DIO IN HIDING--THE AGENT OF THE SWAMPYVILLE LAND COMPANY--THE SURVEYING
PARTY--MR. TIDEY AND THE SLAVE SET OFF NORTHWARD--LIVING IN A STATE OF
SIEGE--UNEXPECTED RETURN OF MR. MCDERMONT AND PETER--AN IMAGINARY CITY--
AN OFFER TO PURCHASE UPHILL--OUR TUTOR'S SUDDEN RETURN--DIO NEARLY
RECAPTURED--IN THE CAVE--AN EXPECTED ATTACK--DAN AND I START OFF TO
RELIEVE THE SLAVE--BOXER DISCOVERS AN ENEMY--A BRAVE DOG--OUR RETREAT TO
THE HOUSE--SLEEPY PETER--JUST IN TIME--PREPARE FOR ACTION.
The first thing now to be done was to send poor Dio away, as my father
had previously intended. He was strong enough to bear the journey, but
when he was told that it would be necessary for him to go, he looked so
miserable that we all begged that he might be allowed to remain.
"I much regret having to send him off, but for his own sake as well as
ours, go he must," answered my father; "he shall be escorted until he is
delivered into the safe keeping of our friends, the Greys, though there
is a risk of his being suspected, should he be seen in my company."
"Let me take charge of him, then," said Mr Tidey; "we will make our way
through the forest by unfrequented paths with rifles in our hands as if
on a shooting expedition, and shall run little risk of falling in with
anyone who will interfere with us."
Our tutor's offer was accepted. My father wrote a letter to Mr Grey,
introducing him, at the same time so carefully worded, that, should it
fall into the hands of enemies, Dio might not be betrayed.
It was arranged that they should start the following morning. The poor
negro was overcome with grief when he heard what was decided.
"Dis poor niggar break him heart leave Missy Kathleen, him no more learn
read!" he exclaimed, bursting into tears. So powerful was the effect
produced that he was taken seriously ill, and the next morning was
utterly unable to proceed. I am sure he was not shamming, for he tried
to get up and prepare for his journey. He recovered somewhat during the
day, and acknowledging that it was his duty to go for the sake of our
family, declared that he should be ready to start whenever Mr Tidey
wished.
That evening a report was brought to the house by one of the
farm-labourers that two suspicious characters had been seen in the
neighbourhood, and from the description of the men we had no doubt that
they were the same who had before paid us a visit and had been driven
off by Biddy's heroism.
On hearing this, Uncle Denis offered to go out to try and ascertain what
they were about. I begged to accompany him. We hunted round in all
directions, and were returning home when we caught sight of two persons
skulking in a wood at a short distance from the house. On seeing us
they beat a rapid retreat, and darkness coming on they managed to get
away before we could overtake them, but Uncle Denis was of opinion that
they were watching the house in the hopes of catching Dio.
This surmise was ultimately proved to be correct, showing that by some
means or other they had information that he was still with us. My
father, fearing that the black would be followed and recaptured,
determined to postpone sending him off for two or three days; hoping in
the meantime to mislead the slave-hunters and make them suppose that Dio
had escaped. We took good care during this time not to leave the house
unguarded, my father, Uncle Denis, or Mr Tidey remaining at home with
either Dan or me as well as Biddy and Peter while the windows, unless
some one was on the watch near them, were kept closed and barred. Our
guest, accompanied by one or more of the party, made excursions in the
direction my father thought he would most probably find a location, but
he could hear of no farm at all likely to answer his purpose. His
object soon became known, and the fourth morning after his arrival a
stranger was seen approaching the house. He introduced himself as Mr
Nicholas Chouse, agent for the Swampyville Land Company.
In the most glowing terms he described the new township which had been
lately formed in the north-west part of the state, advising my father
and Mr McDermont to become purchasers of the finest allotments which he
had to offer for sale. Mr Chouse was a man of great volubility of
tongue, unbounded assurance, with a look of determination which showed
that he would not have his word doubted.
"These lands, sir, will become the most valuable in the State, I may
say, with perfect confidence, in the whole Union; unrivalled water
power, magnificent pastures and arable land capable of producing crops
of corn such as the world has never seen. All that is required to
develop their resources is capital and labour, and labour will always
follow where capital leads the way. When once the country is opened up,
we shall drain Canada of her population, and the inhabitants of the
eastern states will come flocking in crowds, some to find employment,
others to purchase the lots improved by the early settlers, paying a
thousand per cent at least on the capital expended. You, sir, look like
a man who would not neglect so favourable an opportunity of realising a
fortune vastly surpassing that of the proudest duke in England," he
said, turning to Mr McDermont.
Our guest listened with eager ears. If only half what Mr Chouse said
was true, it would be well worth his while at all events to inspect the
country. If he found it even moderately answer the account given,
though contrary to his previous intention, he might wisely become a
purchaser.
The land agent, seeing that he made some impression, pressed home his
advantage. I cannot repeat all he said, but he finally succeeded in
inducing Mr McDermont to invest in a small allotment with the right of
purchasing as much more of the surrounding country as he could desire.
Had it not been for Dio, my father or uncle would have accompanied him,
but they were unwilling to leave Uphill while there was a risk of
annoyance from the slave-hunters. It was finally arranged that Mr
McDermont should set out with Peter, who was well used to travelling,
and would be of great assistance to him. Mr Chouse had given him maps
of the country and a plan of the township, so that he would have no
difficulty in finding the location of which he had become the happy
possessor for the sum of two hundred dollars, which had been paid into
the agent's hands. As Mr McDermont and Peter set off in one direction,
the agent departed in another, observing, "that he had a round to make,
and would rejoin Mr McDermont at Swampyville."
We had some hope that Peter being seen to leave Uphill might mislead any
of the Kentuckians who were on the watch; that should they follow him,
Dio might have a better opportunity of escaping.
Accordingly, the next morning, before daybreak, habited as a hunter,
with a knapsack on his back, a gun in his hand, a broad-brimmed hat
completely shading his face, he and Mr Tidey set out on their journey
northward. All the family were up to see them off, and we offered up a
prayer for their safety. Dan and I wanted to accompany them, but our
father pointed out that it might be dangerous to do so, as, should any
of the people on the watch for Dio meet us coming back, they might
suspect the direction the travellers had taken, and follow them up.
We lived literally in a state of siege, for every day information was
brought us that suspected persons were hovering about, and it was
evident that Mr Bracher's emissaries had not given up hope of
recapturing the fugitive.
Some days passed away. Uncle Denis grew impatient, he was naturally
anxious to return to his farm, and yet was unwilling to leave my father
and mother while matters remained in this unpleasant state. My father
was as firm as at first in his resolution not to allow any persons to
enter his house without his permission, and it was impossible to say
when we might receive another visit from the fellows who had before
tried to force themselves in. Should he now permit them to enter, they
would naturally conclude that the slave had been concealed in the house,
though he had now made good his escape.
We did not expect to see Mr Tidey for some time, should he have
succeeded in conveying Dio to a safe asylum, nor was it likely that Mr
McDermont would return until he had made arrangements for locating
himself on his new purchase. He would, however, certainly send back his
companion to report the progress he had made. Great was our surprise,
therefore, when one evening, soon after dark, he and Peter arrived at
the house, looking travel-stained and weary.
"I hope you are satisfied with Swampyville?" said my father, after he
had welcomed our friend.
"Faith, sir, I should be an easily pleased gentleman if I was," answered
Mr McDermont. "I've been thoroughly gulled by that fellow Chouse. As
it was my first, so it shall be my last journey in search of a new
location. I won't trouble you with an account of all the adventures we
met with. For the first two or three days we got on pretty well,
barring the rough accommodation and the rougher inhabitants of this wild
country. I thought we must have taken the wrong road. Nothing could I
hear of Swampyville, although the map showed me that we were pursuing
the right course. At last we arrived at a river which I guessed fell
into the mighty Missouri, but our location was some way farther down.
Accordingly, leaving our horses, I hired a boat, in the expectation of
reaching it more easily by water than by land. Faith, sir, I was not
wrong in that respect. The plan showed me a fine city, rising on the
banks of the stream, with broad, handsome streets running at right
angles to each other, a court-house, gaol, two banks, three or four
hotels, masonic hall, and churches and chapels innumerable, proving what
a moral and religious people were to be my neighbours. At length I
reached the spot where the city should have been, but the water had
risen and had, I concluded, flowed over the whole, for not a building of
any sort could I discover. Certain well defined land-marks existed, and
I could make out that I was in the midst of Swampyville, but not a trace
could I discover of the property of which I had become the happy
possessor. I stood up and gazed round me in despair. `Yes, massa,'
said Peter, letting his oars drop from his hands, `dis Swampyville, no
doubt 'bout dat, only de houses and de streets not here, much easier to
draw dem on de paper dan to build dem up.' Peter was right; I had been
bamboozled and lost my dollars."
"You must not be cast down, my friend," said my father, "you are not the
only person who has been taken in in the same manner. There is however,
no lack of first-rate localities in the country, both for cities and
towns, or of arable and pasture land. It will be a lesson to all of us
not to purchase property until we have visited the spot and ascertained
its value."
"I'm half inclined to go back to ould Ireland, where, although a
landlord gets shot now and then, and the people are not always as
peaceable as might be desired, honest labourers can be obtained for
money, if not for love, and the land is free from the curse of slavery.
If, however, I could find an estate in tolerably good order, such as
yours for instance, I would become the purchaser, and settle down in
this new world of yours. The dollars paid to Mr Chouse are lost, but I
have still enough money left to buy and cultivate a fair-sized
property."
"Are you in earnest, Mr McDermont?" asked my father; "if you are, and
would like to buy Uphill, I will consider the matter. I had no thoughts
of leaving the place, but circumstances may occur which might induce me
to part with it."
"Never was more in earnest in my life," said our guest. "I should have
wished to be your neighbour rather than your successor, but if you have
a mind to sell, I am ready to buy."
My father and Uncle Denis talked the matter over. To our surprise, my
uncle said that he had had an offer for his farm and had made up his
mind to accept it, and that if we moved west he would accompany us. My
mother, however was very unwilling to leave Uphill. We had all been
born there, and she and all of us were attached to the place.
Mr McDermont appeared to be in no great hurry, and told my father that
he would give him a week to decide.
That very evening as we were sitting down to supper, a knock was heard
at the door, which was kept barred and bolted since the visit from the
Kentuckians. My father, thinking that they had possibly returned, got
up, and, taking his rifle in his hand, went to the door.
"Who knocks?" he asked.
"Mark Tidey," was the answer. "Quick, quick, let me in."
My father, recognising our tutor's voice, withdrew the bolts. Mr Tidey
entered, looking pale and thoroughly knocked up, his dress torn and
bespattered with mud.
"What has happened, Mr Tidey?" asked my father; "has poor Dio been
recaptured?"
"We will close the door first, and I will then tell you, sir," answered
the Dominie, hurriedly pushing back the bolts. "I have been pursued,
and before long the villains will be here, if I mistake not."
"We will be ready for them if they come, and teach them a lesson they'll
not forget in a hurry," said my father.
"Oh! Mr Tidey, has poor Dio been retaken?" asked my mother, as he sank
into a chair at the table.
"I hope not, and indeed I have good reason to believe that he has
escaped them," replied our tutor. "I fully expected to carry him safe
to his destination, when, as we were making our way through a forest the
second day after leaving this, I heard the bay of a hound, which I felt
sure by the sound was one of those accursed dogs, used by the
slave-owners to track runaway negroes. Dio heard it also and gave
himself up for lost. I fortunately knew the country we were in, for I
had visited it several times during my shooting excursions, and I
remembered some rocky ground away to the left in which I had discovered
a cave, the entrance concealed by a thick mass of brushwood. I had
taken shelter there during a storm, and had spent the time in exploring
it. It was perfectly dry, with several passages leading to smaller
caverns, in which fifty men might lie concealed, with little risk of
being discovered by a stranger to the place. I at once bethought me, if
we could reach it we might be safe from pursuit, and remain there until
the slave-hunters had passed by.
"We were making our way towards it, when the increasing loudness of the
hound's voice convinced us that we could not reach it before we should
be overtaken. Had there been two dogs, I should have told Dio to remain
with me, but as there was but one I determined to tackle the brute, and
directed him to hurry on to the cavern, where I should join him.
Scarcely had he disappeared in the brushwood, than the dog came in
sight, with its nose to the ground, following up our trail. Its masters
must be, I guessed, close behind. Lifting my rifle, as the hound was a
dozen paces from me, I fired. Its loud baying ceased, and over it
rolled with its legs kicking in the air. Feeling sure that it was done
for, I turned and ran, having just time to get behind some thick bushes,
when the Kentuckians reached the spot where the dog lay dead. I could
hear their loud oaths and execrations on the man who had shot their
animal. They seemed puzzled as to who had done the deed, and vowed
vengeance on his head should they catch him, whoever he was. Presently
I heard their footsteps pass close by. I had had no time to reload, so
had they discovered me I should have been in their power. I determined,
however, to have a fight for it rather than become their prisoner, or
allow myself to be murdered on the spot. It was very evident that they
had no experience as backwoodsmen, or they would have discovered my
trail. They had been depending on their dog, and were now completely at
fault.
"`He must have run that way, and can't have got far, for I heard the
shot not five minutes ago,' exclaimed one of them.
"`On, on, we shall soon overtake him, whoever he is.' These words
greatly relieved my mind and I felt sure, from the sounds which reached
my ears, that they were hurrying on to the northward. As soon as I
calculated that they were out of sight, I made my way towards the
cavern. I found Dio crouching down at the entrance.
"`We will hide until to-morrow morning and then pursue our course,' I
whispered. `By that time the Kentuckians will probably have turned back
and given up the pursuit, as it is very clear they can do nothing
without their dog.'
"Dio agreed to this, and by searching about we soon discovered a hollow
in which we could remain concealed until the following morning, when I
proposed going out first to ascertain whether the coast was clear.
There was abundance of dry wood not far from the mouth of the cavern.
We soon collected enough to keep up a fire during the night, and in the
spot we had chosen there was no fear of its reflection being seen
outside. It served to cook our provisions and at the same time scare
off any wolves or bears who might visit us. We were not disturbed,
however, during the night, although nearly stifled with the smoke from
the small fire we kept up. According to my intention, soon after
daylight the next morning, I alone first went out to reconnoitre.
Fortunate it was that I did so, for on reaching the edge of the forest I
found the fire still burning where our pursuers had camped, and I had
little doubt that they were watching for the man who had killed their
hound. I therefore turned back, so that I could keep concealed among
the trees, and before long I caught sight of them in the distance. This
showed me that it would be prudent to remain in our cavern another day,
until the fellows had got weary of looking for me. I was thankful that
they had no Indians with them, or they would have tracked me without
difficulty. In the afternoon I again went out, making my way
cautiously, lest I should come upon them. I had made up my mind to
proceed by myself some way to the northward until I could reach a
settler's hut, from whom I could learn whether the Kentuckians had gone
on or turned back again, when I caught sight of them in the distance,
making apparently for the very spot where they had rested the previous
night. They had evidently ascertained from someone or other that the
black and I had not gone that way. My only course was to return to the
cave and to remain there in the hopes of tiring out our pursuers.
Though they were determined fellows, they knew nothing of the country,
and were completely at fault without their hound.
"As we had plenty of provisions, we could remain another whole day, by
which time I hoped to find the coast clear. Once more I went out,
leaving my knapsack with Dio, and taking only my rifle and ammunition.
Instead of following the path I had pursued on previous occasions, I
made a circuit to the right towards a hill, from whence I expected to
catch sight of the spot where the Kentuckians had camped. Should I see
no smoke ascending, I might hope that they had abandoned the search and
gone homewards. I had nearly reached it, and was proceeding perhaps
with less caution than before, when I came full in sight of the fellows.
I knew them at once, and was still more convinced who they were by
hearing a ball whistle past my ears. Although I might have shot one of
them in return, I had no wish to take the life of a fellow-creature, but
determined to trust to my heels. Off I set therefore as fast as I could
run, and calculated that I knew the country better than they did, and
that I could keep well ahead, thus drawing them away from Dio's
hiding-place. My intention was afterwards to return, and, together with
the black, to continue the journey. On they came after me, and I could
hear their voices shouting for many a mile, showing that they were still
following. I have never had such a run in my life, but I have the
satisfaction of believing that I have assisted Dio to make good his
escape, and if they come here, you will be able to assure them that you
have no slave concealed within your doors."
My father highly approved of Mr Tidey's conduct and the courage and
judgment he had exhibited. We had now to consider the best way of
relieving Dio, who was certain to remain in the cave until some one came
from us. Mr Tidey was too much knocked up to set off immediately, so
my father gave Dan and me permission to start away by daylight. By
taking a circuitous course, we hoped to avoid the risk of meeting the
Kentuckians, should they be still on the watch for the black. We were
to try and reach the cave by nightfall, which, as we knew the spot and
the country thoroughly, we expected easily to do. We were looking out
all the evening for a visit from Mr Tidey's pursuers, but for some
cause or other they did not appear; had they done so, we were prepared
to give them a warm reception. Besides our guest and Uncle Denis, our
father, Dan and I, we had in the house, Martin Prentis the overseer, and
Peter, all of whom were well able to handle their rifles, while Biddy
was as likely to make as good a fight of it as anyone of us with her
broomstick or a hot poker, which she had kept in the stove for the
purpose.
The evening, however, passed away without any disturbance, although we
two or three times heard the dogs barking in the huts of the
farm-labourers, while our own animals in the outbuildings barked in
return. Dan and I got ready for our journey before we lay down to
sleep. Fancying that it was time to start, without waiting for
daylight, we called up Peter to let us out, but we did not arouse the
rest of the family. We agreed to breakfast when we had got some miles
from home, and by making an early start we felt confident that we could
perform the distance easily before sunset.
"Massa, don't let those white niggers catch you. Better dat Boxer go
wid you, he take care if dey come near to let you know. Dey no catch
him asleep," said Peter, as with candle in hand, a red night-cap, and
his striped pink shirt-tails fluttering about his legs, he opened the
door for us to go out.
"Never fear, Peter, we will keep a sharp look-out for the Kentuckians,"
answered Dan; "if they show fight, we shall be ready for them; we know
how to shoot as well as they do."
Following Peter's advice, we went to the stables and released Boxer, who
leaped round and round, trying to lick our faces with pleasure at the
thought of a day's sport, which he supposed we were about to give him.
We had our knapsacks on our backs with our usual camp traps, besides a
good supply of provisions, as we must remain out one night, and should
probably have to stay with Dio until Mr Tidey could return to escort
him on his journey. We had not proceeded more than two or three hundred
yards when Boxer gave a low growl, and then breaking into a fierce bark,
dashed forward.
"Curse that dog, he'll be waking up the people, and may be fixing his
fangs into the throat of one of us," exclaimed some one in a gruff
voice, who was concealed apparently behind a snake fence some little way
off.
"I'll stick my bowie-knife into him, if he comes near me," said another
person.
Dan was about to cry out and call the dog back, but I stopped him in
time.
"Keep silence!" I whispered, "those must be the Kentuckians; they are
on the watch, probably intending to make a rush for the door when Biddy
opens it in the morning, hoping to surprise the rest of the family in
bed. The best thing we can do is to go back and let our father know
what we have discovered: crouch down so that they may not see us. I
suppose they have been creeping forward to get close up to the house
without being discovered."
The loud barking of the dog prevented any risk of my voice being heard,
which, low as I spoke, it might have been in the still night air. The
men, whoever they were, did not fire, probably because they could not
catch sight of Boxer, who was rushing from side to side, concealed among
some low shrubs and thick grass. I hoped when he found that we were
returning, he would also retreat and avoid the risk he was running of
being shot.
We hurried back, Boxer still keeping up his barking, preventing our
footsteps being heard.
"But I am afraid poor Boxer will be shot," said Dan.
"No fear of that; the men, if they wish to surprise us, won't venture to
fire," I observed, "and if we call him it will show them that they have
been discovered; better let him take his chance, he understands what he
is about. While he keeps up his barking, the sound of the door opening
will not be heard."
We accordingly crept back towards the house, but on reaching it found
that Peter had closed the door, and we had to make our way round to the
window of the room in which he slept. We tapped on the shutter, but
Peter did not answer.
"He has fallen asleep again, the lazy fellow!" said Dan in a low voice.
We knocked louder and louder.
"Who dare?" at length asked a voice from within.
"Open the window and I will tell you," I said in a whisper, but
sufficiently loud for Peter to hear me, I hoped.
"Who dare?" he again asked.
"Open the window, quick, quick," I repeated, putting my mouth to the
chink where the shutters joined.
"What! Massa Mike!" exclaimed Peter, "is dat you?"
"Yes, yes, open at once," I answered, almost losing patience and
speaking louder than I had hitherto done.
At that moment Boxer had ceased barking. Scarcely had the words left my
mouth than I feared that we might have been heard by the Kentuckians.
Boxer again burst out into a furious bark, very much nearer to us,
showing that he was retreating before the foe. By this time Peter had
opened the shutter, and, assisted by the black, Dan and I scrambled in
at the window. As we did so we heard footsteps, when Boxer, who was a
prudent dog, as well as a brave one, feeling that he had done his duty
in warning us and should be safer inside the citadel than outside, with
one bound followed us into the room.