tightly to the table for support, all the fresh color
deserting her face, but the lips were firmly set and her head remained
as proudly poised as ever above the round throat. Whatever might be
the stain of alien blood in her veins, she was still a Beaucaire. Her
eyes, filled with pain as they were, met mine unflinchingly.

"And--and knowing all this, convinced of its truth--that--that I am
colored," she faltered, doubtfully. "You came here to help me?"

"I did; that can make no difference now."

"No difference! Why do you say that? Are you from the North, an
Abolitionist?"

"No; at least I have never been called one or so thought of myself. I
have never believed in slavery, yet I was born in a southern state. In
this case I merely look upon you as a woman--as one of my own class.
It--it does not seem as though I could ever consider you in any other
way. You must believe this."

"Believe it! Why you and I are caught in the same net. I am a slave
to be sold to the highest bidder; and you--you have killed a man to
save me. Even if I was willing to remain and face my fate, I could not
now, for that would mean you must suffer. And--and you have done this
for me."

My eyes dropped to the upturned face of Kirby on which the rays of
light rested. The flesh was no longer black and horrid, yet remained
ghastly enough to increase my belief that the man was actually
dead--had perished under my hand. He was not a pleasant sight to
contemplate, flung as he had been in a shapeless heap, and the sight
brought home to me anew the necessity of escape before those others of
his party could learn what had occurred.

"From whatever reason the deed was done," I said, steadying my voice,
"we must now face the consequences. As you say, it is true we both
alike have reason to fear the law if caught. Flight is our only
recourse. Will you go with me? Will you trust me?"

"Go--go with you? Where?"

"First across the river into Illinois; there is no possible safety
here. Once over yonder we shall, at least, have time in which to think
out the proper course, to plan what shall be best to do. In a way your
danger is even more serious than mine. I have not been seen--even
Kirby had no glimpse of my face--and might never be identified with the
death of this man. But you will become a fugitive slave and could be
hunted down anywhere this side of Canada."

"Then being with me would add to your danger."

"Whether it wi