Finally, I did get across. Late one night me and my wife went. I
had gone back to the plantation to get her. Mr. Rankins had him a
bell by this time, along with the light. We were rowin and rowin.
We could see the light and hear that bell, but it seemed we
weren't getting any closer. It took forever, it seemed. That was
because we were so scared and it was so dark and we knew we
could get caught and never get gone.
Well, we did get there. We pulled up there and went on to
freedom. It was only a few months before all the slaves was
freed
We didn't stay on at Ripley. We went on to Detroit because
wasn't takin any chances. I have children and grandchildren now.
Well, you know, the bigger ones don't care so much to hear about
those times. But the little ones, well, they never get tired of hearin
how their grandpa brought emancipation to loads of slaves he
could touch and feel in the dark but never ever see.
Why does the narrator feel as though he is
rowing for a long time?
The river is wider than usual.
The bell is broken.
The wind is blowing against him.
He is scared, and it is dark