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wife had been bought by Vincent。 The joy of the negro was
extreme。 The previous message had raised his hopes that Vincent
would succeed in getting her bought by some one who would be
kind to her； hut he knew well that she might nevertheless fall to
the lot of some higher bidder and be taken hundreds of miles away；
and that he might never again get news of her whereabouts。 He
had then suffered terrible anxiety all day； and the relief of learning
that Vincent himself had bought her； and that she was now
installed as a house servant at the Orangery； but a few miles away；
was quite overpowering； and for some minutes he could only gasp
out his joy and thankfulness。 He could hope now that when better
times came he might be able to steal away some night and meet
her； and that some day er other； though how he could not see； they
might be reunited。 The Jacksons remained in ignorance that their
former slave was located so near to them。
It was for this reason that Mr。 Renfrew had instructed his agent to
buy her in his own name instead of that of Vincent； and the
Jacksons； having no idea of the transfer that had subsequently
taken place； took no further interest in the matter； believing that
they had achieved their object of torturing Tony； and avenging
upon him the humiliation that Andrew had suffered at Vincent's
hands。 Had they questioned their slaves； and had these answered
them truly； they would have discovered the facts。 For although
Tony himself said no word to any one of what he had learned from
Dan； the fact that Dinah was at the Orangery was speedily known
among the slaves； for the doings at one plantation were soon
conveyed to the negroes on the others by the occasional visits
which they paid at night to each other's quarters； or to some
common rendezvous far removed from interruption。
Occasionally Tony and Dinah met。 Dan would come up late in the
evening to the house； and a nod to Dinah would be sufficient to
send her flying down the garden to a clump of shrubs； where he
would be waiting for her。 At these stolen meetings they were
perfectly happy； for Tony said no word to her of the misery of his
life…how he was always put to the hardest work and beaten on the
smallest pretext； how in fact his life was made so unendurable that
the idea of running away and taking to the swamps was constantly
present to him。
As to making his way north； it did not enter his mind as possible。
Slates did indeed at times succeed in traveling through the
Northern States and making their way to Canada； but this was only
possible by means of the organization known as the underground
railway； an association consisting of a number of good people who
devoted them…selves to the purpose； giving shelter to fugitive
slaves during the day； and then passing them on to the next refuge
during the night。 For in the Northern States as well as the
Southern any negro unprovided with papers showing that be was a
free man was liable to be arrested and sent back to the South a
prisoner； large rewards being given to these who arrested them。
As he was returning from one of these interviews with his wife；
Tony was detected by the overseer； who was scrolling about round
the slaves' quarters； and was next morning flogged until he became
insensible。 So terrible was the punishment that for some days he
was unable to walk。 As soon as he could get about he was again
set to work； but the following morning he was found to be missing。
Andrew Jackson at once rode into Richmond； and In half an hour
placards and handbills were printed offering a reward for his
capture。 These were not only circulated in the neighborhood； but
were sent off to all the towns and villages through which Tony
might be expected to pass in the endeavor to make his way north。
Vincent soon learned from Dan what had taken place。
〃You have no idea； I suppose； Dan； as to which way he is likely to
go？〃
Dan shook his bead。
〃Me suppose； massa； dat most likely he gone and hidden in de
great woods by de James River。 Berry difficult to find him dere。〃
〃Difficult to find him； no doubt；〃 Vincent agreed。 〃But he could
not stop there long…he would find nothing to eat in the woods； and
though he might perhaps support himself for a time on corn or
roots from the clearings scattered about through the James
Peninsula； he must sooner or later be caught。〃
〃Dar are runaways in de woods now； Massa Vincent；〃 Dan said；
〃some ob dem hab been dar for month。〃
〃But how do they live； Dan？〃
〃Well； sar； you see dey hab friends on de plantations； and
sometimes at night one of de slaves will steal away wid a basket
ob yams and corn…cakes and oder things and put dem down in a
certain place in de forest； and next morning； sure enough； dey will
be gone。 Dangerous work dat； massa； because if dey caught with
food； it known for sure dat dey carry it to runaway； and den you
know dey pretty well flog the life out of dem。〃
〃Yes； I know； Dan； it is a very serious matter hiding a runaway
slave； and even a white man would be very heavily punished； and
perhaps lynched； if caught in the act。 Well； make what inquiries
you can among the slaves； and find out if you can whether any of
those Jacksons have an idea which way Tony has gone。 But do not
go yourself on to Jackson's place； if you were caught there now it
would be an awkward matter for both of us。〃
〃I will find out； Massa Vincent； but I don't s'pose Tony said a word
to any of the others。 He know well enough dat de Jacksons
question ebery one pretty sharp； and per haps flog dem all round to
find out if dey know anything。 He keep it to himself about going
away for sush。〃
The Jacksons kept up a vigorous hunt after their slave and day
after day parties of men ranged through the woods but without
discovering any traces of him。 Bloodhounds were employed the
first day； but before these could be fetched from Richmond the
scent had grown cold； for Tony had gone off as soon as the slaves
had been shut up for the night and had； directly he left the hut；
wrapped leaves round his feet； therefore the hounds； when they
arrived from Richmond； were unable to take up the scent。
A week after Tony's escape； Vincent returned late one evening
from a visit to some friends。 Dan； as he took his horse； whispered
to him： 〃Stop a little on your way to house； Massa Vincent； me hab
something to tell you。〃
〃What is it； Dan？〃 Vincent asked； as the lad； after putting up his
horse in the stable； came running up to him。
〃Me have seen Tony； sah。 He in de shrubs ober dar。 He want to
see Dinah； but me no take message till me tell you about him。 He
half starved； sah； me give him some yams。〃
〃That's right； Dan。〃
〃He pretty nigh desperate； sar； he say dey hunt him like wild
beast。〃
〃I will see him； Dan。 If I can help him in any way I will do so。
Unfortunately I do not know any of the people who help to get