ustration]

CHAPTER XII

GEORGE FIGHTS FOR FREEDOM

The day after George and Eliza met each other once more at the end of so
many sad months of parting, was a very happy one in the Quaker house.

The two had much to say to each other. George had to tell how he had
escaped from his cruel master, and how he had followed Eliza all the way
and at last found her. Then there were plans to make for going on
towards Canada. It was arranged that they should start that night at ten
o'clock. 'The pursuers are hard after thee, we must not delay,' said
Simeon.

Rachel was happy and busy, packing up food and clothes for them to take
on the journey.

Late in the afternoon another Quaker, called Phineas, came with the
dreadful news that the wicked men, whom Haley had sent to catch Eliza,
were only a few miles away.

So George and Eliza decided to start as soon as it was dark. A little
while after supper a large covered waggon drew up before the door. They
got in and the waggon drove off.

On and on, all through the dark night they drove. About three o'clock,
George heard the click of a horse's hoof coming behind them.

'That's Simeon,' said Phineas, who was driving, as he pulled up the
horses to listen.

'Halloa, there, Simeon,' he shouted, 'what news? Are they coming?'

'Yes, right on behind, eight or ten of them.'

'Oh! what shall we do?' groaned Eliza.

But Phineas knew the road well. He lashed the horses till they flew
along, the waggon rattling and jumping over the hard road behind them.

[Illustration]

On they went till they came to a place where the rocks rose straight up
from the road like a wall. It seemed impossible for any one to climb up
there. But Phineas knew a way.

He stopped the horses. 'Here, Simeon,' he said, 'take the waggon, and
drive on as fast as thou canst, and bring back help. Now follow me,' he
said to the others, 'quick, for your lives. Run now, if you you ever did
run.'

Quicker than we can say it, they were following him up a tiny narrow
path to the top of the rocks, and Simeon was galloping the horses with
the empty waggon along the road.

'We are pretty safe here,' said Phineas, when they had reached the top.
'Only one person can come up that path at a time. If any one tries it,
shoot him.'

The men who were chasing them had now arrived at the foot of of the
rocks. They were led by a big man called Tom Loker, and another
mean-looking little man, whom Haley had sent.