The hounds are baying on my track, Ole master comes behind, Resolved that he will bring me back, Before I cross de line; I'm now embarked for yonder shore, There a man's a man by law; The iron horse will bear me o'er, To shake de lion's paw. Oh, righteous Father, wilt thou not pity me, And aid me on to Canada where all the slaves are free.
Oh, I heard Queen Victoria say, That if we would forsake Our native land of slavery, And come across the lake; That she was standin' on de shore, Wid arms extended wide, To give us all a peaceful home Beyond de rolling tide. Farewell, ole master, etc.
The cars began to cross the bridge. Harriet was very anxious to have her companions see the Falls. William, Peter, and Eliza came eagerly to look at the wonderful sight; but Joe sat still, with his head upon his hand.
"Joe, come look at de Falls! Joe, you fool you, come see de Falls! its your last chance." But Joe sat still and never raised his head. At length Harriet knew by the rise in the center of the bridge, and the descent on the other side, that they had crossed "the line." She sprang across to Joe's seat, shook him with all her might, and shouted, "Joe, you've shook de lion's paw!" Joe did not know what she meant. "Joe, you're _free_!" shouted Harriet. Then Joe's head went up, he raised his hands on high, and his face, streaming with tears, to heaven, and broke out in loud and thrilling tones:
"Glory to God and Jesus too, One more soul is safe! Oh, go and carry de news, One more soul got safe."
"Joe, come and look at de Falls!" called Harriet.
"Glory to God and Jesus too, One more soul got safe."
was all the answer. The cars stopped on the other side. Joe's feet were the first to touch British soil, after those of the conductor.
Loud roared the waters of Niagara, but louder still ascended the anthem of praise from the overflowing heart of the freeman. And can we doubt that the strain was taken up by angel voices, and that through the arches of Heaven echoed and re-echoed the strain:
Glory to God in the Highest, Glory to God and Jesus too, One more soul is safe.
"The ladies and gentlemen gathered round him," said Harriet, "till I couldn't see Joe for the crowd, only I heard 'Glory to God and Jesus too!' louder than ever." William went after him, and pulled him, saying, "Joe, stop your noise! you act like a fool!' Then Peter ran in and jerked him mos' off his feet,--"Joe, stop your hollerin'! Folks'll think you're crazy!" But Joe gave no heed. The ladies were crying, and the tears like rain ran down Joe's sable cheeks. A lady reached over her fine cambric handkerchief to him. Joe wiped his face, and then he spoke.