While this letter clearly brought to light the situation of things, its
author, however, had scarcely begun to conceive of the numberless
difficulties which stood in the way of success before the work could be
accomplished. The information which Mr. Bigelow's letter contained of
the painful situation of this young girl was submitted to different
parties who could be trusted, with a view of finding a person who might
possess sufficient courage to undertake to bring her away. Amongst those
consulted were two or three captains who had on former occasions done
good service in the cause. One of these captains was known in
Underground Rail-Road circles as the "powder boy."[A] He was willing to
undertake the work, and immediately concluded to make a visit to
Washington, to see how the "land lay." Accordingly in company with
another Underground Rail Road captain, he reported himself one day to
Mr. Bigelow with as much assurance as if he were on an errand for an
office under the government. The impression made on Mr. Bigelow's mind
may be seen from the following letter; it may also be seen that he was
fully alive to the necessity of precautionary measures.
[Footnote A: He had been engaged at different times in carrying powder
in his boat from a powder magazine, and from this circumstance, was
familiarly called the "Powder Boy."]