ped up to within a hundred
paces of the fugitive and fired, but missed. Quick as thought, George
Waters raised his gun and, taking aim at the breast of his would-be
slayer, shot him dead from the saddle.

The body fell to the ground, and the frightened horse wheeled about and
ran away. Thomas Hull, who was a coward, awed by the fate of his
overseer, turned and fled as rapidly as his horse could go.

Horrified at what he had done, and knowing that death, sure and swift,
would follow his capture, George Waters turned and fled down the James
River. Some guardian angel guided his footsteps, for he found himself
one night, almost starved, faint and weak, at the plantation of Robert
Stevens. George was driven to desperate straits when he accosted the
wealthy planter and asked for food. Robert recognized him as the father
of the little maid whom he had taken to his home as one of his family.

"I have heard all; you must not be seen," said Robert. Then he conducted
him to an apartment of his large manor house. "Are you hungry?"

"I am starving."

Robert brought him food with his own hands and, as he ate, asked:

"Do you want to see Cora?"

"May I?"

"Yes."

"I am a slave and a--a----"

"I know what you would say. Do not say it, for you slew only in
self-defence."

"But I will be hanged if found."

"You shall not be found. Heaven help me, if I shield a real criminal
from justice; but he who strikes a blow for liberty is worthy of aid."

After the fugitive had in a measure satisfied his hunger, Robert said:

"You will need sleep and rest, after which you must prepare for a long
journey."

"Whither shall I go?"

"To Massachusetts. I have relatives in Salem, where you will be safe."

"Safe!"

He repeated the word as if it were a glorious dream--a vision never to
be realized.

"Yes, you will be safe; but as you must make the journey through a vast
forest, you will need to be refreshed by rest and food."

The wild-eyed fugitive, with his face haggard as death, seized the arm
of his benefactor and said:

"They will come and slay me as I sleep."

"Fear not, my unfortunate brother, for I will put you in a chamber where
none save myself shall know of you."

"And my child?"

"She shall accompany you to Salem."

The fugitive said no more. He entrusted everything to the man who had
promised to save him. He was led up two flights of stairs, when they
came to a ladder reaching to an attic, and they went up th