"More than a man's life would be worth to venture, ma'am. The ceiling of that burning room is on fire; it may fall in any minute, carrying the floor of the upper room with it!"
"Oh, Grainger! but the poor, poor lads! to perish so horribly in their early youth!"
"It's dreadful, ma'am; but it can't be helped! It's as much as certain death to any man as goes into that part of the building!"
"Grainger! Grainger! I cannot abandon these poor boys to their fate! Think of their mother! Grainger, I will give any man his freedom who will rescue those two boys! It is said men will risk their lives for that. Get up on the ladder where you can be seen and heard and proclaim this—shout it forth: 'Freedom to any slave who will save the Burghe boys!'"
The overseer climbed up the ladder, and after calling the attention of the whole mob by three loud whoops and waiting a moment until quiet was restored, he shouted:
"Freedom to any slave who will save the Burghe boys from the burning building!"
He paused and waited a response; but the silenqe was unbroken.
"They won't risk it, ma'am; life is sweet," said the overseer, coming down from his post.
"I cannot give them up, Grainger! I cannot for their poor mother's sake! Go up once more! Shout forth that I offer liberty to any slave with his wife and children—if he will save those boys!" said Mrs. Middleton.
Once more the overseer mounted his post and thundered forth the proclamation: