have assumed it would be a relatively easy day's work to grab Ona, put her on a ship, and sail back to Virginia. After all, he knew exactly. where she was.

Burwell went to Ona's house shortly after his arrival. We can imagine this moment. Ona, now about twenty-six, hears a knock on the door. Baby Eliza, now about one year old, would be close by her toddling around on unsteady legs. Jack Staines was away at sea. Ona was used to Jack's travel schedule and was just happy contemplating the day when he was scheduled to return. The knock on the door could have been anyone: a free black friend, a white friend, someone who wanted Ona to watch their child while they left to do an errand.

SoOna opens the door. And then, instead of a friend, she sees her nightmares come to life. Standing in front of her is a man she recognizes from her youth. George and Martha have not given up. They are still after her.

Fear clenches her heart. Instinctively she picks up Eliza and holds her close as she faces Burwell Bassett Jr. for the first time in years. How she wishes that she hadn't answered the door.

Burwell follows the script that George suggested to him before he left Mount Vernon. If Ona voluntarily returns to Virginia, she will not face any punishment for her misdeeds. Burwell does his best not to speak to her harshly, but it would be better, and more truthful, if he did, because Burwell has every