Slave Life in Georgia - African American History

Slave Life in Georgia 72
life, by eating raw corn, potatoes, pine roots, and sassafras buds. The country I
passed through appeared to be quite thinly inhabited; there was, however, plenty
of wood and reed cane, so that I found no sort of difficulty in hiding myself,
even quite close down to the water's edge. From these places of concealment I
used to watch the steamers going up and down the river; and these served to
guide me in my course, for I knew they must start from somewhere, and I hoped
that I might find friends there, and rest for a time.
At last I reached a great town where the steamers were in large numbers. I
cannot say, with any accuracy, how long I was getting to it many weary days
and nights I know. I judge it must have taken me at least three months. Being at
a loss what to do, or where to go, without information, I took courage, and went
on board one of the steamers. It was early in the morning, and there were not
very many people about, on deck; but my appearance excited the suspicion of
the captain, who pointed me out to the mate, and said I looked like a runaway. I
observed them closely without appearing to do so, and went to the cook, who
was a coloured man, to beg
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something to eat. He gave me some bread and beef. I also learnt that the name
of the steamer was the Ellen Kirkman, and that the great town was St. Louis, in
Missouri. The cook asked me a great many questions, but I did not like to
answer him too freely; especially as I was watched by the captain and the mate,
who had now both placed themselves at the bow of the boat, evidently with the
intention of capturing me, as they concluded I must pass them to get ashore. The
Ellen Kirkman was one of the outside vessels. I had made my way to her,
because I thought there would be less chance of my being noticed by the along
shore people. Seeing how closely I was watched, and feeling quite satisfied that
the captain and the mate intended me a mischief, I made up my mind how to
circumvent them; and watching a favourable moment, suddenly slipped off on
the opposite side of the vessel, at the stern, and crossed the other steamers till I
reached the shore. As soon as I felt land again, I walked off at a tolerably rapid
pace down the quay, and turned sharp round into the first street.
It was Sunday morning, and the people were going to meeting. I noticed a
number of coloured people walking all in one direction, towards a
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24.03.2006