at least, is now free through my agency.

The year passed off smoothly. It seemed only about half as long as the
year which preceded it. I went through it without receiving a single
blow. I will give Mr. Freeland the credit of being the best master
I ever had, _till I became my own master._ For the ease with which I
passed the year, I was, however, somewhat indebted to the society of
my fellow-slaves. They were noble souls; they not only possessed loving
hearts, but brave ones. We were linked and interlinked with each other.
I loved them with a love stronger than any thing I have experienced
since. It is sometimes said that we slaves do not love and confide in
each other. In answer to this assertion, I can say, I never loved any or
confided in any people more than my fellowslaves, and especially those
with whom I lived at Mr. Freeland's. I believe we would have died for
each other. We never undertook to do any thing, of any importance,
without a mutual consultation. We never moved separately. We were
one; and as much so by our tempers and dispositions, as by the mutual
hardships to which we were necessarily subjected by our condition as
slaves.

At the close of the year 1834, Mr. Freeland again hired me of my master,
for the year 1835. But, by this time, I began to want to live _upon
free land_ as well as _with freeland;_ and I was no longer content,
therefore, to live with him or any other slaveholder. I began, with the
commencement of the year, to prepare myself for a final struggle, which
should decide my fate one way or the other. My tendency was upward. I
was fast approaching manhood, and year after year had passed, and I
was still a slave. These thoughts roused me--I must do something. I
therefore resolved that 1835 should not pass without witnessing an
attempt, on my part, to secure my liberty. But I was not willing to
cherish this determination alone. My fellow-slaves were dear to me. I
was anxious to have them participate with me in this, my life-giving
determination. I therefore, though with great prudence, commenced early
to ascertain their views and feelings in regard to their condition, and
to imbue their minds with thoughts of freedom. I bent myself to devising
ways and means for our escape, and meanwhile strove, on all fitting
occasions, to impress them with the gross fraud and inhumanity of
slavery. I went first to Henry, next to John, then to the others. I
found, in them all, warm hearts and noble spir