concerned,
had we, dear?" inquired Lyon Berners.

Sybil smiled and shook her head.

They were armed with a pass such as colored people were required to have
from their masters to show to the authorities before they could be
permitted to travel.

Our fugitives were not now going to Norfolk, where their story and their
persons were too well known; but to Baltimore, where they were perfect
strangers. So their pass was to this effect:

PENDLETON PARK, }
Near Blackville, Dec. 15th, 18--.}

"To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that my man
Caesar, with his wife Dinah, are permitted to go from this place
to Baltimore to return between this date and the first of next
March.

"CLEMENT PENDLETON."

This was designed to protect the supposed darkies until they should
reach the Monumental City, where they were to take the first opportunity
of throwing off their disguises and embarking under another name in the
first outward bound ship for a foreign port.

Provided with this protection, and with a well-filled old knapsack that
"Caesar" slung over his shoulders, and with a well-stuffed old carpet bag
that "Dinah" carried in her hand, the fugitive couple took a long last
leave of their friend, and entered the farm wagon, by which Joe was to
drive them to the hamlet of Upton, to meet the night coach for
Baltimore.

The night was very dark; they could scarcely see each other's faces,
much less the road before them.

"Marster," said Joe, in his extreme anxiety, "I hopes you'll pardon the
liberty, sir; but has you thought to take money enough for you and the
missis?"

"Plenty, Joe! Pendleton, Heaven bless him, has seen to all that," smiled
Mr. Berners.

"And, Marster, sir, I hopes as you've made some 'rangements as how we
may hear from you when you gets over yonder."

"Certainly, Joe. A correspondence that will be both sure and secret has
been contrived between the captain and myself."

"And, Missis," said Joe, turning weepingly towards his lady, "when
you're over yonder, don't forget poor Joe; but send for him as soon as
ever you can."

"Indeed I will, Joe," promised Sybil.

"And, missis! please don't let little Nelly forget me, neither. I love
that little thing like a child!"

"Nelly will not forget you, Joe."

And the little dog, that Sybi