Part 8 (2/2)
”You are, Cyd.”
”Den I mus squat on de hard deck, and you sets on de cus.h.i.+ons.”
”Take one of the cus.h.i.+ons with you, if you wish to; but go forward and keep a sharp lookout.”
”I'se gwine.”
”Go, then.”
”Dis n.i.g.g.e.r don't zackly like dis kind ob freedom,” growled Cyd, as he moved forward.
The wind was about south-west, which was fair for the course the Isabel was then steering, and in three quarters of an hour she made Green Point. Dandy could not but recall the events which had occurred there three weeks before, for they had stimulated him to the daring enterprise in which he was now engaged. It was there he had resolved to watch and wait in patience and submission for a less perilous opportunity to effect his escape than that which he had now embraced. The spot was full of interest, for his great resolution had been born there; but the moment was big with the destiny of the whole party, and he could not stop to indulge in sentimental reflections.
”Stand by the jib sheet, Cyd!” said he, as the Isabel swept past the point.
”Yes, sar--all ready!” replied Cyd, who had so many times a.s.sisted in working the boat, that he was perfectly familiar with the routine of a foremast hand's duty.
”Hard--lee!” cried Dandy, as he put the helm down, and brought the Isabel up on the other tack.
Cyd tended the jib sheet without further instruction, and then took his place again on the forecastle to look out for danger ahead. The course for the next five miles was up the large bayou, of which the Crosscut was a tributary. It was lined on both sides with large trees, which sheltered the water, to some extent, from the force of the wind, and her progress was less rapid than before. The navigation was less obstructed, and Cyd was called aft to enjoy the luxury of the cus.h.i.+oned seats.
Lily, who had now become reconciled to her situation, also joined the skipper in the standing room. The hurry and excitement of the departure had pa.s.sed off, and the load of anxiety was removed from the mind of Dandy.
It was midnight, dark and gloomy; but the young fugitives felt that they were pa.s.sing from the gloom of slavery into the light of freedom. The first difficulties of the enterprise had been overcome, and though there were months of peril and hards.h.i.+p before them, it seemed as though the glorious sun of the new existence had already risen.
CHAPTER IX.
THE FUGITIVES REACH LAKE CHICOT.
The Isabel moved steadily through the waters of the wide bayou, bearing her precious freight farther and farther from the plantation. With every mile she advanced, the hopes of the fugitives 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 as runaways. Before they could pa.s.s out of the limits of the state, they must go in sight of many plantations, where they were liable to be seen, and even near two or three villages.
In spite of the perils which the future had in store for them, the party were quite cheerful. Even Lily, gentle and timid as she was, soon became accustomed to the novel situation in which she was placed, and ceased to dread the pursuing footsteps of the slave-hunters.
”Do you think we shall escape, Dandy?” asked she, as she seated herself by the side of her friend.
”I expect we shall,” replied he, unwilling to kindle too strong a hope in the mind of the girl. ”If we manage well, we have a good chance.”
”I hope we shall, for master would certainly sell us all if we should be caught.”
”Dat ud be wus as staying wid Ma.s.sa Kun'l,” added Cyd. ”But I s'pect we won't be caught, Ma.s.sa Dandy.”
”Why do you call me master, Cyd?”
”Dis chile tink you cutting it rader fat.”
”What do you mean by that?”
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