I replied, “Sally, they are going to carry my children to the plantation to-morrow; and they will never sell them to any body so long as they have me in their power.  Now, would you advise me to go back?”

“No, chile, no,” answered she.  “When dey finds you is gone, dey won’t want de plague ob de chillern; but where is you going to hide?  Dey knows ebery inch ob dis house.”

I told her I had a hiding-place, and that was all it was best for her to know.  I asked her to go into my room as soon as it was light, and take all my clothes out of my trunk, and pack them in hers; for I knew Mr. Flint and the constable would be there early to search my room.  I feared the sight of my children would be too much for my full heart; but I could not go into the uncertain future without one last look.  I bent over the bed where lay my little Benny and baby Ellen.  Poor little ones! fatherless and motherless!  Memories of their father came over me.  He wanted to be kind to them; but they were not all to him, as they were to my womanly heart.  I knelt and prayed for the innocent little sleepers.  I kissed them lightly, and turned away.

As I was about to open the street door, Sally laid her hand on my shoulder, and said, “Linda, is you gwine all alone?  Let me call your uncle.”

“No, Sally,” I replied, “I want no one to be brought into trouble on my account.”

I went forth into the darkness and rain.  I ran on till I came to the house of the friend who was to conceal me.

Early the next morning Mr. Flint was at my grandmother’s inquiring for me.  She told him she had not seen me, and supposed I was at the plantation.  He watched her face narrowly, and said, “Don’t you know any thing about her running off?” She assured him that she did not.  He went on to say, “Last night she ran off without the least provocation.  We had treated her very kindly.  My wife liked her.  She will soon be found and brought back.  Are her children with you?” When told that they were, he said, “I am very glad to hear that.  If they are here, she cannot be far off.  If I find out that any of my niggers have had any thing to do with this damned business, I’ll give ’em five hundred lashes.”  As he started to go to his father’s, he turned round and added, persuasively, “Let her be brought back, and she shall have her children to live with her.”

The tidings made the old doctor rave and storm at a furious rate.  It was a busy day for them.  My grandmother’s house was searched from top to bottom.  As my trunk was empty, they concluded I had taken my clothes with me.  Before ten o’clock every vessel northward bound was thoroughly examined, and the law against harboring fugitives was read to all on board.  At night a watch was set over the town.  Knowing how distressed my grandmother would be, I wanted to send her a message; but it could not be done.  Every one who went in or out of her house was closely watched.  The doctor said he would take my children, unless she became responsible for them; which of course she willingly did.  The next day was spent in searching.  Before night, the following advertisement was posted at every corner, and in every public place for miles round:—­