horseback without leave, or running away, may be punished by whipping, cropping and branding in the cheek, or otherwise, not rendering him unfit for labor.”  “Any slave convicted of petty larceny, murder, or wilfully burning of dwelling houses, may be sentenced to have his right hand cut off; to be hanged in the usual manner, or the head severed from the body, the body divided into four quarters, and head and quarters stuck up in the most public place in the county, where such act was committed.”

At the time I joined my wife in holy wedlock, I was ignorant of these ungodly laws; I knew not that I was propogating victims for this kind of torture and cruelty.  Malinda’s mother was free, and lived in Bedford, about a quarter of a mile from her daughter; and we often met and passed off the time pleasantly.  Agreeable to promise, on one Saturday evening, I called to see Malinda, at her mother’s residence, with an intention of letting her know my mind upon the subject of marriage.  It was a very bright moonlight night; the dear girl was standing in the door, anxiously waiting my arrival.  As I approached the door she caught my hand with an affectionate smile, and bid me welcome to her mother’s fire-side.  After having broached the subject of marriage, I informed her of the difficulties which I conceived to be in the way of our marriage, and that I could never engage myself to marry any girl only on certain conditions; near as I can recollect the substance of our conversation upon the subject, it was, that I was religiously inclined; that I intended to try to comply with the requisitions of the gospel, both theoretically and practically through life.  Also that I was decided on becoming a freeman before I died; and that I expected to get free by running away, and going to Canada, under the British Government.  Agreement on those two cardinal questions I made my test for marriage.

I said, “I never will give my heart nor hand to any girl in marriage, until I first know her sentiments upon the all-important subjects of Religion and Liberty.  No matter how well I might love her nor how great the sacrifice in carrying out these God-given principles.  And I here pledge myself from this course never to be shaken while a single pulsation of my heart shall continue to throb for Liberty.”  With this idea Malinda appeared to be well pleased, and with a smile she looked me in the face and said, “I have long entertained the same views, and this has been one of the greatest reasons why I have not felt inclined to enter the married state while a slave; I have always felt a desire to be free; I have long cherished a hope that I should yet be free, either by purchase or running away.  In regard to the subject of Religion, I have always felt that it was a good thing, and something that I would seek for at some future period.”  After I found that Malinda was right upon these all important questions, and that she truly loved me well enough to make me