Caught, Tried, and Taken Back Home to James Wilson--My Mistress Saves me
from Being Whipped--I go to the Railroad and Work one Month
Precisely--Go Back Home--Wilson Surprised--Left the Railroad at 3
o'clock A.M.--Did not Want to Disturb Leadbitter's rest--Sent to Memphis
with a Load of Cotton--Afraid of the Slave-pens and Slave-auction--Start
for Home--Not Sold--Pray, Sing, and Shout--Get Home and Ordered to Hire
myself out.
The peculiar feelings one has who is a "runaway" are indescribable. I
felt every bit an outcast, and was frightened by the least noise or the
sight of any person, and the yelp of a hound was terror to me. I skulked
and hid in the woods all day until night, when I concluded to go to
town, get something to eat, and make my arrangements for the future.
When the "hoy," who was sent by Wilson with me, returned and repeated to
him my words, vengeance was sworn against me, and the hounds were turned
loose for immediate chase. I went to the town of Pontotoc, and while
there refreshing myself in a cabin I heard hounds whining. That was
sufficient to inform me that I was trapped. What to do I did not know,
but went to the door with the intention of making my escape, if
possible, when I was met by James Wilson and five other persons fully
armed. Resistance was useless, the hounds would have caught me before I
could have run a hundred yards, even if I could have escaped the
bullets. I surrendered, and was securely tied by James Wilson and his
gang and taken back to the plantation. Dire threats were made against
me, but my mistress, James' mother, saved me again. She informed her son
that "Charles belonged to her; that Charles' mother had placed him,
under the care of God, in her custody, and that she did not intend to
have him beaten."
James insisted on "breaking" me, as he termed it, and finally prevailed
on his mother, with promises, that if she would let him deal with me he
would "break" me without whipping me. She consented. James came to the
cabin where I was tied and chained, and told me that he did not desire
to whip me, but that if I did not go to the railroad to work every slave
on the plantation would become demoralized, and they would all do as
they pleased. His words and manner were very kind and conciliatory, yet
I took them for what they were worth, and did not believe him; for he
would have whipped me severely if he had dared do so. His reasoning
regarding the poor, ignorant slaves on the plantation, however, was to
the point. In their ignorance they would suppose that if I could do as I
pleased and not be punished, they could do the same; and they would, in
all probability, create an insurrection which would result in their own
destruction. For their sakes I acceded to James' wishes. He told me that
if I would go to the railroad and work for Leadbitter one month, that I
might after that time hire myself out to whom I pleased and for as long
a time as I pleased.
I was given a letter to Leadbitter, and immediately started on foot for
the railroad. When I arrived there I handed the letter to Mr.
Leadbitter, who asked me how long I had come to stay with him. I told
him one month. He broke the letter open, and after reading it informed
me that James Wilson stated in the letter that I was to stay as long as
he wanted me. This was a piece of intelligence that learned me that
James Wilson would lie, and from that time forward I had no confidence
in his truthfulness. I did not know what was best to do, but finally
made up my mind to fulfill and make good my promise, and trust to the
future to compel James Wilson to perform his. I thought this the right
course. I did not deem that I would be justified in breaking my promise
because Wilson was unreliable and broke his. I concluded that if
Leadbitter kept me longer than one month he would have to be smarter
than I gave him credit for being. I asked Leadbitter how many days there
were in that month.
I went to work, and kept account of the days. I worked carefully. The
time passed slowly and wearily. My associations were of the worst
character possible, and my co-laborers were of that lowest class of
southern blacks whose ignorance and waywardness render them most of the
time more than brutal. I made every effort to do good among them, and
endeavored to preach to them on several occasions, but was interrupted
and deterred by the whites, who forbade my preaching. I talked to the
blacks, however, whenever opportunity occurred, and I hope that my
labors for Jesus were not in vain.
The last day of my month came and passed. It was Friday. On Saturday
morning, about three o'clock, I started for home, and with rapid walking
I reached my destination about two hours after sunrise. When I reached
the plantation I "cut across lots," and passed through the field where
Wilson was at work with the hands. I approached, unobserved by him, and
spoke to him. He looked at me with astonishment, and in surprise asked,
"What are you doing here?"
"You told me to stay one month; I done so," I answered.
"Did Mr. Leadbitter know when you left?"
"I do not know, sir," I replied. "I left at three o'clock this morning,
and did not think it worth while to disturb Mr. Leadbitter's rest."
"Three o'clock!" exclaimed Wilson.
"Yes, sir," I quietly answered.
"You ran away, did you?"
"No, sir, I did not run away. I stayed as long as you required me to
stay, when, in obedience to your expressed promises, I came home."
James Wilson made some remark I could not understand, but finally said
that as I had come home he had some work for me to do before I could
hire myself out. I felt somewhat easy in my mind, and waited to be set
to work. But when he afterwards told me he wanted me to take a load of
cotton to Memphis, my heart misgave me, I felt sure, in my mind, that I
was to be sold from the slave-pens at Memphis. The grand trial time had
now come for me, and the teachings of my mother and uncle Ben and uncle
Jack before and at our final separation came to me in full force. They
taught me, before I could read for myself, that in trouble I should rely
implicitly on the help of my Savior, and that I should pray without
ceasing. To God I immediately turned for guidance and help, and asked
that my every step might be directed by him, and that he should protect
me from my enemies and persecutors.
I felt that I was being persecuted for Jesus' sake, for I was promised,
time and again, that if I would quit preaching and talking to the slaves
on religious subjects, I should be advanced and my life made easy and
comfortable. I refused the offers, because my Master's work was of more
importance than my ease. I was impressed, deeply, with the great
responsibilities resting upon me, and was determined to preach and teach
while I had strength and opportunity to do so. I may have been mistaken
with regard to the cause of my persecution by the Wilsons, but I think
not. I do not really believe that any one is persecuted for Christ's
sake in this day and age of the world, in a Christian country, except in
the South before the rebellion. I have heard men, and, I am almost
ashamed to say, preachers, proclaim that they were persecuted because of
their adherence to the cause of Christ, when they were not persecuted
at all on any account, except probably on account of some wrong act of
their own. Paul and the apostles were persecuted, and early Christians
were persecuted, but who ever heard of a citizen of the United States
being persecuted because he was a follower of Jesus! But slaves in the
South were persecuted and punished severely for preaching the gospel of
Christ, not on that very account probably, but because it would teach
the slaves obedience to a higher power than the inhuman laws of the
southern states as they then existed. Paul was persecuted for preaching
the redemption of mankind through the blood of the Savior, by pagans and
gentiles. I was persecuted for the same reasons by the slave-owners of
the South, and for endeavoring to lead the benighted blacks to Jesus.
There seems to be some likeness in the positions of Paul and myself. I
felt that was the case, at any rate.
My mind was distressed with the fear that I was being sent to Memphis
only to be sold to the highest bidder. After addressing the throne of
God for help and deliverance I felt relieved, and determined that, come
what would, I would use my best talents and exertions for my heavenly
Master wherever I might be. Relieved, I set about making preparations
for my trip to Memphis, with a prayerful heart. Two of us were going in
company, each with a load of cotton. We started on Monday morning, and
traveled along without unusual trouble or delay for three days over
hilly and rough roads, when we camped for the night within a mile of
Holly Springs, in Mississippi, and about fifty-five miles from home.
It will be remembered that uncle Ben was sold by Wilson to a man who
lived in and near Holly Springs. I was anxious to see uncle Ben, if
possible, and began making inquiries regarding his whereabouts. A
colored man came along the road, driving a team, of whom I inquired.
After a little time he said a preacher named Ben Harris lived in a house
close by, at the same time pointing to it. Upon further inquiries I
learned that Ben had taken another wife. This may seem rather criminal,
and may appear to be a clear case of bigamy against uncle Ben; but when
it is remembered that masters compelled their slaves to live together as
man and wife, without ceremony, for the purpose only of breeding
children, and that Ben had no say in the matter, he will be held
blameless. The laws of the southern states did not recognize the legal
relations of man and wife between slaves, therefore they could not
commit the crime of bigamy. If Ben was morally guilty, he was forced
into his guilt by law and general custom. I had not seen Ben for about
ten years, and was so overjoyed at the prospect of seeing him that I
could scarcely wait until night, for I was informed that he would not be
at his cabin until night. After attending to my affairs about town I
waited until sundown, when I went to the house indicated by my
informant. Not being certain that the person who lived in the cabin was
my uncle, I necessarily had to make inquiries. A colored woman met me at
the door, and answered such questions as I asked, from which I was
satisfied that Ben lived here. I informed the woman who I was and that
Ben was my uncle, and that I had called, in passing on my way to
Memphis, to see him. She cordially invited me to enter the cabin, and
told me that Ben was out feeding the horses and would shortly be in. I
had to wait but a little while when Ben came in. He supposed me to be
some passing stranger, and did not recognize me. After some desultory
conversation I told him who I was and how I came to be there. Our
meeting, after mutual recognition, was affectionate and cordial. We
talked over old times and related our experience since we parted at the
Wilson plantation. We kneeled at the family altar, and each poured out
his soul's thanksgiving to God for his goodness to us, having, before I
left, a season of soul-reviving prayer.
Thus we knelt, uncle Ben, his wife, and I, poor slaves in the chains of
bondage, really and earnestly thanking God for the many blessings we
received. Strange, was it not? when men and women rolling in wealth and
all the luxuries and happiness that wealth could purchase, did not even
deign to notice the source from whence all their blessings flowed. They
had life and liberty, and were unrestrained in the pursuit of happiness,
yet not once did they thank the great Giver of all their good. Then what
had we, poor wretches, to thank God for? For everything we enjoyed,--for
life, for the blessed plan of salvation, for our senses of seeing,
hearing, and feeling, for our hearts with which to love him, for our
humanity, for the great gifts of sunshine, rain, regulated seasons,
the moon, the stars, the earth, the trees, the brooks, the
rivers,--everything truly enjoyable we thanked God for. We thanked him
for health and strength to do his work. Then we had a great deal to
thank Almighty God for, although slaves. How many of you ever think to
thank God for sunshine or for reason? Let me illustrate. A gentleman
was passing along the highway, when he was met by a poor maniac, who
accosted him, saying, "What do you thank God for?" The gentleman being
surprised by the abrupt question did not reply immediately, when the
maniac continued, "Then thank God for your reason; mine is gone; I'm
mad--a maniac." This was something the gentleman had never thought of
before, and it opened to his mind an entirely new source of
thankfulness. We are apt to forget that we are not slaves, not blind,
deaf, or dumb, and not insane; yet should we lose any one of our five
senses we would then know how to be thankful for and appreciate that
sense should we regain it. Then thank God for everything, your very
existence included. Suppose the sun would stop in his course and not
shine on the earth but for one day. What consternation and grief there
would be throughout the world! Then suppose that after twenty-four hours
the sun should burst upon us in all his refulgence and glorious
magnificence. What a shout of joy would greet his appearance, and glad
hearts would pour out thanks upon thanks to the great Giver for the
needful sunshine. Then let us be thankful for all the great blessings
bestowed upon us by our heavenly Father, and serve him with all our
hearts, in whatever position in life we may be placed. Uncle Ben and I
did _then_, and we do _yet_.
After a prolonged conversation and a good and refreshing season of
prayer I took my departure for my camp, never expecting to meet my
relative again, and never have.
We started next morning on our way to Memphis, and traveled into
Memphis, after three days, on a very fine road for the South, known as
the state-line road. We drove to the cotton-yard, unloaded, and received
the receipts for the cotton, and put up for the night at a wagon-yard. I
spent this night in prayer and supplication that God would save me from
the slave-pen and the auctioneer's block; and my prayers were responded
to in my protection. The next morning we started for home by what was
known as the pigeon-roost route, in order to save toll and other
expenses.
The weight on my mind was removed, and I felt happy and thankful. I was
not sold from the shambles. I prayed, I sung, and I shouted by turns. We
arrived at home, and I waited patiently for my next order.
My young master soon informed me, however, that I might hire myself out,
if I could find and one that would hire me. Good! God was on my side.
With a light heart and truly happy I set about my preparations to hire
myself out; and the very first thing I did was to go to my cabin and
thank God for his goodness, and ask for his protection and guidance.
Always praying? Yes, I was always at it. My heart was big with love to
God.