then just carry down the paper to jail, get Reub out, and across the
York State line, and send back word to Stockbridge where to find the
deacon."

"But what'll we dew, ourselves?"

"Of course we shall have to stay in York. Why shouldn't we? There's no
chance for a poor man here. The chances are that we should both be in
jail for debt before spring."

"But what be I a goin to dew with my little Bijah? He's all I've got,
but I can't leave him."

"My father and mother will take care of him, and bring him with em to
York State, for I'm goin to get them right over there as soon as
they're sold out. There's a chance for poor folks west; there's no
chance here."

"Perez, thar's my fist. By gosh I'm with ye."

"Abner, it's a risky business, and you haven't got the call I've got,
being as Reub isn't your brother. I'm asking a good deal of you Abner."

"Don' ye say nothin more baout it," said Abner, violently shaking the
hand he still held, while he reassuringly clapped Perez on the back.
"Dew ye rekullec that time tew Stillwater, when ye pulled them tew
Britishers orfer me? Fer common doin's I don' callate ez two fellers
is more'n my fair share in a scrimmage, but ye see my arm wuz busted,
an if ye hadn't come along jess wen ye did, I callate the buryin squad
would a cussed some on caount of my size, that evenin.