The journey had to be made at night, but
for that I cared nothing, as I had repeatedly gone over the route
by daylight, and thought I knew the road perfectly.
"Midnight found me on the highway, and on the driver's seat of one
of our farm wagons, to which was attached a span of horses moving
in the direction of the north star. That luminary was not on this
occasion visible. The sky was heavily overcast and the night was
very dark. A light rain was falling. With all the confidence I had
in my own ability, more than once would I have lost the way, but
for the sagacity of the horses, which had gone over that route a
number of times under similar circumstances. They acted as if
altogether familiar with it. Those horses proved themselves to be
excellent Abolitionists.
"The inclemency of the night was in one respect a great advantage.
It kept at home those who might incline to be too inquisitive. The
few travelers we met passed on with a word of greeting, while I
whistled unconcernedly.
"Over the bottom of the wagon was scattered some hay that might be
used either as feed for the horses or as a bed for weary
travelers.
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