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Cincinnati, Ohio, August 17th, 1859

Cato Jackson arrived in Cincinnati at dusk. He had only a pack slung over his back, the unassuming if fairly new clothes he was wearing, and a wad of cash he had hidden in the safest place he could think of - his boots.
He surveyed the scene along the Ohio river, witnessing a large American city for the first time. Kentucky was across the river - the first time he'd been this close to a slave state. This run would be the most difficult yet. But the situation was getting dire, and it remained unclear how the Americans would deal with the "institution", as they called it, in the coming years. Cato had pledged his life to give all the assistance he could to the cause. If that meant putting himself in spitting distance of slaveholders, so be it.
He walked curiously along the streets until he spied the address he was looking for. He promptly walked across the road to a park, and sat down by a tree. He slung his pack over his shoulder, and pulled the brim of his hat down over his face, in a such a manner that a familiar hole allowed him to retain his vision. It had been a long day however, and he let himself fall asleep against his better judgment.
He was brusquely awoken.
Startled, he spun around and backed away as he got up - and readied himself in defensive position. He stared at his adversary, dressed in a smart brown three-piece suit.
The man in the suit was African, too, Cato noticed as his eyes adjusted. This could be it.
The man in the suit spoke.
"Do you know Mister Ayab?"
Cato slowly nodded, maintaining his positioning.
"I do. And I also know mister Abai."
"Excellent!" The man in the suit stretched out his hand. "Ha Iwe".
Cato grasped his hand. "Ha Iwe".
They embraced with hands still held.
"I'm called Django." Said the man in the suit.
"I'm Cudjoe." Cato responded.
"Come, Cudjoe, I'll take you to meet the family. The children are excited to meet you. They've never met a black Canadian before."
"I hope I dont disappoint."
They laughed as they turned and headed toward town.