dow; he had
never lived with her, however. Notwithstanding the fact that he had been
held in such unpleasant relations, Randolph held the opinion, that "she
was a tolerable good woman." He had been hired out under Isaac Howard, a
farmer, who was described by Randolph as "a rough man to everybody
around him; he was the owner of slaves, and a member of the Methodist
Church, in the bargain." As if actuated by an evil spirit continually,
he seemed to take delight in "knocking and beating the slaves," and
would compel them to "be out in all weathers not fit to be out in."
Randolph declared that "he had never been allowed a day's schooling in
his life. On the contrary, he had often been threatened with sale, and
his mind had finally become so affected by this fearful looking-for of
evil, that he thought he had better make tracks."

He left his mother, Louisa, three brothers and three sisters, namely:
Andrew, Mary, Charity, Margaret, Lewis and Samuel, all slaves. His
desire to escape brought the thought home to his mind with great
emphasis, that he was parting with his kinsfolk, to see them perhaps, no
more on earth; that however, happily he might be situated in freedom, he
would have the painful reflection ever present with him, that those he
most loved in this world, were slaves--"knocked and beat about--and made
to work out in all weathers." It was this that made many falter and give
up their purpose to gain their freedom by flight, but Randolph was not
one of this class. His young heart loved freedom too well to waver. True
to his love of liberty, he left all, followed the north star, and was
delivered.

Thomas, an older companion of Philip and Randolph, was twenty-five years
of age, full black, and looked as if he could appreciate the schoolroom
and books, and take care of himself in Canada or any other free country.
Mary Howard was the name of the individual that he was compelled to
address as "mistress." He said, however, that "she was a very good woman
to her servants," and she had a great many. She had sons, but they
turned out to be drunkards, and followed no business; at one time, each
of them had been set up in business, but as they would not attend to it,
of course they failed. Money was needed more than ever, through their
intemperate course, consequently the mistress was induced to sell her
large household, as well as her plantation slaves, to Georgia. Thomas
had seen the most of them take up their sorrowfu