she had been allowed to live with her husband and children,
independently of her master, by supporting herself and them with the
white-wash brush, wash-tub, etc. For this privilege the mother doubtless
worked with double energy, and the master, in all probability, was
largely the gainer, as the children were no expense to him in their
infancy; but when they began to be old enough to hire out, or bring high
prices in the market, he snatched away two of the finest articles, and
the powerless father was immediately rendered a fit subject for the
mad-house; but the brave hearted mother looked up to God, resolved to
wait patiently until in a good Providence the way might open to escape
with her remaining children to Canada.

Year in and year out she had suffered to provide food and raiment for
her little ones. Many times in going out to do days' work she would be
compelled to leave her children, not knowing whether during her absence
they would fall victims to fire, or be carried off by the master. But
she possessed a well tried faith, which in her flight kept her from
despondency. Under her former lot she scarcely murmured, but declared
that she had never been at ease in Slavery a day after the birth of her
first-born. The desire to go to some part of the world where she could
have the control and comfort of her children, had always been a
prevailing idea with her. "It almost broke my heart," she said, "when he
came and took my children away as soon as they were big enough to hand
me a drink of water. My husband was always very kind to me, and I had
often wanted him to run away with me and the children, but I could not
get him in the notion; he did not feel that he could, and so he stayed,
and died broken-hearted, crazy. I was owned by a man named Joseph Brown;
he owned property in Milford, and he had a place in Vicksburg, and some
of his time he spends there, and some of the time he lives in Milford.
This Fall he said he was going to take four of my oldest children and
two other servants to Vicksburg. I just happened to hear of this news in
time. My master was wanting to keep me in the dark about taking them,
for fear that something might happen. My master is very sly; he is a
tall, slim man, with a smooth face, bald head, light hair, long and
sharp nose, swears very hard, and drinks. He is a widower, and is rich."

On the road the poor mother, with her travel-worn children became
desperately alarmed, fearing that they we