were left in care of friends until an
opportune season presented itself. The parting between that good man and
his wife and friends was indeed touching. A substantial bank note was
hurriedly thrust into his hand, and, with two deacons, he stepped out
into the darkness and disappeared.

* * * * *

When the North-bound passenger train leaving Wilmington at 12.01 slowed
up at Castle Hayne on the morning of the 12th of November a
wretched-looking Negro minister stepped aboard. The trains had for two
days been leaving the city ladened with undesirable citizens, white and
black, and the trainmen had been earnest abettors in the injury and
insult offered them. From Wilmington to Weldon at every stop crowds
waited to do injury, if possible, to "Nigger" and radical refugees.
Thomas Miller, Aria Bryant and other citizens had been taken off and
jailed at Goldsboro, and one man in trying to escape was shot to death.

The Rev. Silkirk did not feel very comfortable under the searching eye
of the conductor who lifted his fare, and that individual's refusal to
give satisfactory answers to inquiries concerning connections at Rocky
Mount increased his feeling of uneasiness. He felt assured that failing
to capture him in the woods, his would-be murderers had telegraphed his
description, etc., along the road. At Dudley Station two men came into
the smoker and took seats immediately in front of him, and continued the
discussion of the topic which doubtless absorbed their minds before
entering. "I was saying," said one, an elderly man, with quite a refined
appearance, "that impertinent article by that Negro preacher was equally
as spicy as the editorial, and as the editor took time by the forelock
and made good his escape, the determination was to make sure of this
preacher. But he was warned in time to get out, and the impression is
that he was warned by a white man." "Shame," said the other, slapping
his knee vigorously. "He got away, then." "Yes, but it's likely he'll
sneak back before taking final leave, as he has a family there, and they
are on the lookout for him; besides, the boys have been notified along
the road to be on the lookout." "What's his name?" "Silkirk; he is er
Boston darkey, an' doubtless is heading for that place, as Southern
climate has got too hot for 'im."

"Goldsboro! Change cars for Newbern," shouted the porter. "Well,
good-bye!" said the genteel man, rising and making a bolt for t