But the time soon came when Nancy was well enough to go back to her cruel servitude.  This visit had proved a great good to little Lewis.  The entire spirit of his thoughts was changed.  He was still very often silent and thoughtful, but he was seldom sad.  He had a fixed purpose within, which was helping him to work out his destiny.

His first effort was to see Sam Tyler.  This old man was a very intelligent mulatto belonging to Mr. Pond.  For some great service formerly rendered to his master, he was allowed to have his cabin, and quite a large patch of ground, separated from the other negroes, and all his time to himself, except ten hours a day for his master.  His master had also given him a pass, with which he could go and come on business, and the very feeling that he was trusted kept him from using it to run away with.

Mr. Pond was very kind to all his servants, as he called them, and a more cheerful group could not be found in the state.  It would have been well if the Rev. Robert Stamford and many of his congregation had imitated Mr. Pond in this respect, for his servants worked more faithfully, and were more trustworthy than any others in the vicinity.  There was one thing more that he should have done; he should have made out free papers for them, and let them go when they pleased.

When Lewis mentioned his wish to Sam Tyler, the old man was quite delighted with the honor done to his own literary talent.  “But you see,” said he, “I can tell ye what is a sight better; come over to Massa Pond’s Sunday school.  I’d ’vise ye to ask Massa Stamford, and then ye can come every Sunday.”

Lewis had a notion that it would not be very easy to get his master’s permission, so the next Sunday he went without permission.

It was a right nice place for little folks and big ones too.  Nearly all Mr. Pond’s servants were there punctually.  It was held an hour, and Mr. Pond himself, or one of his sons, was always there.  He read the Bible, taught them verses from it, sung hymns with them, and of late, at their urgent solicitation, he had purchased some large cards with the letters and easy readings, and was teaching them all to read.

The first day that Lewis went he crept off very early, before his master was up, telling Aunt Sally where he was going, so that if he should be inquired for she could send Ned after him.  Aunt Sally remonstrated, but it was of no avail; he was off, and she really loved him too well to betray him.

That day young master Pond was in the Sunday school, and he spoke very kindly to Lewis, commending his zeal, and asking him to come again.  But when he told his father that one of Mr. Stamford’s boys was there, Mr. Pond’s reply was that “this matter must be looked into.”

Mr. Pond was there himself on the next Sunday, and though he spoke very kindly to the boy, yet he told him very decidedly that he must not come there without a written permission from his master.  “Well, then, I can’t come at all, sir,” said Lewis sorrowfully.