Silas Long and Solomon Light. Silas and Solomon both left together from
Cambridge, Md.
Silas was quite black, spare-built and about twenty-seven years of age.
He was owned by Sheriff Robert Bell, a man about "sixty years of age,
and had his name up to be the hardest man in the county." "The Sheriff's
wife was about pretty much such a woman as he was a man--there was not a
pin's point of difference between them." The fear of having to be sold
caused this Silas to seek the Underground Rail Road. Leaving his mother,
one brother and one cousin, and providing himself with a Bowie-knife and
a few dollars in money, he resolved to reach Canada, "or die on the
way." Of course, when slaves reached this desperate point, the way to
Canada was generally found.
Solomon was about twenty-three years of age, a good-natured-looking
"article," who also left Cambridge, and the protection of a certain
Willis Branick, described as an "unaccountable mean man." "He never gave
me any money in his life," said Sol., "but spent it pretty freely for
liquor." "He would not allow enough to eat, or clothing sufficient." And
he sold Sol.'s brother the year before he fled, "because he could not
whip him." The fear of being sold prompted Sol. to flee. The very day he
escaped he had a serious combat with two of his master's sons. The thumb
of one of them being "badly bit," and the other used roughly--the ire of
the master and sons was raised to a very high degree--and the verdict
went forth that "Sol. should be sold to-morrow." Unhesitatingly, he
started for the Underground Rail Road and Canada--and his efforts were
not in vain. Damages, $1,500.
* * * * *
"THE MOTHER OF TWELVE CHILDREN."