one on board the boat. "Get their description," said Mr. W.
I instantly inquired of one of the colored persons for the
desired description, and was told that she was "a tall, dark
woman, with two little boys."

Mr. W. and myself ran on board of the boat, looked among the
passengers on the first deck, but saw them not. "They are up on
the second deck," an unknown voice uttered. In a second we were
in their presence. We approached the anxious-looking
slave-mother with her two boys on her left-hand; close on her
right sat an ill-favored white man having a cane in his hand
which I took to be a sword-cane. (As to its being a sword-cane,
however, I might have been mistaken.)

The first words to the mother were: "Are you traveling?" "Yes,"
was the prompt answer. "With whom?" She nodded her head toward
the ill-favored man, signifying with him. Fidgeting on his seat,
he said something, exactly what I do not now recollect. In reply
I remarked: "Do they belong to you, Sir?" "Yes, they are in my
charge," was his answer. Turning from him to the mother and her
sons, in substance, and word for word, as near as I can
remember, the following remarks were earnestly though calmly
addressed by the individuals who rejoiced to meet them on free
soil, and who felt unmistakably assured that they were justified
by the laws of Pennsylvania as well as the Law of God, in
informing them of their rights:

"You are entitled to your freedom according to the laws of
Pennsylvania, having been brought into the State by your owner.
If you prefer freedom to slavery, as we suppose everybody does,
you have the chance to accept it now. Act calmly--don't be
frightened by your master--you are as much entitled to your
freedom as we are, or as he is--be determined and you need have
no fears but that you will be protected by the law. Judges have
time and again decided cases in this city and State similar to
yours in favor of freedom! Of course, if you want to remain a
slave with your master, we cannot force you to leave; we only
want to make you sensible of your rights. _Remember, if you lose
this chance you may never get such another," etc_.

[Illustration: RESCUE OF JANE JOHNSON AND HER CHILDREN.]

This advice to the woman was made in the hearing of a number of
persons present, white and colored; and one el