ed his prize and
speeded her away on the Underground Railway, before her owner was made
acquainted with the fact of her intended escape. On Matilda's arrival at
the station in Philadelphia, several other passengers from different
points, happened to come to hand just at that time, and gave great
solicitude and anxiety to the Committee. Among these were a man and his
wife and their four children, (noticed elsewhere), from Maryland.
Likewise an interesting and intelligent young girl who had been almost
miraculously rescued from the prison-house at Norfolk, and in addition
to these, the brother of J.W. Pennington, D.D., with his two sons.

While it was a great gratification to have travelers coming along so
fast, and especially to observe in every countenance, determination,
rare manly and womanly bearing, with remarkable intelligence, it must be
admitted, that the acting committee felt at the same time, a very lively
dread of the slave-hunters, and were on their guard. Arrangements were
made to send the fugitives on by different trains, and in various
directions. Matilda and all the others with the exception of the father
and two sons (relatives of Dr. Pennington) successfully escaped and
reached their longed-for haven in a free land. The Penningtons, however,
although pains had been taken to apprize the Doctor of the good news of
the coming of his kin, whom he had not seen for many, many years, were
captured after being in New York some twenty-four hours. In answer to an
advisory letter from the secretary of the Committee the following from
the Doctor is explicit, relative to his wishes and feelings with regard
to their being sent on to New York.

29 6th AVENUE, NEW YORK, May 24th, 1854.

MY DEAR MR. STILL:--Your kind letter of the 22d inst has come to
hand and I have to thank you for your offices of benevolence to
my bone and my flesh, I have had the pleasure of doing a little
for your brother Peter, but I do not think it an offset. My
burden has been great about these brethren. I hope they have
started on to me. Many thanks, my good friend.

Yours Truly.

J.W.C. PENNINGTON.

This letter only served to intensify the deep interest which had already
been awakened for the safety of all concerned. At the same time also it
made the duty of the Committee clear with regard to forwarding them to
N.Y. Immediately, therefore, the Doctor's brother and sons were
furnished with free tic