The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-06-29

passage FOUND that the goods below
were being moved, in order TO come at
something which was wanted, and so
filled up was the passage that could
not go below. My heart seemed to die
within me, for the safety of the sufferer
had become dear to me. We sal down
to dinner, but the dishes swan before
my eyes. T felt that discovery must
take place. The tumbling of the freight
below had not ceased. Each moment
| expected an alarm. At length | heard
sudden 'halloon--and all was quiet.
Presently the steward came into the
cabin, looked significantly at the com
pany, and whispered to the captan.--
The captain was carving, but immedi-
ately laid down his knife and fork, and
went on deck, One of The passengers
followed him, but soon returned, and in
laughing manner, informed US that
strange passenger had been found among
the freight. 1t u.s. added he, a small
mulatto boy, who says he belongs to
MIR. -, of Norfolk. That he had
been concealed among the lumber on
the wharves, for two weeks, and secret
ed himself in the schooner the night
before we sailed. lie is going to New
York to find his father, who escaped
two yeas since. And, continued he,
lie is starved to a skeleton, hardly
worth taking back Many jokes were
passed as to tie manner Of his being
renovated, when he should again fall
into the hands of his master Some
thought the vessel must put Immediately
back. Others were of opinion that, as
we were within eight or ten hours sail
Of New York, the trip would be m,2de,
and the boy carried back on her return.
he unfortunate child had been bro't
on deck, and we all left the cabin to
look at him. | followed behind, almost
unwilling to see him, and stood some
time by the companion-way in order to
gain strength for the interview. then
proceeded forward. As soon as he dis
covered me, bright CLEAN passed over
his countcnance, and he instinctively
held out to me the same famiShed hand {!
My feelings were no longer to be con-
trolled. There stood child before me,
not more than eleven or twelve years of
age, of yellow complexion, aud sad coun-
tenance, nearly naked, his back scared
with scars, and his flesh wasted to the
bone. | burst into tears. intn iamenta-
tons, and the Jests Of others were, for
moment, turned into sympathy.
1t however, began to be suspected
that had brought the boy away; and,
IN that case, the vessel must put back,
in order to give me up also. But re-
lated the circumstances as they occur
red, and all appeared satisfied with the
truth of my statement.
/ requested that | might be allowed
to feed the boy, which request was
granted, and carried him some dinner
on plate. He ate voraciously; and
as stood beside him, he looked into
my face at every mouthful. There was
something confding in his look. When
he had finished his mea' as | took the
plate, he rubbed his fingers softly on
my hand, and leaned his head towards
me like weary child. Oh, that | could
have offered him place of rest; that l
could have comiorted and protected him;
a helpless child, feeble, emaciated,
suffering innocent lad, reserved for bond
age and torture!
Towards evening he was taken below,
and was no more allowed to see hin !;
but | learned that he was put in the steer
age, strongly bound, and hat the pro-
per- authorities" Of New York would be
consulted as to the disposal Of him. We
came to anchor during the night, dt some
distance below the city, the captain in
forming us in the morning. that the YES
sci had been forbidden to enter the port
with a fugitive slave on board that she
must discharge her cargo where she lay,
and return with all possible despatch to
Norfolk. A boat WIS provided TO carry
US up, and | remarked to the captain that
there was "great ado about bel pless
child" He replied, "The laws must be
obeyed.'
AS | approached the city, | could not
he p exc)aiming, Is this The region, this
the sol OF boasted freedo ?" Here, when
the child is treated like ftlon, Iaanacled,
anchored from the shore, to be sent buck
to slavery and the lash, deprived Of the fos-
tering care which even the brute is allow
ed to exercise toward its young? Here
the slender boy seeks the protection of his
father, name dear to helplessness2 Dies
Humanity aid him in the search2 No.
Humanity is circumscribed in her opera
lions by laws which consign one portion Of
Freedoms sons and daughters to the serv.
ice, the control, and the brutality of the
other Humanity looks on them and
weeps. More she cannot do. The Laos
must be obeyed.''
And now, since years have passed
where is that boy2 Does he still live in
hopeless bondage2 Are other scars adj
ded to those imprinted on his infant skin
When saw him, he appeared innocent
as a child Of freedom. He felt and sui