On arriving at the packet wharf, I found it
in a state of turmoil and confusion. Passengers
were holding up their passports for the inspection
of the provost-marshal's guard, who stood with
fixed bayonets to examine them, and none were
allowed on board until their authority to travel
had been exhibited. Observing this, and being
furnished with no pass, I was somewhat dubious
as to the course it would be prudent for me to
adopt, but, being an old campaigner, I rapidly
reviewed the chances in my favour. Accordingly,
no sooner did I perceive that the gang-
board had been withdrawn, and the guard was
stepping on shore, than I quickly alighted,
rushed to the pier, and, bursting through the
soldiers as one who was too late, made a jump
on to the deck as lightly as fourteen-stone
weight would allow. With the first turn of the
paddles I seized from my pocket the paper that
came handiest to my touch, and waved it to
those on shore, as if it were my permit. We
were off, and thus I vanquished my first trial.

Now came my second difficulty. How was I to
select from among the crowd on board the gentleman
who had consented to be my pioneer in this
the first stage of my "underground journey" to
the South? Moving with affected carelessness
about the decks and through the cabins of the
steamer, I casually glanced from one person to
another, and it was not long before I observed
some one who was employed in a search similar
to my own. The description I had received of
my mysterious guide and protector tallied exactly
with the appearance of him I saw. Our eyes
met, but as I did not like to take too full a look
at him, I assumed an indifference and passed
on. Presently we retraced our steps, and then
I gave the sign which had been entrusted to
me. It was answered. Without a word or
further look, I took up my position near to him,
and, unfolding a newspaper, pretended to
become absorbed in its contents.

As I had been up all the previous night
making my final arrangements for leaving Baltimore,
my eyes soon wearied of the print, and l fell
into that semi-slumber which is equivalent to a
feverish condition of wakefulness; and, although
unconscious of time or the distance we travelled,
no movement of my custodian escaped my
torpid glance. With the hot sun upon me, I
can only assimilate my state to that of a dog
dozing on a hearth-rug before the fire, and who,
although apparently unconscious, yet, at the
movement of a foot, cocks his eye, and warily
makes his observations.

At length the dull jerk of the vessel against
the landing jarred me into activity, and glancing
at my friend, I found him actively engaged in
collecting his effects. My little travelling-bag,
containing a simple change of under flannels
and clean collars, was soon snatched up, and a
rapid look of intelligence between us told me
we had reached the first stage of our voyage,
and we landed.

Guardedly following my pioneer at a distance
of some yards, he led me into a by-road, at
least a quarter of a mile from the river. In
this secluded spot we found drawn up under the
shade of a broad overhanging oak a double
buggy with a span of fine horses, and the negro
driver, tired of waiting, dozing on the front
seat, with his legs carelessly hanging over the
splash-board. The tones of his master's voice
—the first I had heard—soon roused him, and
rapidly moving forward, I simultaneously
mounted with the owner and took my place by
his side. One crack of the whip and we were
gone, and now for the first time we grasped
each other's hand, and exchanged the most
cordial of greetings.

A rapid drive of an hour and a half through
golden corn-fields and tobacco plantations,
brought us to the piazza of a charming residence
nestled within the bosom of a deep and shady
foliage. Leaping from the buggy, my future
host, with hat in hand, bade me welcome to
his homestead, and, in another moment, I was
addressing my courtesies to the mistress of the
house, who greeted me in the most kindly
manner. With her own fair hands the lady
compounded for me that most marvellous of
Southern drinks, "a mint julep." Plunging
then amidst the blushing strawberries that
bobbed around, I drank deeply, myself and
host pledging each other heartily.

I afterwards found out that all the details
connected with my flight had been arranged
before hand, my stations for rest and refreshment
selected, and my guides appointed. Like to an
infant who has to be consigned by the guard of
one train to the tender offices of the guard of
the next, I was to be delivered over by one kind
friend to another, until I should reach the place
of my destination on the banks of the Potomac.

It could not have been later than six before
I was again on the road, with mine host for
my coachman, and seated behind a pair of fast
trotters, so that we were not long in getting
over the twelve miles which separated me from
my appointed resting-place for the night.
Giving me the reins, my companion alighted,
and taking the planter, my new host, aside,
spoke earnestly to him for a few minutes in low
tones. Presently, with a warm grasp of the
hand and a "God bless you," I bade farewell to
the generous friend who, in assisting me thus
far, had risked certainly imprisonment, and
possibly confiscation of his estate, and the last I
saw of him was as he turned the corner of the
road, waving his adieus.

I soon discovered, when ensconced in the
deep embrasure of a vine-clad window, and
chatting with my new host and his family, that an
air of mystery surrounded me and my mission
south. I was invariably addressed in the most
deferential manner, and every remark that fell
from my lips was eagerly and silently listened
to. At first I felt there was a "starchiness"
in my reception which made me imagine I
might not be welcome; but on second thoughts
it occurred to me that my introducer had
waggishly represented me to be an emissary of the
British Government, instead of a humble
newspaper correspondent. I did not think it