running a thousand miles for freedom-第12章
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hy is that？〃 asked my master； with more firmness than could be expected。 〃Because； sir；〃 continued he； in a voice and manner that almost chilled our blood； 〃if we should suffer any gentleman to take a slave past here into Philadelphia； and should the gentleman with whom the slave might be travelling turn out not to be his rightful owner； and should the proper master come and prove that his slave escaped on our road； we shall have him to pay for； and； therefore； we cannot let any slave pass here without receiving security to show； and to satisfy us； that it is all right。〃
This conversation attracted the attention of the large number of bustling passengers。 After the officer had finished； a few of them said； 〃Chit； chit； chit；〃 not because they thought we were slaves endeavouring to escape； but merely because they thought my master was a slaveholder and invalid gentleman； and therefore it was wrong to detain him。 The officer； observing that the passengers sympathised with my master； asked him if he was not acquainted with some gentleman in Baltimore that he could get to endorse for him； to show that I was his property； and that he had a right to take me off。 He said； 〃No；〃 and added； 〃I bought tickets in Charleston to pass us through to Phila… delphia； and therefore you have no right to detain us here。〃 〃Well； sir；〃 said the man； indignantly； 〃right or no right； we shan't let you go。〃 These sharp words fell upon our anxious hearts like the crack of doom； and made us feel that hope only smiles to deceive。
For a few moments perfect silence prevailed。 My master looked at me； and I at him； but neither of us dared to speak a word； for fear of making some blunder that would tend to our detection。 We knew that the officers had power to throw us into prison； and if they had done so we must have been detected and driven back； like the vilest felons； to a life of slavery； which we dreaded far more than sudden death。
We felt as though we had come into deep waters and were about being overwhelmed； and that the slightest mistake would clip asunder the last brittle thread of hope by which we were suspended； and let us down for ever into the dark and horrible pit of misery and degradation from which we were straining every nerve to escape。 While our hearts were crying lustily unto Him who is ever ready and able to save； the conductor of the train that we had just left stepped in。 The officer asked if we came by the train with him from Washington； he said we did； and left the room。 Just then the bell rang for the train to leave； and had it been the sudden shock of an earthquake it could not have given us a greater thrill。 The sound of the bell caused every eye to flash with apparent interest； and to be more steadily fixed upon us than before。 But； as God would have it； the officer all at once thrust his fingers through his hair； and in a state of great agitation said； 〃I really don't know what to do； I calculate it is all right。〃 He then told the clerk to run and tell the conductor to 〃let this gentleman and slave pass；〃 adding； 〃As he is not well； it is a pity to stop him here。 We will let him go。〃 My master thanked him； and stepped out and hobbled across the platform as quickly as pos… sible。 I tumbled him unceremoniously into one of the best carriages； and leaped into mine just as the train was gliding off towards our happy desti… nation。
We thought of this plan about four days before we left Macon； and as we had our daily employ… ment to attend to； we only saw each other at night。 So we sat up the four long nights talking over the plan and making preparations。
We had also been four days on the journey； and as we travelled night and day； we got but very limited opportunities for sleeping。 I believe nothing in the world could have kept us awake so long but the intense excitement； produced by the fear of being retaken on the one hand； and the bright anticipation of liberty on the other。
We left Baltimore about eight o'clock in the evening； and not being aware of a stopping… place of any consequence between there and Phila… delphia； and also knowing that if we were fortu… nate we should be in the latter place early the next morning； I thought I might indulge in a few minutes' sleep in the car； but I； like Bunyan's Christian in the arbour； went to sleep at the wrong time； and took too long a nap。 So； when the train reached Havre de Grace； all the first…class pas… sengers had to get out of the carriages and into a ferry…boat； to be ferried across the Susquehanna river； and take the train on the opposite side。
The road was constructed so as to be raised or lowered to suit the tide。 So they rolled the luggage… vans on to the boat； and off on the other side； and as I was in one of the apartments adjoining a bag… gage…car； they considered it unnecessary to awaken me； and tumbled me over with the luggage。 But when my master was asked to leave his seat； he found it very dark； and cold； and raining。 He missed me for the first time on the journey。 On all previous occasions； as soon as the train stopped； I was at hand to assist him。 This caused many slaveholders to praise me very much： they said they had never before seen a slave so attentive to his master： and therefore my absence filled him with terror and confusion； the children of Israel could not have felt more troubled on arriving at the Red Sea。 So he asked the conductor if he had seen anything of his slave。 The man being somewhat of an abo… litionist； and believing that my master was really a slaveholder； thought he would tease him a little respecting me。 So he said； 〃No； sir； I haven't seen anything of him for some time： I have no doubt he has run away； and is in Philadelphia； free； long before now。〃 My master knew that there was nothing in this； so he asked the conductor if he would please to see if he could find me。 The man indignantly replied； 〃I am no slave…hunter； and as far as I am concerned everybody must look after their own niggers。〃 He went off and left the confused invalid to fancy whatever he felt in… clined。 My master at first thought I must have been kidnapped into slavery by some one； or left； or perhaps killed on the train。 He also thought of stopping to see if he could hear anything of me； but he soon remembered that he had no money。 That night all the money we had was consigned to my own pocket； because we thought； in case there were any pickpockets about； a slave's pocket would be the last one they would look for。 However； hoping to meet me some day in a land of liberty； and as he had the tickets； he thought it best upon the whole to enter the boat and come off to Philadelphia； and endeavour to make his way alone in this cold and hollow world as best he could。 The time was now up； so he went on board and came across with feelings that can be better imagined than described。
After the train had got fairly on the way to Philadelphia； the guard came into my car and gave me a violent shake； and bawled out at the same time； 〃Boy； wake up！〃 I started； almost frightened out of my wits。 He said； 〃Your master is scared half to death about you。〃 That frightened me still moreI thought they had found him out； so I anxiously inquired what was the matter。 The guard said； 〃He thinks you have run away from him。〃 This made me feel quite at ease。 I said； 〃No； sir； I am satisfied my good master doesn't think that。〃 So off I started to see him。 He had been fearfully nervous； but on seeing me he at once felt much better。 He merely wished to know what had become of me。
On returning to my seat； I found the conductor and two or three other persons amusing themselves very much respecting my running away。 So the guard said； 〃Boy； what did your master want？〃* I replied； 〃He merely wished to know what had become of me。〃 〃No；〃 said the man； 〃that was not it； he thought you had taken French leave； for parts unknown。 I never saw a fellow so badly scared about losing his slave in my life。 Now；〃 continued the guard； 〃let me give you a little friendly advice。 When you get to Philadelphia； run away and leave that cripple； and have your liberty。〃 〃No； sir；〃 I indifferently replied； 〃I can't promise to do that。〃 〃Why not？〃 said the
* I may state
