From Dixie to Canada: Romances and Realities of the Underground RailroadJohnson, H. U. (Homer Uri)
History
From Dixie to Canada: Romances and Realities of the Underground Railroad
Johnson, H. U. (Homer Uri)
Fugitive slaves -- United States; Underground Railroad
Several weeks passed, the excitement about Watson had measurably died
away, two successive depositions of provisions had been left untouched
and the good old couple knew “Dat de angel was feedin’ Jack no moa’,
like de rabens fed ol’ ’Lijer.” They were sure, “Jack am safe.”
Taking his appliances, Jack had descended the outlet some distance one
starlight night, and then striking across the country, had reached the
river just below the little village he had been accustomed to visit
before the death of his sister. The finding of a skiff and the wrenching
away of the fastening occupied but a short time and at daylight he was
safely secreted in an Indiana forest. Knowledge previously gained
enabled him soon to put himself in charge of an underground official,
but instead of making direct for Canada he shipped for the Quaker
settlement near Salem, Ohio, of which he had heard much from a fruit
tree dealer before the death of Mr. Wilson, and ultimately, in the
quaint home of Edward Bonsall found a secure asylum, and in his
nurseries desirable employment, so far from his former home that little
disturbed his mind except the frequent recurring remembrances of his
slain master with the cruelly lacerated form of his sister ever rising
in justification of the summary punishment that had been inflicted upon
him.
II.
In the autumn of 1856, Jack went with Mr. Bonsall to Pittsburgh. Whilst
walking along the street, he met face to face a half-brother of his late
master. At first sight he thought it an apparition and turned and ran
rapidly away, but not until he was himself recognized. So dextrous had
been his motions that he eluded the pursuit immediately instituted and
was soon among the hills beyond the city limits.
Hand bills minutely describing him were again widely circulated,
particularly along the belt of country bordering the Pittsburgh and Erie
canal, as it was argued he would try and make his escape by that route
to Canada, and all the appliances of an odious law were called into
requisition to secure his apprehension.
III.
Rap, rap, rap, came a knuckle against the door of Thomas Douglass, of
Warren, Ohio, in the silent hours of the night. Such occurrences were
not frequent of late at the home of the honest Englishman whose love of
justice and humanity had risen above all fear of the pains and penalties
of an unrighteous law. Hastily dressing himself, he inquired, “Who
comes?”
“Ol’ Diligence,” a name recognized at once by Mr. Douglass as the
appelation of a colored conductor from Youngstown.
“Hall right; wat’s aboard?”
“Subjec’, Massa Douglass, and hard pressed, too.”
“’Ard pressed his ’e? Well, come in.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account