-eight, and lived
in Wilmington, Delaware. It was owing to the fact that their mother had
been freed that they entertained the vague notion that they too might be
freed; but it was a well established fact that thousands lived and died
in such a hope without ever realizing their expectations. The boys, more
shrewd and wide awake than many others, did not hearken to such "stuff."
The two younger heard the views of the elder brother, and expressed a
willingness to follow him. Edward, becoming satisfied that what they
meant to do must be done quickly, took the lead, and off they started
for a free State.

John was owned by one James B. Rodgers, a farmer, and "a most every kind
of man," as John expressed himself; in fact John thought that his owner
was such a strange, wicked, and cross character that he couldn't tell
himself what he was. Seeing that slaves were treated no better than dogs
and hogs, John thought that he was none too young to be taking steps to
get away.

Charles was held by James Rodgers, Sr., under whom he said that he had
served nine years with faint prospects of some time becoming free, but
when, was doubtful.

* * * * *

ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1859.

JAMES TAYLOR, ALBERT GROSS, AND JOHN GRINAGE.

To see mere lads, not twenty-one years of age, smart enough to outwit
the very shrewdest and wisest slave-holders of Virginia was very
gratifying. The young men composing this arrival were of this
keen-sighted order.

James was only a little turned of twenty, of a yellow complexion, and
intelligent. A trader, by the name of George Ailer, professed to own
James. He said that he had been used tolerable well, not so bad as many
had been used. James was learning the carpenter trade; but he was
anxious to obtain his freedom, and finding his two companions true on
the main question, in conjunction with them he contrived a plan of
escape, and 'took out.' His father and mother, Harrison and Jane Taylor,
were left at Fredericksburg to mourn the absence of their son.

Albert was in his twentieth year, the picture of good health, not homely
by any means, although not of a fashionable color. He was under the
patriarchal protection of a man by the name of William Price, who
carried on farming in Cecil county, Maryland. Albert testified that he
was a bad man.

John Grinage was only twenty, a sprightly, active young man, of a brown
color. He came from Midd