lvania, at a
rate that allowed no grass to grow under the horses' feet. In this
manner they made good time, reached Chambersburg safely, and ventured up
to a hotel where they put up their horses. Here they bade their faithful
beasts good-bye and "took out" for Harrisburg by another mode of travel,
the cars. On their arrival they naturally fell into the hands of the
Committee, who hurried them off to Philadelphia, apprising the Committee
there of their approach by a dispatch sent ahead. Probably they had
scarcely reached Philadelphia ere the Fierys were in hot haste after
them, as far as Harrisburg, if not farther.

It hardly need be hinted, that the community in which the Fierys lived
was deeply agitated for days after, as indeed it was along the entire
route to Chambersburg, in consequence of this bold and successful
movement. The horses were easily captured at the hotel, where they were
left, but, of course, they were mute as to what had become of their
drivers. The furious Fierys probably got wind of the fact, that they had
made their way to Harrisburg. At any rate they made very diligent search
at this point. While here prosecuting his hunting operations, Fiery
managed to open communication with at least one member of the Harrisburg
Committee, to whom his grievances were made known, but derived little
satisfaction.

After the experience of a few weeks, the pursuers came to the
conclusion, that there was no likelihood of recovering them through
these agencies, or through the Fugitive Slave Law. In their despair,
therefore, they resorted to another "dodge." All at once they became
"sort-o'-friendly"--indeed more than half disposed to emancipate. The
member of the Committee in Harrisburg had, it is probable, frequently
left room for their great delusion, if he did not even go so far as to
feed their hopes with plausible suggestions, that some assistance might
be afforded by which an amicable settlement might be made between
masters and slaves.

The following extract, from the Committee's letter, relative to this
matter, is open to this inference, and may serve to throw some light on
the subject:

HARRISBURG, April 28, '56.

Friend Still:--Your last came to hand in due season, and I am
happy to hear of the safe arrival of those gents.

I have before me the Power of Attorney of Mr. John S. Fiery, son
of Mr. Henry Fiery, of Washington county, Md., the owner of
those three men, two women a