Slave Life in Georgia - African American History

Slave Life in Georgia 86
next afternoon, when he started back. Finding I was safe, for the present, I
thought I would stay here a while. Accordingly I set to splitting rails, with my
host's son, and shooting squirrels. But the suspicion of the folks around became
excited, so that after I had been here a fortnight, I found it safer to start again. I
was encouraged to do so by my host; and having been provided with an ample
supply of corn-bread, and meat, I set off to another place, which my friends
indicated, about a hundred miles off. I was three or four days getting to it, but
was received kindly; and here I should have remained awhile, but was
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informed it would be unsafe; so after resting four days, during which time I
worked splitting rails, I set off one morning for Marshall, in Michigan.
It would not interest my readers much to follow me on my journey, for nothing
of any consequence occurred to me. I travelled chiefly by night, that being the
safest time. Indeed, I made very light of any real privations I now experienced.
The sense of present security, and the certainty of freedom awaiting me, more
than compensated me for temporary inconveniences. I felt quite happy, knowing
I should meet with none but friends on my road to Canada. My way seemed
perfectly clear, and the only description I can give of my sensations, is, that I
felt like a new man.
I arrived in Marshall one morning, and was in search of a certain friend, when I
was hailed, as I was going down the street, by a number of coloured people who
were building a chapel, and who had been hired to do the work by Mr. Fitch.
They asked me various questions, and I soon discovered that, like myself, they
were fugitives from slavery. Their names were Samuel Patterson, Noel Johnson,
Thomas Smith, a man named Samuel, Elias Earle, and Thomas
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Christopher. They told me I need not fear any thing, as I was now quite out of
danger, and asked me whether I would join them, and work for my living. I
readily consented, and accordingly I was set to carry bricks and mortar. On the
third day I felt unaccountably dull, and something told me not to go to my work,
so, instead, I went into the woods to cut timber for the same building, which
occupation suited me better, I being a carpenter. I had been there about half the
day, when some one came and told me that the props of the chapel had given
way, and that the men had only escaped by a sort of miracle.
24.03.2006