Night, sable goddess, had spread her curtain over earth, and the valleys amid the Alleghenies were sleeping in quiet, when Charley, crawling from his couch, so stealthily, indeed, as not to disturb the early slumbers of his mother, crept softly to the stable, saddled his master’s best steed, noiselessly led it to the public highway beyond the mansion, and, turning its head toward the realm of freedom, mounted, and giving the noble beast the rein, was soon moving with such velocity as to place fifty miles between him and his master and mother by the time the first gray tinge of morning began to break along the eastern hills. Hiding deep into a wooded ravine he secured the horse for the day, and then betook himself to sleep. At evening he unloosed the beast stripping it of saddle and bridle, and then betook himself to the woods and by-ways, shunning all towns and subsisting on green corn and such fruits as he could find for a period of fifteen days, when, weary and forlorn, he entered Wheeling just before daylight. An utter stranger, and almost perishing with hunger, he knew not what to do, but seeing a light in the bar-room of the City Hotel he resolved to enter, hoping to find some attendant of his own race, to whom he could appeal for food and assistance across the river. Instead of an attaché, the landlord was himself already astir. Though residing on sacred soil and in many respects a typical Virginian, mine host kept only hired servants, and though in no wise disposed to discuss the merits of the peculiar institution pro or con, he was often able to make wise suggestions to the thoughtless or inconsiderate of both sections who might temporarily be his guests. Once fairly within and under the scrutinizing gaze of this man, Charley made bold to ask for bread. “Bread, you want, do you, you black runaway?” said the landlord rather roughly. “I’ze no runa—” “Yes you are you black rascal. Come go with me and I’ll show you something.” Instinctively following the footsteps of the landlord, Charley was led to the stable where he recognized at once his master’s horse. Then the man took a paper from his pocket and read a complete description of him, and closed by saying: “You are this Charley and your master will give $500 to any man who will return you.” Seeing he was caught, Charley pleaded, “O Lor,’ Massa, doan gib me up.” “No, I’ll not; your master is close at hand. Do you see that house across the lot yonder?” “Yes, Massa, I sees.” “Well, you go there quick. Tell them I sent you and that they must take care of you. Go right in at the back door. Be quick or you’ll be caught.” With both heart and feet a-bound, Charley made for the designated place. He found only a woman, sick upon her bed. Ere he had fairly made his errand known, there was heard the sound of horses’ feet upon the street, and looking out, Charley saw his master and another man coming at full speed, and began to cry.