If the former he could protect Cato from its repetition by guarding him in the office until he could be conveyed to a place of safety; if the latter, he must at once collect the negroes at their quarters, and take Cato with him.

He resolved upon the latter course.

The quarters were half a mile from the Dows' dwelling--which was two miles away.
He sat down and wrote a few lines to Miss Dows stating that, in view of some threatened disturbances in the town, he thought it advisable to keep the negroes in their quarters, whither he was himself going.

He sent her his housekeeper and the child, as they had both better remain in a place of security until he returned to town.

He gave the note to Zoe, bidding her hasten by the back garden across the fields.