Mr. Flint was hard pushed for house servants, and rather than lose me
he had restrained his malice. I did my work faithfully, though not, of
course, with a willing mind. They were evidently afraid I should leave
them. Mr. Flint wished that I should sleep in the great house instead
of the servants’ quarters. His wife agreed to the proposition, but
said I mustn’t bring my bed into the house, because it would scatter
feathers on her carpet. I knew when I went there that they would never
think of such a thing as furnishing a bed of any kind for me and my
little one. I therefore carried my own bed, and now I was forbidden to
use it. I did as I was ordered. But now that I was certain my children
were to be put in their power, in order to give them a stronger hold
on me, I resolved to leave them that night. I remembered the grief
this step would bring upon my dear old grandmother; and nothing less
than the freedom of my children would have induced me to disregard her
advice. I went about my evening work with trembling steps. Mr. Flint
twice called from his chamber door to inquire why the house was not
locked up. I replied that I had not done my work. “You have had time
enough to do it,” said he. “Take care how you answer me!”
I shut all the windows, locked all the doors, and went up to the third
story, to wait till midnight. How long those hours seemed, and how
fervently I prayed that God would not forsake me in this hour of utmost
need! I was about to risk every thing on the throw of a die; and if I
failed, O what would become of me and my poor children? They would be
made to suffer for my fault.
At half past twelve I stole softly down stairs. I stopped on the second
floor, thinking I heard a noise. I felt my way down into the parlor,
and looked out of the window. The night was so intensely dark that I
could see nothing. I raised the window very softly and jumped out.
Large drops of rain were falling, and the darkness bewildered me. I
dropped on my knees, and breathed a short prayer to God for guidance
and protection. I groped my way to the road, and rushed towards the
town with almost lightning speed. I arrived at my grandmother’s house,
but dared not see her. She would say, “Linda, you are killing me;”
and I knew that would unnerve me. I tapped softly at the window of a
room, occupied by a woman, who had lived in the house several years. I
knew she was a faithful friend, and could be trusted with my secret.
I tapped several times before she heard me. At last she raised the
window, and I whispered, “Sally, I have run away. Let me in, quick.”
She opened the door softly, and said in low tones, “For God’s sake,
don’t. Your grandmother is trying to buy you and de chillern. Mr. Sands
was here last week. He tole her he was going away on business, but he
wanted her to go ahead about buying you and de chillern, and he would
help her all he could. Don’t run away, Linda. Your grandmother is all
bowed down wid trouble now.”
I replied, “Sally, they are going to carry my children to the
plantation to-morrow; and they will never sell them to any body so long
as they have me in their power. Now, would you advise me to go back?”
“No, chile, no,” answered she. “When dey finds you is gone, dey won’t
want de plague ob de chillern; but where is you going to hide? Dey
knows ebery inch ob dis house.”
I told her I had a hiding-place, and that was all it was best for her
to know. I asked her to go into my room as soon as it was light, and
take all my clothes out of my trunk, and pack them in hers; for I knew
Mr. Flint and the constable would be there early to search my room. I
feared the sight of my children would be too much for my full heart;
but I could not go out into the uncertain future without one last look.
I bent over the bed where lay my little Benny and baby Ellen. Poor
little ones! fatherless and motherless! Memories of their father came
over me. He wanted to be kind to them; but they were not all to him,
as they were to my womanly heart. I knelt and prayed for the innocent
little sleepers. I kissed them lightly, and turned away.
As I was about to open the street door, Sally laid her hand on my
shoulder, and said, “Linda, is you gwine all alone? Let me call your
uncle.”
“No, Sally,” I replied, “I want no one to be brought into trouble on my
account.”
I went forth into the darkness and rain. I ran on till I came to the
house of the friend who was to conceal me.
Early the next morning Mr. Flint was at my grandmother’s inquiring
for me. She told him she had not seen me, and supposed I was at the
plantation. He watched her face narrowly, and said, “Don’t you know any
thing about her running off?” She assured him that she did not. He went
on to say, “Last night she ran off without the least provocation. We
had treated her very kindly. My wife liked her. She will soon be found
and brought back. Are her children with you?” When told that they were,
he said, “I am very glad to hear that. If they are here, she cannot be
far off. If I find out that any of my niggers have had any thing to do
with this damned business, I’ll give ’em five hundred lashes.” As he
started to go to his father’s, he turned round and added, persuasively,
“Let her be brought back, and she shall have her children to live with
her.”
The tidings made the old doctor rave and storm at a furious rate. It
was a busy day for them. My grandmother’s house was searched from top
to bottom. As my trunk was empty, they concluded I had taken my clothes
with me. Before ten o’clock every vessel northward bound was thoroughly
examined, and the law against harboring fugitives was read to all on
board. At night a watch was set over the town. Knowing how distressed
my grandmother would be, I wanted to send her a message; but it could
not be done. Every one who went in or out of her house was closely
watched. The doctor said he would take my children, unless she became
responsible for them; which of course she willingly did. The next day
was spent in searching. Before night, the following advertisement was
posted at every corner, and in every public place for miles round:—
“$300 Reward! Ran away from the subscriber, an intelligent, bright,
mulatto girl, named Linda, 21 years of age. Five feet four inches
high. Dark eyes, and black hair inclined to curl; but it can be
made straight. Has a decayed spot on a front tooth. She can read
and write, and in all probability will try to get to the Free
States. All persons are forbidden, under penalty of the law, to
harbor or employ said slave. $150 will be given to whoever takes
her in the state, and $300 if taken out of the state and delivered
to me, or lodged in jail.
Dr. Flint.”