but when I looked at slavery as such; when I looked at it in its mildest form, with all its annoyances; and above all, when I remembered that one of the chief annoyances of slavery, in the most mild form, is the liability of being at any moment sold into the worst form; it seemed that no consideration, not even that of life itself, could tempt me to give up the thought of flight.  And then when I considered the difficulties of the way—­the reward that would be offered—­the human blood-hounds that would be set upon my track—­the weariness—­the hunger—­the gloomy thought, of not only losing all one’s friends in one day, but of having to seek and to make new friends in a strange world.  But, as I have said, the hour was come, and the man must act, or for ever be a slave.

It was now two o’clock.  I stepped into the quarter; there was a strange and melancholy silence mingled with the destitution that was apparent in every part of the house.  The only morsel I could see in the shape of food, was a piece of Indian flour bread, it might be half-a-pound in weight.  This I placed in my pocket, and giving a last look at the aspect of the house, and at a few small children who were playing at the door, I sallied forth thoughtfully and melancholy, and after crossing the barn-yard, a few moments’ walk brought me to a small cave, near the mouth of which lay a pile of stones, and into which I had deposited my clothes.  From this, my course lay through thick and heavy woods and back lands to ——­ town, where my brother lived.  This town was six miles distance.  It was now near three o’clock, but my object was neither to be seen on the road, or to approach the town by daylight, as I was well-known there, and as any intelligence of my having been seen there would at once put the pursuers on my track.  This first six miles of my flight, I not only travelled very slowly, therefore, so as to avoid carrying any daylight to this town; but during this walk another very perplexing question was agitating my mind.  Shall I call on my brother as I pass through, and shew him what I am about?  My brother was older than I, we were much attached; I had been in the habit of looking to him for counsel.

I entered the town about dark, resolved, all things in view, not to shew myself to my brother.  Having passed through the town without being recognised, I now found myself under cover of night, a solitary wanderer from home and friends; my only guide was the north star, by this I knew my general course northward, but at what point I should strike Penn, or when and where I should find a friend, I knew not.  Another feeling now occupied my mind,—­I felt like a mariner who has gotten his ship outside of the harbour and has spread his sails to the breeze.  The cargo is on board—­the ship is cleared—­and the voyage I must make; besides, this being my first night, almost every thing will depend upon my clearing the coast before the day dawns.  In order to do this my flight must be rapid.  I therefore set forth in sorrowful earnest, only now and then I was cheered by the wild hope, that I should somewhere and at sometime be free.