About three miles farther on we discovered two horses saddled,
standing tied in the wood near the road, which, we soon discovered,
were the same upon which the men rode who had overtaken us before
we reached Rockville. We knew them by the pieces of buffalo skin on
their saddles. Their riders had evidently left them and concealed
themselves near by, to watch the road, thinking we should leave our
hiding places after dark, and resume our journey.
Upon making this discovery we entered a rye field, through which we
passed, still keeping the road in sight. Thus we went on for two or
three hours, through fields, bushes and swamps, until worn out with
fatigue and hunger, we were forced to lie down to rest. Here we soon
fell asleep, and did not awake until daylight. It was now Sunday.
After praying we resumed our journey, taking the road.
Uncertain ourselves whether we were in the right or wrong way, we
could only trust to the guidance of the Great Pilot as we travelled
onward, and when we were hungry we prayed for spiritual food, which
seemed to strengthen and fill us.
We now saw a colored man sitting upon the fence, about a mile from
us, whom we approached, when he immediately accosted us in these
words: “Good morning, my friends, I have been sitting here for about
an hour, unable to move with all the effort I could make, when I
ought to have been at home, (as I am a coachman,) preparing my
horses and carriage to take the people to church. I now feel why I
have been thus forced against my will to remain here; it is that
I may help you. And now tell me what I can do for you, for as God
liveth I will do it if possible.”
We told him that we had been travelling since Friday, without any
food, and were now nearly famishing. Pointing to a farmer’s house, he
said, “Go there and inquire for my wife; tell her I sent you that she
might give you something to eat. She is the cook for the farm.”
We thanked him, and started to follow his directions. Upon reaching
the house, we saw the overseer standing in the yard, who scrutinized
us very closely and suspiciously. Nevertheless we inquired for the
cook, who soon made her appearance, when we did our errand; and
although she quickly answered, “I don’t see why he should send you
here, for I have nothing for you to eat, and he knows it;” still,
we could see that we had awakened her sympathy, and that she only
answered thus indifferently because of the overseer.
He, however, told her to give us some breakfast; upon which she
took us into the kitchen, while he started instantly to get help to
take us. The cook suspected as much, and told us so, and the slaves
immediately concealed us very carefully. Soon the overseer returned
with his help, and inquired for us, when the slaves told him that we
went away soon after he did. He inquired in what direction, and when
they had told him, he started off in hot haste in pursuit.
The slaves expressed great astonishment that we had come so far
without getting taken up, but told us to keep still, and they
would take care of us. At night a free colored man took us through
unfrequented paths, to escape the vigilance of the overseer, until we
reached Fredericktown, when he said he could go no further, as, if we
were taken and he found in our company, it would ruin him. Moreover,
he was fearful we could not get through the town, as no colored man
was allowed to pass through after nightfall. Therefore, to avoid
creating suspicion and being arrested, we decided to part company for
the present, I to go through the town on one side, and my companion
on the other.
Before parting from our kind conductor, we knelt down and besought
God to conduct us on our way, and shield us from all harm; and again
we made a mutual promise, to place all our trust in divine strength.
We saw many people as we passed through the town, none of whom
noticed us, until we were about to leave it, when we perceived a
large and noisy crowd, apparently intoxicated, coming towards us.
We left the road until they had passed, when we again resumed our
journey together. We soon came to a fork in the roads, when, not
knowing which to take, we pulled down a guideboard and ascertained;
after which we went on until daybreak, when we took shelter in the
woods during the day on Monday.
The following night we travelled without interruption, and on Tuesday
lay all day concealed in a rye field. We travelled Tuesday night
until within five miles of Baltimore, when we missed our way. Here
again we had an instance of God’s care for us, for had the night
been one hour longer, we should probably have reached Baltimore, and
been taken.
But, early in the morning we met a colored man, who, as we hesitated
to answer him when he asked where we were going, said we need not
fear him, as he was friendly, and would not hurt a hair of our heads.
Thus assured we revealed to him our secret, when he exclaimed, “My
friends, you are running directly to destruction! That is the road to
Baltimore, which is but five miles distant, where you will certainly
fall into the hands of your enemies, who are on the sharp lookout for
all such chances, therefore you had best take a different route.”
We were truly alarmed, for day now broke suddenly and unexpectedly
upon us, from a hitherto dark and cloudy sky. We knew not what to do,
as there was no forest large enough in sight, in which to conceal
ourselves, so we besought our new friend to direct us, which he did
by pointing out to us a poor, dismal looking old frame in a small
wood, occupied by a free colored man.
Thither we went, and were kindly received by the man’s family, who
gave us food, of which we were in great need. My feet and ankles
were so much swollen, that we found it necessary to remain here
two days, about which we felt many misgivings since the man was
often intoxicated, when he was very communicative, and I feared he
might unintentionally, if in no other way, betray us, for I knew no
dependence could be placed on a drunken man.
Friday night we started again, the man having told us what route to
take; and that when we reached the Susquehanna, we should have no
other means of crossing but to steal a boat for that purpose. The
next day as we lay concealed near the road, under the bushes, we
could hear the people converse as they passed.
We finally concluded not to go on this way any farther, as the chance
of stealing a boat was a very hazardous one, but to return to the
place from whence we last started, and see if we could not obtain
some better instructions. On our way back, we passed a house from
which a man hailed us with, “Hallo, boys, where are you going? stop
awhile.” I said we were going home, and had no time to stop. This was
about midnight.
As we heard him call his dogs, we left the road and went through
the wheat fields to the woods, where we soon heard him pass at full
speed, with his dogs. We hastened to our friend’s house, but he
advised us not to lose a moment in making our way off, as they would
most likely come to search his house, knowing him to be a free man.
He directed us by another route, which was a very dangerous one,
being watched constantly to the borders of Pennsylvania; but told
us to go to another free colored man, six miles distant, who could
perhaps direct us better.
He cautioned us about passing a house, which he carefully described
to us, in which lived a negro buyer, who watched to catch runaways.
But, notwithstanding his caution, we unluckily found ourselves almost
at the door of his house, before we were aware of it. We however
passed it unperceived.
Early next morning we arrived at the house to which we had been
directed, and called up the owner. As soon as I heard him speak, I
knew him to be a man of God, for his words betrayed him. He called
his wife to come quickly and prepare food, for two wayworn and hungry
travellers, which she hastened to do. Now, who told this man of our
necessities? for we had not. But never refuse to entertain strangers,
for some have thus entertained angels unawares.
When the table was spread ready for breakfast, the old man
approaching the throne of grace, with eyes uplifted towards heaven,
repeated the following hymn, which the whole family joined in
singing:—
“And are we yet alive?
See we each other’s face?
Glory and praise to Jesus give,
For his redeeming grace.
Preserved by power divine,
To full salvation here;
Again in Jesus’ praise we join,
And in his sight appear.
What troubles have we seen,
What conflicts have we passed?
Dangers without and fears within?
Since we assembled last.
But out of all the Lord
Hath brought us by his love;
And still he doth his help afford,
And hides our lives above.”
While they were singing, the mighty power of God filled my frame like
electricity, so that whereas I had before been hungry and weak, I now
felt the strength of a giant; I could no longer restrain my feelings.
This was Sunday morning, and the family started soon after breakfast
for the Methodist church, which was three miles distant, taking my
friend and leaving me locked up in the house, for my limbs were so
swollen that it was deemed advisable that I should rest during the
day. Four others accompanied them on their return, towards one of
whom my heart leaped for joy as soon as I saw him, for I felt that
he was a servant of the Most High. He instantly grasped my hand,
saying, “Have you faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?” I answered in the
affirmative, when he continued, “Well, God has brought you thus far,
and he will conduct you safely to the land of freedom.”
After dinner and a round of prayers, we started on our way, these
friends accompanying us. We were supposed to be some of their
neighbors, whom, having been with them to church, they were
accompanying homeward. They continued with us until dark, taking us
through fields and by-paths. When they left us, they said we were
within two nights’ travel of the Pennsylvania line, but cautioned us
against one dangerous place, which having passed, we should probably
have little more to fear.
This was a large two storied white house standing near the road,
about two rods from which stood a barn thatched with rye straw. The
owner’s business was to catch slaves, for which purpose he kept
well trained dogs, who having once got on our track, would follow
for miles, and the master would shoot us if we did not surrender,
therefore we should be careful to avoid this place, in particular.
Our friends left us, and we went on, but before we knew it we had
passed the barn, and were near the house. As soon as we perceived our
mistake, we took to the fields. Everything was still about the house,
until I, in attempting to get over a fence, broke down, when I made
so much noise as to rouse the dogs, which presently began to bark.
This brought out the master, who tried to urge them on, but, strange
to say, though they ran to and fro, they could not strike our trail.
We did not venture into the public road again that night. The next
day we lay by, and at eight o’clock in the evening again started,
hoping to reach port before morning.
Our friends had told us, that when we reached the Baltimore turnpike,
leading into Pennsylvania, that we were then over the line. About
three o’clock in the morning we came to a shanty, on the edge of a
wood, so small and mean that I thought no person inhabiting it would
have the courage to attempt our arrest. My friend objected to going
to the house, but I wanted to inquire the way, having got somewhat
bewildered. So I went and knocked at the door, until a surly voice
called out, “Who’s there?” “A friend,” I answered. “What does the
friend want?” he inquired. “To know if he is on the direct road to
the Baltimore turnpike, and how far it is there,” I said. “Yes, go
on, it is about half a mile,” he said, in a voice which plainly
denoted that he did not wish to be disturbed by night rovers, though
a price of three hundred dollars was on the head of the one then at
his door.
We pursued our course, and shortly came to the much desired turnpike,
when we clasped glad hands, and went on the next mile or two,
rejoicing and praising God for this deliverance. We now imagined
ourselves out of danger, but were mistaken, for after passing York
we came to a village called Berlin, where we were attacked by a
Dutchman, who came running out of a carpenter’s shop and grasped me
by the shoulder, at the same time muttering over some lingo, wholly
incomprehensible to me.
But I looked at him so furiously, at the same time thrusting my hand
into my pocket, as if after some weapon of defence, that he became
so frightened as to loose his grasp, and run backwards as if his
life was in danger. I followed him to the great amusement of the
by-standers, who were looking on to see him take me.
I supposed my companion was close by, but when I turned round I saw
him about six rods distant, walking off at a rapid speed, and leaving
me to do the best I could alone. This cowardice somewhat enraged me,
but when I overtook him he so excused himself that I forgave him,
knowing that his spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak.