you get dare you will stay, and nebber follow dat buckra back to
dis hot quarter no more, let him be eber so good."

I thanked him; and just as I took the boots up and started off, he
caught my hand between his two, and gave it a hearty shake, and, with
tears streaming down his cheeks, said:--

"God bless you, broder, and may de Lord be wid you. When you gets de
freedom, and sitin under your own wine and fig-tree, don't forget to
pray for poor Pompey."

I was afraid to say much to him, but I shall never forget his earnest
request, nor fail to do what little I can to release the millions of
unhappy bondmen, of whom he was one.

At the proper time my master had the poultices placed on, came down,
and seated himself at a table in a very brilliant dining-room, to have
his dinner. I had to have something at the same time, in order to be
ready for the boat; so they gave me my dinner in an old broken plate,
with a rusty knife and fork, and said, "Here, boy, you go in the
kitchen." I took it and went out, but did not stay more than a few
minutes, because I was in a great hurry to get back to see how the
invalid was getting on. On arriving I found two or three servants
waiting on him; but as he did not feel able to make a very hearty
dinner, he soon finished, paid the bill, and gave the servants each a
trifle, which caused one of them to say to me, "Your massa is a big
bug"--meaning a gentleman of distinction--"he is the greatest gentleman
dat has been dis way for dis six months." I said, "Yes, he is some
pumpkins," meaning the same as "big bug."

When we left Macon, it was our intention to take a steamer at
Charleston through to Philadelphia; but on arriving there we found that
the vessels did not run during the winter, and I have no doubt it was
well for us they did not; for on the very last voyage the steamer made
that we intended to go by, a fugitive was discovered secreted on board,
and sent back to slavery. However, as we had also heard of the
Overland Mail Route, we were all right. So I ordered a fly to the
door, had the luggage placed on; we got in, and drove down to the
Custom-house Office, which was near the wharf where we had to obtain
tickets, to take a steamer for Wilmington, North Carolina. When we
reached the building, I helped my master into the office, which was
crowded with passengers. He asked for a ticket for himself and one for
his slave to Philadelphia. This caused the principal officer--a v