英语天堂-第49部分

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and　poor；　honest；　faithful　Christians；—Christians　as　good　or　better　than　they；—are　lying　in　the　very　dust　under　their　feet。　They　buy　’em　and　sell　’em；　and　make　trade　of　their　heart’s　blood；　and　groans　and　tears；—and　God　lets　them。”
“Friend　George；”　said　Simeon；　from　the　kitchen；　“listen　to　this　Psalm；　it　may　do　thee　good。”
George　drew　his　seat　near　the　door；　and　Eliza；　wiping　her　tears；　came　forward　also　to　listen；　while　Simeon　read　as　follows：
“But　as　for　me；　my　feet　were　almost　gone；　my　steps　had　well…nigh　slipped。　For　I　was　envious　of　the　foolish；　when　I　saw　the　prosperity　of　the　wicked。　They　are　not　in　trouble　like　other　men；　neither　are　they　plagued　like　other　men。　Therefore；　pride　compasseth　them　as　a　chain；　violence　covereth　them　as　a　garment。　Their　eyes　stand　out　with　fatness；　they　have　more　than　heart　could　wish。　They　are　corrupt；　and　speak　wickedly　concerning　oppression；　they　speak　loftily。　Therefore　his　people　return；　and　the　waters　of　a　full　cup　are　wrung　out　to　them；　and　they　say；　How　doth　God　know？　and　is　there　knowledge　in　the　Most　High？”
“Is　not　that　the　way　thee　feels；　George？”
“It　is　so　indeed；”　said　George；—“as　well　as　I　could　have　written　it　myself。”
“Then；　hear；”　said　Simeon：　“When　I　thought　to　know　this；　it　was　too　painful　for　me　until　I　went　unto　the　sanctuary　of　God。　Then　understood　I　their　end。　Surely　thou　didst　set　them　in　slippery　places；　thou　castedst　them　down　to　destruction。　As　a　dream　when　one　awaketh；　so；　oh　Lord；　when　thou　awakest；　thou　shalt　despise　their　image。　Nevertheless　I　am　continually　with　thee；　thou　hast　holden　me　by　my　right　hand。　Thou　shalt　guide　me　by　thy　counsel；　and　afterwards　receive　me　to　glory。　It　is　good　for　me　to　draw　near　unto　God。　I　have　put　my　trust　in　the　Lord　God。”1
The　words　of　holy　trust；　breathed　by　the　friendly　old　man；　stole　like　sacred　music　over　the　harassed　and　chafed　spirit　of　George；　and　after　he　ceased；　he　sat　with　a　gentle　and　subdued　expression　on　his　fine　features。
“If　this　world　were　all；　George；”　said　Simeon；　“thee　might；　indeed；　ask　where　is　the　Lord？　But　it　is　often　those　who　have　least　of　all　in　this　life　whom　he　chooseth　for　the　kingdom。　Put　thy　trust　in　him　and；　no　matter　what　befalls　thee　here；　he　will　make　all　right　hereafter。”
If　these　words　had　been　spoken　by　some　easy；　self…indulgent　exhorter；　from　whose　mouth　they　might　have　come　merely　as　pious　and　rhetorical　flourish；　proper　to　be　used　to　people　in　distress；　perhaps　they　might　not　have　had　much　effect；　but　coming　from　one　who　daily　and　calmly　risked　fine　and　imprisonment　for　the　cause　of　God　and　man；　they　had　a　weight　that　could　not　but　be　felt；　and　both　the　poor；　desolate　fugitives　found　calmness　and　strength　breathing　into　them　from　it。
And　now　Rachel　took　Eliza’s　hand　kindly；　and　led　the　way　to　the　supper…table。　As　they　were　sitting　down；　a　light　tap　sounded　at　the　door；　and　Ruth　entered。
“I　just　ran　in；”　she　said；　“with　these　little　stockings　for　the　boy；—three　pair；　nice；　warm　woollen　ones。　It　will　be　so　cold；　thee　knows；　in　Canada。　Does　thee　keep　up　good　courage；　Eliza？”　she　added；　tripping　round　to　Eliza’s　side　of　the　table；　and　shaking　her　warmly　by　the　hand；　and　slipping　a　seed…cake　into　Harry’s　hand。　“I　brought　a　little　parcel　of　these　for　him；”　she　said；　tugging　at　her　pocket　to　get　out　the　package。　“Children；　thee　knows；　will　always　be　eating。”
“O；　thank　you；　you　are　too　kind；”　said　Eliza。
“Come；　Ruth；　sit　down　to　supper；”　said　Rachel。
“I　couldn’t；　any　way。　I　left　John　with　the　baby；　and　some　biscuits　in　the　oven；　and　I　can’t　stay　a　moment；　else　John　will　burn　up　all　the　biscuits；　and　give　the　baby　all　the　sugar　in　the　bowl。　That’s　the　way　he　does；”　said　the　little　Quakeress；　laughing。　“So；　good…by；　Eliza；　good…by；　George；　the　Lord　grant　thee　a　safe　journey；”　and；　with　a　few　tripping　steps；　Ruth　was　out　of　the　apartment。
A　little　while　after　supper；　a　large　covered…wagon　drew　up　before　the　door；　the　night　was　clear　starlight；　and　Phineas　jumped　briskly　down　from　his　seat　to　arrange　his　passengers。　George　walked　out　of　the　door；　with　his　child　on　one　arm　and　his　wife　on　the　other。　His　step　was　firm；　his　face　settled　and　resolute。　Rachel　and　Simeon　came　out　after　them。
“You　get　out；　a　moment；”　said　Phineas　to　those　inside；　“and　let　me　fix　the　back　of　the　wagon；　there；　for　the　women…folks　and　the　boy。”
“Here　are　the　two　buffaloes；”　said　Rachel。　“Make　the　seats　as　comfortable　as　may　be；　it’s　hard　riding　all　night。”
Jim　came　out　first；　and　carefully　assisted　out　his　old　mother；　who　clung　to　his　arm；　and　looked　anxiously　about；　as　if　she　expected　the　pursuer　every　moment。
“Jim；　are　your　pistols　all　in　order？”　said　George；　in　a　low；　firm　voice。
“Yes；　indeed；”　said　Jim。
“And　you’ve　no　doubt　what　you　shall　do；　if　they　come？”
“I　rather　think　I　haven’t；”　said　Jim；　throwing　open　his　broad　chest；　and　taking　a　deep　breath。　“Do　you　think　I’ll　let　them　get　mother　again？”
During　this　brief　colloquy；　Eliza　had　been　taking　her　leave　of　her　kind　friend；　Rachel；　and　was　handed　into　the　carriage　by　Simeon；　and；　creeping　into　the　back　part　with　her　boy；　sat　down　among　the　buffalo…skins。　The　old　woman　was　next　handed　in　and　seated　and　George　and　Jim　placed　on　a　rough　board　seat　front　of　them；　and　Phineas　mounted　in　front。
“Farewell；　my　friends；”　said　Simeon；　from　without。
“God　bless　you！”　answered　all　from　within。
And　the　wagon　drove　off；　rattling　and　jolting　over　the　frozen　road。
There　was　no　opportunity　for　conversation；　on　acomount　of　the　roughness　of　the　way　and　the　noise　of　the　wheels。　The　vehicle；　therefore；　rumbled　on；　through　long；　dark　stretches　of　woodland；—over　wide　dreary　plains；—up　hills；　and　down　valleys；—and　on；　on；　on　they　jogged；　hour　after　hour。　The　child　soon　fell　asleep；　and　lay　heavily　in　his　mother’s　lap。　The　poor；　frightened　old　woman　at　last　forgot　her　fears；　and；　even　Eliza；　as　the　night　waned；　found　all　her　anxieties　insufficient　to　keep　her　eyes　from　closing。　Phineas　seemed；　on　the　whole；　the　briskest　of　the　company；　and　beguiled　his　long　drive　with　whistling　certain　very　unquaker…like　songs；　as　he　went　on。
But　about　three　o’clock　George’s　ear　caught　the　hasty　and　decided　click　of　a　horse’s　hoof　coming　behind　them　at　some　distance　and　jogged　Phineas　by　the　elbow。　Phineas　pulled　up　his　horses；　and　listened。
“That　must　be　Michael；”　he　said；　“I　think　I　know　the　sound　of　his　gallop；”　and　he　rose　up　and　stretched　his　head　anxiously　back　over　the　road。
A　man　riding　in　hot　haste　was　now　dimly　descried　at　the　top　of　a　distant　hill。
“There　he　is；　I　do　believe！”　said　Phineas。　George　and　Jim　both　sprang　out　of　the　wagon　before　they　knew　what　they　were　doing。　All　stood　intensely　silent；　with　their　faces　turned　towards　the　expected　messenger。　On　he　came。　Now　he　went　down　into　a　valley；　where　they　could　not　see　him；　but　they　heard　the　sharp；　hasty　tramp；　rising　nearer　and　nearer；　at　last　they　saw　him　emerge　on　the　top　of　an　eminence；　within　hail。
“Yes；　that’s　Michael！”　said　Phineas；　and；　raising　his　voice；　“Halloa；　there；　Michael！”
“Phineas！　is　that　thee？”
“Yes；　what　news—they　coming？”
“Right　on　behind；　eight　or　ten　of　them；　hot　with　brandy；　swearing　and　foaming　like　so　many　wolves。”
And；　just　as　he　spoke；　a　breeze　brought　the　faint　sound　of　galloping　horsemen　towards　them。
“In　with　you；—quick；　boys；　in！”　said　Phineas。　“If　you　must　fight；　wait　till　I　get　you　a　piece　ahead。”　And；　with　the　word；　both　jumped　in；　and　Phineas　lashed　the　horses　to　a　run；　the　horseman　keeping　close　beside　them。　The　wagon　rattled；　jumped；　almost　flew；　over　the　frozen　ground；　but　plainer；　and　still　plainer；　came　the　noise　of　pursuing　horsemen　behind。　The　women　heard　it；　and；　looking　anxiously　out；　saw；　far　in　the　rear；　on　the　brow　of　a　distant　hill；　a　party　of　men　looming　up　against　the　red…streaked　sky　of　early　dawn。　Another　hill；　and　their　pursuers　had　evidently　caught　sight　of　their　wagon；　whose　white　cloth…covered　top　made　it　conspicuous　at　some　distance；　and　a　loud　yell　of　brutal　triumph　came　forward　on　the　wind。　Eliza　sickened；　and　strained　her　child　closer　to　her　bosom；　the　old　woman　prayed　and　groaned；　and　George　and　Jim　clenched　their　pistols　with　the　grasp　of　despair。　The　pursuers　gained　on　them　fast；　the　carriage　made　a　sudden　turn；　and　brought　them　near　a　ledge　of　a　steep　overhanging　rock；　that　rose　in　an　isolated　ridge　or　clump　in　a　large　lot；　which　was；　all　around　it；　quite　clear　and　smooth。　This　isolated　pile；　or　range　of　rocks；　rose　up　black　and　heavy　against　the　brightening　sky；　and　seemed　to　promise　shelter　and　concealment。　It　was　a　place　well　known　to　Phineas；　who　had　been　familiar　with　the　spot　in　his　hunting　days；　and　it　was　to　gain　this　point　he　had　been　racing　his　horses。
“Now　for　it！”　said　he；　suddenly　checking　his　horses；　and　springing　from　his　seat　to　the　ground。　“Out　with　you；　in　a　twinkling；　every　one；　and　up　into　these　rocks　with　me。　Michael；　thee　tie　thy　horse　to　the　wagon；　and　drive　ahead　to　Amariah’s　and　get　him　and　his　boys　to　come　back　and　talk　to　these　fellows。”
In　a　twinkling　they　were　all　out　of　the　carriage。
“There；”　said　Phineas；　catching　up　Harry；　“you；　each　of　you；　see　to　the　women；　and　run；　now　if　you　ever　did　run！”
They　needed　no　exhortation。　Quicker　than　we　can　say　it；　the　whole　party　were　over　the　fence；　making　with　all　speed　for　the　rocks；　while　Michael；　throwing　himself　from　his　horse；　and　fastening　the　bridle　to　the　wagon；　began　driving　it　rapidly　away。
“Come　ahead；”　said　Phineas；　as　they　reached　the　rocks；　and　saw　in　the　mingled　starlight　and　dawn；　the　traces　of　a　rude　but　plainly　marked　foot…path　leading　up　among　them；　“this　is　one　of　our　old　hunting…dens。　Come　up！”
Phineas　went　before；　springing　up　the　rocks　like　a　goat；　with　the　boy　in　his　arms。　Jim　came　second；　bearing　his　trembling　old　mother　over　his　shoulder；　and　George　and　Eliza　brought　up　the　rear。　The　party　of　horsemen　came　up　to　the　fence；　and；　with　mingled　shouts　and　oaths；　were　dismounting；　to　prepare　to　follow　them。　A　few　moments’　scrambling　brought　them　to　the　top　of　the　ledge；　the　path　then　passed　between　a　narrow　defile；　where　only　one　could　walk　at　a　time；　till　suddenly　they　came　to　a　rift　or　chasm　more　than　a　yard　in　breadth；　and　beyond　which　lay　a　pile　of　rocks；　separate　from　the　rest　of　the　ledge；　standing　full　thirty　feet　high；　with　its　sides　steep　and　perpendicular　as　those　of　a　castle。　Phineas　easily　leaped　the　chasm；　and　sat　down　the　boy　on　a　smooth；　flat　platform　of　crisp　white　moss；　that　covered　the　top　of　the　rock。
“Over　with　you！”　he　called；　“spring；　now；　once；　for　your　lives！”　said　he；　as　one　after　another　sprang　across。　Several　fragments　of　loose　stone　formed　a　kind　of　breast…work；　which　sheltered　their　position　from　the　observation　of　those　below。
“Well；　here　we　all　are；”　said　Phineas；　peeping　over　the　stone　breast…work　to　watch　the　assailants；　who　were　coming　tumultuously　up　under　the　rocks。　“Let　’em　get　us；　if　they　can。　Whoever　comes　here　has　to　walk　single　file　between　those　two　rocks；　in　fair　range　of　your　pistols；　boys；　d’ye　see？”
“I　do　see；”　said　George！　“and　now；　as　this　matter　is　ours；　let　us　take　all　the　risk；　and　do　all　the　fighting。”
“Thee’s　quite　welcome　to　do　the　fighting；　George；”　said　Phineas；　chewing　some　checkerberry…leaves　as　he　spoke；　“but　I　may　have　the　fun　of　looking　on；　I　suppose。　But　see；　these　fellows　are　kinder　debating　down　there；　and　looking　up；　like　hens　when　they　are　going　to　fly　up　on　to　the　roost。　Hadn’t　thee　better　give　’em　a　word　of　advice；　before　they　come　up；　just　to　tell　’em　handsomely　they’ll　be　shot　if　they　do？”
The　party　beneath；　now　more　apparent　in　the　light　of　the　dawn；　consisted　of　our　old　acquaintances；　Tom　Loker　and　Marks；　with　two　constables；　and　a　posse　consisting　of　such　rowdies　at　the　last　tavern　as　could　be　engaged　by　a　little　brandy　to　go　and　help　the　fun　of　trapping　a　set　of　niggers。
“Well；　Tom；　yer　coons　are　farly　treed；”　said　one。
“Yes；　I　see　’em　go　up　right　here；”　said　Tom；　“and　here’s　a　path。　I’m　for　going　right　up。　They　can’t　jump　down　in　a　hurry；　and　it　won’t　take　long　to　ferret　’em　out。”
“But；　Tom；　they　might　fire　at　us　from　behind　the　rocks；”　said　Marks。　“That　would　be　ugly；　you　know。”
“Ugh！”　said　Tom；　with　a　sneer。　“Always　for　saving　your　skin；　Marks！　No　danger！　niggers　are　too　plaguy　scared！”
“I　don’t　know　why　I　shouldn’t　save　my　skin；”　said　Marks。　“It’s　the　best　I’ve　got；　and　niggers　do　fight　like　the　devil；　sometimes。”
At　this　moment；　George　appeared　on　the　top　of　a　rock　above　them；　and；　speaking　in　a　calm；　clear　voice；　said；
“Gentlemen；　who　are　you；　down　there；　and　what　do　you　want？”
“We　want　a　party　of　runaway　niggers；”　said　Tom　Loker。　“One　George　Harris；　and　Eliza　Harris；　and　their　son；　and　Jim　Selden；　and　an　old　woman。　We’ve　got　the　officers；　here；　and　a　warrant　to　take　’em；　and　we’re　going　to　have　’em；　too。　D’ye　hear？　An’t　you　George　Harris；　that　belongs　to　Mr。　Harris；　of　Shelby　county；　Kentucky？”
“I　am　George　Harris。　A　Mr。　Harris；　of　Kentucky；　did　call　me　his　property。　But　now　I’m　a　free　man；　standing　on　God’s　free　soil；　and　my　wife　and　my　child　I　claim　as　mine。　Jim　and　his　mother　are　here。　We　have　arms　to　defend　ourselves；　and　we　mean　to　do　it。　You　can　come　up；　if　you　like；　but　the　first　one　of　you　that　comes　within　the　range　of　our　bullets　is　a　dead　man；　and　the　next；　and　the　next；　and　so　on　till　the　last。”
“O；　come！　come！”　said　a　short；　puffy　man；　stepping　forward；　and　blowing　his　nose　as　he　did　so。　“Young　man；　this　an’t　no　kind　of　talk　at　all　for　you。　You　see；　we’re　officers　of　justice。　We’ve　got　the　law　on　our　side；　and　the　power；　and　so　forth；　so　you’d　better　give　up　peaceably；　you　see；　for　you’ll　certainly　have　to　give　up；　at　last。”
“I　know　very　well　that　you’ve　got　the　law　on　your　side；　and　the　power；”　said　George；　bitterly。　“You　mean　to　take　my　wife　to　sell　in　New　Orleans；　and　put　my　boy　like　a　calf　in　a　trader’s　pen；　and　send　Jim’s　old　mother　to　the　brute　that　whipped　and　abused　her　before；　because　he　couldn’t　abuse　her　son。　You　want　to　send　Jim　and　me　back　to　be　whipped　and　tortured；　and　ground　down　under　the　heels　of　them　that　you　call　masters；　and　your　laws　will　bear　you　out　in　it；—more　shame　for　you　and　them！　But　you　haven’t　got　us。　We　don’t　own　your　laws；　we　don’t　own　your　country；　we　stand　here　as　free；　under　God’s　sky；　as　you　are；　and；　by　the　great　God　that　made　us；　we’ll　fight　for　our　liberty　till　we　die。”
George　stood　out　in　fair　sight；　on　the　top　of　the　rock；　as　he　made　his　declaration　of　independence；　the　glow　of　dawn　gave　a　flush　to　his　swarthy　cheek；　and　bitter　indignation　and　despair　gave　fire　to　his　dark　eye；　and；　as　if　appealing　from　man　to　the　justice　of　God；　he　raised　his　hand　to　heaven　as　he　spoke。
If　it　had　been　only　a　Hungarian　youth；　now　bravely　defending　in　some　mountain　fastness　the　retreat　of　fugitives　escaping　from　Austria　into　America；　this　would　have　been　sublime　heroism；　but　as　it　was　a　youth　of　African　descent；　defending　the　retreat　of　fugitives　through　America　into　Canada；　of　course　we　are　too　well　instructed　and　patriotic　to　see　any　heroism　in　it；　and　if　any　of　our　readers　do；　they　must　do　it　on　their　own　private　responsibility。　When　despairing　Hungarian　fugitives　make　their　way；　against　all　the　search…warrants　and　authorities　of　their　lawful　gov