r while keeping out
of the way of rebel recruiting gangs. They seldom, if ever, hesitated to
do the white Unionists a service, at the risk even of life, and, under
the most trying circumstances, revealed a devotion and a spirit of
self-sacrifice that were heroic. No one ever made an appeal to them they
did not answer. They were degraded and ignorant, which was attributable
to the cruel laws and equally unchristian practices of the people of the
South; but their hearts were always open, and the slightest demand upon
their sympathies brought forth their tears. They never shunned a man or
woman who sought food or shelter on their way to freedom. The goodness
of heart and the guileless spirit of the blacks was not better
understood by any one than Clotelle; and she felt a secret joy at seeing
all the servants in the Greenville hotel negroes. She saw from their
very looks that she had their undivided sympathies. One of the servants
overheard the rebels in a conversation, in which it was determined to
send Clotelle to the county town, for safe keeping in the jail, the
following day; and this fact was communicated to the unfortunate woman.
The slave woman who gave the information told her that she could escape
if she desired.

Having already been robbed of every thing except the apparel upon her
person and some money she had concealed about her, she at once signified
to the black woman her wish to get out of the reach of her persecutors.
The old worn-out clock in the narrow dining hall had struck one; a
cold rain was patting upon the roof, and the women watchers, one after
another, had fallen asleep; and even the snuff-dippers, whose dirty
practice creates a nervousness that keeps them awake longer than any
other class, had yielded to the demands of Morpheus, when Aggy, the
colored servant, stealthily entered the room, beckoned to Clotelle, and
both left in silence.

Cautiously and softly the black woman led the way, followed by the
"Angel of Mercy," till, after passing down through the cellar with the
water covering the floor, they emerged into the back yard. Two horses
had been provided. Clotelle mounted one, and a black man the other;
the latter leading the way. Both dashed off at a rapid pace, through a
drenching storm, with such a pall-like darkness that they could not see
each other. After an hour's ride the negro halted, and informed Clotelle
that he must leave her, and return with the horses, but that she was
with fr