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ERY many years ago, instead of having servants to wait upon themand work for them, people used to have slaves. These slaves werepaid no wages. Their masters gave them only food and clothes inreturn for their work.

When any one wanted servants he went to market to buy them, justas nowadays we buy horses and cows, or even tables and chairs.

If the poor slaves were bought by kind people they would bequite happy. Then they would work willingly for their masters andmistresses, and even love them. But very often cruel people boughtslaves. These cruel people used to beat them and be unkind to themin many other ways.

It was very wicked to buy and sell human beings as if they werecattle. Yet Christian people did it, and many who were good andkind otherwise thought there was no wrong in being cruel to theirpoor slaves. 'They are only black people,' they said to themselves.'Black people do not feel things as we do.' That was not kind, asblack people suffer pain just in the same way as white peopledo.

One of the saddest things for the poor slaves was that theycould never long be a happy family all together—father,mother, and little brothers and sisters—because at any timethe master might sell the father or the mother or one of thechildren to some one else. When this happened those who were leftbehind were very sad indeed—more sad than if their dear onehad died.

Uncle Tom was a slave. He was a very faithful and honestservant, and his master, Mr. Shelby, was kind to him. Uncle Tom'swife was called Aunt Chloe. She was Mr. Shelby's head cook, and avery good one too, she was. Nobody in all the country round couldmake such delicious pies and cakes as Aunt Chloe.

Uncle Tom and Aunt Chloe lived together in a pretty littlecottage built of wood, quite close to Mr. Shelby's big house.

The little cottage was covered with climbing roses, and thegarden was full of beautiful bright flowers and lovely fruittrees.

Uncle Tom and Aunt Chloe lived happily for many years in theirlittle cottage, or cabin, as it was called. All day Uncle Tom usedto work in the fields, while Aunt Chloe was busy in the kitchen atMr. Shelby's house. When evening came they both went home to theircottage and their children, and were merry together.

Mr. Shelby was a good man, and kind to his slaves, but he wasnot very careful of his money. When he had spent all he had, he didnot know what to do to get more. At last he borrowed money from aman called Haley, hoping to be able to pay it back again someday.

But that day never came. Haley grew impatient, and said, 'If youdon't pay what you owe me, I will take your house and lands, andsell them to pay myself back all the money I have lent to you.'

So Mr. Shelby sold everything he could spare and gathered moneytogether in every way he could think of, but still there was notenough.

Then Haley said, 'Give me that slave of yours calledTom—he is worth a lot of money.'

But Mr. Shelby knew that Haley was not a nice man. He knew hedid not want Tom for a servant, but only wanted to sell him again,to make more money. So Mr. Shelby said, 'No, I can't do that. Inever mean to sell any of my slaves, least of all Tom. He has beenwith me since he was a little boy.'

'Oh very well,' said Haley, 'I shall sell your house and lands,as I said I should.'

Mr. Shelby could not bear to think of that, so he agreed to letHaley have Tom. He made him promise, however, not to sell Tom againexcept to a kind master.

Just at this moment a little boy came dancing into the roomwhere Mr. Shelby and Haley were talking.

He was a pretty, merry little fellow, the son of a slave calledEliza, who was Mrs. Shelby's maid.

'There now,' said Haley, 'give me that little chap, as well asTom, and we will say no more about the money you owe me.'

'I can't,' said Mr. Shelby. 'My wife is very fond of Eliza, andwould never hear of having Harry sold.'

So again Mr. Shelby gave in, and Haley went away with thepromise that next morning Uncle Tom and little Harry should begiven to him, to be his slaves.

CHAPTER II

ELIZA RUNS AWAY WITH LITTLE HARRY

Mr. Shelby was very unhappy because of what he had done. He knewhis wife would be very unhappy too, and he did not know how to tellher.

Mrs. Shelby could hardly believe it. 'Oh, you do not mean this,'she said. 'You must not sell our good Tom and dear little Harry. Doanything rather than that. It is a wicked, wicked thing to do.

'There is nothing else I can do,' said Mr. Shelby. 'I have soldeverything I can think of, and at any rate now that Haley has sethis heart on having Tom and Harry, he would not take anything oranybody instead.'

Mrs. Shelby cried very much about it, but at last, though shewas very, very unhappy she fell asleep.

But some one whom Mr. and Mrs. Shelby never thought of waslistening to this talk.

Eliza was sitting in the next room. The door was not quiteclosed, so she could not help hearing what was said. As shelistened she grew pale and cold and a terrible look of pain cameinto her face.

Eliza had had three dear little children, but two of them haddied when they were tiny babies. She loved and cared for Harry allthe more because she had lost the others. Now he was to be takenfrom her and sold to cruel men, and she would never see him again.She felt she could not bear it.

Eliza's husband was called George, and was a slave too. He didnot belong to Mr. Shelby, but to another man, who had a farm quitenear. George and Eliza could not live together as a husband andwife generally do. Indeed, they hardly ever saw each other.George's master was a cruel man, and would not let him come to seehis wife. He was so cruel, and beat George so dreadfully, that thepoor slave made up his mind to run away. He had come that very dayto tell Eliza what he meant to do.

As soon as Mr. and Mrs. Shelby stopped talking, Eliza crept awayto her own room, where little Harry was sleeping. There he lay withhis pretty curls around his face. His rosy mouth was half open, hisfat little hands thrown out over the bed-clothes, and a smile likea sunbeam upon his face.

'My baby, my sweet-one,' said Eliza, 'they have sold you. Butmother will save you yet!'

She did not cry. She was too sad and sorrowful for that. Takinga piece of paper and a pencil, she wrote quickly.

'Oh, missis! dear missis! don't think me ungrateful—don'tthink hard of me, anyway! I heard all you and master said to-night.I am going to try to save my boy—you will not blame me I Godbless and reward you for all your kindness!'

She gathered a few of Harry's clothes into a bundle, put on herhat and jacket, and went to wake him.

Poor Harry was rather frightened at being waked in the middle ofthe night, and at seeing his mother bending over him, with her hatand jacket on.

'Hush,' she said, 'Harry mustn't cry or speak aloud, or theywill hear us. A wicked man was coming to take little Harry awayfrom his mother, and carry him 'way off in the dark. But motherwon't let him. She's going to put on her little boy's cap and coat,and run off with him, so the ugly man can't catch him.'

Harry stopped crying at once, and was good and quiet as a littlemouse, while his mother dressed him. When he was ready, she liftedhim in her arms, and crept softly out of the house.

It was a beautiful, clear, starlight night, but very cold, forit was winter-time. Eliza ran quickly to Uncle Tom's cottage, andtapped on the window.

Aunt Chloe was not asleep, so she jumped up at once, and openedthe door. She was very much astonished to see Eliza standing therewith Harry in her arms. Uncle Tom followed her to the door, and wasvery much astonished too.

'I'm running away, Uncle Tom and Aunt Chloe—carrying offmy child,' said Eliza. 'Master sold him.'

'Yes, sold him,' said Eliza. 'I heard master tell missis that hehad sold my Harry, and you, Uncle Tom. The man is coming to takeyou away to-morrow.'

At first Tom could hardly believe what he heard. Then he sankdown, and buried his face in his hands.

'The good Lord have pity on us!' said Aunt Chloe. 'What has Tomdone that master should sell him?'

'He hasn't done anything—it isn't for that. Master don'twant to sell; but he owes this man money. If he doesn't pay him itwill end in his having to sell the house and all the slaves. Mastersaid he was sorry. But missis she talked like an angel. I'm awicked girl to leave her so, but I can't help it. It must be right;but if it an't right, the good Lord will forgive me, for I can'thelp doing it.

'No, no,' he said. 'Let Eliza go. It is right that she shouldtry to save her boy. Mas'r has always trusted me, and I can't leavehim like that. It is better for me to go alone than for the wholeplace to be sold. Mas'r isn't to blame, Chloe. He will take care ofyou and the poor—'

Tom could say no more. Big man though he was, he burst intotears, at the thought of leaving his wife and dear little children,never to see them any more.

'Aunt Chloe,' said Eliza, in a minute or two, 'I must go. I sawmy husband to-day. He told me he meant to run away soon, becausehis master is so cruel to him. Try to send him a message from me.Tell him I have run away to save our boy. Tell him to come after meif he can. Good-bye, good-bye. God bless you!'

Then Eliza went out again into the dark night with her littleboy in her arms, and Aunt Chloe shut the door softly behindher.

CHAPTER III

THE MORNING AFTER

Next morning, when it was discovered that Eliza had run awaywith her little boy, there was great excitement and confusion allover the house.

Mrs. Shelby was very glad. 'Thank God!' she said. 'I hope Elizawill get right away. I could not bear to think of Harry being soldto that cruel man.'

Mr. Shelby was angry. 'Haley knew I didn't want to sell thechild,' he said. 'He will blame me for this.'

One person only was quite silent, and that was Aunt Chloe. Shewent on, making the breakfast as if she heard and saw nothing ofthe excitement round her.

All the little black boys belonging to the house thought it wasfine fun. Very soon, about a dozen young imps were roosting, likeso many crows, on the railings, waiting for Haley to come. Theywanted to see how angry he would be, when he heard the news.

And he was dreadfully angry. The little nigger boys thought itwas grand. They shouted and laughed and made faces at him to theirhearts' content.

At last Haley became so angry, that Mr. Shelby offered to givehim two men to help him to find Eliza.

But these two men, Sam and Andy, knew quite well that Mrs.Shelby did not want Eliza to be caught, so they put off as muchtime as they could.

They let loose their horses and Haley's too. Then theyfrightened and chased them, till they raced like mad things allover the great lawns which surrounded the house.

Whenever it seemed likely that a horse would be caught, Sam ranup, waving his hat and shouting wildly, 'Now for it! Cotch him!Cotch him!' This frightened the horses so much that they gallopedoff faster than before.

Haley rushed up and down, shouting and using dreadful, naughtywords, and stamping with rage all the time.

At last, about twelve o'clock, Sam came riding up with Haley'shorse. 'He's cotched,' he said, seemingly very proud of himself. 'Icotched him!'

Of course, now it was too late to start before dinner. Besides,the horses were so tired with all their running about, that theyhad to have a rest.

When at last they did start, Sam led them by a wrong road. Sothe sun was almost setting before they arrived at the village whereHaley hoped to find Eliza.

CHAPTER IV

THE CHASE

When Eliza left Uncle Tom's cabin, she felt very sad and lonely.She knew she was leaving all the friends she had ever had behindher.

At first Harry was frightened. Soon he grew sleepy. 'Mother, Idon't need to keep awake, do I?' he said.

Eliza walked on and on, never resting, all through the night.When the sun rose, she was many miles away from her old home. Stillshe walked on, only stopping, in the middle of the day, to buy alittle dinner for herself and Harry at a farm-house.

At last, when it was nearly dark, she arrived at a village, onthe banks of the river Ohio. If she could only get across thatriver, Eliza felt she would be safe.

She went to a little inn on the bank, where a kind-looking womanwas busy cooking supper.

'No, indeed,' replied the woman. 'The boats has stopped running.It isn't safe, there be too many blocks of ice floating about.'

Eliza looked so sad and disappointed when she heard this, thatthe good woman was sorry for her. Harry too was so tired, that hebegan to cry.

'Here, take him into this room,' said the woman, opening thedoor into a small bed-room.

Eliza laid her tired little boy upon the bed, and he soon fellfast asleep. But for her there was no rest. She stood at thewindow, watching the river with its great floating blocks of ice,wondering how she could cross it.

As she stood there she heard a shout. Looking up she saw Sam.She drew back just in time, for Haley and Andy were riding only ayard or two behind him.

It was a dreadful moment for Eliza. Her room opened by a sidedoor to the river. She seized her child and sprang down the stepstowards it.

Haley caught sight of her as she disappeared down the bank.Throwing himself from his horse, and calling loudly to Sam andAndy, he was after her in a moment.

In that terrible moment her feet scarcely seemed to touch theground. The next, she was at the water's edge.

On they came behind her. With one wild cry and flying leap, shejumped right over the water by the shore, on to the raft of icebeyond. It was a desperate leap. Haley, Sam, and Andy cried out,and lifted up their hands in astonishment.

The great piece of ice pitched and creaked as her weight cameupon it. But she stayed there not a moment. With wild cries sheleaped to another and stillanother—stumbling—leaping—slipping—springingup again!

Her shoes were gone, her stockings cut from her feet by thesharp edges of the ice. Blood marked every step. But she knewnothing, felt nothing, till dimly, as in a dream, she saw the Ohioside, and a man helping her up the bank.

'My child! this boy—mas'r sold him. There's his newmas'r,' she said, pointing to the other shore. 'Oh, save me.'

'Yer a right brave gal,' said the man. 'Go there,' pointing to abig white house close by. 'They are kind folks; they'll helpyou.'

'Oh, thank you, thank you,' said Eliza, as she walked quicklyaway. The man stood and looked after her wonderingly.

On the other side of the river Haley was standing perfectlyamazed at the scene. When Eliza disappeared over the bank he turnedand looked at Sam and Andy, with terrible anger in his eyes.

But Sam and Andy were glad, oh, so glad, that Eliza had escaped.They were so glad that they laughed till the tears rolled downtheir cheeks.

They ducked their heads, ran shouting up the bank, and were ontheir horses before he could reach them.

'Good evening, mas'r,' said Sam. 'I berry much 'spect missis beanxious 'bout us. Mas'r Haley won't want us no longer.' Then offthey went as fast as their horses could gallop.

It was late at night before they reached home again, but Mrs.Shelby was waiting for them. As soon as she heard the horsesgalloping up she ran out to the balcony.

'Come up here, Sam,' called Mr. Shelby, who had followed hiswife, 'and tell your mistress what she wants to know.'

So Sam went up and told the wonderful story of how Eliza hadcrossed the river on the floating ice. Mr. and Mrs. Shelby found ithard to believe that such a thing was possible.

Mrs. Shelby was very, very glad that Eliza had escaped. She toldAunt Chloe to give Sam and Andy a specially good supper. Then theywent to bed quite pleased with their day's work.

CHAPTER V

ELIZA FINDS A REFUGE

A lady and gentleman were sitting talking happily together inthe drawing-room of the white house to which Eliza had gone.Suddenly their old black man-of-all-work put his head in at thedoor and said, 'Will missis come into the kitchen?'

The lady went. Presently she called to her husband, 'I do wishyou would come here a moment.'

There lay Eliza on two kitchen chairs. Her poor feet were allcut and bleeding, and she had fainted quite away. The master of thehouse drew his breath short, and stood silent.

His wife and the cook were trying to bring Eliza round. The oldman had Harry on his knee, and was busy pulling off his shoes andstockings, to warm the little cold feet.

Suddenly Eliza opened her eyes. A dreadful look of pain cameinto her face. She sprang up saying, 'Oh, my Harry, have they gothim?'

As soon as he heard her voice, Harry jumped from the old man'sknee, and running to her side, put up his arms.

'Oh, he's here! he's here,' she said, kissing him. 'Oh, ma'am,'she went, on turning wildly to the lady of the house, 'do protectus, don't let them get him.'

'Nobody shall hurt you here, poor woman,' said the lady. 'Youare safe; don't be afraid.'

'God bless you,' said Eliza, covering her face and sobbing,while Harry, seeing her crying, tried to get into her lap tocomfort her.

'You needn't be afraid of anything; we are friends here, poorwoman. Tell me where you come from and what you want,' said thelady.

'Yes,' said Eliza slowly, 'I did. God helped me, and I crossedon the ice. They were close behind me—right behind, and therewas no other way.'

'Law, missis,' said the old servant, 'the ice is all in brokenup blocks, a-swinging up and down in the water.'

'I know it is. I know it,' said Eliza wildly. 'But I did it. Iwould'nt have thought I could—I didn't think I could getover, but I didn't care. I could but die if I didn't. And Godhelped me.'

'What could make you leave a good home, then, and run away, andgo through such danger?'

'They wanted to take my boy away from me—to sellhim—to sell him down south, ma'am. To go all alone—ababy that had never been away from his mother in his life. Icouldn't bear it. I took him, and ran away in the night. Theychased me, they were coming down close behind me, and I heard 'em.I jumped right on to the ice. How I got across I don't know. Thefirst I knew, a man was helping me up the bank.'

It was such a sad story, that the tears came into the eyes ofeveryone who heard her tell it.

'To Canada, if I only knew where that was. Is it very far off,is Canada'? said Eliza, looking up in a simple, trusting way, tothe kind lady's face.

'Yes,' said the lady of the house sadly, 'it is far away. But wewill try to help you to get there.' Eliza wanted to go to Canada,because it belonged to the British. They did not allow any one tobe made a slave there. George, too, was going to try to reachCanada.

'Wife,' said the gentleman, when they had gone back again intotheir own sitting-room, 'we must get that poor woman away to-night.She is not safe here. I know some good people, far in the country,who will take care of her.'

So this kind gentleman got the carriage ready, and drove Elizaand her boy a long, long way, through the dark night, to a cottagefar in the country. There he left her with a good man and his wife,who promised to be kind to her, and help her to go to Canada. Hegave some money to the good man too, and told him to use it forEliza.

CHAPTER VI

UNCLE TOM SAYS GOOD-BYE

The day after the hunt for Eliza was a very sad one in UncleTom's cabin. It was the day on which Haley was going to take UncleTom away.

Aunt Chloe had been up very early. She had washed and ironed allTom's clothes, and packed his trunk neatly. Now she was cooking thebreakfast,—the last breakfast she would ever cook for herdear husband. Her eyes were quite red and swollen with crying, andthe tears kept running down her cheeks all the time.

Aunt Chloe could not answer. She sat down, buried her face inher hands, and sobbed aloud.

'S'pose we must be resigned. But, O Lord, how can I? If I knewanything where you was goin', or how they'd treat you! Missis saysshe'll try and buy you back again in a year or two. But, Lor',nobody never comes back that goes down there.'

'Well,' said Aunt Chloe, 's'pose dere will. But the Lord letsdrefful things happen sometimes. I don't seem to get no comfort datway.'

'Mercies!' said Aunt Chloe, 'don't see any mercies in 't. Itisn't right! it isn't right it should be so! Mas'r never ought tohave left it so that ye could be took for his debts. Mebbe he can'thelp himself now, but I feel it's wrong. Nothing can beat that outof me. Such a faithful crittur as ye've been, reckonin' on him morethan your own wife and chil'en.'

'Chloe! now, if ye love me, you won't talk so, when it isperhaps jest the last time we'll ever have together,' said Tom.

'Wall, anyway, there's wrong about it somewhere,' said AuntChloe, 'I can't jest make out where 'tis. But there is wrongsomewhere, I'm sure of that.'

Neither Tom nor Chloe could eat any breakfast; their hearts weretoo full of sorrow. But the little children, who hardly understoodwhat was happening, enjoyed theirs. It was not often that they hadsuch a fine one as Chloe had cooked for Tom's last morning athome.

Breakfast was just finished, when Mrs. Shelby came. Chloe wasnot very pleased to see her. She was angry, and blamed her forletting Tom be sold.

But Mrs. Shelby did not seem to see Aunt Chloe's angry looks.'Tom,' she said, turning to him, 'I come to—' she could sayno more, she was crying so bitterly.

'Lor', now missis, don't-don't,' she said. She too burst outcrying again, and for a few minutes they all sobbed together.

'Tom,' said Mrs. Shelby at last, 'I can't do anything for younow. But I promise you, most solemnly, to save as much, money as Ican. As soon as I have enough, I will buy you back again.'

Just then Haley arrived. Tom said a last sad good-bye to hiswife and children, and got into the cart, which Haley had broughtwith him.

As soon as Tom was seated in the cart, Haley took a heavy chain,and fastened it round his ankles. Poor Tom had done nothing wrong,yet he was treated worse than a thief, just because he was aslave.

'Don't know so much about that, ma'am; I've lost one already. Ican't afford to run any more risks,' replied Haley.

'Please give my love to Mas'r George,' said Tom, looking roundsadly. 'Tell him how sorry I am he is not at home to saygood-bye.'

Master George was Mr. and Mrs. Shelby's son. He was very fond ofTom, and was teaching him to write. He often used to come and havetea in Uncle Tom's little cottage. Aunt Chloe used to make her verynicest cakes when Mas'r George came to tea. But he was not at homenow, and did not know that Tom had been sold.

Haley whipped up the horse, and, with a last sad look at the oldplace, Tom was whirled away to a town called Washington.

CHAPTER VII

UNCLE TOM MEETS EVA

Haley stayed in Washington several days. He went to market eachday and bought more slaves. He put heavy chains on their hands andfeet, and sent them to prison along with Tom.

When he had bought all the slaves he wanted, and was ready togo, he drove them before him, like a herd of cattle, on to a boatwhich was going south.

It was a beautiful boat. The deck was gay with lovely ladies andfine gentlemen walking about enjoying the bright springsunshine.

Down on the lower deck, in the dark, among the luggage, werecrowded Tom and the other poor slaves.

Some of the ladies and gentlemen on board were very sorry forthe poor niggers, and pitied them. Others never thought about themat all, or if they did, thought it was quite just and proper thatthey should be treated badly. 'They are only slaves,' theysaid.

Among the passengers was a pretty little girl, about six yearsold. She had beautiful golden hair, and big blue eyes. She ranabout here, there, and everywhere, dancing and laughing like alittle fairy. There were other children on board, but not one sopretty or so merry as she. She was always dressed in white, and Tomthought she looked like a little angel, as she danced and ranabout.

Often and often she would come and walk sadly around the placewhere the poor slaves sat in their chains. She would look pityinglyat them, and then go slowly away. Once or twice she came with herdress full of sweets, nuts, and oranges, and gave them allsome.

Tom watched the little lady, and tried to make friends with her.His pockets were full of all kinds of things, with which he used toamuse his old master's children.

He could make whistles of every sort and size, cut baskets outof cherry-stones, faces out of nut-shells, jumping figures out ofbits of wood. He brought these out one by one, and though thelittle girl was shy at first, they soon grew to be greatfriends.

'Evangeline St. Clare,' said the little girl; 'though papa andeverybody else call me Eva. Now, what's your name?'

'Then I mean to call you Uncle Tom, because, you see, I likeyou,' said Eva. 'So, Uncle Tom, where are you going?'

'My papa can buy you, said Eva quickly. 'If he buys you you willhave good times. I mean to ask him to, this very day.'

Just at this moment, the boat stopped at a small landing-placeto take in some wood. Eva heard her father's voice, and ran away tospeak to him.

Tom too rose and walked to the side. He was allowed to go aboutnow without chains. He was so good and gentle, that even a man likeHaley could not help seeing that it could do no harm to let him gofree.

Tom helped the sailors to carry the wood on the boat. He was sobig and strong that they were very glad to have his help.

Eva and her father were standing by the railings as the boatonce more began to move. It had hardly left the landing-stage when,some how or other, Eva lost her balance. She fell right over theside of the boat into the water.

Tom was standing just under her, on the lower deck, as she fell.In one moment he sprang after her. The next he had caught her hisarms, and was swimming with her to the boat-side, where eager handswere held out to take her.

The whole boat was in confusion. Every one ran to help Eva,while the poor slave went back to his place, unnoticed and uncaredfor.

The next day Tom sat on the lower deck, with folded arms,anxiously watching him as he talked to Haley.

Eva's father was a very handsome man. He was like Eva, with thesame beautiful blue eyes and golden-brown hair. He was very fond offun and laughter, and though he had quite made up his mind to buyTom, he was now teasing Haley, and pretending to think that he wasasking too much money for him.

'Papa do buy him, it's no matter what you pay', whispered Evasoftly, putting her arms around her father's neck. 'You have moneyenough, I know. I want him.'

'What for, pussy? Are you going to use him for a rattle-box, ora rocking-horse, or what?'

Mr. St. Clare laughed; but after making a few more jokes aboutit, he gave Haley the money he asked for, and Tom had a newmaster.

'Come, Eva,' said Mr. St. Clare, and, taking her hand, wentacross the boat to Tom.

Tom looked up. Mr. St. Clare had such a gay, young, handsomeface, that Tom could not help feeling glad. Grateful tears rushedto his eyes as he said, 'God bless you, mas'r.'

'Never mind, my boy,' said Mr. St. Clare, seeing him look sograve; 'I don't doubt you mean to do well.'

'And you shall have good times,' said Eva. 'Papa is very good toeverybody, only he always will laugh at them.'

CHAPTER VIII

ELIZA AMONG THE QUAKERS

While Uncle Tom was sailing South, down the wide river, to hisnew master's home, Eliza with her boy was travelling north toCanada.

Kind people helped her all the way. She passed from friend tofriend, till she arrived safely at a village where the people wereQuakers.

The Quakers were gentle, quiet people. They all dressed alike inplain grey clothes, and the women wore big, white muslin caps.Because they thought it was wicked to have slaves, they helpedthose who ran away from their cruel masters. Often they werepunished for doing this, but still they went on helping the poorslaves. For though the laws said it was wrong, they felt quite surethat it was really right to do so.

The kind Quaker women grew to be very fond of Eliza, and wouldhave been glad if she would have stayed with them.

But Eliza said, 'No, I must go on; I dare not stop. I can'tsleep at night: I can't rest. Last night I dreamed I saw that mancome into the yard.'

'Poor child,' said Rachel, the kind Quaker woman to whom she wasspeaking, 'poor child, thee mustn't feel so. No slave that has runaway has ever been stolen from our village. It is safe here.'

While they were talking, Simeon, Rachel's husband, came to thedoor and called, 'Wife, I want to speak to thee a minute.'

Rachel went back into the kitchen, where Eliza was sewing, and,opening the door of a small bedroom, said gently, 'Come in herewith me, my daughter; I have news to tell thee.'

Rachel shut the door, and drew Eliza towards her. 'The Lord hasbeen very good to thee,' she said gently. 'Thy husband hathescaped, and will be here to-night.'

Then it seemed as if the room and everything in it swam roundher, and she fell into Rachel's arms.

Very gently Rachel laid her down on the bed. Eliza slept as shehad not slept since the dreadful night when she had taken her boyand run away through the cold, dark night.

She dreamed of a beautiful country—a land, it seemed toher, of rest—green shores, pleasant islands, and lovelyglittering water. There in a house, which kind voices told her washer home, she saw Harry playing happily. She heard her husband'sfootstep. She felt him coming nearer. His arms were around her, histears falling upon her face, and she awoke.

It was no dream. The sun had set, the candles were lit. Harrywas sleeping by her side, and George, her husband, was holding herin his arms.

CHAPTER IX

UNCLE TOM'S NEW HOME

Uncle Tom soon settled down in his new home. He was as happy ashe could be, so far away from his wife and dear little children. Hehad a kind master.

Mrs. St. Clare, however, was not nearly so nice as her husband.She was cruel, and would often have beaten her poor slaves, but Mr.St. Clare would not allow it.

She always pretended that she was very ill, and spent most ofher time lying on a sofa, or driving about in her comfortablecarriage.

Mrs. St. Clare said she really was too ill to look after thehouse, so everything was left to the slaves. Soon things began tobe very uncomfortable, and even good-natured Mr. St. Clare couldstand it no longer.

He went to his cousin, Miss Ophelia St. Clare, and begged her tocome and keep house for him, and to look after Eva. It was on thejourney back with her that the accident to Eva happened, whichended in his buying Tom.

Miss Ophelia was a very prim and precise person, not at all likethe St. Clares. In her home people did not have slaves. Though hercousin had a great many, and was kind to them, she could not helpseeing that it was a very wicked thing to buy and sell men andwomen as if they were cattle. She was very, very sorry for the poorslaves, and would have liked to free them all. Yet she did not lovethem. She could not bear even to have them near her, nor to touchthem, just because they were black.

It made her quite ill to see Eva kissing and hugging the blackslave women when she came home.

'Well, I want to be kind to every one. I wouldn't have anybodyhurt. But, as to kissing niggers—' she gave a little shudder.'How can she?'

Presently a gay laugh sounded from the court. Mr. St. Clarestepped out to see what was happening.

There sat Tom on a little mossy seat in the court. Every one ofhis buttonholes was stuck full of flowers. Eva, laughing gaily, washanging a wreath of roses round his neck. Then, still laughing, sheperched on his knee like a little sparrow.

Tom had a sober smile on his face. He seemed in his own quietway to be enjoying the fun quite as much as his little mistress.When he lifted his eyes and saw his master he looked as if he wereafraid he might be scolded. But Mr. St. Clare only smiled.

'You would think it was quite right and natural if you saw Evaplaying with a large dog, even if he was black. But afellow-creature that can think, and reason, and feel, and isimmortal, you shudder at. I know how you north-country people feelabout it. You loathe the blacks as you would a toad or a snake. Yetyou pity them, and are angry because they are oftenill-treated.'

'Well, cousin,' said Miss Ophelia thoughtfully, 'I daresay youare right. I suppose I must try to get over my feeling.'

CHAPTER X

UNCLE TOM'S LETTER

Uncle Tom felt that he was indeed very fortunate to have foundsuch a kind master and so good a home. He had nice clothes, plentyof food, and a comfortable room to sleep in. He had no hard,disagreeable work to do. His chief duties were to drive Mrs. St.Clare's carriage when she wanted to go out, and to attend on Evawhen she wanted him. He soon grew to love his little mistress very,very much indeed.

Mr. St. Clare too began to find Tom very useful. He wasdreadfully careless about money, and his chief servant was just ascareless as his master. So between them a great deal was not onlyspent but wasted.

Mr. Shelby had trusted Tom in everything, and Tom had alwaysbeen careful of his master's money—as careful as if it hadbeen his own. Waste seemed dreadful to him, and he tried to dosomething to stop it now.

Mr. St. Clare was not long in finding out how clever Tom was,and soon trusted him as thoroughly as Mr. Shelby had done.

But in spite of all his good fortune, Tom used to long very muchto go home to see his dear ones again. He had plenty of spare time,and whenever he had nothing to do he would pull his Bible out ofhis pocket and try to find comfort in reading it.

But as time went on, Uncle Tom longed more and more for hishome. At last one day he had a grand idea. He would write aletter.

Before Uncle Tom was sold, George Shelby had been teaching himto write so he thought he could manage a letter.

He begged a sheet of writing-paper from Eva, and going to hisroom began to make a rough copy on his slate.

It was very difficult. Poor Uncle Tom found that he had quiteforgotten how to make some of the letters. Of those he didremember, he was not quite sure which he ought to use. Yes, it wasa very difficult thing indeed.

While he was working away, breathing very hard over it, Eva camebehind him, and peeped over his shoulder.

Eva put her little golden head close to Uncle Tom's black one,and the two began a grave and anxious talk over the letter. Theywere both very earnest, and both very ignorant. But after a greatdeal of consulting over every word, the writing began, they reallythought, to look quite like a proper letter.

'Yes, Uncle Tom, it begins to look beautiful,' said Eva, gazingon it with delight. 'How pleased your wife will be, and the poorlittle children! Oh, it is a shame that you ever had to go awayfrom them! I mean to ask papa to let you go back, some day.'

'Missis said that she would send down money for me, as soon asthey could get it together,' said Tom. 'Young Mas'r George, he saidhe'd come for me. He gave me this dollar as a sign,' and Tom drewthe precious dollar from under his coat.

'I wanted to send a letter, you see, to let 'em know where Iwas, and tell poor Chloe that I was well off, 'cause she felt sodreadful, poor soul.'

'I wouldn't discourage either of you,' said her father; 'but Irather think, Tom, you had better let me write your letter for you.I'll do it when I come home from my ride.'

'It is very important that he should write,' said Eva, 'becausehis mistress is going to send money to buy him back again, youknow, papa. He told me they had said so.'

Mr. St. Clare thought in his heart that very likely this meantnothing. He thought it was only one of these things whichgood-natured people said to their slaves to comfort them when theywere taken away from their dear ones to be sold. He did not reallybelieve Mrs. Shelby meant to buy Tom back again. However, he didnot say so out loud, but just told Tom to get the horses ready fora ride.

That evening the letter was written, and Uncle Tom carried itjoyfully to the post-office.

CHAPTER XII

GEORGE FIGHTS FOR FREEDOM

The day after George and Eliza met each other once more at theend of so many sad months of parting, was a very happy one in theQuaker house.

The two had much to say to each other. George had to tell how hehad escaped from his cruel master, and how he had followed Elizaall the way and at last found her. Then there were plans to makefor going on towards Canada. It was arranged that they should startthat night at ten o'clock. 'The pursuers are hard after thee, wemust not delay,' said Simeon.

Rachel was happy and busy, packing up food and clothes for themto take on the journey.

Late in the afternoon another Quaker, called Phineas, came withthe dreadful news that the wicked men, whom Haley had sent to catchEliza, were only a few miles away.

So George and Eliza decided to start as soon as it was dark. Alittle while after supper a large covered waggon drew up before thedoor. They got in and the waggon drove off.

On and on, all through the dark night they drove. About threeo'clock, George heard the click of a horse's hoof coming behindthem.

'That's Simeon,' said Phineas, who was driving, as he pulled upthe horses to listen.

But Phineas knew the road well. He lashed the horses till theyflew along, the waggon rattling and jumping over the hard roadbehind them.

On they went till they came to a place where the rocks rosestraight up from the road like a wall. It seemed impossible for anyone to climb up there. But Phineas knew a way.

He stopped the horses. 'Here, Simeon,' he said, 'take thewaggon, and drive on as fast as thou canst, and bring back help.Now follow me,' he said to the others, 'quick, for your lives. Runnow, if you you ever did run.'

Quicker than we can say it, they were following him up a tinynarrow path to the top of the rocks, and Simeon was galloping thehorses with the empty waggon along the road.

'We are pretty safe here,' said Phineas, when they had reachedthe top. 'Only one person can come up that path at a time. If anyone tries it, shoot him.'

The men who were chasing them had now arrived at the foot of ofthe rocks. They were led by a big man called Tom Loker, and anothermean-looking little man, whom Haley had sent.

After some hunting about, they found the path, and, headed byTom Loker, began to climb up.

Eliza screamed, but the shot did not hurt him. It passed closeto his hair, nearly touched her cheek, and, struck a treebehind.

Tom Loker came on. George waited until he was near enough, thenhe fired. The shot hit him in the side. But, though wounded, hewould not go back. With a yell like that of a mad bull he cameleaping on, and sprang right in among them.

Quakers are not allowed to use guns and pistols, so Phineas hadbeen standing back while George shot. Now he sprang forward. As TomLoker landed in the middle of them, he gave him a great push,saying, 'Friend, thee isn't wanted here.'

Down fell Tom Loker, down, down the steep side of the rock. Hecrashed and crackled among trees, bushes, logs, loose stones, tillhe lay bruised and groaning far below. The fall might have killedhim, had it not been broken by his clothes catching on the branchesof a large tree.

Cruel people are, very often, cowardly too. When the men sawtheir leader first wounded, and then thrown down, they all ranaway.

Mounting their horses, they rode off as fast as they could,leaving Tom Loker lying on the ground wounded and groaning withpain.

As soon as Phineas and the others saw that the wicked men hadreally ridden away, they climbed down, meaning to walk along theroad till they met Simeon.

They had just reached the bottom, when they saw him coming backwith the waggon and two other men.

'Well, do stop then,' said Eliza, 'and do something for thatpoor man. He is groaning dreadfully.'

They lifted the wounded man gently, as if he had been a friendinstead of a cruel enemy, and laid him in the waggon. Then they allset out once more.

A drive of about an hour brought them to a neat farm-house. Therethe tired travellers were kindly received and given a goodbreakfast.

Tom Loker was put into a comfortable bed, far cleaner and softerthan any he had ever slept in before. George and Eliza walked aboutthe garden hand-in-hand, feeling happy together, and almost safe.They were so near Canada now.

CHAPTER XIII

AUNT DINAH

Miss Ophelia found that it was no easy matter to bring anythinglike order into the St. Clare household. The slaves had been leftto themselves so long, and had grown so untidy, that they were notat all pleased with Miss Feely, as they called her, for trying tomake them be tidy. However, she had quite made up her mind thatorder there must be. She got up at four o'clock in the morning,much to the surprise of the housemaids. All day long she was busydusting and tidying, till Mrs. St. Clare said it made her tired tosee cousin Ophelia so busy.

CHAPTER XIV

TOPSY

One morning, while Miss Ophelia was busy, as usual, she heardMr. St. Clare calling her from the foot of the stairs.

'I have bought something for you. See here,' he said, pullingforward a little negro girl of about eight or nine years old.

She was quite black. Her round, shining eyes glittered likeglass beads. Her wooly hair was plaited into little tails whichstuck out in all directions. Her clothes were dirty and ragged.Miss Ophelia thought she had never seen such a dreadful little girlin all her life.

'Cousin, what in the world have you brought that thing herefor?' she asked, in dismay.

'For you to teach, to be sure, and train in the way she shouldgo,' said Mr. St. Clare, laughing. 'Topsy,' he went on, 'this isyour new mistress. See, now, that you behave yourself.'

'Oh yes, mas'r' said Topsy again, meekly folding her hands, butwith another twinkle in her eyes.

'Now cousin, what is this for? Your house is full of theselittle plagues as it is. I get up in the morning and find oneasleep behind the door; see one black head poking out from underthe table; another lying on the mat. They tumble over the kitchenfloor, so that a body can't put their foot down without treading onthem. What on earth did you want to bring this one for?'

'Well the fact is, cousin,' said Mr. St. Clare, drawing heraside, 'she belonged to some people who were dreadfully cruel andbeat her. I couldn't bear to hear her screaming every day, so Ibought her. I will give her to you. Do try and make something ofher.'

'Well, I'll do what I can,' said Miss Ophelia. 'She is fearfullydirty, and half naked.'

'Well, take her downstairs, and tell somebody to clean her up,and give her some decent clothes.'

'You mustn't answer me like that, child,' said Miss Opheliasternly. 'I am not playing with you. Tell me where you were born,and who your father and mother were.'

'Never was born,' said Topsy again very decidedly. 'Never had nofather, nor mother, nor nothin!'

Miss Ophelia hardly knew what to make of her. 'How long have youlived with your master and mistress, then?' she asked.

'Nobody as I knows on,' replied Topsy, with a laugh. 'Spect Igrow'd. Don't think nobody ever made me.'

'Well, now, Topsy, I'm going to show you just how my bed is tobe made. I am very particular about my bed. You must learn exactlyhow to do it.'

'Now, Topsy, look here. This is the hem of the sheet. This isthe right side of the sheet. This is the wrong. Will youremember?'

'Well, now, the under-sheet you must bring over thebolster—so, and tuck it right down under the mattress niceand smooth—so. Do you see?'

'But the upper sheet,' said Miss Ophelia, 'must be brought downin this way, and tucked under, firm and smooth, at thefoot—so, the narrow hem at the foot.'

'Yes, missis,' said Topsy as before. But while Miss Ophelia wasbending over the bed she had quickly seized a pair of gloves and aribbon, which were lying on the dressing-table, and slipped them upher sleeves. When Miss Ophelia looked up again, the naughty littlegirl was standing with meekly-folded hand as before.

'Now, Topsy, let me see you do this,' said Miss Ophelia, pullingthe clothes off again and seating herself.

Topsy, looking very earnest, did it all just as she had beenshown. She did it so quickly and well that Miss Ophelia was verypleased. But, alas! as she was finishing, an end of ribbon camedangling out of her sleeve.

'What is this?' said Miss Ophelia, seizing it. 'You naughty,wicked child—you have been stealing this.'

The ribbon was pulled out of Topsy's own sleeve. Yet she did notseem a bit ashamed. She only looked at it with an air of surpriseand innocence.

'I never tells no lies, Miss Feely,' said Topsy. 'It's jist thetruth I've been, tellin' now. It an't nothin' else.'

'Laws, missis, if you whip's all day, couldn't say no otherway,' said Topsy, beginning to cry. 'I never seed dat ribbon. Itmust a caught in my sleeve. Miss Feely must'a left it on the bed,and it got caught in the clothes, and so got in my sleeve.'

Miss Ophelia was so angry at such a barefaced lie that shecaught Topsy and shook her. 'Don't tell me that again,' shesaid.

Topsy now confessed to stealing the gloves. But she, still saidshe had not taken the ribbon.

'Now, Topsy', said Miss Ophelia kindly, 'if you will confess allabout it I won't whip you this time.'

So Topsy confessed to having stolen both the ribbon and thegloves. She said she was very, very sorry, and would never do itagain.

'Well, now, tell me,' said Miss Ophelia, 'have you takenanything else since you have been in the house? If you confess Iwon't whip you.'

Topsy began to cry and groan, and declare that she could not.'They's burnt up, they is.'

'Get it? Why, I have had it on all day,' answered Eva, rathersurprised. 'And what is funny, aunty, I had it on all night too. Iforgot to take it off when I went to bed.'

Miss Ophelia looked perfectly astonished. She was moreastonished still when, next minute, Rosa, who was one of thehousemaids, came in with a basket of clean clothes, wearing hercoral ear-rings as usual.

I'm sure I don't know what to do with such a child,' she said,in despair. 'What in the world made you tell me you took thosethings, Topsy?'

'Why, missis said I must 'fess. I couldn't think of nothing elseto 'fess,' said Topsy, wiping her eyes.

'But of course, I didn't want you to confess things you didn'tdo,' said Miss Ophelia. 'That is telling a lie just as much as theother.'

'Poor Topsy,' said Eva, 'why need you steal? You are going to betaken good care of now. I am sure I would rather give you anythingof mine than have you steal it.'

Topsy had never been spoken to so kindly and gently in all herlife. For a minute she looked as if she were going to cry. The nextshe was grinning as usual in her ugly way.

What was to be done with Topsy? Miss Ophelia was quite puzzled.She shut her up in a dark room till she could think about it.

'I don't see,' she said to Mr. St. Clare, 'how I am going tomanage that child without whipping her.'

'Oh, well, do as you think best. Only, I have seen this childbeaten with a poker, knocked down with the shovel or tongs, oranything that came handy. So I don't think your beatings will havemuch effect.'

'What is to be done with her, then?' said Miss Ophelia. 'I neversaw such a child as this.'

But Mr. St. Clare could not answer her question. So Miss Opheliahad to go on, as best she could, trying to make Topsy a goodgirl.

She taught her to read and to sew. Topsy liked reading, andlearned her letters like magic. But she could not bear sewing. Soshe broke her needles or threw them away. She tangled, broke, anddirtied her cotton and hid her reels. Miss Ophelia felt sure allthese things could not be accidents. Yet she could never catchTopsy doing them.

In a very few days Topsy had learned how to do Miss Ophelia'sroom perfectly, for she was very quick and clever. But if MissOphelia ever left her to do it by herself there was sure to bedreadful confusion.

Instead of making the bed, she would amuse herself with pullingoff the pillow-cases. Then she would butt her woolly head among thepillows, until it was covered with feathers sticking out in alldirections. She would climb the bedpost, and hang head downwardsfrom the top; wave the sheets and covers all over the room; dressthe bolster up in Miss Ophelia's nightgown and act scenes with it,singing, whistling, and making faces at herself in thelooking-glass all the time.

'Topsy,' Miss Ophelia would say, when her patience was at anend, 'what makes you behave so badly?'

'Laws, missis, you must whip me. My old missis always did. Ian't used to workin' unless I gets whipped.'

So Miss Ophelia tried it. Topsy would scream and groan andimplore. But half an hour later she would be sitting among theother little niggers belonging to the house, laughing about it.'Miss Feely whip!' she would say, 'she can't do it nohow.'

'Law, you niggers,' she would go on, 'does you know you's allsinners? Well, you is; everybody is. White folks is sinnerstoo—Miss Feely says so. But I 'spects niggers is the biggestones. But ye an't any of ye up to me. I's so awful wicked, therecan't nobody do nothin' with me. I 'spects I's the wickedestcrittur in the world.' Then she would turn a somersault, and comeup bright and smiling, evidently quite pleased with herself.

CHAPTER XV

EVA AND TOPSY

Two or three years passed. Uncle Tom was still with Mr. St.Clare, far away from his home. He was not really unhappy. Butalways in his heart was the aching longing to see his dear onesagain.

Now he began to have a new sorrow. He loved his little mistressEva very tenderly, and she was ill.

He saw that she was growing white and thin. She no longer ranand played in the garden for hours together as she used to do. Shewas always tired now.

Miss Ophelia noticed it too, and tried to make Mr. St. Clare seeit. But he would not. He loved his little Eva so much, that he didnot want to believe that anything could be the matter with her.

Mrs. St. Clare never thought that any one, except herself, couldbe ill. So Eva grew daily thinner and weaker, and Uncle Tom andAunt Ophelia more and more sad and anxious.

But at last she became so unwell, that even Mr. St. Clare had toown that something was wrong, and the doctor was sent for.

In a week or two she was very much better. Once more she ranabout playing and laughing, and her father was delighted. Only MissOphelia and the doctor sighed and shook their heads. And little Evaherself knew; but she was not troubled. She knew she was going toGod.

'Papa' she said one day, 'there are some things I want to say toyou. I want to say them now while I am able.'

'It is all no use, papa, to keep it to myself any longer. Thetime is coming when I am going to leave you. I am going, never tocome back', and Eva sobbed.

'And I want to go,' she went on, 'only I don't want to leaveyou—it almost breaks my heart.'

'I feel sad for our poor people. I wish, papa, they were allfree. Isn't there any way to have all slaves made free?'

'That is a difficult question, dearest. There is no doubt thatthis way is a very bad one. A great many people think so. I domyself. I wish there was not a slave in the land. But then, I don'tknow what is to be done about it.'

'Papa, you are such a good man, and so noble and kind. Couldn'tyou go all around and try and persuade people to do right aboutthis? When I am dead, papa, then you will think of me, and do itfor my sake.'

'Promise me at least, father, that Tom shall have his freedom,as soon as I am gone.'

Miss Ophelia and Eva had been to church together. Miss Opheliahad gone to her room to take off her bonnet, while Eva talked toher father.

Suddenly Mr. St. Clare and his little girl heard a great noisecoming from Miss Ophelia's room. A minute later she appeared,dragging Topsy behind her.

'The matter is that I cannot be plagued with this child anylonger' said Miss Ophelia. 'It is past all bearing. Here, I lockedher up, and gave her a hymn to learn. What does she do, but spy outwhere I put my key. She has gone to my wardrobe, taken abonnet-trimming, and cut it all to pieces to make dolls' jackets! Inever saw anything like it in my life.'

'I don't know what to do' she went on; 'I have taught andtaught. I have talked till I'm tired. I've whipped her. I'vepunished her in every way I can think of, and still she is asnaughty as she was at first.'

Topsy came, her hard, round eyes glittering and blinking, halfin fear, half in mischief.

'What makes you behave so?' said Mr. St. Clare, who could nothelp being amused at her funny expression.

'Don't you see how much Miss Ophelia has done for you? She saysshe has done everything she can think of.'

'Lor', yes, mas'r! Old missis used to say so, too. She whippedme a heap harder, and used to pull my hair and knock my head aginthe door. But it didn't do me no good. I 'spect if they is to pullevery hair out o' my head it wouldn't do no good neither. I's sowicked. Laws! I's nothin' but a nigger noways.'

'I shall have to give her up,' said Miss Ophelia. 'I can't havethat trouble any longer.'

Eva had stood silent, listening. Now she took Topsy by the hand,and led her into a little room close by.

'What makes you so naughty, Topsy?' she said, with tears in hereyes. 'Why don't you try to be good? Don't you love anybody,Topsy?'

'Oh, I forgot,' said Eva sadly. 'But hadn't you any brother, orsister or aunt, or—'

'Couldn't never be nothin' but a nigger, if I was ever so good,'said Topsy. 'If I could be skinned, and come white, I'd trythen.'

'But people can love you, if you are black, Topsy. Miss Opheliawould love you if you were good.'

'No. She can't bear me, 'cause I'm a nigger. She'd as soon havea toad touch her. There can't nobody love niggers, and niggerscan't do nothin'. I don't care,' and Topsy began whistling to showthat she didn't.

'Oh, Topsy! I love you,' said Eva, laying her little, thin handon Topsy's shoulder. 'I love you, because you haven't had anymother, or father, or friends; because you have been a poor,ill-used child. I love you, and I want you to be good. It makes mesorry to have you so naughty. I wish you would try to be good formy sake, because I'm going to die soon. I shan't be here verylong.'

Topsy's round, bright eyes grew suddenly dim with tears. She didbelieve at last that it was possible for some one to love her. Shelaid her head down between her knees and wept and sobbed.

'Oh, Miss Eva, dear Miss Eva,' cried the poor little blackchild, 'I will try, I will try. I never did care nothin' about itbefore.'

CHAPTER XVI

EVA'S LAST GOOD-BYE

It soon became quite plain to everybody that Eva was very illindeed. She never ran about and played now, but spent most of theday lying on the sofa in her own pretty room.

Every one loved her, and tried to do things for her. Evennaughty little Topsy used to bring her flowers, and try to be goodfor her sake.

Uncle Tom was a great deal in Eva's room. She used to get veryrestless, and then she liked to be carried about. He was so big andstrong that he could do it very easily. He would walk about withher under the orange-trees in the garden, or sitting down on someof their old seats, would sing their favorite hymns.

He loved to do it, and could not bear to be long away from hislittle mistress. He gave up sleeping in his bed, and lay all nighton the mat outside her door.

One day Eva made her aunt cut off a lot of her beautiful hair.Then she called all the slaves together, said good-bye to them, andgave them each a curl of her hair as a keepsake. They all criedvery much, and said they would never forget her, and would try tobe good for her sake.

A few nights later Miss Ophelia came quickly to Tom, as he layon the mat outside Eva's door. 'Go, Tom,' she said, 'go as fast asyou can for the doctor.'

Tom ran. But in the morning little Eva lay on her bed, cold andwhite, with closed eyes and folded hands.

Mr. St. Clare was very, very unhappy for a long time after Evadied. He had loved her so much, that now his life seemed quiteempty without her.

He did not forget his promise to her about Tom. He went to hislawyer, and told him to begin writing out the papers that wouldmake Tom free. It took some time to make a slave free.

'Well, Tom,' said Mr. St. Clare the day after he had spoken tohis Lawyer, 'I'm going to make a free man of you. So have yourtrunk packed and get ready to set out for home.'

Joy shone in Uncle Tom's face. 'Bless the Lord,' he said,raising his hands to heaven.

'You haven't had such a very bad time here that you need be insuch rapture, Tom,' he said.

'But, Tom, you couldn't possibly have earned by your work suchclothes and such nice, comfortable rooms and good food as I havegiven you.'

'I knows all that, Mas'r St. Clare. Mas'r has been too good.But, mas'r, I'd rather have poor clothes, poor house, pooreverything, and have 'em mine than have the best, and have 'em anyman's else. I had so, mas'r. I thinks it's nature, mas'r.'

'I suppose so, Tom. You will be going off and leaving me, in amonth or two,' he said, rather discontentedly. 'Though why youshouldn't, I don't know,' he added, in a gayer voice.

'Not while mas'r is in trouble,' said Tom. 'I'll stay with mas'ras long as he wants me—so as I can be of any use.'

'Not while I am in trouble, Tom?' said Mr. St. Clare, lookingsadly out of the window. 'And when will my trouble be over?' Thenhalf-smiling he turned from the window, and laid his hand on Tom'sshoulder. 'Ah, Tom, you soft, silly boy,' he said. 'I won't keepyou. Go home to your wife and children, and give them all mylove.'

'Cousin,' said Miss Ophelia, coming into the room, 'I want tospeak to you about Topsy.'

'Nothing; she is a much better girl than she used to be. But Iwant to ask you, whose is she—yours or mine?'

'But not by law. There is no use my trying to make this child aChristian, unless I can be quite sure that she will not be sold asa slave again. If you are really willing I should have her, I wantyou to give me a paper saying she is mine.'

'But you think it is wicked to keep slaves. Now you want to haveone of your own. Oh! shocking, cousin,' said Mr. St. Clare, wholoved to tease.

'Very well,' said Mr. St. Clare, 'I will write the paper foryou.' Then he sat down and began to read.

'Because now is the only time there ever is to do a thing in,'said Miss Ophelia. 'want to make sure of it. You may die or loseall your money. Then Topsy would be taken away and sold, in spiteof anything I could say.'

Mr. St. Clare hated being made to do things when he didn't wantto. However, after teasing his cousin a little more, he wrote outthe paper, and Topsy belonged to Miss Ophelia. That evening Mr. St.Clare went out for a ride.

Tom saw him go, and asked if he should come too. 'No, my boy,'said Mr. St. Clare, 'I shall be back in an hour.'

Tom sat down on the verandah to wait till his master came home.While he waited, he fell asleep.

Several men were there carrying a load. It was Mr. St. Clare. Hehad been hurt in an accident, and was dying.

Very gently they laid him on a sofa. Nothing could be done. In ashort time he had gone to join his little Eva.

CHAPTER XVII

UNCLE TOM'S NEW MASTER

There had been great grief in the house when Eva died. Now therewas not only sorrow, but gloom and fear.

The kind master was dead, and the poor slaves asked themselvesin despair what would happen to them now.

They were not long left in doubt. One morning Mrs. St. Claretold them that they were all to be sold. She was going back to herfather's house to live, and would not want them any more.

Poor Uncle Tom! The news was a dreadful blow to him. For a fewdays he had been so happy in the thought of going home. Once more,after all these years, he thought he would see his dear wife andlittle children. Now, at one stroke, he had lost both his kindmaster and his hope of freedom.

Instead of going home, he was to be sent farther away than everfrom his dear ones. He could not bear it. He tried to say, "Thywill be done", but bitter tears almost choked the words.

He had one hope left. He would ask Miss Ophelia to speak to Mrs.St. Clare for him.

'Mas'r St. Clare promised me my freedom, Miss Feely,' he said.'He told me that he had begun to take it out for me. And now,perhaps, if you would be good enough to speak about it to missis,she would feel like going on with it. Seeing it was Mas'r St.Clare's wish, she might.'

'I'll speak for you, Tom, and do my best,' said Miss Ophelia. 'Ihaven't much hope, but I will try.'

'Indeed, I shall do no such thing,' she replied. 'Tom is worthmore than any of the other slaves. I couldn't afford to lose somuch money. Besides, what does he want with his freedom? He is agreat deal better off as he is.'

'But he does want it very much,' replied Miss Ophelia. 'And hismaster promised it to him.'

'I dare say he does want it,' replied Mrs. St. Clare. 'They allwant it. Just because they are a discontented set, always wantingwhat they haven't got.'

'But Tom is so good and gentle, and such a splendid worker. Ifyou sell him there is the chance of his getting a bad master.'

'Oh, I have no fear about that. Most masters are good, in spiteof all the talk people make about it,' replied Mrs. St. Clare.

'Well', said Miss Ophelia at last, 'I know it was one of thelast wishes of your husband that Tom should have his freedom. Hepromised dear little Eva that he should have it. I think you oughtto do it.'

Then Mrs. St. Clare began to cry, and say every one was unkindto her, and Miss Ophelia saw it was no use saying anything more.There was only one other thing she could do. She wrote to Mrs.Shelby, telling her that poor Uncle Tom was going to be sold again.She asked her to send money to buy him back, as soon aspossible.

The next day, Uncle Tom and the other slaves belonging to Mr.St. Clare were sent to market to be sold.

As Uncle Tom stood in the market-place, waiting for some one tobuy him, he looked anxiously round. In the crowd of faces, he wastrying to find one kind, handsome one, like Mr. St. Clare's. Butthere was none.

Presently a short, broad man, with a coarse, ugly face and dirtyhands, came up to Tom. He looked him all over, pulled his mouthopen and looked at his teeth, pinched his arms, made him walk andjump, and indeed treated him as he would a horse or cow he hadwished to buy.

Tom knew from the way this man looked and spoke, that he must bebad and cruel. He prayed in his heart that this might not be hisnew master. But it was. His name was Legree. He bought Uncle Tom,several other men slaves, and two women. One of the women was apretty young girl, who had never been away from her mother before,and who was very much afraid of her new master. The other was anold woman. The two women were chained together. The men, Uncle Tomamong them, had heavy chains put on both hands and feet. ThenLegree drove them all on to a boat which was going up the river tohis plantation.

It was a sad journey. This time there was no pretty Eva, norkind-hearted Mr. St. Clare, to bring any happiness to the poorslaves.

One of the first things Legree did was to take away all Tom'snice clothes which Mr. St. Clare had given him.

He made him put on his oldest clothes, then he sold all theothers to the sailors.

Legree made his slaves unhappy in every way he could think of.Then he would come up to them and say, 'Come, come, I don't allowany sulky looks. Be cheerful, now, or—' and he would crackhis whip in a way to make them tremble.

At last the weary journey was over. Legree and his slaveslanded. His house was a long way from the river. The men slaveswalked, while Legree and the two women drove in a cart.

Mile after mile they trudged along, over the rough road throughwild and dreary country, till, hungry, thirsty, and tired, theyarrived at the farm, or plantation as it was called.

Legree was not a gentleman like Mr. Shelby or Mr. St. Clare. Hewas a very rough kind of farmer. On his farm he grew cotton. Thecotton had to be gathered and tied into bundles. Then he sold it topeople who made it into calico, muslin, and other things, which weneed to use and wear. Gathering cotton is very hard work.

The house Legree lived in had once been a very fine one, and hadbelonged to a rich gentleman. Now, it was old, neglected, andalmost in ruins.

The house was bad enough, but the cabins where the slaves livedwere far worse. They were roughly built of wood. The wind and therain came through the chinks between the planks. There were nowindows. The floors were nothing but the bare earth. There was nofurniture of any kind in them, only heaps of dirty straw to sleepupon.

Uncle Tom felt more unhappy than ever. He had hoped at least tohave a little room which he could keep clean and tidy. But thishole he did not even have to himself. He had to share it with fiveor six others.

Now began the saddest time of Uncle Tom's life. Every morningvery early the slaves were driven out into the fields like cattle.All day long they worked hard. The burning sun blazed down uponthem, making them hot and tired. Legree and his two chief slaves,called Quimbo and Sambo, marched about all the time with whips intheir hands. At night they drove the slaves back again to theirmiserable huts.

But before they could rest, they had to grind and cook the cornfor their supper. When at last they did go to sleep, they had tolie on the heaps of dirty straw instead of in comfortable beds.

CHAPTER XVIII

GEORGE AND ELIZA FIND FREEDOM

Tom Loker lay tossing and tumbling in his clean, comfortable bedat the Quaker farmhouse. A pretty, old Quaker lady, with white hairand a kind face, was nursing him. Tom Loker did not like being illand having to lie in bed. He threw the clothes about, grumbling andusing naughty words all the tune.

'I must ask thee, Thomas Loker, not to use such language,' saidthe nice lady, as she smoothed his sheets, and made his bedcomfortable again for him.

'Well, I won't, granny, if I can help it,' he replied; 'but itis enough to make a fellow swear, it is so awfully hot.' He gaveanother great lunge, and made the sheets and blankets all untidyagain.

'I suppose that fellow George and the girl Eliza are here,' hesaid, in a sulky voice, after a few minutes' silence.

'They had better get away across the lake,' said Tom Loker, 'thequicker the better.'

'Very likely they will do so,' said the old lady, calmly goingon with her knitting.

'But, listen,' said Tom Loker, getting excited, 'there arepeople who are watching the boats for us. I don't care if I tellnow. I hope they will get away, just to spite the others for goingand leaving me as they did—the mean puppies, the—'

'I tell you, granny, if you bottle a fellow up too tight he'llsplit,' said Tom Loker. 'But about Eliza—tell them to dressher up some way so as to alter her. We have sent a description ofwhat she looks like to the town where the boats start from. Shewill be caught yet if she doesn't dress up differently.'

'I thank thee, Thomas Loker,' replied the old lady with herusual calmness. 'We will attend to that. Thank thee.' Then she wentto tell George and Eliza what Tom Loker had said.

They were indeed very grateful to him, and very glad that theyhad not left him, as his own friends had done, to die by theroadside.

So next day Eliza cut off all her beautiful black hair, anddressed herself like a boy.

'Don't I make a pretty young fellow?' she said to George,laughing and blushing at the same time.

'What makes you so sober?' asked Eliza, kneeling on one knee,and laying her hand on his. 'We are within twenty-four hours ofCanada, they say. Only a day and a night on the lake, andthen—oh, then!'

'O Eliza,' said George, holding her fast, 'that is just it. Tobe so near liberty, to be almost in sight of it—and then ifwe lost it. O Eliza, I should die.'

'Don't fear,' said Eliza hopefully. 'The good Lord would nothave brought us so far if He didn't mean to save us. I seem to feelhim with us, George.'

So George kissed his wife and took heart again. Then the kindold lady brought Harry in dressed as a little girl. And a verypretty girl he made too. They called him 'Harriet,' as it was solike Harry it was easy to remember.

Harry did not know his mamma, dressed as she was, and clung tothe kind lady, feeling rather afraid of the strange young man. Thatwas just as well, as he was too young to understand what thisdressing-up and pretending meant, and he might have spoiled it allby calling the nice-looking young man 'Mamma.' So the kind lady wasgoing with them, pretending to be the little girl's aunt.

When everything was ready they got into a cab, and drove to thewharf. The two young men, as they seemed to be, got out, Elizahelping the kind lady and little girl, while George saw to theluggage.

As he was standing at the office, taking the tickets, Georgeoverheard two men talking by his side.

'I've watched every one that came on board,' said one, 'and Iknow they are not on this boat.'

'You would scarcely know the woman from a white one,' said theother. 'The man is very fair too. He has an H burned into the palmof his hand.'

The hand with which George was taking the tickets and changetrembled a little, but he turned calmly round, looked straight atthe speaker, and then walked slowly away to where Eliza was waitingfor him.

It was a terribly anxious time, but at last the bell rang, theboat began to move, and George and Eliza drew long sighs of reliefas they saw the shore getting farther and farther away.

It was a lovely day. The blue waves of Lake Erie danced,rippling and sparkling, in the sunlight. Hour after hour the boatsteamed on.

Night came; and in the morning, clear and beautiful before them,rose the shores of Canada.

George and his wife stood arm in arm as the boat came near thelittle town, where they were going to land. His breath came thickand short; a mist gathered before his eyes; he silently pressed thelittle hand that lay trembling on his arm.

Scarcely seeing what he did, George looked out his luggage, andgathered his little party.

Then with tears of joy, the husband and wife, with theirwondering little boy in their arms, knelt down and lifted up theirhearts to God. They were free.

CHAPTER XIX

UNCLE TOM FINDS FREEDOM

The letter which Miss Ophelia wrote to Mrs. Shelby, telling herthat Tom was to be sold again, was delayed a long time in the post.When at last it did arrive, Mr. Shelby was very ill, and thoughMrs. Shelby felt dreadfully sorry about Uncle Tom, she could donothing, as her husband was so ill. Soon Mr. Shelby died. Mrs.Shelby was very sad, but in her sorrow she did not forget herpromise to Aunt Chloe and Uncle Tom. As soon as she could, she soldsome land, and George Shelby, taking the money with him, went offto try to find Uncle Tom and buy him back again.

But by the time George Shelby, came to the place where Mr. St.Clare used to live, Uncle Tom had been sold to Legree, and no oneknew where he had gone.

At last, after searching about for months, George Shelby foundout where Uncle Tom was, and followed him.

Two days after Legree had been so cruel, George Shelby drove upthe avenue and stopped at the door of the old house.

'I hear,' he said to Legree, 'that you bought a slave named Tom.He used to belong to my father. I have come to buy him backagain.'

Legree's face grew black with anger. 'Yes, I did buy such afellow,' he growled in rage. 'And a bad bargain it was, too! Themost rebellious, saucy, impudent dog! Set up my niggers to runaway. He owned to it, and, when I bid him tell me where they were,he said he knew, but wouldn't tell. He stuck to it, too, though Igave him the very worst beating I ever gave a nigger yet. I believehe is trying to die. I shouldn't wonder if he did.'

'Where is he?' said George. 'Let me see him.' His cheeks werecrimson, and his eye flashed fire at the thought that Legree haddared to treat dear Uncle Tom so badly.

'He is in that shed,' said a little fellow who was holdingGeorge Shelby's horse.

George, without saying another word, hurried to the place towhich the little boy pointed.

'Oh, dear Uncle Tom,' cried George as he knelt beside him, 'dearUncle Tom, do wake—do speak once more. Here's Mas'rGeorge—your own little Mas'r George. Don't you know me?'

'Mas'r George!' said Tom, opening his eyes, and speaking in afeeble voice. 'Mas'r George? it is—it is. It's all I wanted.They haven't forgot me. It warms my soul; it does my old heartgood. Now I shall die content.'

'You shan't die! you mustn't die, nor think of it. I've come tobuy you and take you home,' said George, and the tears came intohis eyes as he bent over poor Uncle Tom.

'Oh, Mas'r George, ye're too late. The Lord has bought me, andis going to take me home.'

'Oh, don't. It breaks my heart to think of what you'vesuffered—lying in this old shed, too.'

'You mustn't, now, tell Chloe, poor soul, how ye found me,' saidTom, taking George by the hand. 'It would seem so dreadful to her.Only tell her ye found me going into glory, and that I couldn'tstay for no one. And oh, the poor chil'en, and the baby—myold heart's been most broke for them. Tell them to follow me. Givemy love to mas'r, and dear, good missis, and everybody in theplace. I love them all.'

Beyond the gates of Legree's farm, George had noticed a dry,sandy knoll, shaded by a few trees. There he made Uncle Tom'sgrave. No stone marks his last resting-place. He needs none. Godknows where he lies.

Kneeling there George bent his head, in shame and sorrow. 'Hereme, dear God,' he said, 'from this day, I will do what one man canto drive out the curse of slavery from this land.'

CHAPTER XX

GEORGE SHELBY FREES HIS SLAVES

George Shelby wrote a little note to his mother, telling herthat he was coming home. He tried to write about Uncle Tom, but hecould not; tears blinded him, and sobs choked him.

On the day he was expected every one was in a state of bustleand excitement. Aunt Chloe in a new print dress, and clean whiteapron walked round the supper-table, making sure that everythingwas right. Her black face shone with joy at the thought of seeingUncle Tom again.

Mrs. Shelby sighed. Ever since the letter had come from Georgeshe had had a very sad heart. She felt sure something must bewrong.

'He won't know the baby, my old man won't,' said Chloe again,'Why, it's five years since they took him.'

'It's Mas'r George,' cried Aunt Chloe, running to the window ingreat excitement.

Mrs. Shelby ran to the door. As George met her he put his armsround her, and kissed her tenderly.

'Oh, poor Aunt Chloe,' said George, gently taking her hard,black hand between both his own. 'I'd have given all my fortune tohave brought Uncle Tom home with me; but he has gone to a bettercountry.' Mrs. Shelby cried out as if she had been hurt, but AuntChloe did not make a sound.

'There,' said Aunt Chloe, holding out her trembling hands to hermistress, 'it's just as I knew it would be. He's been sold andmurdered on dem old plantations.'

Then she turned and walked proudly out of the room. Mrs. Shelbyfollowed her softly, took one of her hands, drew her down into achair, and sat down beside her.

Chloe leaned her head on her mistress's shoulder, and sobbedout, 'Oh, missis, 'scuse me, my heart's broke—dat's all.'

'I know it is,' said Mrs. Shelby, as her tears fell fast, 'and Icannot heal it.'

There was silence for a little as they wept together. ThenGeorge sat down beside Aunt Chloe, and took her hand. He talkedgently to her, telling her of Uncle Tom's last loving messages. Soshe was comforted a little.

One morning, about a month after this, George Shelby called allhis servants together, telling them he had something to say tothem.

They wondered what it could be, and were very much surprisedwhen he appeared, carrying a bundle of papers in his hand.

They were still more astonished when he gave a paper to eachone, and told them all that they were free.

With sobs and tears and shouts they pressed round him, thankingand blessing him. But some of them came with anxious faces, begginghim to take their free papers back again, and not to send themaway.

'We don't want to be any freer than we are,' they said. 'We havealways had all we wanted.'

'We don't want to leave the old place, and young mas'r andMissis, and the rest.'

'My good friends,' said George, when he could get silence,'there will be no need for you to leave me. We want quite as manyservants as we did before. But now you are free men and free women.I shall pay you wages for your work, and if I die, or get intodebt, you can't be taken away to be sold. That is all thedifference. I want you all to stay with me, for I want to teach youhow to live as free men and women ought.'

'One thing more,' added George, when the cheering and rejoicinghad died away a little. 'You all remember our good old Uncle Tom.You have heard how he died, and how he sent his love to you all. Itwas on his grave, my friends, that I made up my mind, with God'shelp, never to own another slave, if it were possible to free him.I resolved that nobody, through my fault, should ever run the riskof being parted from his dear ones, and of dying far from them, ashe died.

'So, when you rejoice in your freedom, remember that you owe itto dear old Uncle Tom, and pay it back in kindness to his wife andchildren. Think of your freedom every time you see Uncle Tom'sCabin; and let it help you to try to live as he did, and be ashonest and faithful and Christian as he was.'

THE END.

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