it was reputable to be thus engaged.  Every moment they spent in that school, they were liable to be taken up, and given thirty-nine lashes.  They came because they wished to learn.  Their minds had been starved by their cruel masters.  They had been shut up in mental darkness.  I taught them, because it was the delight of my soul to be doing something that looked like bettering the condition of my race.  I kept up my school nearly the whole year I lived with Mr. Freeland; and, beside my Sabbath school, I devoted three evenings in the week, during the winter, to teaching the slaves at home.  And I have the happiness to know, that several of those who came to Sabbath school learned how to read; and that one, at least, is now free through my agency.

The year passed off smoothly.  It seemed only about half as long as the year which preceded it.  I went through it without receiving a single blow.  I will give Mr. Freeland the credit of being the best master I ever had, till I became my own master. For the ease with which I passed the year, I was, however, somewhat indebted to the society of my fellow-slaves.  They were noble souls; they not only possessed loving hearts, but brave ones.  We were linked and interlinked with each other.  I loved them with a love stronger than any thing I have experienced since.  It is sometimes said that we slaves do not love and confide in each other.  In answer to this assertion, I can say, I never loved any or confided in any people more than my fellowslaves, and especially those with whom I lived at Mr. Freeland’s.  I believe we would have died for each other.  We never undertook to do any thing, of any importance, without a mutual consultation.  We never moved separately.  We were one; and as much so by our tempers and dispositions, as by the mutual hardships to which we were necessarily subjected by our condition as slaves.

At the close of the year 1834, Mr. Freeland again hired me of my master, for the year 1835.  But, by this time, I began to want to live upon free land as well as with freeland; and I was no longer content, therefore, to live with him or any other slaveholder.  I began, with the commencement of the year, to prepare myself for a final struggle, which should decide my fate one way or the other.  My tendency was upward.  I was fast approaching manhood, and year after year had passed, and I was still a slave.  These thoughts roused me—­I must do something.  I therefore resolved that 1835 should not pass without witnessing an attempt, on my part, to secure my liberty.  But I was not willing to cherish this determination alone.  My fellow-slaves were dear to me.  I was anxious to have them participate with me in this, my life-giving determination.  I therefore, though with great prudence, commenced early to ascertain their views and feelings in regard to their condition, and to imbue their minds with thoughts of freedom.  I bent myself to devising ways and means for our escape,