t at first present itself. Every thing looked very gloomy;
Slavery he considered as death to him; and since his master had
threatened him, he looked upon him as his greatest enemy, and rather
than continue a slave he preferred living in the swamps with wild
animals. Just one year prior to the time that he made his way North,
determined not to be a slave any longer, he fled to a swamp and made his
way to the most secluded spot that he could find,--to places that were
almost impenetrable so dense were the trees and undergrowth. This was
all the better for Henry, he wanted to get safety; he did not wish
company. He made known his plans to a dear brother, who engaged to
furnish him occasionally with food. Henry passed twelve months in this
way, beholding no human soul save his brother. His brother faithfully
took him food from time to time. The winter weather of 1859 was very
hard, but it was not so hard to bear as his master Nathaniel Dixon. The
will of Henry's old master entitled him to his freedom, but the heirs
had rendered said will null and void; this act in addition to the talk
of selling had its effect in driving him to the woods. For a time he hid
in the hollow of a tree, which went very hard with him, yet he was
willing to suffer anything rather than go back to his so-called master.
He managed finally to make good his escape and came to the Committee for
aid and sympathy, which he received.

* * * * *

ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.

WILLIAM PIERCE.

But few passengers expressed themselves in stronger terms in regard to
their so-called masters, than William Pierce, from Long Green. "I fled,"
said he, "from John Hickol, a farmer, about fifty years old, grey-headed
and drinks whiskey very hard--was always a big devil--ill-grained. He
owned fifteen head; he owns three of my brothers. He has a wife, a big
devil, red head; her servants, she wouldn't feed 'em none, except on
corn bread; she would fight and swear too, when she got ready. She and
her husband would quarrel too. A slave man, a deceitful fellow, who had
been put up to watch on one occasion, when the rest of the slaves had
helped themselves to a chicken, and cooked and ate it about midnight,
though he was allowed to share a portion of the feast, was ready enough
to betray them by times next morning. This made master and mistress
'cuss' all hands at a great rate, and master beat all hands except the
one that told. I was c