Chapter 29, Preparations for Escape Summary and Analysis

After Linda has hidden in her den for almost seven years, her friend Peter informs her of an opportunity to escape to the North. Linda initially accepts, but her grandmother's worries about her safety convince her to stay and give up her place on the ship to Fanny, another escaped slave who is hiding on her Aunt Marthy's property.

Shortly afterward, however, Linda believes that she may have been spotted by a local gossip, and decides to go away after all. Peter arranges for both Linda and Fanny to escape on the northbound ship.

Before Linda leaves, she decides to meet with Benny. She has been living in the same house as Benny for seven years, but has not spoken with him or made her presence known to him all this time. During their talk...