he said, but he finally succeeded in
inducing Mr McDermont to invest in a small allotment with the right of
purchasing as much more of the surrounding country as he could desire.
Had it not been for Dio, my father or uncle would have accompanied him,
but they were unwilling to leave Uphill while there was a risk of
annoyance from the slave-hunters. It was finally arranged that Mr
McDermont should set out with Peter, who was well used to travelling,
and would be of great assistance to him. Mr Chouse had given him maps
of the country and a plan of the township, so that he would have no
difficulty in finding the location of which he had become the happy
possessor for the sum of two hundred dollars, which had been paid into
the agent's hands. As Mr McDermont and Peter set off in one direction,
the agent departed in another, observing, "that he had a round to make,
and would rejoin Mr McDermont at Swampyville."

We had some hope that Peter being seen to leave Uphill might mislead any
of the Kentuckians who were on the watch; that should they follow him,
Dio might have a better opportunity of escaping.

Accordingly, the next morning, before daybreak, habited as a hunter,
with a knapsack on his back, a gun in his hand, a broad-brimmed hat
completely shading his face, he and Mr Tidey set out on their journey
northward. All the family were up to see them off, and we offered up a
prayer for their safety. Dan and I wanted to accompany them, but our
father pointed out that it might be dangerous to do so, as, should any
of the people on the watch for Dio meet us coming back, they might
suspect the direction the travellers had taken, and follow them up.

We lived literally in a state of siege, for every day information was
brought us that suspected persons were hovering about, and it was
evident that Mr Bracher's emissaries had not given up hope of
recapturing the fugitive.

Some days passed away. Uncle Denis grew impatient, he was naturally
anxious to return to his farm, and yet was unwilling to leave my father
and mother while matters remained in this unpleasant state. My father
was as firm as at first in his resolution not to allow any persons to
enter his house without his permission, and it was impossible to say
when we might receive another visit from the fellows who had before
tried to force themselves in. Should he now permit them to enter, they
would naturally conclude that the slave had been concealed in the hou