And as to the colored people, of course it never entered his mind to join their ranks, and ally himself to them; he had always regarded them as inferior; and this sudden and unwelcome revelation had not changed the whole tenor of his thoughts and opinions.

But what he had to do must be done quickly; for in less than three days his company would start for the front.  To desert was to face death; to remain was to wed dishonor.  He surveyed the situation calmly and bravely, and then resolved that he would face the perils of re-capture rather than the contempt of his own soul.

While he was deciding, he heard Camilla’s step in the passage; he opened the door, and beckoned her to a seat, and said, very calmly, “I have been weighing the whole matter in my mind, and I have concluded to leave the South.”

“How can you do it?” said Camilla.  “I tremble lest you should be discovered.  Oh slavery! what a curse.  Our fathers sowed the wind, and we are reaping the whirlwind!  What,” continued she, as if speaking to herself, “What are your plans?  Have you any?”

“None, except to disguise myself and escape.”

“When?”

“As soon as possible.”

“Suppose I call Miriam.  She can help you.  Shall I?”

“Yes.”

Camilla called Miriam, and after a few moments consultation it was decided that Louis should escape that night, and that Miriam should prepare whatever was needed for his hasty flight.

“Don’t trust your secret to any white person,” said Miriam, “but if you meet any of the colored people, just tell them that you is for the Linkum soldiers, and it will be all right; we don’t know all about this war, but we feels somehow we’s all mixed up in it.”

And so with many prayers and blessings from Miriam, and sad farewells from Camilla, he left his home to enter upon that perilous flight, the whole current of his life changed.

It was in the early part of Winter; but the air was just as pleasant as early Spring in that climate.  Louis walked all that night, guiding himself northward at night by the light of the stars and a little pocket compass, Camilla had just given him before starting, and avoiding the public roads during the day.

And thus he travelled for two days, when his lunch was exhausted, his lips parched with thirst, and his strength began to fail.

Just in this hour of extremity he saw seated by the corner of a fence a very black and homely-looking woman; there was something so gloomy and sullen in her countenance that he felt repelled by its morose expression.  Still he needed food, and was very weary, and drawing near he asked her if she would give him anything to eat.

“Ain’t got nothing.  De sojers done been here, and eat all up.”

Louis drew near and whispered a few words in her ear, and immediately a change passed over her whole countenance.  The sullen expression turned to a look of tenderness and concern.  The harsh tones of her voice actually grew mellow, and rising up in haste she almost sprang over the fence, and said, “I’se been looking for you, if you’s Northman you’s mighty welcome,” and she set before him her humble store of provisions.