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Updated: May 12, 2025
Colonel Raybone, who, in spite of his years and his habits, was an active man, seized the bowsprit of the sail-boat, as it bore his frail bark beneath the waves; and while Dan and Cyd were eagerly gazing into the water astern of them in search of their dreaded master, he climbed upon the forecastle of the Isabel, thus saving himself from the wreck and the water.
The next instant she struck the bateau full on the broadside. "Possifus!" shouted Cyd, at the top of his lungs, as he heard the crashing and snapping of the pine boards, that indicated the destruction of the planter's boat. The Isabel dashed furiously on her way, passing over the bateau of the slave-hunters, which presently reappeared astern of her.
"I hope not," added Lily, with a shudder. "If we do, it will not alter any thing." "What would you do, Dan?" "I will never become a slave again. We have guns and powder, bullets and shot." "Would you kill him?" "No man shall stand between me and freedom. I would shoot him or any other man, if it were necessary to secure our safety." "Gossifus! Shoot Massa Raybone!" exclaimed Cyd.
"I was afraid that some noise might attract the attention of the slave-hunters, and I deferred it till I was sure they would discover us. Then I was creeping on the floor, so that they should not see me, to the cabin, when I fainted." "Hossifus!" gasped Cyd, appalled at the narrow escape of the party. "Don't you believe me, Dan? I am very sure I was not asleep," added Lily, earnestly.
"God be with me," repeated he, in a whisper, as he closed the front door of the house behind him, and with stealthy step crept down to the pier. Cyd was already there, for he did not sleep in the great house, and had not to wait the movements of the family. He trembled with excitement as Dandy joined him, for he knew the fate of the runaway if he was caught.
"We ate our supper about an hour ago. Cyd was going to call you, but I wouldn't let him. I knew how tired you were, and you will not have any chance to sleep to-night." "It was very kind of you, Lily," said Dan with a smile. "But I must teach Cyd not to sleep when he is on watch. Any carelessness of this kind might spoil every thing."
Whether there is any exhilaration in a cup of tea or not, the party soon became very cheerful; and Cyd was as chipper as though he were in the midst of the Christmas holidays. After supper Dan took the bateau, and pulled out to the lake, to reconnoitre the position, and assure himself that there were no obstacles to the departure of the Isabel.
"Dis chile kin do dat, for sartin." "If you don't the dogs will have you. Now, be careful, and I will go forward, and take care of the poor fellow, who is nearly dead. Watch the sails; never mind the dogs; they can't catch you, if you sail the boat properly." "You kin trus dis chile for dat. Cyd isn't afeerd ob notin, only he don't want to be eat up by de wicked dogs."
As the water was very shallow in some places, they had to follow the channel; and it was sundown when they had moored her to the point they had reached in the bateau. "That will do very well," said Dan, as they made her fast to a tree. "De nigger-hunters neber find us here, for sartin," added Cyd, as he dashed the sweat from his brow. "We are not in a safe place yet," continued Dan.
We forgot one ting for sartin," exclaimed Cyd, suddenly looking as sober as though he had not a friend in the world. "What, Cyd." "De bell." "Bell? What do we want of a bell?" "To call de folks to breakfas, to be sure," replied Cyd, distending his mouth from ear to ear. "I think we can get along without a bell," replied Dan, laughing at the folly of his companion.
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