Summary

In Chapter 16, Hiram talks with Raymond and Otha, who explain that slave owners try to hide the fact that if slaves escape to the north, they are legally free. The legalities are somewhat contentious due to federal fugitive slave laws, but Philadelphia locals generally side with the slaves. Later, with the help of some locals, Raymond and Otha separate a female slave from her owner as Hiram watches. They bring the now freed slave, Mary Bronson, back to their residence. Mary bemoans the fact that she had to flee without her family and that she does not believe herself to truly be free until her family is free as well. Raymond and Otha says that they will try to free her husband and children. Later in the week, Otha invites Hiram to Otha’s mother’s home for dinner in order to help give...