Part 30 (1/2)
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE YOUNG FUGITIVES MAKE A HARBOR.
”Colonel Raybone is not a bad man, after all,” said Dan, as the Isabel filled away.
”He wouldn't be, if he wasn't a slaveholder,” replied Lily.
”Possifus! I feel 'tickler sorry for ole ma.s.sa, when he lay dar and couldn't help hisself,” added Cyd.
”If he could have helped himself, he wouldn't have lain there. I never saw such a change come over a man. He will be ashamed of himself, I know, when he gets well, and it will be lucky for us that we are out of his reach.”
”He would keep his word, Dan; you know that,” said Lily, whose looks seemed to contain a mild rebuke of the sentiment just uttered.
”He would; at least, he wouldn't wish to break his word; but he will want me as soon as he gets to be Colonel Raybone again.”
”Why, he was always good to us,” responded Lily.
”He was always liberal and generous, and treated all the people well, while they behaved to suit him.”
”They ought to behave well.”
”I had to fawn and cringe before him, and before Archy. If I dared to say my soul was my own, I was punished for it. What did I get whipped for?”
”For striking Archy.”
”Well, why did I strike him? Didn't he insist upon my striking him? and when he came at me like a madman, because I happened to hit him rather harder than I intended, I was tied up to the Dead Oak, and whipped like a mule. I shall carry the marks of that day to my grave,” continued Dan, earnestly.
”But he has changed.”
”He was afraid he was going to die, and he was in my power. He knew I could blow out his brains any moment when he attempted to lay his hands upon me; and he knew I would do it, too.”
”I never saw him so mild and gentle as he was while on board the boat.”
”I hope he will always continue so, and treat the people well when he gets back to Redlawn. I have nothing against him now. I forgive him, and I did all I could for him when he was wounded.”
”I know you did. Do you suppose he will get well, Dan?”
”I have no doubt he will.”
”Shall you send for your free papers?”
”I shouldn't dare to let him know where I am.”
”He gave us our freedom.”
”I should be afraid that he would alter his mind; and though he might keep his word, he might cause us to be taken up for killing the slave-hunters, or stealing the boat and provisions, or something of that kind. I shall keep out of his way. If we should be arrested, I would appeal to him then.”
”Where are we going now, Dan?” asked Lily, as she glanced out upon the vast expanse of waters which rolled to the southward.