Slave Life in Georgia - African American History

Slave Life in Georgia 85
24.03.2006
There was no alternative but for me to get across the beast that had been
provided for me. I did so, not without suspicion that I was going to be taken
back into slavery. I hope I may be forgiven for entertaining such a thought; but
after all I had passed through, I was not ready to place implicit confidence even
in those who treated me as a friend. I am sure I am now very
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sorry for ever having suspected my noble saviours.
They placed me between them, and off we set as hard as our animals could go.
We frightened a lot of coloured people in a village we passed through, who
were coming from their Saturday night's meeting; and not a few persons opened
their doors to come and stare at us, we made such a clatter. At about twelve we
reached our destination; the first station of the Underground line from headquarters.
I remember very well the odd reception we met with, at the hands of the bluff
old Quaker who received us:
"What! Only one, and coming at this time of night. Why I've room and food
ready for a dozen. But come in, come in and rest."
My conductors remained talking till half-past one, when they took leave of us.
After they were gone, I sat up till three, telling the family of my escape and
adventures, and then I retired to bed. The next day, being Sunday, the family
went to Meeting. They brought in to dinner a middle-aged, strong-built Friend,
who talked with me a good deal. At about three in the afternoon, I was told that
horses were ready, and that I must start
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with this gentleman, as we had a good way to go. It came very suddenly upon
me, to leave so soon, but I complied, of course, and we set off.
All that afternoon, the whole night, and the whole of the next day, we travelled,
only stopping at times to let our beasts graze. I suppose we went a hundred
miles, crossing the Wabash again, and going through the Indian reserve on our
way. At last, at about three on the Monday afternoon, we reached the station;
and glad enough I was.
My Quaker friend of the pleasant countenance and sturdy frame, remained till