Part 19 (1/2)
Sybil smiled and shook her head.
They were armed with a pa.s.s such as colored people were required to have from their masters to show to the authorities before they could be permitted to travel.
Our fugitives were not now going to Norfolk, where their story and their persons were too well known; but to Baltimore, where they were perfect strangers. So their pa.s.s was to this effect:
PENDLETON PARK, } Near Blackville, Dec. 15th, 18--.}
”To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that my man Caesar, with his wife Dinah, are permitted to go from this place to Baltimore to return between this date and the first of next March.
”CLEMENT PENDLETON.”
This was designed to protect the supposed darkies until they should reach the Monumental City, where they were to take the first opportunity of throwing off their disguises and embarking under another name in the first outward bound s.h.i.+p for a foreign port.
Provided with this protection, and with a well-filled old knapsack that ”Caesar” slung over his shoulders, and with a well-stuffed old carpet bag that ”Dinah” carried in her hand, the fugitive couple took a long last leave of their friend, and entered the farm wagon, by which Joe was to drive them to the hamlet of Upton, to meet the night coach for Baltimore.
The night was very dark; they could scarcely see each other's faces, much less the road before them.
”Marster,” said Joe, in his extreme anxiety, ”I hopes you'll pardon the liberty, sir; but has you thought to take money enough for you and the missis?”
”Plenty, Joe! Pendleton, Heaven bless him, has seen to all that,” smiled Mr. Berners.
”And, Marster, sir, I hopes as you've made some 'rangements as how we may hear from you when you gets over yonder.”
”Certainly, Joe. A correspondence that will be both sure and secret has been contrived between the captain and myself.”
”And, Missis,” said Joe, turning weepingly towards his lady, ”when you're over yonder, don't forget poor Joe; but send for him as soon as ever you can.”
”Indeed I will, Joe,” promised Sybil.
”And, missis! please don't let little Nelly forget me, neither. I love that little thing like a child!”
”Nelly will not forget you, Joe.”
And the little dog, that Sybil had insisted on taking with her, even at the risk of its being recognized as hers, now jumped up from her place at her mistress' feet, and ran and licked Joe's face, as if to a.s.sure him of her continued love.
At which, for the first time, Joe burst out crying, and sobbed hard.
”Come, my man, prove your devotion to your mistress by deeds, not tears!
Drive fast, or we will miss the coach,” Lyon Berners advised.
Joe wiped his eyes with the cuff of his coat, and whipped up his horses, and they rattled over the rocky road for an hour or more before they reached the little hamlet, where they were to wait for the coach. It was very late, and all Upton was asleep, with the exception of the hostlers at the stable, where the coach stopped to change horses. Here Joe drew up his wagon, but his pa.s.sengers retained their seats while waiting for the coming of the stage-coach. They had not waited more than five minutes, when they heard the guard's warning horn blow, and the huge vehicle rumble down the street, and pull up before the stable door.
Very quickly the tired horses, were taken out and led away to rest, and the fresh ones brought forth.
Meanwhile Lyon Berners alighted, and spoke to the agent, to take places for himself and his wife.
”Show your pa.s.s, my man! show your pa.s.s! We can't take you without a pa.s.s. How do we know but you are running away?” objected the agent.
Lyon Berners smiled bitterly to think how near the man had inadvertently approached the truth. He handed up the pa.s.s, which the agent carefully examined before he returned it, saying:
”Yes, that's all right; but you and the girl will have to get up on top, there. We can't have any darkies inside, you know. And in fact, if we could, there's no room, you see; the inside is full.”