"I don't know, sir. After the whipping I got, I determined to run away; and I say now I would rather die than go back," replied he.
"Didn't I use you well?" asked the colonel.
"As well as any master can use a slave."
"I was rather sorry afterwards that I whipped you; but you were treated as well as the members of my own family; and so was Lily."
"But I was a slave, and so was she. Master Archy tormented me, and Miss Edith tormented Lily. I could have borne it, perhaps, if I hadn't been whipped."
"You have your revenge now," added the planter, meekly. "I am in your power."
"I don't seek revenge, and I wouldn't harm you for all the world," replied Dan.
The proud spirit of the planter was subdued by pain, weakness, and the fear of death, and he was in no condition to think of resistance. He offered to give the fugitives free papers if they would land him at any place where there was a surgeon, and from which he could be removed to Redlawn; but Dan dared not run any risks. The planter wanted to know where they were going, but the prudent skipper declined to answer this question.
The Isabel remained at anchor for three days, under the lea of the land, during which time Colonel Raybone was carefully nursed by Dan and Lily; but his wound was still very painful, and the patient, fearful of mortification, or some other unfavorable turn in his condition, declared himself willing to do any thing rather than remain any longer in this place.
"I might put you on board of some vessel if I dared to do so," said Dan.