face indicated an advanced age. Clinging to him were two children, of
perhaps four and six years of age, who had been crying.

"'Don't cry, honey,' I heard him say soothingly, wiping the tears from
the cheeks of the youngest with a coarse cotton handkerchief.

"'I want mama,' said the child piteously.

"A sad expression came over the old black's face.

"'What is the matter?' I asked, advancing toward him.

"'She is crying for her mother,' he said.

"'Is she dead?'

"'Yes, sir; she'd been ailing for a long time, and the guns of
yesterday hastened her death.'

"'Where did you live?'

"'In that house yonder, sir.'

"'Didn't you feel afraid when we fired on the town?'

"'We were all in the cellar, sir. One shot struck the house, but did
not injure it much.'

"'You use very good language,' I could not help saying.

"'Yes, sir; I have had more advantages than most of--of my class.'
These last words he spoke rather bitterly. 'When I was a young man my
master amused himself with teaching me; but he found I learned so fast
that he stopped short. But I carried it on by myself.'

"'Didn't you find that difficult?'

"'Yes, sir; but my will was strong. I managed to get books, now one
way, now another. I have read considerable, sir.'

"This he said with some pride.

"'Have you ever read Shakespeare?'

"'In part, sir; but I never could get hold of "Hamlet." I have always
wanted to read that play.'

"I drew him out, and was astonished at the extent of his information,
and the intelligent judgment which he expressed.

"'I wonder that, with your acquirements, you should have been content
to remain in a state of slavery.'

"'Content!' he repeated bitterly. 'Do you think I have been content?
No, sir. Twice I attempted to escape. Each time I was caught, dragged
back, and cruelly whipped. Then I was sold to the father of these little
ones. He treated me so well, and I was getting so old, that I gave up
the idea of running away.'

"'And where is he now?'

"'He became a colonel in the Confederate service, and was killed at
Antietam. Yesterday my mistress died, as I have told you.'

"'And are you left in sole charge of these little children?'

"'Yes, sir.'

"'Have they no relatives living?'

"'Their uncle lives in Kentucky. I shall try to carry them there.'

"'But you will find it hard work. You have only to cross the river, and
in our lines you will be no longer a slave.'

"'I know it, sir. Three of my c