a man ever
received, warning him if he ever heard of him connecting his sister with
the escape of Calhoun again he would break every bone in his body. The
only revenge Harmon durst take was to defeat Mr. Crawford in his
aspirations for a nomination for Congress.

CHAPTER XXII.

PRISON DOORS ARE OPENED.

When Calhoun parted from Joyce he sank back in the carriage and gave
himself up to the most gloomy thoughts. The sorrow of parting from her
took from him the joy of his escape. During the journey his dusky driver
did not speak a word. The drive seemed a long one to Calhoun, and he was
thoroughly wearied when the carriage drew up by a log house, surrounded by
a small clearing.

"Heah we be, Massa," said Abe, as he alighted from his seat. "Hope Massa
had a good ride."

The door of the house was opened by a motherly looking colored woman, and
Abe, taking Calhoun once more in his arms, carried him into the house.
Aunt Liza, as the wife of Abe was called, seeing Calhoun looking so pale
and thin, put her fat, black hand on his forehead, and said, "Po' chile,
po' chile, don't yo' worry. Aunt Liza take good care ob yo'."

Calhoun felt that he was among friends--friends that would prove faithful
and true. He was carried up a ladder to a chamber. The upper part of the
house was all in one room, rather low, but the rough walls were
whitewashed, and everything was neat and clean. He was placed on a
snow-white bed, and soon sank into a peaceful slumber. When he awoke the
sun was shining in at the window and Aunt Liza appeared with a breakfast
good enough to tempt the appetite of one far more particular than Calhoun.

The invalid remained with his kind friends two weeks, treated like an
honored guest, and protected from every inquiring eye. He gained strength
rapidly, and at the end of a week was able to walk out evenings, when
there was no danger of being seen. Once men who were searching for him
entered the house, and Calhoun could hear every word that was said. His
heart beat painfully, for it entered his mind that Abe and his wife might
betray him for the sake of the reward offered. But the thought did
injustice to these simple-minded people. As for the searchers, the loft of
the house of a poor negro who had run away from slavery was the last place
they thought of looking for an escaped Confederate.

Through Abe Calhoun often heard from Joyce. She cheered