effect a
rescue. Rumors of the story soon circulated all over the
city. Nor were they exaggerated, as is usually the case. For
once, reality surpassed the wildest thought of fiction.
The slaves, on reaching the marshal's office, seated
themselves around the stove with dejected countenances, and
preserved a moody silence, answering all questions propounded
to them in monosyllables, or refusing to answer at all. Simon
is apparently about fifty-five years of age, and Mary about
fifty. The son of Mr. Marshall, who is here, in order, if
possible, to recover the property of his father, says that
they have always been faithful servants, and have frequently
been on this side of the river. Simon, Jr., is a young man,
about twenty-two years old, of a very lithe and active form,
and rather a mild and pleasant countenance. Margaret is a
dark mulatto, twenty-three years of age; her countenance is
far from being vicious, and her senses, yesterday, appeared
partially stultified from the exciting trials she had
endured. After remaining about two hours at the marshal's
office, Commissioner Pendery announced that the slaves would
be removed to the custody of the United States Marshal until
nine o'clock Tuesday morning, when the case would come up for
examination.
The slaves were then taken down stairs to the street-door,
when a wild and exciting scene presented itself; the
sidewalks and the middle of the street were thronged with
people, and a couple of coaches were at the door in order to
convey the captives to the station-house. The slaves were
guarded by a strong posse of officers, and as they made their
appearance on the street, it was evident that there was a
strong sympathy in their favor. When they were led to the
carriage-doors, there were loud cries of "Drive on!" "Don't
take them!" The coachmen, either from alarm or from a
sympathetic feeling, put the whip to their horses, and drove
rapidly off, leaving the officers with their fugitives on the
sidewalk. They started on foot with their charge to the
Hammond Street station-house, where they secured their
prisoners for the night.
The slaves claimed that they had been on this side of the
river frequently, by consent of their masters.
About three o'clock application was made
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