be he—­and yet, how changed!  I placed the baby safely, flew down stairs, opened the front door, beckoned to the sailor, and in less than a minute I was clasped in my brother’s arms.  How much we had to tell each other!  How we laughed, and how we cried, over each other’s adventures!  I took him to Brooklyn, and again saw him with Ellen, the dear child whom he had loved and tended so carefully, while I was shut up in my miserable den.  He staid in New York a week.  His old feelings of affection for me and Ellen were as lively as ever.  There are no bonds so strong as those which are formed by suffering together.

XXXIV.  The Old Enemy Again.

My young mistress, Miss Emily Flint, did not return any answer to my letter requesting her to consent to my being sold.  But after a while, I received a reply, which purported to be written by her younger brother.  In order rightly to enjoy the contents of this letter, the reader must bear in mind that the Flint family supposed I had been at the north many years.  They had no idea that I knew of the doctor’s three excursions to New York in search of me; that I had heard his voice, when he came to borrow five hundred dollars for that purpose; and that I had seen him pass on his way to the steamboat.  Neither were they aware that all the particulars of aunt Nancy’s death and burial were conveyed to me at the time they occurred.  I have kept the letter, of which I herewith subjoin a copy:—­

Your letter to sister was received a few days ago.  I gather from it that you are desirous of returning to your native place, among your friends and relatives.  We were all gratified with the contents of your letter; and let me assure you that if any members of the family have had any feeling of resentment towards you, they feel it no longer.  We all sympathize with you in your unfortunate condition, and are ready to do all in our power to make you contented and happy.  It is difficult for you to return home as a free person.  If you were purchased by your grandmother, it is doubtful whether you would be permitted to remain, although it would be lawful for you to do so.  If a servant should be allowed to purchase herself, after absenting herself so long from her owners, and return free, it would have an injurious effect.  From your letter, I think your situation must be hard and uncomfortable.  Come home.  You have it in your power to be reinstated in our affections.  We would receive you with open arms and tears of joy.  You need not apprehend any unkind treatment, as we have not put ourselves to any trouble or expense to get you.  Had we done so, perhaps we should feel otherwise.  You know my sister was always attached to you, and that you were never treated as a slave.  You were never put to hard work, nor exposed to field labor.  On the contrary, you were taken into the house, and treated as one of us, and almost as free; and we, at least, felt that you were above