such business as giving
abolition lectures." To this and similar remarks, I replied that the
people of Raleigh had always said the abolitionists did not believe in
buying slaves, but contended that their masters ought to free them without
pay. I had been laboring to buy my family; and how then could they suppose
me to be in league with the abolitionists?

After other conversation of this kind, and after they seemed to have
become tired of questioning me, they held a consultation in a low whisper
among themselves. Then a bucket was brought and set down by my side; but
what it contained or for what it was intended, I could not divine. But
soon, one of the number came forward with a pillow, and then hope sprung
up, a flood of light and joy within me. The heavy weight on my heart
rolled off; death had passed by and I unharmed. They commenced stripping
me till every rag of clothes was removed; and then the bucket was set
near, and I discovered it to contain tar. One man, I will do him the honor
to record his name, Mr. WILLIAM ANDRES, a journeyman printer, when he is
any thing, except a tar-and-featherer, put his hands the first into the
bucket, and was about passing them to my face. "Don't put any in his face
or eyes," said one.[A] So he desisted; but he, with three other
"gentlemen," whose names I should be happy to record if I could recall
them, gave me as nice a coat of tar all over, face only excepted, as any
one would wish to see. Then they took the pillow and ripped it open at one
end, and with the open end commenced the operation at the head and so
worked downwards, of putting a coat of its contents over that of the
contents of the bucket. A fine escape from the hanging this will be,
thought I, provided they do not with a match set fire to the feathers. I
had some fear they would. But when the work was completed they gave me my
clothes, and one of them handed me my watch which he had carefully kept in
his hands; they all expressed great interest in my welfare, advised me how
to proceed with my business the next day, told me to stay in the place as
long as I wished, and with other such words of consolation they bid me
good night.

[Footnote A: I think this was Mr. Burns, a blacksmith in the place, but I
am not certain. At any rate, this man was my _friend_ (if so he may be
called) on this occasion; and it was fortunate for me that the company
generally seemed to look up to him for wisdom.]

After I had returned to my