"In what?"

"New Orleans property principally."

"Then it is safe enough whatever happens. The only thing we can do is
this: Tell those girls and the mother the whole truth--tell them at
once, before Kirby can return, and then help them to get out of this
country. It is not necessary for Eloise to go, unless she desires to,
but there is no other safe course for Delia and Rene. They must reach
a northern state before Kirby can lay hands on them. Could Delia pass
for a white woman?"

"Not in the South; still she could travel as Rene's maid. But I do not
believe it is possible for the two to escape in that way, Knox.
Understand I'd be willing to risk it if there were any show. How can
it be done? On the average at this time of year there isn't a
steamboat along here once a month. If we did get them onto a boat they
would have to travel straight south as far as the Ohio. Kirby wouldn't
be more than a day or two behind them, with friends on every boat on
the river. Illinois is no free state for fugitive slaves--they might
just as well be caught in Missouri as over there. There is not one
chance in a thousand that they make it."

"And less than that, if they remain here for Kirby to get his hands
on," I retorted bitterly. "Now look here, Haines. I am going to carry
out this plan alone, if you will not back me in it. I am not talking
about steamboats; they could travel by night, and hide along shore
during the day. All they would need would be two negro oarsmen,
sufficient food, and a boat big enough to carry them safely. You have