e,
possessing a good degree of physical and mental ability. Indeed his
intelligence forbade his submission to the requirements of Slavery,
rendered him unhappy and led him to seek his freedom. He owed services
to D. Fitchhugh up to within a short time before he escaped. Against
Fitchhugh he made grave charges, said that he was a "hard, bad man." It
is but fair to add that Isaac was similarly regarded by his master, so
both were dissatisfied with each other. But the master had the advantage
of Isaac, he could sell him. Isaac, however, could turn the table on his
master, by running off. But the master moved quickly and sold Isaac to
Dr. James, a negro trader. The trader designed making a good speculation
out of his investment: Isaac determined that he should be disappointed;
indeed that he should lose every dollar that he paid for him. So while
the doctor was planning where and how he could get the best price for
him, Isaac was planning how and where he might safely get beyond his
reach. The time for planning and acting with Isaac was, however,
exceedingly short. He was daily expecting to be called upon to take his
departure for the South. In this situation he made known his condition
to a friend of his who was in a precisely similar situation; had lately
been sold just as Isaac had to the same trader James. So no argument was
needed to convince his friend and fellow-servant that if they meant to
be free they would have to set off immediately.

That night Henry Banks and Isaac Williams started for the woods
together, preferring to live among reptiles and wild animals, rather
than be any longer at the disposal of Dr. James. For two weeks they
successfully escaped their pursuers. The woods, however, were being
hunted in every direction, and one day the pursuers came upon them, shot
them both, and carried them to King George's Co. jail. The jail being an
old building had weak places in it; but the prisoners concluded to make
no attempt to break out while suffering badly from their wounds. So they
remained one month in confinement. All the while their brave spirits
under suffering grew more and more daring. Again they decided to strike
for freedom, but where to go, save to the woods, they had not the
slightest idea. Of course they had heard, as most slaves had, of cave
life, and pretty well understood all the measures which had to be
resorted to for security when entering upon so hazardous an undertaking.
They concluded, howe