nged his apparel, and
again retraced his steps into the street. To reach the Free States by
travelling by night and lying by during the day, from a State so far
south as Mississippi, no one would think for a moment of attempting to
escape. To remain in the city would be a suicidal step. The deep sound
of the escape of steam from a boat, which was at that moment ascending
the river, broke upon the ears of the slave. "If that boat is going
up the river," said he, "why not I conceal myself on board, and try to
escape?" He went at once to the steamboat landing, where the boat was
just coming in. "Bound for Louisville," said the captain, to one who
was making inquiries. As the passengers were rushing on board, Jerome
followed them, and proceeding to where some of the hands were stowing
away bales of goods, he took hold and aided them.

"Jump down into the hold, there, and help the men," said the mate to the
fugitive, supposing that, like many persons, he was working his way
up the river. Once in the hull among the boxes, the slave concealed
himself. Weary hours, and at last days, passed without either water or
food with the hidden slave. More than once did he resolve to let his
case be known; but the knowledge that he would be sent back to Natchez
kept him from doing so. At last, with lips parched and fevered to
a crisp, the poor man crawled out into the freight-room, and began
wandering about. The hatches were on, and the room dark. There happened
to be on board a wedding party, and a box, containing some of the bridal
cake, with several bottles of port wine, was near Jerome. He found the
box, opened it, and helped himself. In eight days, the boat tied up at
the wharf at the place of her destination. It was late at night; the
boat's crew, with the single exception of the man on watch, were on
shore. The hatches were off, and the fugitive quietly made his way on
deck and jumped on shore. The man saw the fugitive, but too late to
seize him.

Still in a Slave State, Jerome was at a loss to know how he should
proceed. He had with him a few dollars, enough to pay his way to Canada,
if he could find a conveyance. The fugitive procured such food as he
wanted from one of the many eating-houses, and then, following the
direction of the North Star, he passed out of the city, and took the
road leading to Covington. Keeping near the Ohio River, Jerome soon
found an opportunity to cross over into the State of Indiana. But
liberty was