Incidents in the life of a slave girl.: Written by herself. Edited by L. Maria Child.

The Loophole of Retreat.
My uncle had left it sticking there when he made the
trapdoor. I was as rejoiced as Robinson Crusoe could
have been at finding such a treasure. It put a lucky
thought into my head. I said to myself, "Now I will
have some light. Now I will see my children." I did
not dare to begin my work during the daytime, for feai
of attracting attention. But I groped round; and having found the side next the street, where I could frequently see my children, I stuck the gimlet in and
waited for evening. I bored three rows of holes, one
above another; then I bored out the interstices between.
I thus succeeded in making one hole about an inch long
and an inch broad. I sat by it till late into the night,
to enjoy the little whiff of air that floated in. In the
morning I watched for my children. The first person
I saw in the street was Dr. Flint. I had a shuddering,
superstitious feeling that it was a bad omen.' Several
familiar faces passed by. At last I heard the merry
laugh of children, and presently two sweet little faces
were looking up at me, as though they knew I was
there, and were conscious of the joy they imparted.
How I longed to tell them I was there!
My condition was now a little improved. But forweeks
Iwas tormented by hundreds of little red insects, fine as a
needle's point, that pierced through my skin, and produced an intolerable burning. The good grandmother
gave me herb teas and cooling medicines, and finally I
got rid of them. The heat of my denl was intense,
for nothing but thin shingles protected me from the
scorchilng summer's sun. But I had my consolations.
Thirouglh mypeeping-hole I could watch the children, and
wlhen they were near enough, I could hear their talk.
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