Dat  oder  part  of  your  remark,  I  mean."

"  Oh !  I  meant  to  inform  you,  that  I  wished  to  know
immediately  the  result  of  our  consultation."

The  slave  bowed  his  assent,  and  climbing  the  fence,
jumped  into  the  road,  and,  with  a  quick  but  light  step,
went  in  the  direction  of  Jim's  quarters.
Mr.  Bates,  to  avoid  suspicion,  extended  his  walk
across  the  meadow  to  the  river.  lie  had  misgivings
about  succeeding  with  his  plan  of  emancipation.
Uncle  Tom,  doubtless,  was  both  willing  and  anxious
to  go  North.  But  he  bad  great  affection  for  his  wife
and  children ;  and  unless  some  expedient  was  adopted
to  take  them  along  also,  the  schoolmaster  almost  de-
spaired of  prevailing  upon  him  'to  go  without  tk^\SL«


204  LIFE  AT  THE  SOUTH;  OB

to

Hence  the  desire  manifested,  to  have  the  slaye  make
another  effort  to  gain  over  Dinah.  He  followed*  the
bank  of  the  riv<er  as  far  as  the  elms,  musing  upon  a
variety  of  projects  to  compass  her  in 'his  toils.  His
mind  settled  upon  none ;  and  fearful  that  his  absence
from  the  mansion  might  occasion  remark,  he  directed
his  course  directly  across  the  field,  and  upon  reaching
the  highway,  unexpectedly  met  Uncle  Tom.
