
Coverly had lost moro negroes. Flying re
ports camo of Raymond's losses, but no one
from either place put in an appearance.
Tho next day tho rumors wero confirmed.
The Wills brothers wero on tho warpath.
Wo heard from them beforo noon, xntj h".l
all tho tnen and dogs they could raise, scour
ing tho country about their places. Humor
said they had loit fifty negroes, but of
uurao, as ueual, rumor was mistaken.
I know well enough that, falling to find
traces of tliem near home, they would start
for the Yunkeo brig at Franklin.
Thumlay afternoon camo, and with it
men and dogj. Wesner and myself wero
both at the storo when there arrived Oeorgo
Wills, Dick Coverly, Mr. James (Raymond'n
overseer) and two or threo plantere from
above Opelousaj". The negroes belonging
to somo of these men had left tho week bo
fore, but no great exertion had been mado
to recover them, as It wnn no unusual oc
currence. The Htampedc nt Raymond's
bt ought tho planters together and opened
their oyow, and with a malediction against
the ubolltlonlst, It was agreed to search tho
brig. If sho had not already sailed,
Wills, a rough, pugnacious and quarrel
Komo man, was spokesman of tho party. Dick
Coverly dropped Into Insignificance ami mado
no attempt to lend. Wild with excitement
and tonio of them pretty well alarmed, the
crowd filled tho storo. They did not know
where this would end.
"In that vessel at Franklin loaded?" cried
Welle.
"No," said I. "What la It? Havo you
anything to ship on her?"
"Ship on her!" ho shouted. "Not unless
she has shipped -my niggers. Twenty-flve
of them fklppcl somowhero and wo ara
going to search tho vessel!"
"Mr. Wells," said I, "ns that vessel la
under charter to Wesner & Ilradlcy, I shall
feel It my duty to demand a search, and I
shall accompany you, but first send und get
a sheriff or constable and have these pro
ceedings legal, for the owners of the vessels
will hold us reeponslblo for any delay or
damage."
Wells Immediately sent for tho constable
and upon his arrival wo were off for Frank
lin. Arriving there, I asked WellH If he did
not think It be3t that he and Dick Coverly,
together with tho constable and myself,
should constitute the searching party.
lie Immediately agreed to this, nnd, ex
plaining to the rest, we left them to enjoy
themselves, -while we searched the brig for
negroes who wero at least sixty miles away.
On board tho brig we found the captain
busy with his cargo. I Introduced him to
Messrs. Wells. Coverly nnd James tho con
stablo Introduced himself and stated his bus
uicos. Tho bluff old scailog roared with laugh'cr.
"Well, well! Well, well!" ho cried.
"This Is nice! Captain Harris ac
cused of stealing negroes! Say, Mr.
"Wells," ho continued, "I hav stoles
them" Wells looked ugly "on the ccast
of Africa, many a cargo, but none in
Louisiana!"
"Oo ahead! Search away'"
Wo called to tho crowd and they swarmed
on board. Tho search was madev but noth
ing was found moro closely resembling a
negro than a few bottles of West India rum.
Captain Harris owned these. Safe to ay
the rum accompanied tho searching party
ashore tho bottles remained with tho
brig.
Various were tho suggestions given and
tho opinions volunteered. Dick Coverly tcok
the same view as beforo the swamp.
Everything- was a swamp to Dick. Wells
was furious and swore that he would Hog
eviry nigger left on tho plantation. James
said nothing except that the Yankee cap
tain was no Yai'luc, and that he kept good
rum.
With the Information derived from tho
starch, wo started homeward, the rest of
tho party swearing vengeance against the
unknown scoundrel who had stolen these
negroes.
Dick Coverly could not reconcllo himself
to tho los his father was old, Dick hlm
clt lacked energy nnd their plantation was
left practically without hands.
(leorge said ho looked carefully, but
thcro was no traco ot blood upon Coverly's
doorposts. Old Kben could eat no bread
of tho paBsover.
As tho discouraged troopers urged their
tired horses homeward, Dick, who always
camo to mo In hla troubles, rodo nlong be
side me.
"Mr. Ilradlcy, this looks curious." said
he. "Lightning has struck our pluce twico,
sure. What clover scoundrel Is at, tho
head of these doings? It 1? evidently a
well-organized bchemo and backed by
money."
Tho good had been done, the evil ns a,
sequence followed; so, satisfying myself with
this fallacy, I responded with tho out
rageous lie, "that I did not Know."
"No," said Dick: "how should you? Now
there Is but one place for them to go, nnd
that Is the swnmps, anil I do not bellevo
that they are there. I think they havo
mado their escape Into tho Indian Terri
tory, or that thoy aro scattered among
tho freo niggers."
"They dare not do, that, for tho free nig
gers would betray themselves ,nt the first
offer of reward. Thcro is some Btnart
niggers at tho bottom of all this. I wish
thero could bo a law passed to kill every
free nigger In the states, or to 'sell thoiv
to the highest bidder!"
"That would bo pleasing to you, Dick, but
how about old Jeffrey, who owns fifty
blaves? He Is black as Erebus."
"Dn old Jeffrey!" he replied. "I would
like to own him for Juit ono week. He
wouldn't bring much money tho next!"
I did not doubt this declaration.
Dick Insisted that "Lent Mason, the yel
Icr fellow." was tho guilty one, and said If
ho caught him ho would burn blni. He
was sure that U'm and Obed had gone to
tho Indian territory and taken the rest with
them I did not fear much from such
threats, and Immediately coincided with the
opinion.
Next he changed his commentaries to the
first exodus and moralized upon Lucy's dis
appearance. I listened eagerly to him and
f'Miud that he had learned she could read.
Sbo had been reading a French paper, and
cue of tho servants had found a lot of paper
written over, tucked between tho leaves cf
a hook, ami brought the book to him.
Mil be shot!" ho exclaimed, "It the book
wa'nt a hchool edition of Xenophon's 'Ana
basis,' und the writing was a half-dnzeu
pages of the translation from tho original.
(!ood straight work!" ho added.
"Now Urad, you don't suppose that Wes
ner could havo taught her to translate
Oreek. .hen sho nursed him through tho
smallpox, do you'"
At this I laughed.
"Dick, could you so from A U C lo
Xenophon In six weeks?" I replied. Well,
no, he could not. "I don't know who
could," said he. "but thero is one of tho
old man's niggers who can translate Xeno
phon." "More than likely the trnnslntlon was left
by some of your schoolmates when visiting
you." I replied.
"Possibly, but not probably, for If ono
of them had had that translation It would
have passed nrounil tho class until It wa3
thumbed, flngerworn anl illegible," an
swered Dick. "That girl never went with
the rest; It's a big mystery."
I succeeded In changing the subject, for
I did not want too many falsehoods to an
swer for.
Dick was not very dangerous, but the
Wells brothers were energetic, and If on
the right scent would push through ami
make a thorough search.
Their firm belief wns that tho captain of
tho brig was In the scheme.
James was really glad tho Oboo man was
gone, and 1 think bis pleasure at Dave's
disappearance more thnn compensated for
the chagrin he felt at tho loss of the other
negroes.
Raymond was In New Orleans and knew
ncthlng about the alfnlr.
We were Josglng along slowly, when we
met moro negro hunters on tbclr way -to
Franklin. They hurst upon us nt full
gallop, leaving tho road behind them nt tho
into of fifteen tnllm an hour. Foremost
nraong them was Oeorge Wesner, his norae
covered with foam aud dust.
"Whoa!" they yelled In concert, anl
Oeorgo brought his mustang to his hauniios
by a vicious tug of the Spanish bit.
"What's up? What havo you shut up shop
for. George? Somo one murdered'"' cried 1.
"Murdered!" cried Hen Chapman (ono of
tho horsemen). "Murdered no, but thero
aro fifteen of tho old man's niggers gone, all
of Coverly's and flvo of Harrison's, a lot
from Raymond' nnd about every planter
around has lost from two to ten."
"Roys," said Dick, "where ye going and
what for?"
"To Franklin to search tho Yankee ves
sel." "She has been searched Irom stem to
stern, there are no niggers there."
"What next, then?" I asked Oeorge, who
was tho most eager ono of the crowd. "This
sort of thing can't go on very long; wo
shall all bo ruined."
"Well." said Ed Harrlwn, "wo hotter go
back and start fair." They turned back
with us.
Among the crowd were Ed Harrison,
Henry Chapman, Oeorgo Wesner and u
Frenchman, by name Dubois, a careless
young fellow, ripe for any sort of fun, -who
had Joined the party out of good will, and
who would not go two rods Into a swamp
for BOO negtoes. He wub pretty quick and
a good partner In a frolic, but not a very
rellahlo companion on a negro hunt. Dubo's
was only IS years old and had little rovei
onco for tho "peculiar Institution," although
ho owned a few negroes, but ho was such a
kind master that they could not be driven
away, and again, scapegraco ns ho was, ho
had fren papers recorded for every ono of
them, valid, In case he hhould die. Hn
rodo up by my side:
"Mr. Bradley," said he, "If these people
would uso their negroes better they wouldn't
run off. I can pick moro cotton and make
more sugar to tho hand than any man in
this section of the country, and none of my
negroes run off; why do theirs? I will
help them find their property, for I do not
think the example would ho a good ono to
Inaugurate, but it will not be many years
beforo the wholo system will bo blown to
atoms. If they do not uso their slaves bet
ter; the northern pooplo nro ugly."
Again the crowd halted and began anothor
heated argument. Somo were for continuing
on the vessel, nnd others for returning.
Oeorgo did not express his opinion, or Jolu
In the clamor.
Tho corn Juice had circulated freely, and
to use Jack Forrester's expression, they
"argercd tho pint explicitly nnd ex
plosively," finally they turned their horses
toward home, and, with nnother squaro
drink all atound. gave a Conuncho yell
for a prelude, nnd driving tho spurs into
their mustangs broke Into a wild race for
the store.
CIIAPTKH XVI.
Every road, lane nnd path leading to tho
vessel would bo patrolled, and well wo knew
It. The magnitude of this unparalleled rob
bery and tho astounding assuranco of Its
authors, hod uroused the wholo country, so
our original Intentions must bo abandoned.
Sunday I visited the brig and talked to the
captain.
"You must get them to tho Atchafaloya
then; I camo for them niggers," said he,
"and I am going to havo "em. Can't you
cross tho Techo and hldo them somewhere
around the Orand lake? I'll lay the brig
down tho bay and run a boat up there."
"Captain," said I, "go ashore and rlda
back with me."
Tho captain hired a pony and rode back
to the store with me.
Our original plan had been to take the
negroeB to the brig by boat or to take them
by night down somo of tho byroads und
ncrots one of the numerous bridges that
Bpanned the Toche. We now biw thut this
project was destined to bo n miserable
failure and would undoubtedly hang us both,
If even attempted.
The captain heard cur plans nnd Imme
diately pronounced them qul'.etie in Hi - ex
treme. "I am afraid, gentlemen, you aro
In a bad fix, but we won t despair luuu
noose Is around our necks. Havo you a
chart or map of this country?"
We did havo ono and Oeorge brought It
out, pointing nut tho locations.
"Can you make a course from hero and
up around, then across the Techo and make
tho Atchafaloya waters at Orand lake, tell
mo?"
Oearge, who had followed tho sweep of the
cptuln's pencil, thought we could, and that
It would take about ten days, or rather
nights to mako the circuit.
Dare you try It?"
"It Is all wo can do," I replied.
"Now." said Captain Harris, "I have somo
repairs to make on my vessel, and will lie
hero as long as possible. If I cannot stick
hero long enough, I will drop down to
Berwlcks and lie there. Tomorrow night
do you start? Don't fear me I won't leave
you; and you can unrierhtnnd clearly that
It is no person' business. excejt her
owner s. how tons; the Fillmore lieu nt
Franklin. I should not bo surprised If the
crew wero so drunk tomorrow they could
not work."
The captain was right; Monday they were
drunk and did nothing. Monday afternoon
I started for tho rendezvous. Tho next
afternoon, very early, we made our final
start, and at S p. m. wero at the base of
tho hlffh ground, where I silently gathered
my baud together. We wero now two miles
from the main road and about five from
our half-way place. We had ono brldgo
about 200 feet long to cress. This t did
not consider dangerous, as tho road was
seldom traveled at night. One thing did
trouble me very badly, though. We were
pretty well nwato that tho Copelund road, as
this wns called, would be probably patrolled
by mounted horsemen, for tho country
around was aroused.
Oeorge was to meet mo at 0 o'clock that
evening, In tho edge of tho woods, nt a spot
provlously agreed upon. From thence we
wero to start about, midnight, giving tin
about threo hours to accomplish tho flvo
miles. At ft precisely Oeorge arrived. He
was not disguised. I cautioned him about It.
"Why. Urad!" said he, "I am on patrol.
I agreed to tnke this road from here to tho
brldgo for my share tonight."
"Ed Harrison meets me hero anil goes the
other way lo Clnrk's. three miles farther.
You must bring tho people up nnd lie low.
until wo are well separated. Ed will be
hero about 10, and by 10-30 you imust bo in
WHO'S DAT'" CAME IN A HOARSE WHISPER.
the road and trot for tho bridge when I give
the signal to move. Listen! I believe, upon
my soul, this Is he coming now."
I rode hastily a few rods Into the woods.
Ed saw Ocorge's outline, as It was not then
very dark, and halloed.
"Ho! Wesner! Halloo!" cried Oeorge.
"All right," nnd Ed camo up.
"Any news?" "None," both asked nnd re
piled. "Ed," said George, "as it Is early and you
havo Just come over your route and l have,
too, let's lido to the bridge. 1 will como
back with you; then wo will separate.''
"All right," said he, and olt they gal
loped. Now was my time. I went back to my
party and started them. Noiselessly wo
moved through tho still woods and in lcs
than two hours from my parting with Oeorgo
they were lying within fifty feet ot the high
way. I stood within ten feet of Harrison
when ho nnd Oeorge rodo by. Here they
separated. Oeorgo rodo on a few rods, then
camo back to me.
"Now, move If you ever did. You rldo on
ahead; I will drop far enough In the rear to
give notice If thero Is any one coming. Har
rison Is not sharp, but ho rides well and
will soon bo back."
I culled to Davo and the procession started.
Tho road was narrow, the woods dark and
tho fresh night air drew through the uuriow
channel.
"Move," I cried; "shoulder tho young ones
and move only move. If you nro caught
you will surely die."
"Rush tho.ni tho best ou can." cried
Oeorge. "Lenvo your Oboo man In the rear
to let you know If I am coming."
it wns three miles to tho bridge well I
knew, for 1 had traveled this road before,
but not at the head of a lot of runaway
negroes. On the east sldo of tho bayou was
a thicket; tho river banks wore high gen
erally, but hero they were low and swampy.
This thicket was our haven; hero we could
rest. Heavens! How wo rushed through the
night! I can remember the wind, tho bel
lowing of tho frogs from tho low marshes,
the glow of the fireflies ns they darted out
and Hashed above our heads, tho shrlok of
tho steamer's whistle away down the distant
bayou. It is nil beforo me now, and I can
hear tho heavy breathing and panting of
the excited negroes as they fled onward.
Twenty rods fiom the bridge. Above tho
dull sound of tho tramping feet 1 hcatd tho
sound of rushing hoofs. Dave had heard It
nlso. A low murmur ran through the. col
umn, aud It disappeared In the woods. I
was alone. Frantically I urged my unwilling
pony through tho thick brush that lined the
roadside. Tho bushes were still quivering
from tho shock, when Wesner dashed by anil
tho echo of his horse's hoofn resounded
through the woads as ho crossed tho brldgo.
Presently ho returned at the samo pace. I
could hear another horse coming from tho
opposlto direction. This wus Harrison.
George met him, and, turning, both nt a
slower paco rodo back to the brldgo. Flvo
minutes passed, and they returned, walking
tholr horses. I could hear them talking ua
they parsed us.
Availing a eniltnble lime. I culled the refu
gees from their hiding place, quickly wo
crossed tho bridge and wero sufcly ensconco 1
among tho rank growth that lined tho east
bank of the bayou. I breathed freely as the
Inst man disappear"!. Mason had his di
rections and knew whero to go no fenr of
trouble with him.
I turned my horse and walked him leisurely
down tho road on the east sldo, intending to
cross at cuo of tho lower bridges.
Ah I entered tho shadow of the treoo a
man sprang from his concealment andstnsd
In tho road before me. Men who nro In
constant danger think nnd act quickly; my
hand wns on tho butt of my revolver.
"Halt! Throw up your hands, or you are
a dead man!" ho cried, and brought his gun
to his shoulder, the muzzle not twenty feet
from my fnre. As I obeyed him my right
hand brought up my H- allbor Colt's navy,
my finger pressed the trigger, and tho crack
of tho pistol mingled with the report of his
ehotgun, his bullet whizzing disagreeably
tear my ear. My aim was close, for ho
dropped In hl track, his gun rattling on the
ground as ho fell.
Mason, hearing the firing, ran out of tho
bushes toward us: "For Ood's sako go
back!" cried I "ot yi-u will havo tho whole
crowd Btumpeded. Tho man Ib dead."
Mason turned back. I could hear a horse
rapidly npproarhlng, evidently urged ut his
best gait. Again I heereted myself. I had a
good view of the bridge from my hiding
place und recognized tho rider. It was
Wesner!
"Urad," ho cried, "what did you tdioot
for?"
"I havo killed a man'" I replied
"I hope not," he replied, and, dlsuiojni
lng, examined the man.
"He's only stunned: your bullet glanced
from his forehead." was his verdict. "What
i shall we do with him" That was soon
I answered. Reside the bridge nnd fastened
to it was an old dug-out. Wesner slipped
the handcuffs on our prisoner ami, stunned
as he was. tumbled him Into the boot, tailed
Obed and with htm I entered tho cuivjc.
That night wo pushed down tho bayou fifteen
miles nnd stopped In a place secure from
observation. Meantime my prisoner had re
covered his senses. He said nothing and
could seo nothing, for I had taken the pre
caution to tie a handkerchief over his eyes.
All that day we lay by and the next morn
ing before daylight wero alongside tho Fill
more. Captain Harris knew of tho ad
venture from Wesner. My prisoner wna
I hustled Into a stateroom, we split the dug
out Into kindling wood nnd poor Obed.' for
once, had a Boft chance, for there was no
other placo to hldo him except in tho cap
tain's cabin.
The Interruption delayed lis ona day. This
was unfortunate, ns there was more or less
danger of some stranger running across
tho party. Captain Harris bad fatisflcd him
self that tho Fillmore would be watched day
and night. For this reason he was deter
mined to take them from Orand lake.
Wesner knew the shoro of the lake and wan
well acquainted witfi. the country lying be
tween tho bayous, t was not; therefore It
fell upon him to take them through. Mt.in-
whlle we must wait until the" Fillmore was
( ready.
(ii.i'ii:ii vi.
1 Tho time passed very quickly, but we were
anxious to get our refugees nway. Thero
was no place known to ns whero they would
be us safe ns where they were. Ono day
wo received a note from Captain Harris, hay
ing that he should be delayed a day or two
longer.
This was had. The people wero almost
destitute nnd I did not feel easy about
them. That afternoon I rode down to the
brig. Captain Hnrrls wns as Impatient as l,
but very cool. Ho had engaged n tug and
would start the following morning, calking
bis decks while ho lay nt tho Atchafalaja.
Said he: "I mean to make that tug bring
tho niggers alongside; $500 will do It, and.
once done, a million will not purchase tho
secret from tho man who is fool enough ta
risk his llfo for tho money.
Aro you or your partner going with tho
niggers?" ho nuked.
".My partner," 1 answered.
"Tell him he need not take them to the
lake. I will havo them on board this brig
within ten miles of Franklin."
"Let us tako the yawl and visit them. It
It too dark to be seen by any one."
Wo took tho boat, quietly dropped down
tho bayou nnd sculled acroes. It was some
distance below Franklin, and out of the way
ot patrols whero we landed. As wc went
up over tho bank 1 stopped tho captain, for
I was .rather suspicious that my colored
friends might be Inclined to run or shoot,
although I had conlldcncc that Mason would
bo cool enough In an emergency. 1 went
forward alone.
"Who's dat?" came In a hoarse whisper
not ten feet from mo. I gave tho counter
sign and called for Mason. Ho camo for
ward. "Well, Lom, how Is everything?"
"All smooth, sar."
1 told him we could not take them until
tho next night. He wus a llttlo disap
pointed, but there wus no remedy.
Wo landed a quantity of hard bread and
pork wo had brought, and then left them
for the night. Everything was ns still ns
death In tho camp; the fireflies were Hashing
over tho bayou und tho owls hooting shrill
and unconcerned, as If there were not a
hundred ncro?s lying within ns many yards
of tho shore of bayou Techo.
I went on board tho brig again, the bont
was dropped Into her accustomed place, and
Captain Harris and myself retired to tho
cabin to talk and speculate on the affair.
No man knew negro character better thnn
tho captain of tho Fillmore. Edwin Harris.
Ho was ubout 1.1 years of nge, thirty years
had he spent nt sea, and ten years as an
African slaver. He assured me, and I
havo no'reascn to doubt his word, Hint he
had helped run fifteen cargoes of negroes
Into the United States, nnd had been five
years maEter ot a slaver. How many car
goes ho had landed In the West Indies ho
did not know, nor could ho tell without con
sulting his Journalcertainly moro than
twenty. Many times had he been ehnsed by
a man-of-war. onco capture!, twice tried,
once sent to prison nnd made his escape;
ho had been In two or threo fights with
boats from men-of-war, and wounded both
by knife and bullet. As for fear, he had
none, and wns therefore Just the man to
engage In such nn expedition ns this If
his piratical notions did not Impel him to
run his cargo Into Havana nnd sell It. I
did not think ho would do that, albeit, con
science would not struggle very hard to
prevent him; yet he had a doggeil Bense of
honor toward hla employers and, although a
slaver, perhaps a pirate, ho would always be
true to bis trust.
"Mr. Bradley, this is a difficult place for a
man to bo In," he said. "I can't light, neither
can I run. Them planters will make t-hort
work of me If I am caught. In this llttlo
stream, flight is Impojsible. A mlstako on
my part will cost us our vessel and cargo,
besides tho lives of all hands. But, sir. 1
shall light If found out, and mark my words,
tha Fillmore will make thoto Frenchmen
howl beforo the cuptuln and craw go aloft
on any of these live oaks."
"Captain," 1 replied, "this affair callB for
strategy, and I have sufficient confidence In
your tact to believe that you will suce-cl.
If the worst comes take to tho bush nnd
mako for my place. I can hide you so all
tho detectives south of Washington would
not find jou."
Captain Harris assented, as he rcpllel:
"Trust me. nnd tomorrow morning return
to your store. I will sign the bills ot lading
In blank, leavo them at the store and trust
you to fill them out correctly and forward
mine."
I thought this excellent advice, and did
loavo for homo. Two days after I wont to
Franklin, on other business. The brlj wns
gone. I heard nothing from the negroes and
ns there was no excitement about the u I
Ing of the vesfel I came to. believe thut she
was all right Tho search and patrol cnntie
ued a few days longer, and then dwindled
VChliltrtxirlsiltienien
Stiwer" It prote of Ibe
no Marks
ot Botetto
Indicate
ci nlenli.
mm
FULL
QUARTS
R turn
cl srges
pi Id and
mjnej
back il
Wn ... II, a
vntini Puro
good!
don
lull.
The nflmr
issn bsssi sru sn
t , .JfTr.nv,5.'.wu.i.f5
CABINrr'PENNSYLVANIA RYE nt SflOO
J lor lour lull qunrta. Till ' tint tlnrsi 7 )ear old ryo p,rrtM
evr.r drank aud cannot Ik) duplicated for less than $.'.00. sfcsjr prepild
WerotortonnyOnminiTrl.il Aeenrr. Hank or KtprenirVitnpany In United btutos.
JOHN SCHVVEYER it, CO., DISTILLERS,
Address all orders io Warehouse BP C09, 611, 613 W. 12th SI , CHICAGO.
Orders forArif ,t'ol,,('l.,Itl.ih',.Mnnt.,New Men ,Ner ,()re.,Ut.ih,Wnli ,Wro.,
tnintrsMfor .'ln,imrt trelelit itih .i! I, nr ww fur r.irtle llnrn Imfmn tmmliiK
Wo Ml rnii
nil middlemen' hi
rrnlltsmiil fn-ir
anteenti.nltitrl)
riiro w h I V e j
without adulter
ntlnn.
S U ITjSTH E
The IOg Gigsr M Always Satisfies
LITTLE BEN HUR A JEWEL FOR 5c,
down to tho particular planters Interested.
Wesner nnd myself concluded that for a few
months wo would glvo tho eniuiuipatljn
business a rest.
Our hiipply of goods was running quite
low, nnd as we could purchase lo better ad
vantage In New York than New Orleans, I
thought I could do no bettor than to visit
tho former place.
When the brig had been gone a couplo or
weeks I started north, via New Orleans and
Cincinnati, thence by tall to New York, a
Journey of about two weeks' duration.
I'pon koklng over tho shipping news In
the dally papers 1 learned that the Fillmore
had not arrived, m I employed my tlmo In
purchasing goods. On the street I met Mr.
Kntwissle. He did not know me at first, but
recognized mo as 1 spoke. He was expecting
tho Fillmore every day. as It had been
passed off Hattrraa by a Savannah steamer
nnd reported all well. The captain had In
structions that the vessel must be anchored
in tho stream and its livo cargo landed at
night, us wo might as well bo discovered In
Attaknpas as In New York.
Ono Sunday afternoon the telegraph re
ported "Hrlg Flllmoro" Inside Sandy Hoik
and Mr. Kntwlkslo and myself took tho tug
and went down to meet It. This tug wns
manned by threo men, all belonging to tho
U. (. H. It. ICntwIssle was a man of few
words and mado no blunders. Wo ran along
side of tho brig, as It was becalmed, and bad
anchored near the Jersey shore. Captain I
Harris was ou the quarter-deck not an
African In hlght! "All well?" i
The captain nodded and we climbed
aboard. I was pretty well disguised by a
full beard and eye glasses, so even tho cap- I
tain, shrewd observer us ho was, did mt
recognize me. j
"So, captulu, you don't know your old I
friends?"
"Your voire sounds familiar, but really 1 '
don't recognize your countenance," replied
he. i
I had to tell who I was and raise my false'
whiskers beforo he was convinced.
"I owe you one." said he.
We went below and took a look ut our
cargo. They wero closely stowed, but were
all there, and well.
KntwiivMo Icoked grave as ho came on
deck.
"It will never do to land all that crowd In
Jeisry," said he. "Tho whole country
would bo in arms. No, sir! When theje
lads land, Johnnie Hull's soil must
hold
them." I
1 Inquired of the captain. In the ufternoon, i
for tho prisoner, ami learned that ho was 1
still on board. A stateroom In the cabin had
been assigned him, nnd ho had never been
allowed to lcavo It, so did not even know
tho name of tho vessel. That night the can-
tnln filled him full of whUky, put $.10 in bis ,
pocket and left him senseless on board a
Htonlngton steamer. We hoard no moro of
him until Wesner met him. long afterward,
nt a lauding on tho Mississippi.
The most dllllrult problem was how to
land our cargo without tho knowledgo of tho!
authorities; wo did not know but wo were
watched at this end of the loute, nnd tho'
Idea of landing 100 plantation negroes nn I
turning them looso in Now York was not
entitled to a moment's consideration.
At Philadelphia arrangements could he
made for tholr reception, us thero wns tho
principal depot fr escaped slaves, and tho
olllcers of tho Underground railroad had a
building for that purpose. That night a tug
boat dropped alongside of the Flllmoro, the
negroes were transferred to her, and tho
next night hut one wero landed in Phila
delphia. My connection with tho negroes
ceased when tho Alitl-Slavery socloty took
possession.
1 had examined tho registers at the
hotels, to find, If possible, tho unrne of
somo acquaintance from Tocho county that
know of tho Fillmore being at Franklin.
I found two young follows, hrothem, by
the name of Lnerolx. I told them that the
brig was expectod nt thn wnarr that morn
ing and hail a lot of cotton in her belonging
to us. As anything from Attakapas wus
good In their oyoi, ihoy went down with
me to fco her; we threo stood on the pier
as she was haulel In.
The captain gave mo a gre-tlng as
though ho had not seen ma for oars.
wanted to know whon I left, how Wesner
was, etc.
Shortly after hauling In her hatches
were romoved, and the longshoremen com
menced unloading the cargo. I Introduced
the l.acroU boys to Captain Harris, win
seemed much pleased with them and took Us
about tho vessel. The boys wore well
pleased nlso. und left, after promising to
cill nt rrtv hntnl thut ovnnlnir.
"There," said Captain Harris, "Iheio go
two men who will swear that the Flllmoro
hrnught no negroes to New York. Ilradlcy. I
you have a couple of alibis " I
"Captain," I nuked, "why did you change j
our plan.s so suddenly from (Irani lake to
the Tc he and how did you get the negroes
on this vessel en silently anl que sit !
"Mr Ilradlcy." he replied, tho thing
i to dellcloua money tan hardly bay lit eqaal.
WHISKEY
nnlu tllttltlort III Am r.l-lt Ollmnt 1 IVtin'rl'
in ii Pennyl
this in mind.
360
Rvo to cunaumers direct. Hoar this In mind.
tot none e dtlklotu money cia hardly bay It equal.
SCHWEYER'S PURE8 YEAR OLD
Pennsylvania tut
nlil uliUkev nrcACflhed
for
medicinal nnd general mc Prepaid
Tim fnnion. I'eei.n lvanla He. for 17 ycnM
dmililn cupper diiill d nnd sged in wood under
personal il rectumof M r. .lohutvihw ever himself.
Never Irs than .H enr old, most of it lo end
ia ears old when tirt Ixittlrd. fiohl direct to
the consumer from our distillery nt thn
low prleo of $S.U) for four full qunrts that
cannot bo bought clsowhcro for lo.sa tbau $0.(Ai,
Wn nlTer ntir SFVFN YEAP OLO
WSRLlpf KeNn. v
wos easy; tho captain of the tug was an
old shipmate of mine, and a friend ns well.
I bought him. Flvo hundred dollars was
I the price. You and your partner were in a
uau oux, .inn oniy a iooi s Mick s.ivco you
from the noose. You are getting almost
too bold. Look out, young men!"
en ii i:it vii.
Ono bright autumn day I walked luto
Ilradlcy Wesner's store.
"Hack again, ah!" cried (leorge. "Wel
comu to Attakapas! I am right glad to seo
you. How are our friends In New York?
My story was short. We had realized
about ju.000 on the Flllmoro cargo, In
cluding tho negroes.
Time Jogged along, ami the big stampede
was almost forgotten except by tho owners
of tho stolen negroes and the negroes
themselves. The latter v.-eie scattered far
und. wide. All we could keep track of wero
Obed anil Lemuel Mason.
ficorge, of course, corresponded regularly
with Lucy. She was still In Massachu
setts. Lemuel Mnson and Obed were both
In Cincinnati, at work, nnd awaiting (level
opments. Lanman's- Jim was ut Chicago,
(leorge had promised him that some day
he would bring his wife aud deliver hor to
Olllntt's.
Our next venture, we determined, should
Include about llfteen or twenty. Lanman
could spare a few and we kept our eyes open
for all the scattering ones wo ,'ould pick up
easily, with a llttlo help from Obed.
About the middle of January I wns In New
Orleans and while there 1 wrote to Obed and
Lemuel to be at the rendezvous March 1.
It will bo remembered that we never had
been seen hy these two men extent when
we wero dlsnulsed ami neither of them
knew our namou. To them 1 was Mnssa
Kdwnrds and Oeorge was known as Captain
Williams. 1 did not think that cither of
Us Ir i it own characters were ever very
well kno.vn to L,em; Obed certainly know
neither beforo the eventful night when
Oeorgo cracked his skull with tho paddle.
We made a trip to our swamp hut and
found everything as we had left It, but
moldy and rather wet: Wo carried In a fow
provisions and spent a day or two arranging
things to our own satisfaction. Wo also loft
a note telling the two men to clear up tho
premises.
Our canoes were ot llrndlcy's yard. I
wrote Monro to send them, securely packed,
to Ilradlcy ,t Wennor, per steimer. They
arrived about tho last of February and wero
transported to the camp. Wo set them up
and gave them a fresh coat of varnish, so
that by the tlmo Obed and L-jmuel should
arrive wo would be ready for business.
The night of March n wo starteil for the
camp. It was a bright, starlight evening
ami we rode at a pretty good paco until we
left tho main ro-ul, then rattled I'own tho
old logging road and left our horses In the
swamp, not two miles from camp. It wut
wet work, swashing through the swump. but
us we enmo In sight of tho camp n light,
stienming through tho cracks, told i:s that
the boys were awaiting ua.
I wn3 eager to see them and ask about the
emigrants, questions that i did not dare to
write, nnd It was with satisfaction that I
pulled tho latchBtrlng. Thero was tho click
of a rovolver ai.d a bhout. "Halt! Who's
there?" From the Insldo the door opened
about threo inches or less and wns stopped
by a chain ncrots It. It was Obcd's dogged
voleo that hailed and I answered him. Ho
did not recognize me and It tcok somo
parleying beforo he would let us In. Wo
had no ecdo of signals or countersign and
It wan extremely diflkult to get inside unlesi
they were cnnvlnred that we wero all right
After live minimis' questions and nnswers
Lemuel took down the chain and wo
walked in.
In the farther end of the room stocd
Ohed, revolvor In hntid. As eoon as he
saw us ho droppod it and spoke. "Ml
right, gentleraon!" We sboik hanls
heartily.
This wns Saturday nljht and we had on
cludod to rfpend Sundav with tho toys, to
make arrangements for our next venture,
for after tho excitement end flurry rauicd
by tho other stampedes wc felt that this, to
be successful, must bo manaced v It'i as
much skill and prudence is bold'.cis
Sunday morning after brenkfust wc dlf
eussod our plans. Oeorgo v ,i i determined
first lo go in Lnnmnn's plantation and thero
mako such nrrnngomonts ps wero neces
sary to secure Jim's wife's oBrnnu. This ho
had prnmlstd Jim an' ho felt obllscd to
make IiIb word gocd. Wo also thought per
hars qulto a number might bo obtained
there. Twenty were as many ns we dared
to tako and Lanman could spare ten of
them.
To be Continued )
'ID lleul t Hurt.
I'fo limner Sa've, tho greut healer. It'i
guaranteed for tuts, wounds, tores, piles nnl
all skm diseases Take no substitute. For
sain by Myers-rullon Iirug Co., Omaha,
Dillon's Drug Store. South Omaha,
',. A 1tv Y,
il il l