"We must go north," said he at last. "There people are better than they are here. They do not want the Negroes to be slaves. We must run away there."
"I don't know the way," complained Benjamin.
"I will lead you. Morning and night, when everybody is asleep, we will go."
| And so it happened. The moon was a small white sickle in the sky, the great trees tossed wierd, black shadows on the earth, all was deathly quiet only once in a while the leaves rustled | 
|
sleepily. Benjamin and the dog ran softly on their tiptoes, out of the hut, and went toward the great river. All night they wandered along the side of the river, and when morning came the dog looked for a safe hiding place, for the short legs of little Benjamin had not carried him very far, and there was still the danger that the servants of the rich man might trace him. |
While the dog was running restlessly back and forth to find a safe place, Benjamin sat on the bank of the river, letting his tired, burning feet hang in the water. Suddenly he was dreadfully frightened and drew his feet back hastily. A large pointed head thrust itself thru the water, a gigantic mouth opened, showing two rows of dreadful teeth, and a deep voice growled, "A fine morsel, just right for breakfast."
Benjamin screamed aloud and the dog came running quickly to him. Tho he was himself a little frightened, he whispered to Benjamin, "That is an alligator. Step back and let me speak to him."
