Letters of Lydia Maria Child, with a biographical introduction by John G. Whittier and an appendix by Wendell Phillips.

158 LETTERS.
They returned much worked up about slavery. The
young man told Dr. F. that he one day met a rude,
rough man, a corporal, crying right out, blubbering
like a school-boy. When asked what was the matter,
he replied, 1" They've just sent a poor fellow back
into slavery. I didn't leave may home to do such
work as this, and I won't do it. I come here to fight
for the country and the flag, not to hunt slaves; and
if the colonel orders any more such work, I'm afraid
I shall shoot him."
Another who was ordered on picket-duty, of course
at unusual risk of his life, was told that while he
was sentinel, if any slave attempted to pass the lines,
he must turn him back. He replied, "That is an
order I will not obey." Being reminded of his duty
to obey orders, he replied, " I know the penalty I incur, and am ready to submit to it, but I did not enlist to do such work and I will not do it." The
officers, being awvare that his feeling would easily become contagious, modified the order thus: "'If anybody tries to pass, ascertain that all's right before
you allowthem to pass." That night the moon shone
brightly, and the sentinel on duty saw a moving in
the bushes before him. " Who goes there? Answer quickly! " Up rose a tall ebony man. "; Who
are you?" " A fugitive." " Are you all right?"
"Yes, massa." " Then run quick."
Another time, a lordly Virginian rode up to the
United States lines with a pass to the other side.
He curled his lip contemptuously when a United
States sentinel barred the course of his stylish chariot.
"Where's your pass? " The Virginian, scorning to
acknowledge authority from a " greasy mechanic " of
the North, did not deign to make any reply, but