I'm going to be sold to somebody. I don't know who.'
'My papa can buy you, said Eva quickly. 'If he buys you you will have
good times. I mean to ask him to, this very day.'
'Thank you, my little lady,' said Tom.
Just at this moment, the boat stopped at a small landing-place to take
in some wood. Eva heard her father's voice, and ran away to speak to
him.
Tom too rose and walked to the side. He was allowed to go about now
without chains. He was so good and gentle, that even a man like Haley
could not help seeing that it could do no harm to let him go free.
Tom helped the sailors to carry the wood on the boat. He was so big and
strong that they were very glad to have his help.
[Illustration]
Eva and her father were standing by the railings as the boat once more
began to move. It had hardly left the landing-stage when, some how or
other, Eva lost her balance. She fell right over the side of the boat
into the water.
Tom was standing just under her, on the lower deck, as she fell. In one
moment he sprang after her. The next he had caught her his arms, and was
swimming with her to the boat-side, where eager hands were held out to
take her.
The whole boat was in confusion. Every one ran to help Eva, while the
poor slave went back to his place, unnoticed and uncared for.
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