At last, when it was nearly dark, she arrived at a village, on the banks
of the river Ohio. If she could only get across that river, Eliza felt
she would be safe.
She went to a little inn on the bank, where a kind-looking woman was
busy cooking supper.
'Is there a boat that takes people across the river now?' she asked.
'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, that the good
woman was sorry for her. Harry too was so tired, that he began to cry.
[Illustration]
'Here, take him into this room,' said the woman, opening the door into a
small bed-room.
Eliza laid her tired little boy upon the bed, and he soon fell fast
asleep. But for her there was no rest. She stood at the window, 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 a yard or two
behind him.
It was a dreadful moment for Eliza. Her room opened by a side door to
the river. She seized her child and sprang down the steps towards it.
Haley caught sight of her as she disappeared down the bank. Throwing
himself from his horse, and calling loudly to Sam and Andy, he was after
her in a moment.
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