or," to a fellow-man by the
name of William Rybold, a farmer living near Sassafras Neck, Md. Henry
evidently felt, that he did master Rybold no injustice in testifying
that he knew no good of him, although he had labored under him like a
beast of burden all his days. He had been "clothed meanly," and "poorly
fed." He also alleged, that his mistress was worse than his master, as
she would "think nothing of knocking and beating the slave women for
nothing." John was owned by Thomas Murphy. From that day to this, Thomas
may have been troubling his brain to know why his man John treated him
so shabbily as to leave him in the manner that he did. Jack had a good
reason for his course, nevertheless. In his corn field-phrase he
declared, that his master Murphy would not give you half clothes, and
besides he was a "hard man," who kept Jack working out on hire.
Therefore, feeling his wrongs keenly, Jack decided, with his other
friends, to run off and be free.

Sam, another comrade, was also owned by William Rybold. Sam had just
arrived at his maturity (twenty-one), when he was invited to join in the
plot to escape. At first, it might be thought strange, why one so young
should seek to escape. A few brief words from Sam soon explained the
mystery. It was this: his master, as he said, had been in the habit of
tying him up by the hands and flogging him unmercifully; besides, in the
allowance of food and clothing, he always "stinted the slaves yet worked
them very hard." Sam's chances for education had been very unfavorable,
but he had mind enough to know that liberty was worth struggling for. He
was willing to make the trial with the other boys. He was of a dark
chestnut color, and of medium size.

Jonathan belonged to A. Rybold, and was only nineteen years of age. All
that need be said in relation to his testimony, is, that it agreed with
his colleague's and fellow-servant's, Samuel. Before starting on their
journey, they felt the need of new names, and in putting their wits
together, they soon fixed this matter by deciding to pass in future by
the following names: James and David Green, John Henry, and Jonathan
Fisher.

In the brief sketches given in this chapter, some lost ones, seeking
information of relatives, may find comfort, even if the general reader
should fail to be interested.

PART OF THE ARRIVALS IN DECEMBER, 1855.

THOMAS JERVIS GOOSEBERRY and WILLIAM THOMAS FREEMAN, _alias_ EZEKIEL
CHAMBERS; HENRY HOO