would also tell John how much better off he was as a "slave with a kind
master to provide for all his wants," etc. Notwithstanding all this
counsel, John did not rest contented until he was on the Underground
Rail Road.

Robert was only nineteen, with an intelligent face and prepossessing
manners; reads, writes and ciphers; and is about half Anglo-Saxon. He
fled from Wm. H. Wilson, Esq., Cashier of the Virginia Bank. Until
within the four years previous to Robert's escape, the cashier was
spoken of as a "very good man;" but in consequence of speculations in a
large Hotel in Portsmouth, and the then financial embarrassments, "he
had become seriously involved," and decidedly changed in his manners.
Robert noticed this, and concluded he had "better get out of danger as
soon as possible."

Anthony and Isabella were an engaged couple, and desired to cast their
lot where husband and wife could not be separated on the auction-block.

The following are of the Cambridge party, above alluded to. All left
together, but for prudential reasons separated before reaching
Philadelphia. The company that left Cambridge on the 24th of October may
be thus recognized: Aaron Cornish and wife, with their six children;
Solomon, George Anthony, Joseph, Edward James, Perry Lake, and a
nameless babe, all very likely; Kit Anthony and wife Leah, and three
children, Adam, Mary, and Murray; Joseph Hill and wife Alice, and their
son Henry; also Joseph's sister. Add to the above, Marshall Button and
George Light, both single young men, and we have twenty-eight in one
arrival, as hearty-looking, brave and interesting specimens of Slavery
as could well be produced from Maryland. Before setting out they counted
well the cost. Being aware that fifteen had left their neighborhood only
a few days ahead of them, and that every slave-holder and slave-catcher
throughout the community, were on the alert, and raging furiously
against the inroads of the Underground Rail Road, they provided
themselves with the following weapons of defense: three revolvers, three
double-barreled pistols, three single-barreled pistols, three
sword-canes, four butcher knives, one bowie-knife, and one paw.[A] Thus,
fully resolved upon freedom or death, with scarcely provisions enough
for a single day, while the rain and storm was piteously descending,
fathers and mothers with children in their arms (Aaron Cornish had
two)--the entire party started. Of course, their provisions gave ou