_your_
country, except to be let alone,--to go peaceably out of it; and when I
get to Canada, where the laws will own me and protect me, _that_ shall
be my country, and its laws I will obey. But if any man tries to stop
me, let him take care, for I am desperate. I'll fight for my liberty to
the last breath I breathe. You say your fathers did it; if it was right
for them, it is right for me!"

This speech, delivered partly while sitting at the table, and partly
walking up and down the room,--delivered with tears, and flashing eyes,
and despairing gestures,--was altogether too much for the good-natured
old body to whom it was addressed, who had pulled out a great yellow
silk pocket-handkerchief, and was mopping up his face with great energy.

"Blast 'em all!" he suddenly broke out. "Haven't I always said so--the
infernal old cusses! I hope I an't swearing, now. Well! go ahead,
George, go ahead; but be careful, my boy; don't shoot anybody, George,
unless--well--you'd _better_ not shoot, I reckon; at least, I wouldn't
_hit_ anybody, you know. Where is your wife, George?" he added, as he
nervously rose, and began walking the room.

"Gone, sir gone, with her child in her arms, the Lord only knows
where;--gone after the north star; and when we ever meet, or whether we
meet at all in this world, no creature can tell."

"Is it possible! astonishing! from such a kind family?"

"Kind families get in debt, and the laws of _our_ country allow them
to sell the child out of its mother's bosom to pay its master's debts,"
said George, bitterly.

"Well, well," said the honest old man, fumbling in his pocket: "I
s'pose, perhaps, I an't following my judgment,--hang it, I _won't_
follow my judgment!" he added, suddenly; "so here, George," and, taking
out a roll of bills from his pocket-book, he offered them to George.

"No, my kind, good sir!" said George, "you've done a great deal for me,
and this might get you into trouble. I have money enough, I hope, to
take me as far as I need it."

"No; but you must, George. Money is a great help everywhere;--can't have
too much, if you get it honestly. Take it,--_do_ take it, _now_,--do, my
boy!"

"On condition, sir, that I may repay it at some future time, I will,"
said George, taking up the money.

"And now, George, how long are you going to travel in this way?--not
long or far, I hope. It's well carried on, but too bold. And this black
fellow,--who is he?"

"A true fellow, who went t