realize this. The distance to the mouth of the Illinois could not be
far, surely not to exceed fifty miles as the river ran. It ought not
to prove difficult to baffle Kirby for that short distance, and then we
would be free to return, and no one could prove any charge against us.
Indeed it was my purpose to immediately proceed down the river on my
furlough, and probably it would never so much as be suspected that the
negro had been away. Ever since my boyhood I had listened to stories
concerning the operation of Underground Railroads by means of which
slaves were assisted to freedom, and now felt no hesitancy in confiding
these two women to the care of their operators. The only important
fact fronting us was that we must act quickly, before Kirby and his
aides, armed with legal authority, could return--this very night.

"Pete," I said shortly, my tone unconsciously one of authority, "we
must be out of here before daylight, and safely hidden somewhere up the
river. The first thing to be done, and the hardest, is to explain to
those women the situation, and persuade them to accompany us. They may
not believe my story; that was why I was so anxious to have Haines go
to the house. They would have confidence in him. Do they know you?"

"Lord love yer--ob course dey do. I'se knowed all ob 'em for a long
while, sah. Why when I furst don' see dem Beaucaire gals dey wus just
infants. Dey'll sure believe ol' Pete."

"Well, we can only try our best. Have you any conveyance here?"

"Any whut, sah?"

"Any wheeled vehicle in which we can ride to Beaucaire, and by means of
which we can bring the women back? The distance is too far to walk."