Watch and Wait; or, The Young Fugitives

assistance. The party consisted of two boys and a girl, and they belonged to that people which the traditions of the past have made the "despised race;" but the girl was whiter and fairer

est; and the story which they told to Mr. Grant and hi

he "colonel," whose military title was only a courtesy accorded to his distinguished position, was a man of immense possessions, and consequently of large influence. His acres and his negroes were numbered by thous

a belt of land not more than a mile in width, upon the border of the bayou, which, contrary to the usual law, was higher ground than portions far

ybone was a liberal and progressive man, the houses of the negroes were far superior to those found upon many of the plantations of the South. They were well

Crosscut," because it joined two larger rivers. At the foot of a gravel walk, leading from the mansion down to the bayou, was a pier, upon which was built a tasty summer house, after the style of a Chin

lay a large sail boat, in which the planter often made long trips for pleasure; for, by the network of rivers with which the bayou w

himself was a genial, pleasant man, when nothing disturbed him; but he was quick and impulsive, and exacted the homage due to his position

ck and white, was fond of having his own way; and, as long as it did not conflict with that of his imperious father, he was indulged to the fullest extent. Miss Edith was fond of repose, and could not e

cooks, laundresses, waiters, valets, lackeys, coachmen, body-servants, and lady's-maids; every kind of servitor which ingenuity could devise or luxury demand. Master Archy had a

t and companion of Master Archy, of course it was necessary that he should make a good appearance; and he was always well dressed, and managed his apparel with singularly good taste and skill. His name was Daniel; but his grac

tter than the son and heir, upon whose education a small fortune had been lavished. Dandy was quick to see and comprehend what Archy had to have explained to him over and over again. Though the slave was prudent enough to conceal his attainments, he was wise enough to profit by the opportunities which were af

remembrance of her. Of his father he knew nothing. Though he had often asked about him, he could obtain no information. If the people in the house knew any thing of him, they would

Lily." And yet she was a slave, and that which made her fascinating to the eye had given her a value which could be estimated only in thousands of dollars. Of her father and mother Lily knew nothing. One of her companions in bonda

hough she was highly valued as a piece of property by her owner, she had only one real friend in the wide world-a cold, desolate, and dreary world to her, though her lot was cast in the midst of the sweet flowers and bright

se to indulge in an excursion upon the water. His master, who in his early years had made the acquaintance of the classics, had facetiously named him Thucydides-a long, hard word, which no negro would attempt to utter, and which the white folks were too indolent to manage. The name, therefore, h

o lived there, our readers are prepared to emba