Sallie Russell 133 



sent out to scour the country, but returned at sun- 

 down without any traces of the fugitive. 



The escaped prisoner was Ashley. He was free. 

 He had recovered his health, and a portion of his 

 strength also. He realized fully the perils about 

 him, but he was brave and hopeful. He had no 

 money, no compass, and no food. Money he could 

 not have used were it in his possession. The North 

 Star, the moss upon the north side of the trees, and 

 the flight of birds, took the place of the compass ; 

 and his conscience did not smite him if he helped 

 himself to enough food to sustain life. And so he 

 travelled night after night, while during the day he 

 remained under cover. He kept aloof from every- 

 one, even the negroes. He knew their nature, and 

 felt that in most cases he would be safe in trusting 

 them ; but he preferred to take no risks, and so 

 travelled and foraged for himself. It was a weary 

 journey. At times fatigue discouraged him, and then 

 again he was hopeful. The latter feeling usually 

 came after he had enjoyed a good meal cooked by 

 himself in the woods. But provisions grew scarce, 

 and at last he was obliged to go several days almost 



