This "piece of property" fled in the fall of 1853. As a specimen of this
article of commerce, he evinced considerable intelligence. He was a man
of dark color, although not totally free from the admixture of the
"superior" southern blood in his veins; in stature, he was only
ordinary. For leaving, he gave the following reasons: "I found that I
was working for my master, for his advantage, and when I was sick, I had
to pay just as much as if I were well--$7 a month. But my master was
cross, and said that he intended to sell me--to do better by me another
year. Times grew worse and worse, constantly. I thought, as I had heard,
that if I could raise thirty dollars I could come away." He at once saw
the value of money. To his mind it meant liberty from that moment.
Thenceforth he decided to treasure up every dollar he could get hold of
until he could accumulate at least enough to get out of "Old Virginia."
He was a married man, and thought he had a wife and one child, but on
reflection, he found out that they did not actually belong to him, but
to a carpenter, by the name of Bailey. The man whom Samuel was compelled
to call master was named Hoyle.
The Committee's interview with Samuel was quite satisfactory, and they
cheerfully accorded to him brotherly kindness and material aid at the
same time.
* * * * *