family overjoyed our hearts, and the transports with which the poor men looked upon their
brother, now so favourably circumstanced, cannot be described.
We remained with this happy family for the night, and received from them every kindness.
It was arranged that the boy should remain behind, until, through the blessing of God, he should
recover. We were kindly provided by them with a sack of biscuit and a joint of meat, and once
more set our faces in the direction of Lake Erie.
After proceeding some distance on our road, we perceived a white man approaching, but as
he was travelling alone, and on foot, we were not alarmed at his presence. It turned out that he
had been residing for some time in the South, and although a free white man, his employers had
attempted to castigate him; in return for which he had used violence, which made it necessary
that he should at once escape. We travelled in company, and found that his presence was of
signal service to us in delivering us out of the hands of the slave-hunters who were now on our
track, and eagerly grasping after their prey. We had resolved on reaching the lake, a distance of
forty miles, by the following morning; we, therefore, walked all night.
Just as the day was breaking, we reached a wayside tavern, immediately contiguous to the
lake, and our white companion having knocked for the landlord, ordered breakfast for six.
Whilst our breakfast was in course of preparation, we dosed off into slumber, wearied with our
long-continued exertion.
A Close Call
Just as our breakfast was ready, whilst half-asleep and half-awake, an impression came forcibly
upon me that danger was nigh, and that I must at once leave the house. I immediately urged my
companions to follow me out, which they were exceedingly unwilling to do; but as they had
promised me submission, they at length yielded to my request. We retired to the yard at the side
of the house, and commenced washing ourselves with the snow, which was now up to our
knees. Presently we heard the tramping of horses, and were at once warned of the necessity of
secreting ourselves. We crept beneath a pile of bushes, close at hand, which permitted a full
view of the road. The horsemen came to a dead stop at the door of the house, and commenced
their inquiries; my companions at once recognised the parties on horseback, and whispered
their names to me. This was a critical moment, and the loud beatings of their hearts testified the
dreadful alarm with which they viewed the scene. Had we been within doors, we should have
been inevitably sacrificed.
Our white friend proceeded to the door in advance of the landlord and maintained his
position. He was at once interrogated by the slave-hunters whether he had seen any negroes
pass that way. He said, yes, he thought he had. Their number was demanded, and they were
told about six, and that they were proceeding in the direction of Detroit; and that they might be
some few miles on the road. They at once reigned their horses, which were greatly fatigued,
through having been ridden all night, and were soon out of sight. We at length ventured into the
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