Frederick could not think what to do. At this rate he could not even _buy_ his freedom. To escape he needed money. His free friends offered a suggestion: that he solicit the privilege of buying his time. It was not uncommon in the large cities. A slave who was considered trustworthy could, by paying his master a definite sum at the end of each week, dispose of his time as he liked. Frederick decided to wait until his actual master, Captain Auld, came up to Baltimore to make his spring purchases. Master Hugh was only acting as the Captain’s agent, but Frederick was confident that the report concerning him given to the Captain would be a good one. In this he was not disappointed. Captain Auld was told that his slave had learned well, had worked diligently. But when Frederick presented his request, the Captain’s face turned red. “No!” he shouted. “And none of your monkey business!” He studied the slave’s gloomy face. His own eyes narrowed. “Get this through your black skull. You can’t run away! There’s no place you can go that I won’t find you and drag you back.” His voice was grim. “Next time I won’t be so easy. It’ll be the river!” He meant he’d “sell him down the river.” Frederick turned away. “Give ’em an inch and they want an ell,” grumbled the Captain to his brother. Hugh Auld shook his head sympathetically. He was having his own troubles. Along with a lot of other speculators he was beginning to doubt the wisdom of his “sure” investments. He had taken out stock in both the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Now there were dire whispers of an impending crash. The Bank of Maryland had closed--temporarily, of course--but the weeks were passing and business was falling off. Therefore, when, a month later, Frederick came to him with the same proposition, he said he would think about it. Jobs for journeymen caulkers were going to be fewer, wages were coming down. He had this big hulk of a fellow on his hands. No telling what would happen within the next months. Let him try himself. He told Frederick he could have all his time on the following terms: he would be required to pay his master three dollars at the end of each week, board and clothe himself and buy his own caulking tools. Failure in any of these particulars would put an end to the privilege. His words staggered Frederick. The week just ended had not been good. He had worked only four and a half days. That meant there would be no sixpence for him tonight. They were standing in the kitchen. Frederick had been eating when the master came in. “Well? Speak up?” Frederick watched his week’s earning go into the small black pouch. A slight movement from Nada at the stove caused him to look at her. She was forming the word “Yes” with her lips, nodding her head vigorously at him. Mr. Auld spoke complacently. “You see, being your own boss means more than just keeping your money. Do you want your time or don’t you?”