tc.; in the meanwhile, one of
them uninvited, made his way up stairs. It so happened, that Charles was
in this very portion of the house. His case now seemed more hopeless
than ever. The officer up stairs was separated from him simply by a thin
curtain. Women's garments hung all around. Instead of fainting or
surrendering, in the twinkling of an eye, Charles' inventive intellect,
led him to enrobe himself in female attire. Here, to use his own
language, a "thousand thoughts" rushed into his mind in a minute. The
next instant he was going down stairs in the presence of the officers,
his old calico dress, bonnet and rig, attracting no further attention
than simply to elicit the following simple questions: "Whose gal are
you?" "Mr. Cockling's, sir." "What is your name?" "Delie, sir." "Go on
then!" said one of the officers, and on Charles went to avail himself of
the passage on the steamer which his mother had procured for him for the
sum of thirty dollars.

In due time, he succeeded in getting on the steamer, but he soon
learned, that her course was not direct to Philadelphia, but that some
stay would be made in Norfolk, Va. Although disappointed, yet this being
a step in the right direction, he made up his mind to be patient. He was
delayed in Norfolk four weeks. From the time Charles first escaped, his
owner (Davis the negro trader), had kept a standing reward of $550
advertised for his recovery. This showed that Davis was willing to risk
heavy expenses for Charles as well as gave evidence that he believed him
still secreted either about Richmond, Petersburg, or Old Point Comfort.
In this belief he was not far from being correct, for Charles spent most
of his time in either of these three places, from the day of his escape
until the day that he finally embarked. At last, the long looked-for
hour arrived to start for Philadelphia.

He was to leave his mother, with no hope of ever seeing her again, but
she had purchased herself and was called free. Her name was Margaret
Johnson. Three brothers likewise were ever in his thoughts, (in chains),
"Henry," "Bill," and "Sam," (half brothers). But after all the hope of
freedom outweighed every other consideration, and he was prepared to
give up all for liberty. To die rather than remain a slave was his
resolve.

Charles arrived per steamer, from Norfolk, on the 11th day of November,
1854. The Richmond papers bear witness to the fact, that Benjamin Davis
advertised Charles Gilbe