AllwentwellwithmetillMondaymorning；andthen，whethertheroothadlostitsvirtue，orwhethermytormentorhadgonedeeperintotheblackartthanmyself(aswassometimessaidofhim)，orwhetherhehadobtainedaspecialindulgence，forhisfaithfulSabbathday"sworship，itisnotnecessaryformetoknow，ortoinformthereader；but，thisI_may_say——thepiousandbenignantsmilewhichgracedCovey"sfaceon_Sunday_，whollydisappearedon_Monday_。Longbeforedaylight，Iwascalleduptogoandfeed，rub，andcurrythehorses。Iobeyedthecall，andwouldhavesoobeyedit，haditbeenmadeatanearilier{sic}hour，forIhadbroughtmymindtoafirmresolve，duringthatSunday"sreflection，viz:toobeyeveryorder，howeverunreasonable，ifitwerepossible，and，ifMr。Coveyshouldthenundertaketobeatme，todefendandprotectmyselftothebestofmyability。Myreligiousviewsonthesubjectofresistingmymaster，hadsufferedaseriousshock，bythesavagepersecutiontowhichI

hadbeensubjected，andmyhandswerenolongertiedbymyreligion。MasterThomas"sindifferencehadservedthelastlink。

Ihadnowtothisextent“backslidden“fromthispointintheslave"sreligiouscreed；andIsoonhadoccasiontomakemyfallenstateknowntomySunday-piousbrother，Covey。

WhilstIwasobeyinghisordertofeedandgetthehorsesreadyforthefield，andwhenintheactofgoingupthestableloftforthepurposeofthrowingdownsomeblades，Coveysneakedintothestable，inhispeculiarsnake-likeway，andseizingmesuddenlybytheleg，hebroughtmetothestablefloor，givingmynewlymendedbodyafearfuljar。Inowforgotmyroots，andrememberedmypledgeto_standupinmyowndefense_。Thebrutewasendeavoringskillfullytogetaslip-knotonmylegs，beforeIcould<187THEFIGHT>drawupmyfeet。AssoonasIfoundwhathewasupto，Igaveasuddenspring(mytwoday"sresthadbeenofmuchservicetome，)andbythatmeans，nodoubt，hewasabletobringmetothefloorsoheavily。Hewasdefeatedinhisplanoftyingme。Whiledown，heseemedtothinkhehadmeverysecurelyinhispower。Helittlethoughthewas——astherowdiessay——“in“fora“roughandtumble“fight；butsuchwasthefact。

Whencecamethedaringspiritnecessarytograpplewithamanwho，eight-and-fortyhoursbefore，could，withhisslightestwordhavemademetremblelikealeafinastorm，Idonotknow；atanyrate，_Iwasresolvedtofight_，and，whatwasbetterstill，Iwasactuallyhardatit。Thefightingmadnesshadcomeuponme，andIfoundmystrongfingersfirmlyattachedtothethroatofmycowardlytormentor；asheedlessofconsequences，atthemoment，asthoughwestoodasequalsbeforethelaw。Theverycolorofthemanwasforgotten。Ifeltassuppleasacat，andwasreadyforthesnakishcreatureateveryturn。Everyblowofhiswasparried，thoughIdealtnoblowsinturn。Iwasstrictlyonthe_defensive_，preventinghimfrominjuringme，ratherthantryingtoinjurehim。Iflunghimonthegroundseveraltimes，whenhemeanttohavehurledmethere。Iheldhimsofirmlybythethroat，thathisbloodfollowedmynails。Heheldme，andI

heldhim。

Allwasfair，thusfar，andthecontestwasaboutequal。Myresistancewasentirelyunexpected，andCoveywastakenallabackbyit，forhetrembledineverylimb。_“Areyougoingtoresist_，youscoundrel？“saidhe。Towhich，Ireturnedapolite_“Yessir；“_steadilygazingmyinterrogatorintheeye，tomeetthefirstapproachordawningoftheblow，whichIexpectedmyanswerwouldcallforth。But，theconflictdidnotlongremainthusequal。Coveysooncriedoutlustilyforhelp；notthatI

wasobtaininganymarkedadvantageoverhim，orwasinjuringhim，butbecausehewasgainingnoneoverme，andwasnotable，singlehanded，toconquerme。HecalledforhiscousinHughs，tocometohisassistance，andnowthescenewaschanged。Iwascompelledto<188>giveblows，aswellastoparrythem；and，sinceIwas，inanycase，tosufferforresistance，Ifelt(asthemustyproverbgoes)that“Imightaswellbehangedforanoldsheepasalamb。“Iwasstill_defensive_towardCovey，but_aggressive_towardHughs；and，atthefirstapproachofthelatter，Idealtablow，inmydesperation，whichfairlysickenedmyyouthfulassailant。Hewentoff，bendingoverwithpain，andmanifestingnodispositiontocomewithinmyreachagain。Thepoorfellowwasintheactoftryingtocatchandtiemyrighthand，andwhileflatteringhimselfwithsuccess，Igavehimthekickwhichsenthimstaggeringawayinpain，atthesametimethatIheldCoveywithafirmhand。

Takencompletelybysurprise，Coveyseemedtohavelosthisusualstrengthandcoolness。Hewasfrightened，andstoodpuffingandblowing，seeminglyunabletocommandwordsorblows。WhenhesawthatpoorHugheswasstandinghalfbentwithpain——hiscouragequitegonethecowardlytyrantaskedifI“meanttopersistinmyresistance。“Itoldhim“_Ididmeantoresist，comewhatmight_；“thatIhadbeenbyhimtreatedlikea_brute_，duringthelastsixmonths；andthatIshouldstandit_nolonger_。

Withthat，hegavemeashake，andattemptedtodragmetowardastickofwood，thatwaslyingjustoutsidethestabledoor。Hemeanttoknockmedownwithit；but，justasheleanedovertogetthestick，Iseizedhimwithbothhandsbythecollar，and，withavigorousandsuddensnatch，Ibroughtmyassailantharmlessly，hisfulllength，onthe_not_overcleanground——forwewerenowinthecowyard。Hehadselectedtheplaceforthefight，anditwasbutrightthatheshouldhavealltheadvantges{sic}ofhisownselection。

Bythistime，Bill，thehiredman，camehome。HehadbeentoMr。

Hemsley"s，tospendtheSundaywithhisnominalwife，andwascominghomeonMondaymorning，togotowork。CoveyandIhadbeenskirmishingfrombeforedaybreak，tillnow，thatthesunwasalmostshootinghisbeamsovertheeasternwoods，andwewerestillatit。Icouldnotseewherethematterwastoterminate。

Heevidentlywasafraidtoletmego，lestIshouldagain<189

BILLREFUSESTOASSISTCOVEY>makeofftothewoods；otherwise，hewouldprobablyhaveobtainedarmsfromthehouse，tofrightenme。

Holdingme，CoveycalleduponBillforassistance。Thescenehere，hadsomethingcomicaboutit。“Bill，“whoknew_precisely_

whatCoveywishedhimtodo，affectedignorance，andpretendedhedidnotknowwhattodo。“WhatshallIdo，Mr。Covey，“saidBill。“Takeholdofhim——takeholdofhim！“saidCovey。Withatossofhishead，peculiartoBill，hesaid，“indeed，Mr。CoveyI

wanttogotowork。“_“Thisis_yourwork，“saidCovey；“takeholdofhim。“Billreplied，withspirit，“Mymasterhiredmehere，towork，and_not_tohelpyouwhipFrederick。“Itwasnowmyturntospeak。“Bill，“saidI，“don"tputyourhandsonme。“

Towhichhereplied，“MyGOD！Frederick，Iain"tgoin"totechye，“andBillwalkedoff，leavingCoveyandmyselftosettleourmattersasbestwemight。

But，mypresentadvantagewasthreatenedwhenIsawCaroline(theslave-womanofCovey)comingtothecowyardtomilk，forshewasapowerfulwoman，andcouldhavemasteredmeveryeasily，exhaustedasInowwas。Assoonasshecameintotheyard，Coveyattemptedtorallyhertohisaid。Strangely——and，Imayadd，fortunately——Carolinewasinnohumortotakeahandinanysuchsport。Wewereallinopenrebellion，thatmorning。Carolineansweredthecommandofhermasterto_“takeholdofme，“_

preciselyasBillhadanswered，butin_her_，itwasatgreaterperilsotoanswer；shewastheslaveofCovey，andhecoulddowhathepleasedwithher。Itwas_not_sowithBill，andBillknewit。SamuelHarris，towhomBillbelonged，didnotallowhisslavestobebeaten，unlesstheywereguiltyofsomecrimewhichthelawwouldpunish。But，poorCaroline，likemyself，wasatthemercyofthemercilessCovey；nordidsheescapethedireeffectsofherrefusal。Hegaveherseveralsharpblows。

Coveyatlength(twohourshadelapsed)gaveupthecontest。

Lettingmego，hesaid——puffingandblowingatagreatrate——

“Now，youscoundrel，gotoyourwork；IwouldnothavewhippedyouhalfsomuchasIhavehadyounotresisted。“Thefactwas，<190>_hehadnotwhippedmeatall_。Hehadnot，inallthescuffle，drawnasingledropofbloodfromme。Ihaddrawnbloodfromhim；and，evenwithoutthissatisfaction，Ishouldhavebeenvictorious，becausemyaimhadnotbeentoinjurehim，buttopreventhisinjuringme。

DuringthewholesixmonthsthatIlivedwithCovey，afterthistransaction，heneverlaidonmetheweightofhisfingerinanger。Hewould，occasionally，sayhedidnotwanttohavetogetholdofmeagain——adeclarationwhichIhadnodifficultyinbelieving；andIhadasecretfeeling，whichanswered，“Youneednotwishtogetholdofmeagain，foryouwillbelikelytocomeoffworseinasecondfightthanyoudidinthefirst。“

Well，mydearreader，thisbattlewithMr。Covey——undignifiedasitwas，andasIfearmynarrationofitis——wastheturningpointinmy_“lifeasaslave_。“Itrekindledinmybreastthesmoulderingembersofliberty；itbroughtupmyBaltimoredreams，andrevivedasenseofmyownmanhood。Iwasachangedbeingafterthatfight。Iwas_nothing_before；IWASAMANNOW。Itrecalledtolifemycrushedself-respectandmyself-confidence，andinspiredmewithareneweddeterminationtobeAFREEMAN。A

man，withoutforce，iswithouttheessentialdignityofhumanity。

Humannatureissoconstituted，thatitcannot_honor_ahelplessman，althoughitcan_pity_him；andeventhisitcannotdolong，ifthesignsofpowerdonotarise。

Hecanonlyunderstandtheeffectofthiscombatonmyspirit，whohashimselfincurredsomething，hazardedsomething，inrepellingtheunjustandcruelaggressionsofatyrant。Coveywasatyrant，andacowardlyone，withal。Afterresistinghim，I

feltasIhadneverfeltbefore。Itwasaresurrectionfromthedarkandpestiferoustombofslavery，totheheavenofcomparativefreedom。Iwasnolongeraservilecoward，tremblingunderthefrownofabrotherwormofthedust，but，mylong-cowedspiritwasrousedtoanattitudeofmanlyindependence。Ihadreachedthepoint，atwhichIwas_notafraidtodie_。This<191

RESULTSOFTHEVICTORY>spiritmademeafreemanin_fact_，whileIremainedaslavein_form_。Whenaslavecannotbefloggedheismorethanhalffree。Hehasadomainasbroadashisownmanlyhearttodefend，andheisreally_“apoweronearth_。“

Whileslavesprefertheirlives，withflogging，toinstantdeath，theywillalwaysfindChristiansenough，likeuntoCovey，toaccommodatethatpreference。Fromthistime，untilthatofmyescapefromslavery，Iwasneverfairlywhipped。Severalattemptsweremadetowhipme，buttheywerealwaysunsuccessful。

BruisesIdidget，asIshallhereafterinformthereader；butthecaseIhavebeendescribing，wastheendofthebrutificationtowhichslaveryhadsubjectedme。

Thereaderwillbegladtoknowwhy，afterIhadsogrievouslyoffendedMr。Covey，hedidnothavemetakeninhandbytheauthorities；indeed，whythelawofMaryland，whichassignshangingtotheslavewhoresistshismaster，wasnotputinforceagainstme；atanyrate，whyIwasnottakenup，asisusualinsuchcases，andpubliclywhipped，foranexampletootherslaves，andasameansofdeterringmefromcommittingthesameoffenseagain。Iconfess，thattheeasymannerinwhichIgotoff，foralongtime，asurprisetome，andIcannot，evennow，fullyexplainthecause。

TheonlyexplanationIcanventuretosuggest，isthefact，thatCoveywas，probably，ashamedtohaveitknownandconfessedthathehadbeenmasteredbyaboyofsixteen。Mr。Coveyenjoyedtheunboundedandveryvaluablereputation，ofbeingafirstrateoverseerand_Negrobreaker_。Bymeansofthisreputation，hewasabletoprocurehishandsfor_verytrifling_compensation，andwithverygreatease。Hisinterestandhispridemutuallysuggestedthewisdomofpassingthematterby，insilence。Thestorythathehadundertakentowhipalad，andhadbeenresisted，was，ofitself，sufficienttodamagehim；forhisbearingshould，intheestimationofslaveholders，beofthatimperialorderthatshouldmakesuchanoccurrence_impossible_。

Ijudgefromthesecircumstances，thatCoveydeemeditbestto<192>givemethego-by。Itis，perhaps，notaltogethercreditabletomynaturaltemper，that，afterthisconflictwithMr。Covey，Idid，attimes，purposelyaimtoprovokehimtoanattack，byrefusingtokeepwiththeotherhandsinthefield，butIcouldneverbullyhimtoanotherbattle。Ihadmadeupmymindtodohimseriousdamage，ifheeveragainattemptedtolayviolenthandsonme。

_Hereditarybondmen，knowyenotWhowouldbefree，themselvesmuststriketheblow？

CHAPTERXVIII

NewRelationsandDutiesCHANGEOFMASTERS——BENEFITSDERIVEDBYTHECHANGE——FAMEOFTHE

FIGHTWITHCOVEY——RECKLESSUNCONCERN——MYABHORRENCEOFSLAVERY——

ABILITYTOREADACAUSEOFPREJUDICE——THEHOLIDAYS——HOWSPENT——

SHARPHITATSLAVERY——EFFECTSOFHOLIDAYS——ADEVICEOFSLAVERY——

DIFFERENCEBETWEENCOVEYANDFREELAND——ANIRRELIGIOUSMASTER

PREFERREDTOARELIGIOUSONE——CATALOGUEOFFLOGGABLEOFFENSES——

HARDLIFEATCOVEY"SUSEFUL——IMPROVEDCONDITIONNOTFOLLOWEDBY

CONTENTMENT——CONGENIALSOCIETYATFREELAND"S——SABBATHSCHOOL

INSTITUTED——SECRECYNECESSARY——AFFECTIONATERELATIONSOFTUTOR

ANDPUPILS——CONFIDENCEANDFRIENDSHIPAMONGSLAVES——IDECLINE

PUBLISHINGPARTICULARSOFCONVERSATIONSWITHMYFRIENDS——SLAVERY

THEINVITEROFVENGEANCE。

MytermofactualservicetoMr。EdwardCoveyendedonChristmasday，1834。IgladlyleftthesnakishCovey，althoughhewasnowasgentleasalamb。Myhomefortheyear1835wasalreadysecured——mynextmasterwasalreadyselected。Thereisalwaysmoreorlessexcitementaboutthematterofchanginghands，butI

hadbecomesomewhatreckless。IcaredverylittleintowhosehandsIfell——Imeanttofightmyway。DespiteofCovey，too，thereportgotabroad，thatIwashardtowhip；thatIwasguiltyofkickingback；thatthoughgenerallyagoodtemperedNegro，I

sometimes“_gotthedevilinme_。“ThesesayingswererifeinTalbotcounty，andtheydistinguishedmeamongmyservilebrethren。Slaves，generally，willfighteachother，anddieateachother"shands；buttherearefewwhoarenotheldinawebyawhiteman。Trainedfromthecradleup，tothinkand<194>feelthattheirmastersaresuperior，andinvestedwithasortofsacredness，therearefewwhocanoutgroworriseabovethecontrolwhichthatsentimentexercises。Ihadnowgotfreefromit，andthethingwasknown。Onebadsheepwillspoilawholeflock。Amongtheslaves，Iwasabadsheep。Ihatedslavery，slaveholders，andallpertainingtothem；andIdidnotfailtoinspireotherswiththesamefeeling，whereverandwheneveropportunitywaspresented。Thismademeamarkedladamongtheslaves，andasuspectedoneamongtheslaveholders。Aknowledgeofmyabilitytoreadandwrite，gotprettywidelyspread，whichwasverymuchagainstme。

ThedaysbetweenChristmasdayandNewYear"s，areallowedtheslavesasholidays。Duringthesedays，allregularworkwassuspended，andtherewasnothingtodobuttokeepfires，andlookafterthestock。Thistimewasregardedasourown，bythegraceofourmasters，andwe，thereforeusedit，orabusedit，aswepleased。Thosewhohadfamiliesatadistance，werenowexpectedtovisitthem，andtospendwiththemtheentireweek。

Theyoungerslaves，ortheunmarriedones，wereexpectedtoseetothecattle，andattendtoincidentaldutiesathome。Theholidayswerevariouslyspent。Thesober，thinkingandindustriousonesofournumber，wouldemploythemselvesinmanufacturingcornbrooms，mats，horsecollarsandbaskets，andsomeofthesewereverywellmade。Anotherclassspenttheirtimeinhuntingopossums，coons，rabbits，andothergame。Butthemajorityspenttheholidaysinsports，ballplaying，wrestling，boxing，runningfootraces，dancing，anddrinkingwhisky；andthislattermodeofspendingthetimewasgenerallymostagreeabletotheirmasters。Aslavewhowouldworkduringtheholidays，wasthought，byhismaster，undeservingofholidays。Suchanonehadrejectedthefavorofhismaster。

Therewas，inthissimpleactofcontinuedwork，anaccusationagainstslaves；andaslavecouldnothelpthinking，thatifhemadethreedollarsduringtheholidays，hemightmakethreehundredduringtheyear。Nottobedrunkduringtheholi<195

EFFECTSOFHOLIDAYS>days，wasdisgraceful；andhewasesteemedalazyandimprovidentman，whocouldnotaffordtodrinkwhiskyduringChristmas。

Thefiddling，dancingand_“jubileebeating_，“wasgoingoninalldirections。Thislatterperformanceisstrictlysouthern。

Itsuppliestheplaceofaviolin，orofothermusicalinstruments，andisplayedsoeasily，thatalmosteveryfarmhasits“Juba“beater。Theperformerimprovisesashebeats，andsingshismerrysongs，soorderingthewordsastohavethemfallpatwiththemovementofhishands。Amongamassofnonsenseandwildfrolic，onceinawhileasharphitisgiventothemeannessofslaveholders。Takethefollowing，foranexample:

_Weraisedewheat，Deygibusdecorn；

Webakedebread，Deygibusdecruss；

Wesifdemeal，Deygibusdehuss；

Wepealdemeat，Deygibusdeskin，Anddat"sdewayDeytakesusin。

Weskimdepot，Deygibustheliquor，Andsaydat"sgoodenoughfornigger。

Walkover！walkover！

Tombutteranddefat；

Poorniggeryoucan"tgetoverdat；

Walkover_！

Thisisnotabadsummaryofthepalpableinjusticeandfraudofslavery，giving——asitdoes——tothelazyandidle，thecomfortswhichGoddesignedshouldbegivensolelytothehonestlaborer。

Buttotheholiday"s。

Judgingfrommyownobservationandexperience，Ibelievetheseholidaystobeamongthemosteffectivemeans，inthehandsofslaveholders，ofkeepingdownthespiritofinsurrectionamongtheslaves。

Toenslavemen，successfullyandsafely，itisnecessaryto<196>havetheirmindsoccupiedwiththoughtsandaspirationsshortofthelibertyofwhichtheyaredeprived。Acertaindegreeofattainablegoodmustbekeptbeforethem。Theseholidaysservethepurposeofkeepingthemindsoftheslavesoccupiedwithprospectivepleasure，withinthelimitsofslavery。

Theyoungmancangowooing；themarriedmancanvisithiswife；

thefatherandmothercanseetheirchildren；theindustriousandmoneylovingcanmakeafewdollars；thegreatwrestlercanwinlaurels；theyoungpeoplecanmeet，andenjoyeachother"ssociety；thedrunkenmancangetplentyofwhisky；andthereligiousmancanholdprayermeetings，preach，prayandexhortduringtheholidays。Beforetheholidays，thesearepleasuresinprospect；aftertheholidays，theybecomepleasuresofmemory，andtheyservetokeepoutthoughtsandwishesofamoredangerouscharacter。Wereslaveholdersatoncetoabandonthepracticeofallowingtheirslavestheseliberties，periodically，andtokeepthem，theyearround，closelyconfinedtothenarrowcircleoftheirhomes，Idoubtnotthatthesouthwouldblazewithinsurrections。Theseholidaysareconductorsorsafetyvalvestocarryofftheexplosiveelementsinseparablefromthehumanmind，whenreducedtotheconditionofslavery。Butforthese，therigorsofbondagewouldbecometoosevereforendurance，andtheslavewouldbeforceduptodangerousdesperation。Woetotheslaveholderwhenheundertakestohinderortopreventtheoperationoftheseelectricconductors。A

successionofearthquakeswouldbelessdestructive，thantheinsurrectionaryfireswhichwouldbesuretoburstforthindifferentpartsofthesouth，fromsuchinterference。

Thus，theholidays，becamepartandparcelofthegrossfraud，wrongsandinhumanityofslavery。Ostensibly，theyareinstitutionsofbenevolence，designedtomitigatetherigorsofslavelife，but，practically，theyareafraud，institutedbyhumanselfishness，thebettertosecuretheendsofinjusticeandoppression。Theslave"shappinessisnottheendsought，but，rather，themaster"s<197ADEVICEOFSLAVERY>safety。Itisnotfromagenerousunconcernfortheslave"slaborthatthiscessationfromlaborisallowed，butfromaprudentregardtothesafetyoftheslavesystem。Iamstrengthenedinthisopinion，bythefact，thatmostslaveholdersliketohavetheirslavesspendtheholidaysinsuchamannerastobeofnorealbenefittotheslaves。Itisplain，thateverythinglikerationalenjoymentamongtheslaves，isfrownedupon；andonlythosewildandlowsports，peculiartosemi-civilizedpeople，areencouraged。Allthelicenseallowed，appearstohavenootherobjectthantodisgusttheslaveswiththeirtemporaryfreedom，andtomakethemasgladtoreturntotheirwork，astheyweretoleaveit。Byplungingthemintoexhaustingdepthsofdrunkennessanddissipation，thiseffectisalmostcertaintofollow。Ihaveknownslaveholdersresorttocunningtricks，withaviewofgettingtheirslavesdeplorablydrunk。Ausualplanis，tomakebetsonaslave，thathecandrinkmorewhiskythananyother；

andsotoinducearivalryamongthem，forthemasteryinthisdegradation。Thescenes，broughtaboutinthisway，wereoftenscandalousandloathsomeintheextreme。Wholemultitudesmightbefoundstretchedoutinbrutaldrunkenness，atoncehelplessanddisgusting。Thus，whentheslaveasksforafewhoursofvirtuousfreedom，hiscunningmastertakesadvantageofhisignorance，andcheershimwithadoseofviciousandrevoltingdissipation，artfullylabeledwiththenameofLIBERTY。Wewereinducedtodrink，Iamongtherest，andwhentheholidayswereover，weallstaggeredupfromourfilthandwallowing，tookalongbreath，andwentawaytoourvariousfieldsofwork；

feeling，uponthewhole，rathergladtogofromthatwhichourmastersartfullydeceivedusintothebeliefwasfreedom，backagaintothearmsofslavery。Itwasnotwhatwehadtakenittobe，norwhatitmighthavebeen，haditnotbeenabusedbyus。

Itwasaboutaswelltobeaslaveto_master_，astobeaslaveto_rum_and_whisky。_

Iamthemoreinducedtotakethisviewoftheholidaysystem，<198>adoptedbyslaveholders，fromwhatIknowoftheirtreatmentofslaves，inregardtootherthings。Itisthecommonestthingforthemtotrytodisgusttheirslaveswithwhattheydonotwantthemtohave，ortoenjoy。Aslave，forinstance，likesmolasses；hestealssome；tocurehimofthetasteforit，hismaster，inmanycases，willgoawaytotown，andbuyalargequantityofthe_poorest_quality，andsetitbeforehisslave，and，withwhipinhand，compelhimtoeatit，untilthepoorfellowismadetosickenattheverythoughtofmolasses。Thesamecourseisoftenadoptedtocureslavesofthedisagreeableandinconvenientpracticeofaskingformorefood，whentheirallowancehasfailedthem。Thesamedisgustingprocessworkswell，too，inotherthings，butIneednotcitethem。Whenaslaveisdrunk，theslaveholderhasnofearthathewillplananinsurrection；nofearthathewillescapetothenorth。Itisthesober，thinkingslavewhoisdangerous，andneedsthevigilanceofhismaster，tokeephimaslave。But，toproceedwithmynarrative。

OnthefirstofJanuary，1835，IproceededfromSt。Michael"stoMr。WilliamFreeland"s，mynewhome。Mr。FreelandlivedonlythreemilesfromSt。Michael"s，onanoldwornoutfarm，whichrequiredmuchlabortorestoreittoanythinglikeaself-

supportingestablishment。

IwasnotlonginfindingMr。FreelandtobeaverydifferentmanfromMr。Covey。Thoughnotrich，Mr。Freelandwaswhatmaybecalledawell-bredsoutherngentleman，asdifferentfromCovey，asawell-trainedandhardenedNegrobreakerisfromthebestspecimenofthefirstfamiliesofthesouth。ThoughFreelandwasaslaveholder，andsharedmanyofthevicesofhisclass，heseemedalivetothesentimentofhonor。Hehadsomesenseofjustice，andsomefeelingsofhumanity。Hewasfretful，impulsiveandpassionate，butImustdohimthejusticetosay，hewasfreefromthemeanandselfishcharacteristicswhichdistinguishedthecreaturefromwhichIhadnow，happily，escaped。Hewasopen，frank，imperative，andpracticednoconcealments，<199RELIGIOUSSLAVEHOLDERS>disdainingtoplaythespy。Inallthis，hewastheoppositeofthecraftyCovey。

AmongthemanyadvantagesgainedinmychangefromCovey"stoFreeland"s——startlingasthestatementmaybe——wasthefactthatthelattergentlemanmadenoprofessionofreligion。Iassert_mostunhesitatingly_，thatthereligionofthesouth——asIhaveobserveditandprovedit——isamerecoveringforthemosthorridcrimes；thejustifierofthemostappallingbarbarity；asanctifierofthemosthatefulfrauds；andasecureshelter，underwhichthedarkest，foulest，grossest，andmostinfernalabominationsfesterandflourish。WereIagaintobereducedtotheconditionofaslave，_next_tothatcalamity，Ishouldregardthefactofbeingtheslaveofareligiousslaveholder，thegreatestthatcouldbefallme。ForallslaveholderswithwhomIhaveevermet，religiousslaveholdersaretheworst。I

havefoundthem，almostinvariably，thevilest，meanestandbasestoftheirclass。Exceptionstheremaybe，butthisistrueofreligiousslaveholders，_asaclass_。Itisnotformetoexplainthefact。Othersmaydothat；Isimplystateitasafact，andleavethetheological，andpsychologicalinquiry，whichitraises，tobedecidedbyothersmorecompetentthanmyself。

Religiousslaveholders，likereligiouspersecutors，areeverextremeintheirmaliceandviolence。Verynearmynewhome，onanadjoiningfarm，therelivedtheRev。DanielWeeden，whowasbothpiousandcruelaftertherealCoveypattern。Mr。WeedenwasalocalpreacheroftheProtestantMethodistpersuasion，andamostzealoussupporteroftheordinancesofreligion，generally。ThisWeedenownedawomancalled“Ceal，“whowasastandingproofofhismercilessness。PoorCeal"sback，alwaysscantilyclothed，waskeptliterallyraw，bythelashofthisreligiousmanandgospelminister。Themostnotoriouslywickedman——socalledindistinctionfromchurchmembers——couldhirehandsmoreeasilythanthisbrute。Whensentouttofindahome，aslavewouldneverenterthegatesofthepreacherWeeden，whileasinfulsinnerneededahand。Be<200>haveill，orbehavewell，itwastheknownmaximofWeeden，thatitisthedutyofamastertousethelash。If，fornootherreason，hecontendedthatthiswasessentialtoremindaslaveofhiscondition，andofhismaster"sauthority。Thegoodslavemustbewhipped，tobe_kept_

good，andthebadslavemustbewhipped，tobe_made_good。SuchwasWeeden"stheory，andsuchwashispractice。Thebackofhisslave-womanwill，inthejudgment，betheswiftestwitnessagainsthim。

WhileIamstatingparticularcases，Imightaswellimmortalizeanotherofmyneighbors，bycallinghimbyname，andputtinghiminprint。Hedidnotthinkthata“chiel“wasnear，“takingnotes，“andwill，doubtless，feelquiteangryathavinghischaractertouchedoffintheraggedstyleofaslave"spen。I

begtointroducethereadertoREV。RIGBYHOPKINS。Mr。HopkinsresidesbetweenEastonandSt。Michael"s，inTalbotcounty，Maryland。Theseverityofthismanmadehimaperfectterrortotheslavesofhisneighborhood。Thepeculiarfeatureofhisgovernment，was，hissystemofwhippingslaves，ashesaid，_inadvance_ofdeservingit。HealwaysmanagedtohaveoneortwoslavestowhiponMondaymorning，soastostarthishandstotheirwork，undertheinspirationofanewassuranceonMonday，thathispreachingaboutkindness，mercy，brotherlylove，andthelike，onSunday，didnotinterferewith，orpreventhimfromestablishinghisauthority，bythecowskin。Heseemedtowishtoassurethem，thathistearsoverpoor，lostandruinedsinners，andhispityforthem，didnotreachtotheblackswhotilledhisfields。ThissaintlyHopkinsusedtoboast，thathewasthebesthandtomanageaNegrointhecounty。Hewhippedforthesmallestoffenses，bywayofpreventingthecommissionoflargeones。

Thereadermightimagineadifficultyinfindingfaultsenoughforsuchfrequentwhipping。Butthisisbecauseyouhavenoideahoweasyamatteritistooffendamanwhoisonthelook-outforoffenses。Theman，unaccustomedtoslaveholding，wouldbeastonishedtoobservehowmany_foggable_offensestherearein<201>CATALOGUEOFFLOGGABLEOFFENSES>theslaveholder"scatalogueofcrimes；andhoweasyitistocommitanyoneofthem，evenwhentheslaveleastintendsit。Aslaveholder，bentonfindingfault，willhatchupadozenaday，ifhechoosestodoso，andeachoneoftheseshallbeofapunishabledescription。Amerelook，word，ormotion，amistake，accident，orwantofpower，areallmattersforwhichaslavemaybewhippedatanytime。Doesaslavelookdissatisfiedwithhiscondition？Itissaid，thathehasthedevilinhim，anditmustbewhippedout。Doesheanswer_loudly_，whenspokentobyhismaster，withanairofself-

consciousness？Then，musthebetakendownabutton-holelower，bythelash，welllaidon。Doesheforget，andomittopulloffhishat，whenapproachingawhiteperson？Then，hemust，ormaybe，whippedforhisbadmanners。Doesheeverventuretovindicatehisconduct，whenharshlyandunjustlyaccused？Then，heisguiltyofimpudence，oneofthegreatestcrimesinthesocialcatalogueofsouthernsociety。Toallowaslavetoescapepunishment，whohasimpudentlyattemptedtoexculpatehimselffromunjustcharges，preferredagainsthimbysomewhiteperson，istobeguiltyofgreatderelictionofduty。Doesaslaveeverventuretosuggestabetterwayofdoingathing，nomatterwhat？

Heis，altogether，tooofficious——wiseabovewhatiswritten——andhedeserves，evenifhedoesnotget，afloggingforhispresumption。Doeshe，whileplowing，breakaplow，orwhilehoeing，breakahoe，orwhilechopping，breakanax？Nomatterwhatweretheimperfectionsoftheimplementbroken，orthenaturalliabilitiesforbreaking，theslavecanbewhippedforcarelessness。The_reverend_slaveholdercouldalwaysfindsomethingofthissort，tojustifyhiminusingthelashseveraltimesduringtheweek。Hopkins——likeCoveyandWeeden——wereshunnedbyslaveswhohadtheprivilege(asmanyhad)offindingtheirownmastersattheendofeachyear；andyet，therewasnotamaninallthatsectionofcountry，whomadealouderprofessionofreligion，thandidMR。RIGBYHOPKINS。

<202>

But，tocontinuethethreadofmystory，throughmyexperiencewhenatMr。WilliamFreeland"s。

Mypoor，weather-beatenbarknowreachedsmootherwater，andgentlerbreezes。MystormylifeatCovey"shadbeenofservicetome。Thethingsthatwouldhaveseemedveryhard，hadIgonedirecttoMr。Freeland"s，fromthehomeofMasterThomas，werenow(afterthehardshipsatCovey"s)“trifleslightasair。“I

wasstillafieldhand，andhadcometoprefertheseverelaborofthefield，totheenervatingdutiesofahouseservant。Ihadbecomelargeandstrong；andhadbeguntotakeprideinthefact，thatIcoulddoasmuchhardworkassomeoftheoldermen。

Thereismuchrivalryamongslaves，attimes，astowhichcandothemostwork，andmastersgenerallyseektopromotesuchrivalry。Butsomeofusweretoowisetoracewitheachotherverylong。Suchracing，wehadthesagacitytosee，wasnotlikelytopay。Wehadourtimesformeasuringeachother"sstrength，butweknewtoomuchtokeepupthecompetitionsolongastoproduceanextraordinaryday"swork。Weknewthatif，byextraordinaryexertion，alargequantityofworkwasdoneinoneday，thefact，becomingknowntothemaster，mightleadhimtorequirethesameamounteveryday。Thisthoughtwasenoughtobringustoadeadhaltwhenoversomuchexcitedfortherace。

AtMr。Freeland"s，myconditionwaseverywayimproved。Iwasnolongerthepoorscape-goatthatIwaswhenatCovey"s，whereeverywrongthingdonewassaddleduponme，andwhereotherslaveswerewhippedovermyshoulders。Mr。Freelandwastoojustamanthustoimposeuponme，oruponanyoneelse。

Itisquiteusualtomakeoneslavetheobjectofespecialabuse，andtobeathimoften，withaviewtoitseffectuponothers，ratherthanwithanyexpectationthattheslavewhippedwillbeimprovedbyit，butthemanwithwhomInowwas，coulddescendtonosuchmeannessandwickedness。Everymanherewasheldindividuallyresponsibleforhisownconduct。

ThiswasavastimprovementontheruleatCovey"s。There，I

<203NOTYETCONTENTED>wasthegeneralpackhorse。BillSmithwasprotected，byapositiveprohibitionmadebyhisrichmaster，andthecommandoftherichslaveholderisLAWtothepoorone；

Hugheswasfavored，becauseofhisrelationshiptoCovey；andthehandshiredtemporarily，escapedflogging，exceptastheygotitovermypoorshoulders。Ofcourse，thiscomparisonreferstothetimewhenCovey_could_whipme。

Mr。Freeland，likeMr。Covey，gavehishandsenoughtoeat，but，unlikeMr。Covey，hegavethemtimetotaketheirmeals；heworkedushardduringtheday，butgaveusthenightforrest——

anotheradvantagetobesettothecreditofthesinner，asagainstthatofthesaint。Wewereseldominthefieldafterdarkintheevening，orbeforesunriseinthemorning。Ourimplementsofhusbandrywereofthemostimprovedpattern，andmuchsuperiortothoseusedatCovey"s。

Nothwithstandingtheimprovedconditionwhichwasnowmine，andthemanyadvantagesIhadgainedbymynewhome，andmynewmaster，Iwasstillrestlessanddiscontented。Iwasaboutashardtopleasebyamaster，asamasterisbyslave。Thefreedomfrombodilytortureandunceasinglabor，hadgivenmymindanincreasedsensibility，andimpartedtoitgreateractivity。I

wasnotyetexactlyinrightrelations。“Howbeit，thatwasnotfirstwhichisspiritual，butthatwhichisnatural，andafterwardthatwhichisspiritual。“WhenentombedatCovey"s，shroudedindarknessandphysicalwretchedness，temporalwellbeingwasthegrand_desideratum；_but，temporalwantssupplied，thespiritputsinitsclaims。Beatandcuffyourslave，keephimhungryandspiritless，andhewillfollowthechainofhismasterlikeadog；but，feedandclothehimwell——

workhimmoderately——surroundhimwithphysicalcomfort——anddreamsoffreedomintrude。Givehima_bad_master，andheaspirestoa_good_master；givehimagoodmaster，andhewishestobecomehis_own_master。Suchishumannature。Youmayhurlamansolow，beneaththelevelofhiskind，thathelosesalljustideasofhisnaturalposition；<204>butelevatehimalittle，andtheclearconceptionofrightsarisestolifeandpower，andleadshimonward。Thuselevated，alittle，atFreeland"s，thedreamscalledintobeingbythatgoodman，FatherLawson，wheninBaltimore，begantovisitme；andshootsfromthetreeoflibertybegantoputforthtenderbuds，anddimhopesofthefuturebegantodawn。

Ifoundmyselfincongenialsociety，atMr。Freeland"s。TherewereHenryHarris，JohnHarris，HandyCaldwell，andSandyJenkins。[6]

HenryandJohnwerebrothers，andbelongedtoMr。Freeland。Theywerebothremarkablybrightandintelligent，thoughneitherofthemcouldread。Nowformischief！IhadnotbeenlongatFreeland"sbeforeIwasuptomyoldtricks。Iearlybegantoaddressmycompanionsonthesubjectofeducation，andtheadvantagesofintelligenceoverignorance，and，asfarasI

dared，Itriedtoshowtheagencyofignoranceinkeepingmeninslavery。Webster"sspellingbookandthe_ColumbianOrator_werelookedintoagain。Assummercameon，andthelongSabbathdaysstretchedthemselvesoverouridleness，Ibecameuneasy，andwantedaSabbathschool，inwhichtoexercisemygifts，andtoimpartthelittleknowledgeofletterswhichIpossessed，tomybrotherslaves。Ahousewashardlynecessaryinthesummertime；

Icouldholdmyschoolundertheshadeofanoldoaktree，aswellasanywhereelse。Thethingwas，togetthescholars，andtohavethemthoroughlyimbuedwiththedesiretolearn。Twosuchboyswerequicklysecured，inHenryandJohn，andfromthemthecontagionspread。Iwasnotlongbringingaroundmetwentyorthirtyyoungmen，whoenrolledthemselves，gladly，inmySabbathschool，andwerewillingtomeetmeregularly，underthetreesorelsewhere，forthepurposeoflearningtoread。Itwas[6]ThisisthesamemanwhogavemetherootstopreventmybeingwhippedbyMr。Covey。Hewas“acleversoul。“WeusedfrequentlytotalkaboutthefightwithCovey，andasoftenaswedidso，hewouldclaimmysuccessastheresultoftherootswhichhegaveme。Thissuperstitionisverycommonamongthemoreignorantslaves。Aslaveseldomdies，butthathisdeathisattributedtotrickery。

<205SABBATHSCHOOLINSTITUTED>surprisingwithwhateasetheyprovidedthemselveswithspellingbooks。Theseweremostlythecastoffbooksoftheiryoungmastersormistresses。Itaught，atfirst，onourownfarm。Allwereimpressedwiththenecessityofkeepingthematterasprivateaspossible，forthefateoftheSt。Michael"sattemptwasnotorious，andfreshinthemindsofall。Ourpiousmasters，atSt。Michael"s，mustnotknowthatafewoftheirduskybrotherswerelearningtoreadthewordofGod，lesttheyshouldcomedownuponuswiththelashandchain。

Wemighthavemettodrinkwhisky，towrestle，fight，andtodootherunseemlythings，withnofearofinterruptionfromthesaintsorsinnersofSt。Michael"s。

But，tomeetforthepurposeofimprovingthemindandheart，bylearningtoreadthesacredscriptures，wasesteemedamostdangerousnuisance，tobeinstantlystopped。TheslaveholdersofSt。Michael"s，likeslaveholderselsewhere，wouldalwaysprefertoseetheslavesengagedindegradingsports，ratherthantoseethemactinglikemoralandaccountablebeings。

Hadanyoneaskedareligiouswhiteman，inSt。Michael"s，twentyyearsago，thenamesofthreemeninthattown，whoselivesweremostafterthepatternofourLordandMaster，JesusChrist，thefirstthreewouldhavebeenasfollows:

GARRISONWEST，_ClassLeader_。

WRIGHTFAIRBANKS，_ClassLeader_。

THOMASAULD，_ClassLeader_。

Andyet，theseweremenwhoferociouslyrushedinuponmySabbathschool，atSt。Michael"s，armedwithmob-likemissiles，andI

mustsay，IthoughthimaChristian，untilhetookpartinbloodybythelash。ThissameGarrisonWestwasmyclassleader，andI

mustsay，IthoughthimaChristian，untilhetookpartinbreakingupmyschool。Heledmenomoreafterthat。Thepleaforthisoutragewasthen，asitisnowandatalltimes——thedangertogoodorder。Iftheslaveslearnttoread，theywouldlearnsomethingelse，andsomethingworse。Thepeaceofslaverywouldbedisturbed；slaverulewouldbeendangered。Ileavethereaderto<206>characterizeasystemwhichisendangeredbysuchcauses。Idonotdisputethesoundnessofthereasoning。Itisperfectlysound；and，ifslaverybe_right_，Sabbathschoolsforteachingslavestoreadthebibleare_wrong_，andoughttobeputdown。TheseChristianclassleaderswere，tothisextent，consistent。Theyhadsettledthequestion，thatslaveryis_right_，and，bythatstandard，theydeterminedthatSabbathschoolsarewrong。Tobesure，theywereProtestant，andheldtothegreatProtestantrightofeverymanto_“searchthescriptures“_forhimself；but，then，toallgeneralrules，thereare_exceptions_。Howconvenient！Whatcrimesmaynotbecommittedunderthedoctrineofthelastremark。But，mydear，classleadingMethodistbrethren，didnotcondescendtogivemeareasonforbreakinguptheSabbathschoolatSt。Michael"s；itwasenoughthattheyhaddetermineduponitsdestruction。Iam，however，digressing。

Aftergettingtheschoolcleverlyintooperation，thesecondtimeholdingitinthewoods，behindthebarn，andintheshadeoftrees——Isucceededininducingafreecoloredman，wholivedseveralmilesfromourhouse，topermitmetoholdmyschoolinaroomathishouse。He，verykindly，gavemethisliberty；butheincurredmuchperilindoingso，fortheassemblagewasanunlawfulone。Ishallnotmention，here，thenameofthisman；

foritmight，evennow，subjecthimtopersecution，althoughtheoffenseswerecommittedmorethantwentyyearsago。Ihad，atonetime，morethanfortyscholars，alloftherightsort；andmanyofthemsucceededinlearningtoread。IhavemetseveralslavesfromMaryland，whowereoncemyscholars；andwhoobtainedtheirfreedom，Idoubtnot，partlyinconsequenceoftheideasimpartedtotheminthatschool。Ihavehadvariousemploymentsduringmyshortlife；butIlookbackto_none_withmoresatisfaction，thantothataffordedbymySundayschool。Anattachment，deepandlasting，sprungupbetweenmeandmypersecutedpupils，whichmadepartingfromthemintenselygrievous；and，<207FRIENDSHIPAMONGSLAVES>whenIthinkthatmostofthesedearsoulsareyetshutupinthisabjectthralldom，Iamoverwhelmedwithgrief。

BesidesmySundayschool，Idevotedthreeeveningsaweektomyfellowslaves，duringthewinter。Letthereaderreflectuponthefact，that，inthischristiancountry，menandwomenarehidingfromprofessorsofreligion，inbarns，inthewoodsandfields，inordertolearntoreadthe_holybible_。Thosedearsouls，whocametomySabbathschool，came_not_becauseitwaspopularorreputabletoattendsuchaplace，fortheycameundertheliabilityofhavingfortystripeslaidontheirnakedbacks。

Everymomenttheyspendinmyschool，theywereunderthisterribleliability；and，inthisrespect，Iwassharerwiththem。

Theirmindshadbeencrampedandstarvedbytheircruelmasters；

thelightofeducationhadbeencompletelyexcluded；andtheirhardearningshadbeentakentoeducatetheirmaster"schildren。

Ifeltadelightincircumventingthetyrants，andinblessingthevictimsoftheircurses。

TheyearatMr。Freeland"spassedoffverysmoothly，tooutwardseeming。Notablowwasgivenmeduringthewholeyear。TothecreditofMr。Freeland——irreligiousthoughhewas——itmustbestated，thathewasthebestmasterIeverhad，untilIbecamemyownmaster，andassumedformyself，asIhadarighttodo，theresponsibilityofmyownexistenceandtheexerciseofmyownpowers。Formuchofthehappiness——orabsenceofmisery——withwhichIpassedthisyearwithMr。Freeland，Iamindebtedtothegenialtemperandardentfriendshipofmybrotherslaves。Theywere，everyoneofthem，manly，generousandbrave，yes；Isaytheywerebrave，andIwilladd，finelooking。Itisseldomthelotofmortalstohavetruerandbetterfriendsthanweretheslavesonthisfarm。Itisnotuncommontochargeslaveswithgreattreacherytowardeachother，andtobelievethemincapableofconfidingineachother；butImustsay，thatIneverloved，esteemed，orconfidedinmen，morethanIdidinthese。Theywereastrueassteel，andnobandofbrotherscouldhavebeenmore<208>loving。Therewerenomeanadvantagestakenofeachother，asissometimesthecasewhereslavesaresituatedaswewere；notattling；nogivingeachotherbadnamestoMr。

Freeland；andnoelevatingoneattheexpenseoftheother。Weneverundertooktodoanything，ofanyimportance，whichwaslikelytoaffecteachother，withoutmutualconsultation。Weweregenerallyaunit，andmovedtogether。Thoughtsandsentimentswereexchangedbetweenus，whichmightwellbecalledveryincendiary，byoppressorsandtyrants；andperhapsthetimehasnotevennowcome，whenitissafetounfoldalltheflyingsuggestionswhichariseinthemindsofintelligentslaves。

Severalofmyfriendsandbrothers，ifyetalive，arestillinsomepartofthehouseofbondage；andthoughtwentyyearshavepassedaway，thesuspiciousmaliceofslaverymightpunishthemforevenlisteningtomythoughts。

Theslaveholder，kindorcruel，isaslaveholderstill——theeveryhourviolatorofthejustandinalienablerightsofman；andheis，therefore，everyhoursilentlywhettingtheknifeofvengeanceforhisownthroat。Heneverlispsasyllableincommendationofthefathersofthisrepublic，nordenouncesanyattemptedoppressionofhimself，withoutinvitingtheknifetohisownthroat，andassertingtherightsofrebellionforhisownslaves。

Theyearisended，andwearenowinthemidstoftheChristmasholidays，whicharekeptthisyearaslast，accordingtothegeneraldescriptionpreviouslygiven。

CHAPTERXIX

TheRun-AwayPlotNEWYEAR"STHOUGHTSANDMEDITATIONS——AGAINBOUGHTBYFREELAND——NO

AMBITIONTOBEASLAVE——KINDNESSNOCOMPENSATIONFORSLAVERY——

INCIPIENTSTEPSTOWARDESCAPE——CONSIDERATIONSLEADINGTHERETO——

IRRECONCILABLEHOSTILITYTOSLAVERY——SOLEMNVOWTAKEN——PLAN

DIVULGEDTOTHESLAVES——_ColumbianOrator——_SCHEMEGAINSFAVOR，DESPITEPRO-SLAVERYPREACHING——DANGEROFDISCOVERY——SKILLOF

SLAVEHOLDERSINREADINGTHEMINDSOFTHEIRSLAVES——SUSPICIONAND

COERCION——HYMNSWITHDOUBLEMEANING——VALUE，INDOLLARS，OFOUR

COMPANY——PRELIMINARYCONSULTATION——PASS-WORD——CONFLICTSOFHOPE

ANDFEAR——DIFFICULTIESTOBEOVERCOME——IGNORANCEOFGEOGRAPHY——

SURVEYOFIMAGINARYDIFFICULTIES——EFFECTONOURMINDS——PATRICK

HENRY——SANDYBECOMESADREAMER——ROUTETOTHENORTHLAIDOUT——

OBJECTIONSCONSIDERED——FRAUDSPRACTICEDONFREEMEN——PASSES

WRITTEN——ANXIETIESASTHETIMEDREWNEAR——DREADOFFAILURE——

APPEALSTOCOMRADES——STRANGEPRESENTIMENT——COINCIDENCE——THE

BETRAYALDISCOVERED——THEMANNEROFARRESTINGUS——RESISTANCEMADE

BYHENRYHARRIS——ITSEFFECT——THEUNIQUESPEECHOFMRS。FREELAND——

OURSADPROCESSIONTOPRISON——BRUTALJEERSBYTHEMULTITUDEALONG

THEROAD——PASSESEATEN——THEDENIAL——SANDYTOOWELLLOVEDTOBE

SUSPECTED——DRAGGEDBEHINDHORSES——THEJAILARELIEF——ANEWSETOF

TORMENTORS——SLAVE-TRADERS——JOHN，CHARLESANDHENRYRELEASED——

ALONEINPRISON——IAMTAKENOUT，ANDSENTTOBALTIMORE。

Iamnowatthebeginningoftheyear1836，atimefavorableforseriousthoughts。Themindnaturallyoccupiesitselfwiththemysteriesoflifeinallitsphases——theideal，therealandtheactual。Soberpeoplelookbothwaysatthebeginningoftheyear，surveyingtheerrorsofthepast，andprovidingagainstpossibleerrorsofthefuture。I，too，wasthusexercised。I

hadlittlepleasure<210>inretrospect，andtheprospectwasnotverybrilliant。“Notwithstanding，“thoughtI，“themanyresolutionsandprayersIhavemade，inbehalfoffreedom，Iam，thisfirstdayoftheyear1836，stillaslave，stillwanderinginthedepthsofspirit-devouringthralldom。Myfacultiesandpowersofbodyandsoularenotmyown，butarethepropertyofafellowmortal，innosensesuperiortome，exceptthathehasthephysicalpowertocompelmetobeownedandcontrolledbyhim。

Bythecombinedphysicalforceofthecommunity，Iamhisslave——

aslaveforlife。“Withthoughtslikethese，Iwasperplexedandchafed；theyrenderedmegloomyanddisconsolate。Theanguishofmymindmaynotbewritten。

Atthecloseoftheyear1835，Mr。Freeland，mytemporarymaster，hadboughtmeofCapt。ThomasAuld，fortheyear1836。Hispromptnessinsecuringmyservices，wouldhavebeenflatteringtomyvanity，hadIbeenambitioustowinthereputationofbeingavaluableslave。Evenasitwas，Ifeltaslightdegreeofcomplacencyatthecircumstance。Itshowedhewasaswellpleasedwithmeasaslave，asIwaswithhimasamaster。I

havealreadyintimatedmyregardforMr。Freeland，andImaysayhere，inaddressingnorthernreaders——whereisnoselfishmotiveforspeakinginpraiseofaslaveholder——thatMr。Freelandwasamanofmanyexcellentqualities，andtomequitepreferabletoanymasterIeverhad。

Butthekindnessoftheslavemasteronlygildsthechainofslavery，anddetractsnothingfromitsweightorpower。Thethoughtthatmenaremadeforotherandbetterusesthanslavery，thrivesbestunderthegentletreatmentofakindmaster。Butthegrimvisageofslaverycanassumenosmileswhichcanfascinatethepartiallyenlightenedslave，intoaforgetfulnessofhisbondage，norofthedesirablenessofliberty。

Iwasnotthroughthefirstmonthofthis，mysecondyearwiththekindandgentlemanlyMr。Freeland，beforeIwasearnestlyconsideringandadvisingplansforgainingthatfreedom，which，<211INCIPIENTSTEPSTOWARDSESCAPE>whenIwasbutamerechild，Ihadascertainedtobethenaturalandinbornrightofeverymemberofthehumanfamily。Thedesireforthisfreedomhadbeenbenumbed，whileIwasunderthebrutalizingdominionofCovey；

andithadbeenpostponed，andrenderedinoperative，bymytrulypleasantSundayschoolengagementswithmyfriends，duringtheyear1835，atMr。Freeland"s。Ithad，however，neverentirelysubsided。Ihatedslavery，always，andthedesireforfreedomonlyneededafavorablebreeze，tofanitintoablaze，atanymoment。Thethoughtofonlybeingacreatureofthe_present_

andthe_past_，troubledme，andIlongedtohavea_future_——afuturewithhopeinit。Tobeshutupentirelytothepastandpresent，isabhorrenttothehumanmind；itistothesoul——whoselifeandhappinessisunceasingprogress——whattheprisonistothebody；ablightandmildew，ahellofhorrors。Thedawningofthis，anotheryear，awakenedmefrommytemporaryslumber，androusedintolifemylatent，butlongcherishedaspirationsforfreedom。Iwasnownotonlyashamedtobecontentedinslavery，butashamedto_seem_tobecontented，andinmypresentfavorablecondition，underthemildruleofMr。F。，Iamnotsurethatsomekindreaderwillnotcondemnmeforbeingoverambitious，andgreatlywantinginproperhumility，whenIsaythetruth，thatInowdrovefrommeallthoughtsofmakingthebestofmylot，andwelcomedonlysuchthoughtsasledmeawayfromthehouseofbondage。Theintensedesires，nowfelt，_tobefree_，quickenedbymypresentfavorablecircumstances，broughtmetothedeterminationtoact，aswellastothinkandspeak。

Accordingly，atthebeginningofthisyear1836，Itookuponmeasolemnvow，thattheyearwhichhadnowdawneduponmeshouldnotclose，withoutwitnessinganearnestattempt，onmypart，togainmyliberty。Thisvowonlyboundmetomakemyescapeindividually；buttheyearspentwithMr。Freelandhadattachedme，aswith“hooksofsteel，“tomybrotherslaves。Themostaffectionateandconfidingfriendshipexistedbetweenus；andI

feltitmydutytogivethemanopportunitytoshareinmy<212>virtuousdeterminationbyfranklydisclosingtothemmyplansandpurposes。TowardHenryandJohnHarris，Ifeltafriendshipasstrongasonemancanfeelforanother；forIcouldhavediedwithandforthem。Tothem，therefore，withasuitabledegreeofcaution，Ibegantodisclosemysentimentsandplans；

soundingthem，thewhileonthesubjectofrunningaway，providedagoodchanceshouldoffer。Iscarcelyneedtellthereader，thatIdidmy_verybest_toimbuethemindsofmydearfriendswithmyownviewsandfeelings。Thoroughlyawakened，now，andwithadefinitevowuponme，allmylittlereading，whichhadanybearingonthesubjectofhumanrights，wasrenderedavailableinmycommunicationswithmyfriends。That(tome)gemofabook，the_ColumbianOrator_，withitseloquentorationsandspicydialogues，denouncingoppressionandslavery——tellingofwhathadbeendared，doneandsufferedbymen，toobtaintheinestimableboonofliberty——wasstillfreshinmymemory，andwhirledintotheranksofmyspeechwiththeaptitudeofwelltrainedsoldiers，goingthroughthedrill。Thefactis，Iherebeganmypublicspeaking。Icanvassed，withHenryandJohn，thesubjectofslavery，anddashedagainstitthecondemningbrandofGod"seternaljustice，whichiteveryhourviolates。Myfellowservantswereneitherindifferent，dull，norinapt。Ourfeelingsweremorealikethanouropinions。All，however，werereadytoact，whenafeasibleplanshouldbeproposed。“Showus_how_thethingistobedone，“saidthey，“andallisclear。“

Wewereall，exceptSandy，quitefreefromslaveholdingpriestcraft。ItwasinvainthatwehadbeentaughtfromthepulpitatSt。Michael"s，thedutyofobediencetoourmasters；torecognizeGodastheauthorofourenslavement；toregardrunningawayanoffense，alikeagainstGodandman；todeemourenslavementamercifulandbeneficialarrangement；toesteemourcondition，inthiscountry，aparadisetothatfromwhichwehadbeensnatchedinAfrica；toconsiderourhardhandsanddarkcolorasGod"smarkofdispleasure，andaspointingusoutastheproper<213FREEFROMPROSLAVERYPRIESTCRAFT>subjectsofslavery；

thattherelationofmasterandslavewasoneofreciprocalbenefits；thatourworkwasnotmoreserviceabletoourmasters，thanourmaster"sthinkingwasserviceabletous。Isay，itwasinvainthatthepulpitofSt。Michael"shadconstantlyinculcatedtheseplausib]edoctrine。Naturelaughedthemtoscorn。Formyownpart，Ihadnowbecomealtogethertoobigformychains。FatherLawson"ssolemnwords，ofwhatIoughttobe，andmightbe，intheprovidenceofGod，hadnotfallendeadonmysoul。Iwasfastvergingtowardmanhood，andthepropheciesofmychildhoodwerestillunfulfilled。Thethought，thatyearafteryearhadpassedaway，andmyresolutionstorunawayhadfailedandfaded——thatIwas_stillaslave_，andaslave，too，withchancesforgainingmyfreedomdiminishedandstilldiminishing——wasnotamattertobesleptovereasily；nordidI

easilysleepoverit。

Butherecameanewtrouble。ThoughtsandpurposessoincendiaryasthoseInowcherished，couldnotagitatethemindlong，withoutdangerofmakingthemselvesmanifesttoscrutinizingandunfriendlybeholders。Ihadreasontofearthatmysablefacemightprovealtogethertootransparentforthesafeconcealmentofmyhazardousenterprise。Plansofgreatermomenthaveleakedthroughstonewalls，andrevealedtheirprojectors。But，herewasnostonewalltohidemypurpose。Iwouldhavegivenmypoor，telltalefacefortheimmoveablecountenanceofanIndian，foritwasfarfrombeingproofagainstthedaily，searchingglancesofthosewithwhomImet。

Itistheinterestandbusinessofslaveholderstostudyhumannature，withaviewtopracticalresults，andmanyofthemattainastonishingproficiencyindiscerningthethoughtsandemotionsofslaves。Theyhavetodealnotwithearth，wood，orstone，butwith_men；_and，byeveryregardtheyhavefortheirsafetyandprosperity，theymuststudytoknowthematerialonwhichtheyareatwork。Somuchintellectastheslaveholderhasaroundhim，requireswatching。Theirsafetydependsupontheirvigilance。Consciousoftheinjusticeandwrongtheyareeveryhourperpe<214>trating，andknowingwhattheythemselveswoulddoifmadethevictimsofsuchwrongs，theyarelookingoutforthefirstsignsofthedreadretributionofjustice。Theywatch，therefore，withskilledandpracticedeyes，andhavelearnedtoread，withgreataccuracy，thestateofmindandheartoftheslaves，throughhissableface。Theseuneasysinnersarequicktoinquireintothematter，wheretheslaveisconcerned。

Unusualsobriety，apparentabstraction，sullennessandindifference——indeed，anymoodoutofthecommonway——affordgroundforsuspicionandinquiry。Oftenrelyingontheirsuperiorpositionandwisdom，theyhectorandtorturetheslaveintoaconfession，byaffectingtoknowthetruthoftheiraccusations。“Youhavegotthedevilinyou，“saythey，“andwewillwhiphimoutofyou。“Ihaveoftenbeenputthustothetorture，onbaresuspicion。Thissystemhasitsdisadvantagesaswellastheiropposite。Theslaveissometimeswhippedintotheconfessionofoffenseswhichhenevercommitted。Thereaderwillseethatthegoodoldrule——“amanistobeheldinnocentuntilprovedtobeguilty“——doesnotholdgoodontheslaveplantation。

Suspicionandtorturearetheapprovedmethodsofgettingatthetruth，here。Itwasnecessaryforme，therefore，tokeepawatchovermydeportment，lesttheenemyshouldgetthebetterofme。

Butwithallourcautionandstudiedreserve，IamnotsurethatMr。Freelanddidnotsuspectthatallwasnotrightwithus。It_did_seemthathewatchedusmorenarrowly，aftertheplanofescapehadbeenconceivedanddiscussedamongstus。Menseldomseethemselvesasothersseethem；andwhile，toourselves，everythingconnectedwithourcontemplatedescapeappearedconcealed，Mr。Freelandmayhave，withthepeculiarprescienceofaslaveholder，masteredthehugethoughtwhichwasdisturbingourpeaceinslavery。

Iamthemoreinclinedtothinkthathesuspectedus，because，prudentaswewere，asInowlookback，Icanseethatwedidmanysillythings，verywellcalculatedtoawakensuspicion。Wewere，<215HYMNSWITHADOUBLEMEANING>attimes，remarkablybuoyant，singinghymnsandmakingjoyousexclamations，almostastriumphantintheirtoneasifwereachedalandoffreedomandsafety。Akeenobservermighthavedetectedinourrepeatedsingingof_OCanaan，sweetCanaan，IamboundforthelandofCanaan，_

somethingmorethanahopeofreachingheaven。Wemeanttoreachthe_north_——andthenorthwasourCanaan。

_IthoughtIheardthemsay，Therewerelionsintheway，Idon"texpecttoStarMuchlongerhere。

RuntoJesus——shunthedanger——

Idon"texpecttostayMuchlongerhere_。

wasafavoriteair，andhadadoublemeaning。Inthelipsofsome，itmeanttheexpectationofaspeedysummonstoaworldofspirits；but，inthelipsof_our_company，itsimplymeant，aspeedypilgrimagetowardafreestate，anddeliverancefromalltheevilsanddangersofslavery。

Ihadsucceededinwinningtomy(whatslaveholderswouldcallwicked)scheme，acompanyoffiveyoungmen，theveryfloweroftheneighborhood，eachoneofwhomwouldhavecommandedonethousanddollarsinthehomemarket。AtNewOrleans，theywouldhavebroughtfifteenhundreddollarsapiece，and，perhaps，more。

Thenamesofourpartywereasfollows:HenryHarris；JohnHarris，brothertoHenry；SandyJenkins，ofrootmemory；CharlesRoberts，andHenryBailey。Iwastheyoungest，butone，oftheparty。Ihad，however，theadvantageofthemall，inexperience，andinaknowledgeofletters。Thisgavemegreatinfluenceoverthem。Perhapsnotoneofthem，lefttohimself，wouldhavedreamedofescapeasapossiblething。Notoneofthemwasself-

movedinthematter。Theyallwantedtobefree；buttheseriousthoughtofrunningaway，hadnotenteredinto<216>theirminds，untilIwonthemtotheundertaking。Theyallweretolerablywelloff——forslaves——andhaddimhopesofbeingsetfree，someday，bytheirmasters。Ifanyoneistoblamefordisturbingthequietoftheslavesandslave-mastersoftheneighborhoodofSt。

Michael"s，_Iamtheman_。Iclaimtobetheinstigatorofthehighcrime(astheslaveholdersregardit)andIkeptlifeinit，untillifecouldbekeptinitnolonger。

PendingthetimeofourcontemplateddepartureoutofourEgypt，wemetoftenbynight，andoneverySunday。Atthesemeetingswetalkedthematterover；toldourhopesandfears，andthedifficultiesdiscoveredorimagined；and，likemenofsense，wecountedthecostoftheenterprisetowhichwewerecommittingourselves。

Thesemeetingsmusthaveresembled，onasmallscale，themeetingsofrevolutionaryconspirators，intheirprimarycondition。Wewereplottingagainstour(socalled)lawfulrulers；withthisdifferencethatwesoughtourowngood，andnottheharmofourenemies。Wedidnotseektooverthrowthem，buttoescapefromthem。AsforMr。Freeland，wealllikedhim，andwouldhavegladlyremainedwithhim，_asfreeman_。LIBERTYwasouraim；andwehadnowcometothinkthatwehadarighttoliberty，againsteveryobstacleevenagainstthelivesofourenslavers。

Wehadseveralwords，expressiveofthings，importanttous，whichweunderstood，butwhich，evenifdistinctlyheardbyanoutsider，wouldconveynocertainmeaning。Ihavereasonsforsuppressingthese_pass-words_，whichthereaderwilleasilydivine。Ihatedthesecrecy；butwhereslaveryispowerful，andlibertyisweak，thelatterisdriventoconcealmentortodestruction。

Theprospectwasnotalwaysabrightone。Attimes，wewerealmosttemptedtoabandontheenterprise，andtogetbacktothatcomparativepeaceofmind，whichevenamanunderthegallowsmightfeel，whenallhopeofescapehadvanished。Quietbondagewasfelttobebetterthanthedoubts，fearsanduncertainties，whichnowsosadlyperplexedanddisturbedus。

<217IGNORANCEOFGEOGRAPHY>

Theinfirmitiesofhumanity，generally，wererepresentedinourlittleband。Wewereconfident，boldanddetermined，attimes；

and，again，doubting，timidandwavering；whistling，liketheboyinthegraveyard，tokeepawaythespirits。

Tolookatthemap，andobservetheproximityofEasternShore，Maryland，toDelawareandPennsylvania，itmayseemtothereaderquiteabsurd，toregardtheproposedescapeasaformidableundertaking。Butto_understand_，someonehassaidamanmust_standunder_。Therealdistancewasgreatenough，buttheimagineddistancewas，toourignorance，evengreater。Everyslaveholderseekstoimpresshisslavewithabeliefintheboundlessnessofslaveterritory，andofhisownalmostillimitablepower。Weallhadvagueandindistinctnotionsofthegeographyofthecountry。

Thedistance，however，isnotthechieftrouble。Thenearerarethelinesofaslavestateandthebordersofafreeone，thegreatertheperil。Hiredkidnappersinfesttheseborders。Then，too，weknewthatmerelyreachingafreestatedidnotfreeus；

that，wherevercaught，wecouldbereturnedtoslavery。Wecouldseenospotonthissidetheocean，wherewecouldbefree。WehadheardofCanada，therealCanaanoftheAmericanbondmen，simplyasacountrytowhichthewildgooseandtheswanrepairedattheendofwinter，toescapetheheatofsummer，butnotasthehomeofman。Iknewsomethingoftheology，butnothingofgeography。Ireallydidnot，atthattime，knowthattherewasastateofNewYork，orastateofMassachusetts。IhadheardofPennsylvania，DelawareandNewJersey，andallthesouthernstates，butwasignorantofthefreestates，generally。NewYorkcitywasournorthernlimit，andtogothere，andbeforeverharassedwiththeliabilityofbeinghunteddownandreturnedtoslavery——withthecertaintyofbeingtreatedtentimesworsethanwehadeverbeentreatedbeforewasaprospectfarfromdelightful，anditmightwellcausesomehesitationaboutengagingintheenterprise。Thecase，sometimes，toourexcitedvisions，<218>stoodthus:Ateverygatethroughwhichwehadtopass，wesawawatchman；ateveryferry，aguard；oneverybridge，asentinel；andineverywood，apatrolorslave-hunter。

Wewerehemmedinoneveryside。Thegoodtobesought，andtheeviltobeshunned，wereflunginthebalance，andweighedagainsteachother。Ontheonehand，therestoodslavery；asternreality，glaringfrightfullyuponus，withthebloodofmillionsinhispollutedskirts——terribletobehold——greedilydevouringourhardearningsandfeedinghimselfuponourflesh。

Herewastheevilfromwhichtoescape。Ontheotherhand，faraway，backinthehazydistance，whereallformsseemedbutshadows，undertheflickeringlightofthenorthstar——behindsomecraggyhillorsnow-coveredmountain——stoodadoubtfulfreedom，halffrozen，beckoningustohericydomain。Thiswasthegoodtobesought。Theinequalitywasasgreatasthatbetweencertaintyanduncertainty。This，initself，wasenoughtostaggerus；butwhenwecametosurveytheuntroddenroad，andconjecturethemanypossibledifficulties，wewereappalled，andattimes，asIhavesaid，wereuponthepointofgivingoverthestrugglealtogether。

Thereadercanhavelittleideaofthephantomsoftroublewhichflit，insuchcircumstances，beforetheuneducatedmindoftheslave。Uponeitherside，wesawgrimdeathassumingavarietyofhorridshapes。Now，itwasstarvation，causingus，inastrangeandfriendlessland，toeatourownflesh。Now，wewerecontendingwiththewaves(forourjourneywasinpartbywater)

andweredrowned。Now，wewerehuntedbydogs，andovertakenandtorntopiecesbytheirmercilessfangs。Wewerestungbyscorpions——chasedbywildbeasts——bittenbysnakes；and，worstofall，afterhavingsucceededinswimmingrivers——encounteringwildbeasts——sleepinginthewoods——sufferinghunger，cold，heatandnakedness——wesupposedourselvestobeovertakenbyhiredkidnappers，who，inthenameofthelaw，andfortheirthriceaccursedreward，would，perchance，fireuponus——killsome，woundothers，andcaptureall。Thisdarkpic<219IMAGINARY

DIFFICULTIES>ture，drawnbyignoranceandfear，attimesgreatlyshookourdetermination，andnotunfrequentlycausedusto_RatherbearthoseillswehadThanflytootherswhichweknewnotof_。

Iamnotdisposedtomagnifythiscircumstanceinmyexperience，andyetIthinkIshallseemtobesodisposed，tothereader。

Nomancantelltheintenseagonywhichisfeltbytheslave，whenwaveringonthepointofmakinghisescape。Allthathehasisatstake；andeventhatwhichhehasnot，isatstake，also。

Thelifewhichhehas，maybelost，andthelibertywhichheseeks，maynotbegained。

PatrickHenry，toalisteningsenate，thrilledbyhismagiceloquence，andreadytostandbyhiminhisboldestflights，couldsay，GIVEMELIBERTYORGIVEMEDEATH，andthissayingwasasublimeone，evenforafreeman；but，incomparablymoresublime，isthesamesentiment，when_practically_assertedbymenaccustomedtothelashandchain——menwhosesensibilitiesmusthavebecomemoreorlessdeadenedbytheirbondage。Withusitwasa_doubtful_liberty，atbest，thatwesought；andacertain，lingeringdeathinthericeswampsandsugarfields，ifwefailed。Lifeisnotlightlyregardedbymenofsaneminds。

Itisprecious，aliketothepauperandtotheprince——totheslave，andtohismaster；andyet，Ibelievetherewasnotoneamongus，whowouldnotratherhavebeenshotdown，thanpassawaylifeinhopelessbondage。

Intheprogressofourpreparations，Sandy，therootman，becametroubled。Hebegantohavedreams，andsomeofthemwereverydistressing。Oneofthese，whichhappenedonaFridaynight，was，tohim，ofgreatsignificance；andIamquitereadytoconfess，thatIfeltsomewhatdampedbyitmyself。Hesaid，“I

dreamed，lastnight，thatIwasrousedfromsleep，bystrangenoises，likethevoicesofaswarmofangrybirds，thatcausedaroarastheypassed，whichfelluponmyearlikeacominggale<220>overthetopsofthetrees。Lookinguptoseewhatitcouldmean，“saidSandy，“Isawyou，Frederick，intheclawsofahugebird，surroundedbyalargenumberofbirds，ofallcolorsandsizes。Thesewereallpickingatyou，whileyou，withyourarms，seemedtobetryingtoprotectyoureyes。Passingoverme，thebirdsflewinasouth-westerlydirection，andIwatchedthemuntiltheywerecleanoutofsight。Now，IsawthisasplainlyasInowseeyou；andfurder，honey，watchdeFridaynightdream；

dareissumponinit，shoseyouborn；dareis，indeed，honey。“

IconfessIdidnotlikethisdream；butIthrewoffconcernaboutit，byattributingittothegeneralexcitementandperturbationconsequentuponourcontemplatedplanofescape。I

couldnot，however，shakeoffitseffectatonce。Ifeltthatitbodedmenogood。Sandywasunusuallyemphaticandoracular，andhismannerhadmuchtodowiththeimpressionmadeuponme。

TheplanofescapewhichIrecommended，andtowhichmycomradesassented，wastotakealargecanoe，ownedbyMr。Hamilton，and，ontheSaturdaynightprevioustotheEasterholidays，launchoutintotheChesapeakebay，andpaddleforitshead——adistanceofseventymileswithallourmight。Ourcourse，onreachingthispoint，was，toturnthecanoeadrift，andbendourstepstowardthenorthstar，tillwereachedafreestate。

Therewereseveralobjectionstothisplan。Onewas，thedangerfromgalesonthebay。Inroughweather，thewatersoftheChesapeakearemuchagitated，andthereisdanger，inacanoe，ofbeingswampedbythewaves。Anotherobjectionwas，thatthecanoewouldsoonbemissed；theabsentpersonswould，atonce，besuspectedofhavingtakenit；andweshouldbepursuedbysomeofthefastsailingbaycraftoutofSt。Michael"s。Then，again，ifwereachedtheheadofthebay，andturnedthecanoeadrift，shemightproveaguidetoourtrack，andbringthelandhuntersafterus。

Theseandotherobjectionsweresetaside，bythestrongeroneswhichcouldbeurgedagainsteveryotherplanthatcouldthenbe<221PASSESWRITTEN>suggested。Onthewater，wehadachanceofbeingregardedasfishermen，intheserviceofamaster。Ontheotherhand，bytakingthelandroute，throughthecountiesadjoiningDelaware，weshouldbesubjectedtoallmannerofinterruptions，andmanyverydisagreeablequestions，whichmightgiveusserioustrouble。Anywhitemanisauthorizedtostopamanofcolor，onanyroad，andexaminehim，andarresthim，ifhesodesires。

Bythisarrangement，manyabuses(consideredsuchevenbyslaveholders)occur。Caseshavebeenknown，wherefreemenhavebeencalledupontoshowtheirfreepapers，byapackofruffians——and，onthepresentationofthepapers，theruffianshavetornthemup，andseizedtheirvictim，andsoldhimtoalifeofendlessbondage。

Theweekbeforeourintendedstart，Iwroteapassforeachofourparty，givingthempermissiontovisitBaltimore，duringtheEasterholidays。Thepassranafterthismanner:

Thisistocertify，thatI，theundersigned，havegiventhebearer，myservant，John，fulllibertytogotoBaltimore，tospendtheEasterholidays。

W。H。

NearSt。Michael"s，Talbotcounty，MarylandAlthoughwewerenotgoingtoBaltimore，andwereintendingtolandeastofNorthPoint，inthedirectionwhereIhadseenthePhiladelphiasteamersgo，thesepassesmightbemadeusefultousinthelowerpartofthebay，whilesteeringtowardBaltimore。

Thesewerenot，however，tobeshownbyus，untilallotheranswersfailedtosatisfytheinquirer。Wewereallfullyalivetotheimportanceofbeingcalmandself-possessed，whenaccosted，ifaccostedweshouldbe；andwemoretimesthanonerehearsedtoeachotherhowweshouldbehaveinthehouroftrial。

Thesewerelong，tediousdaysandnights。Thesuspensewaspainful，intheextreme。Tobalanceprobabilities，wherelifeandlibertyhangontheresult，requiressteadynerves。Ipantedforaction，andwasgladwhentheday，atthecloseofwhichweweretostart，dawneduponus。Sleeping，thenightbefore，was<222>outofthequestion。Iprobablyfeltmoredeeplythananyofmycompanions，becauseIwastheinstigatorofthemovement。

Theresponsibilityofthewholeenterpriserestedonmyshoulders。Thegloryofsuccess，andtheshameandconfusionoffailure，couldnotbemattersofindifferencetome。Ourfoodwasprepared；ourclotheswerepackedup；wewereallreadytogo，andimpatientforSaturdaymorning——consideringthatthelastmorningofourbondage。

Icannotdescribethetempestandtumultofmybrain，thatmorning。Thereaderwillpleasetobearinmind，that，inaslavestate，anunsuccessfulrunawayisnotonlysubjectedtocrueltorture，andsoldawaytothefarsouth，butheisfrequentlyexecratedbytheotherslaves。Heischargedwithmakingtheconditionoftheotherslavesintolerable，bylayingthemallunderthesuspicionoftheirmasters——subjectingthemtogreatervigilance，andimposinggreaterlimitationsontheirprivileges。Idreadedmurmursfromthisquarter。Itisdifficult，too，foraslavemastertobelievethatslavesescapinghavenotbeenaidedintheirflightbysomeoneoftheirfellowslaves。When，therefore，aslaveismissing，everyslaveontheplaceiscloselyexaminedastohisknowledgeoftheundertaking；

andtheyaresometimeseventortured，tomakethemdisclosewhattheyaresuspectedofknowingofsuchescape。

Ouranxietygrewmoreandmoreintense，asthetimeofourintendeddepartureforthenorthdrewnigh。Itwastrulyfelttobeamatteroflifeanddeathwithus；andwefullyintendedto_fight_aswellas_run_，ifnecessityshouldoccurforthatextremity。Butthetrialhourwasnotyettocome。Itwaseasytoresolve，butnotsoeasytoact。Iexpectedtheremightbesomedrawingback，atthelast。Itwasnaturalthatthereshouldbe；therefore，duringtheinterveningtime，Ilostnoopportunitytoexplainawaydifficulties，toremovedoubts，todispelfears，andtoinspireallwithfirmness。Itwastoolatetolookback；

and_now_wasthetimetogoforward。Likemostothermen，wehaddonethetalkingpartofour<223APPEALSTOCOMRADES>work，longandwell；andthetimehadcometo_act_asifwewereinearnest，andmeanttobeastrueinactionasinwords。Ididnotforgettoappealtotheprideofmycomrades，bytellingthemthat，ifafterhavingsolemnlypromisedtogo，astheyhaddone，theynowfailedtomaketheattempt，theywould，ineffect，brandthemselveswithcowardice，andmightaswellsitdown，foldtheirarms，andacknowledgethemselvesasfitonlytobe_slaves_。