'Oh, ma'am,' she
went, on turning wildly to the lady of the house, 'do protect us, don't
let them get him.'
'Nobody shall hurt you here, poor woman,' said the lady. 'You are safe;
don't be afraid.'
'God bless you,' said Eliza, covering her face and sobbing, while Harry,
seeing her crying, tried to get into her lap to comfort her.
'You needn't be afraid of anything; we are friends here, poor woman.
Tell me where you come from and what you want,' said the lady.
'I came from the other side of the river,' said Eliza.
'When?' said the gentleman, very much astonished.
'To-night.'
'How did you come?'
'I crossed on the ice.'
'Crossed on the ice!' exclaimed every one.
'Yes,' said Eliza slowly, 'I did. God helped me, and I crossed on the
ice. They were close behind me--right behind, and there was no other
way.'
'Law, missis,' said the old servant, 'the ice is all in broken up
blocks, a-swinging up and down in the water.'
'I know it is. I know it,' said Eliza wildly. 'But I did it. I would'nt
have thought I could--I didn't think I could get over, but I didn't
care. I could but die if I didn't. And God helped me.'
'Were you a slave?' said the gentleman.
'Yes, sir.'
'Was your master unkind to you?'
'No, sir.'
'Was your mistress unkind to you?'
'No, sir--no.
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