Slave Life in Georgia - African American History

Slave Life in Georgia 71
I have stated what circumstance prevented me from setting off on the day I had
fixed upon for
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making the attempt. On the Monday night, however, having now been at Jepsey
James' three months, I started on my travels once more. I watched until the
negro quarters had been inspected, then skulked out into the yard, where I had
observed a small skiff. I dragged it down to the water, and crossed over to the
Arkansas side, the river here being about a mile in width. Having reached the
bank, I turned the skiff adrift. I had chosen this mode of making my escape,
because I knew the skiff would be missed, and that James would naturally
conclude I had gone towards New Orleans, and would hunt for me in that
direction, never suspecting I should go up stream. I think I was right in this
conjecture. Any how, here I was safe for the present, and I at once set off
walking as hard as I could put foot to the ground.
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CHAPTER XV.
HOW I CAME TO BE JOHN BROWN.
DURING my journey I observed the plan I had followed on former occasions;
namely, walking by night, and lying by for rest and concealment in the day,
sleeping behind logs, like a wild man. I guided my course by following the
muddy waters of the Mississippi, but I was frequently baulked by coming to
inlets or bayous. These are considerably lower than the bed of the river, and are
full of alligators. I used to hear these creatures at night, snorting and
plashingabout in the water--to my mortal terror--for I did not know but that I
might, at any moment, unexpectedly fall into their hungry jaws. When I came to
one of these bayous I would follow the bank until I came to a ferry. Here I
would stop, and watching an opportunity, draw the staple that kept the boat
fastened, and cross over in the boat to the opposite side, where I would leave it.
I would then go down that bank until I reached the Mississippi again. I lived, or
rather sustained
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24.03.2006