Slave Life in Georgia - African American History

Slave Life in Georgia 78
watched to see whether any persons were following me, or dogging my steps,
but saw no
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one; so I remained till dark, when I set off again.
I had been wringing wet now for forty-eight hours, and when I got up, was all of
a shiver; but I went on, notwithstanding, till morning came, by which time I was
in the high road to Vandalia, having crossed the woods in the night. At last I
reached the place to which CÆsar had directed me. Here I soon made out the
man I wanted. I got a rest at his dwelling, and induced him to get me a free pass,
for which I made him take an old watch. With that pass I assumed the name of
John Brown, which I have retained ever since.
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24.03.2006
CHAPTER XVI.
I AM ADVERTISED AS A RUN-AWAY.
HAVING now assumed such a name as I could safely travel by, I set off for
Vandalia, which took me a week to reach, walking by night, and lying by in
concealment in the day, to recruit myself by such sleep and rest as I could
snatch. I ran very short of food the whole time, and experienced many serious
difficulties from my ignorance of the roads, and my fears of being captured. I
found the rivers a serious obstacle, too, for I did not always light upon canoes,
ferries, or the proper fording-places. I incurred great risk besides, in seeking
information respecting the best roads to distant places. My plan, however, was
to lurk about in the neighbourhood of some isolated dwelling, until it was quite
late in the night, and people were fast asleep. I would then knock them up out of
their beds, when they would hasten to the window, and look out, half awake, to
see what was the matter. I would then put the questions I wanted answered, and
as they
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could not see my colour in the dark, I never found them backward in replying,
as they seemed always in too great a hurry to get back to bed. In this manner,
and though I was in constant fear, I contrived to steer pretty clear of danger,