He was delighted at meeting Surrey, and Surrey was equally glad to see
once more his old favorite, for Jim and he had been great friends when
he was a little boy and had watched the big boy at work in his father's
foundry,--a favoritism which, spite of years and changes, and wide
distinctions of social position, had never altered nor cooled, and which
showed itself now in many a pleasant shape and fashion so long as they
were near together.
They aided and abetted one another in more ways than one. Jim at
Surrey's request, and by a plan of his proposing, succeeded in getting
Sam's wife away from her home,--not from any liking for the expedition,
or interest in either of the "niggers," as he stoutly asserted, but
solely to please the Colonel. If that, indeed, were his only purpose, he
succeeded to a charm, for when Surrey saw the two reunited, safe from
the awful clutch of slavery, supplied with ample means for the journey
and the settlement thereafter, and on their way to a good Northern home,
he was more than pleased,--he was rejoiced, and said, "Thank God!" with
all his heart, and reverently, as he watched them away.
Before the summer ended Jim was down with what he called "a scratch"; a
pretty ugly wound, the surgeon thought it, and the Colonel remembered
and looked after him with unflagging interest and zeal. Many a book and
paper, many a cooling drink and bit of fruit delicious to the parched
throat and fevered lips, found their way to the little table by his
side.
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