rt and was swamped. I
was struggling the whole night to liberate myself, but in vain, until the
light appeared, when I saw some willows, and by laying hold of them I
succeeded in extricating myself about seven o'clock in the morning. I then
made my way to a pond of water, and pulled my clothes off, and washed the
mud from them, and hung them up to dry; and as soon as they were dry and
night arrived, I put them on, and continued my journey that night in the
woods, as the moon was so bright; though I did not progress much on my
way, it was more safe. Towards morning I saw a farm-house, and being
hungry I resolved to venture to ask for something to eat. Waiting my
opportunity, I saw three men leave the house, and judging there then only
remained women, I went up and asked if they would please to give me
something to eat. They invited me in, and gave me some bread and milk,
pitying my condition greatly, one of them telling me that her husband was
an Abolitionist, and if I would wait until his return he would place me
out of the reach of my pursuers. I did not then understand what was an
Abolitionist, and said I would rather not stay. She then saw my feet,
which were awful from what I had undergone, and asked me if I should not
like to have a pair of shoes, and I said I should. They went in search of
a pair up the stairs, and I heard one say to the other, "He answers the
description of a slave for which 200 dollars are offered." When they
returned I was sitting still in the position I was in before they went up
stairs. She said to the other, "I will go and see after the cows;" and the
other answered, "Dont be long." But my suspicion was confirmed that going
after the cows was only a pretence; and when I thought the other had got
far enough away, I laid hold of the remaining one and tied her to the
bedstead; went into the closet and took a leg of mutton, and other
articles, such as bread and butter, and made my way out as quick as
possible; and when I got outside I rubbed my feet in some cow dung to
prevent the scent of the bloodhounds, and took to the woods, where I found
a sand hole, in which I remained all day. The night was dark, with a
drizzling rain; being very fit for travelling, I started again on my
journey, but being very cautious, I only managed about 24 miles that
night. Towards morning I met with a black, who told me that to Chester, in
Pennsylvania, was only twenty-six miles. During the day I again remained
in the