Louis.
Armed, as I believed, with this knowledge that Kirby had actually fled,
beyond any possibility of doing us any further injury, I did not hurry
my return, but remained for some time on the bluff, watching those
rushing waters, and endeavoring to outline some feasible plan for the
coming night. With this final disappearance of the gambler we were
left free to proceed, and it seemed to me with no great danger of
arousing suspicion, so long as we exercised reasonable precautions.
The girl to all appearances was white; no one would ever question that,
particularly as she possessed sufficient intelligence and refinement to
thus impress anyone she might meet, If necessary we might travel as man
and wife, with Sam as our servant. Our means of travel would attract
no particular attention in that country--the edge of the wilderness; it
was common enough. This struck me as the most reasonable course to
pursue--to work our way quietly up the Illinois by night, keeping close
in shore to avoid any passing steamer, until we arrived close to
Beardstown. There, if necessary, we might begin our masquerade, but it
need not be a long one. Undoubtedly there were blacks in the town,
both slaves and free negroes, with whom Sam could easily establish an
acquaintance. By this means we would soon be able to identify that
particular preacher into whose care I hoped to confide Rene. Of
course, the girl might refuse to enter into the game, might decline to
assume the role assigned her, however innocent I intended it to
be--indeed, I felt convinced she would meet the suggestion with
indignation.
Pages:
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191