ssa, I neber should hab de bressed
chance to do dis yer little ting fur de family!"

"We will thank only our heavenly Father, whose tender care we will never
doubt, after this!" said the old minister, with deep and solemn joy.

"Wust on't is, Jim hissef's got inter trouble now," said Toby. "He hab
to put fur de woods; an' his family wants to git to de norf, whar dey
tinks he'll mabby be gwine to meet 'em; but dey can't seem to manage
it."

"O, father, I have an idea! You will have a right to take your
_servants_ with you; and Jim's wife and daughters might pass as
servants."

"I shall be rejoiced to help them in any way. Go and find them, Toby.
Thus the bread we cast on the water sometimes returns to us _before_
many days!"

XLVIII.

_EMANCIPATION OF THE BONDMEN.--CONCLUSION._

A week had elapsed since Augustus became a captive; when, one cloudy
afternoon, Dan Pepperill returned alone to the mountain cave. Pomp met
him at the entrance.

"All safe?"

"I be durned if they ain't!" said Dan, exultant. "The ol' man, and the
nigger, and the gal, and Jim's wife and darters inter the bargain! Went
with 'em myself all the way, by stage and rail, till I seen 'em over the
line inter ol' Kentuck'. Durned if I didn't wish I war gwine for good
myself."

"You shall go now if you will. I have been waiting only for you. Cudjo
is dead. All the rest are gone. There is nothing to keep me here. Will
you go back to the rebels, or make a push with us for the free states?
Speak quick!"

Pepperill only groaned.

"Nine more have joined since Jim came. They make a strong party, all
armed, and determined to fight their way through. They are already
twenty miles away; but we will overtake them to-morrow. I am to guide
them. I know every cave and defile. Will you come?"

"Pomp, ye know I'd be plaguy glad ter; but 'tain't so ter be! I hain't
no gre't fancy fur this secesh business, that ar' a fact. But I'm in
fur't, and I reckon I sh'll haf' ter put it through;" and Dan heaved a
deep sigh of regret. Without knowing it, he was a fatalist. Being too
weak or inert to resist the hand of despotism laid upon him, he yielded
to its weight and accepted it as destiny. The rebel ranks have been
filled with such.

Pomp smiled with mingled pity and derision. "Good by, then! I hope this
war will do something for your class as well as for mine--you need it as
much! Wait here, and you shall have company."

He took a lantern, and entere