Once more I had the good fortune to obtain a passage across the river in
a ferry-boat, and was soon pressing onward upon the other side. Passing
through two places called St. Mary's and St. John's, I followed the
railroad to a village which I was informed was called Stotsville,
[Footnote: I beg leave once more to remind the reader that it is by
no means certain that I give these names correctly. Hearing them
pronounced, with no idea of ever referring to them again, it is not
strange that mistakes of this kind should occur.] a great part of the
property being owned by a Mr. Stots, to whom I was at once directed.
Here I stopped, and was kindly received by the gentleman and his wife.
They offered me refreshments, gave me some articles of clothing, and
then he carried me twelve miles, and left me at Rouse's Point, to take
the cars for Albany. He gave me six dollars to pay my expenses, and a
letter of introduction to a gentleman by the name of Williams, in which
he stated all the facts he knew concerning me, and commended me to his
care for protection. I think he said Mr. Williams lived on North
Pearl street, but I may be mistaken in this and also in some other
particulars. As I had no thought of relating these facts at the time of
their occurrence, I did not fix them in my mind as I otherwise should
have done.
Mr. Stots said that if I could not find the gentleman to whom the letter
was directed, I was to take it to the city authorities, and they would
protect me. As he assisted me from the carriage he said, "You will stop
here until the cars come along, and you must get your own ticket. I
shall not notice you again, and I do not wish you to speak to me." I
entered the depot intending to follow his directions; but when I found
the cars would not come along for three hours, I did not dare to stay.
There was quite a large collection of people there, and I feared that
some one would suspect and stop me. I therefore resolved to follow the
railroad, and walk on to the next station. On my way I passed over a
railroad bridge, which I should think was two miles long. The wind blew
very hard at the time, and I found it exceedingly difficult to walk
upon the narrow timbers. More than once I came near losing my precarious
footing, and I was in constant fear that the train would overtake me
before I got over. In that case I had resolved to step outside the track
where I thought I could stand upon the edge of the bridge and hold on
by the telegraph poles, and thus let them pass without doing me injury.
Happily, however, I was not compelled to resort to this perilous
expedient, but passed the bridge in safety. At the end I found another
nearly as long, connected with it by a drawbridge. When I drew near it
was up for a boat to pass; but a man called to me, and asked if I
wish to go over. I told him I did, and he let down the bridge. As I
approached him he asked, "Are you mad? or how came you here?" I told
him I had walked from the depot at Rouse's Point.
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