ed as we were by the darkness; but we permitted
them to pass unmolested, and went on to Wrightsville that night.

The next morning we arrived at Columbia before it was light, and
fortunately without crossing the bridge, for we were taken over in a
boat. At Wrightsville we met a woman with whom we were before
acquainted, and our meeting was very gratifying. We there inclined to
halt for a time.

I was not used to living in town, and preferred a home in the country;
so to the country we decided to go. After resting for four days, we
started towards Lancaster to try to procure work. I got a place about
five miles from Lancaster, and then set to work in earnest.

While a slave, I was, as it were, groping in the dark, no ray of light
penetrating the intense gloom surrounding me. My scanty garments felt
too tight for me, my very respiration seemed to be restrained by some
supernatural power. Now, free as I supposed, I felt like a bird on a
pleasant May morning. Instead of the darkness of slavery, my eyes were
almost blinded by the light of freedom.

Those were memorable days, and yet much of this was boyish fancy. After
a few years of life in a Free State, the enthusiasm of the lad
materially sobered down, and I found, by bitter experience, that to
preserve my stolen liberty I must pay, unremittingly, an almost
sleepless vigilance; yet to this day I have never looked back
regretfully to Old Maryland, nor yearned for her flesh-pots.

I have said I engaged to work; I hired my services for three months for
the round sum of three dollars per month. I thought this an immense sum.
Fast work was no trouble to me; for when the work was done, the money
was mine. That was a great consideration. I could go out on Saturdays
and Sundays, and home when I pleased, without being whipped. I thought
of my fellow-servants left behind, bound in the chains of slavery,--and
I was free! I thought, that, if I had the power, they should soon be as
free as I was; and I formed a resolution that I would assist in
liberating every one within my reach at the risk of my life, and that I
would devise some plan for their entire liberation.

My brother went about fifteen miles farther on, and also got employment.
I "put in" three months with my employer, "lifted" my wages, and then
went to visit my brother. He lived in Bart Township, near Smyrna; and
after my visit was over, I engaged to work for a Dr. Dengy, living
nearby. I remained with him thirteen