CHAP. III.--Master Archy receives an Unlucky Blow 31 CHAP. IV.--Dandy determines to "watch and wait." 41 CHAP. V.--The Tragedy at the "Dead Oak." 51 CHAP. VI.--A Vision of the Promised Land 62 CHAP. VII.--The Isabel is prepared for a Cruise 73 CHAP. VIII.--The Departure of the Young Fugitives 84 CHAP. IX.--The Fugitives reach Lake Chicot 95 CHAP. X.--Breakfast on board the Isabel 107 CHAP. XI.--The Bay of the Bloodhounds 117 CHAP. XII.--Quin, the Runaway 128 CHAP. XIII.--The Night Chase on the Lake 139 CHAP. XIV.--The Battle for Freedom 152 CHAP. XV.--The Fate of the Slave-Hunters 164 CHAP. XVI.--In the Swamp 176 CHAP. XVII.--Cyd has a Bad Fit 187 CHAP. XVIII.--The Affray on the Lake 199 CHAP. XIX.--Lily on the Watch 211 CHAP. XX.--Preparing for the Voyage 220 CHAP. XXI.--Down the Lake 229 CHAP. XXII.--The Isabel runs the Gantlet 241 CHAP. XXIII.--Colonel Raybone changes his Tone 252 CHAP. XXIV.--The Young Fugitives make a Harbor 264 WATCH AND WAIT. WATCH AND WAIT; OR, THE YOUNG FUGITIVES. CHAPTER I. THE PLANTATION OF REDLAWN. One soft summer evening, when Woodville was crowned with the glory and beauty of the joyous season, three strangers presented themselves before the Grant family, and asked for counsel and assistance. The party consisted of two boys and a girl, and they belonged to that people which the traditions of the past have made the "despised race;" but the girl was whiter and fairer than many a proud belle who would have scorned her in any other capacity than that of a servant; and one of the boys was very nearly white, while the other was as black as ebony undefiled. They were fugitives and wanderers from the far south-west; and the story which they told to Mr. Grant and his happy family will form the substance of this volume. * * * * * The plantation of Colonel Baylie Raybone was situated on one of the numerous bayous which form a complete network of water communications in the western part of the parish of Iberville, in the State of Louisiana. The "colonel," whose military title was only a courtesy accorded to his distinguished position, was a man of immense possessions, and consequently of large influence. His acres and his negroes were numbered by thousands, and he was largely engaged in growing sugar and rice. The estate on which he resided went by the name of Redlawn. His mansion was palatial in its dimensions, and was furnished in a style of regal magnificence.