Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-03-09

After Ben was fairly under way, and the storm
of passions had little subsidized the more common
feelings of humanity revived within him, and his
heart melted as he thought of the scene through
which he had just passed, and some tears were
scattered in his path.
From that very moment Ben swore within him
self to be free, he premeditated escape, and was
constantly on the lookout for an opportunity: but
none presented itself; they were chained together
by day, as theypursued their deso!ate way, and
were so secured at night, that our hero could do
nothing towards the execution of his plan, more
than to mark the course they travelled, the face Of
the country the hills that lay either side, com
pairing the one to the other and noting each pecu-
liar mountain top that presented itself on the right
hand or the left, as so many days journey from the
| place where he started.
| Their course, from the hest opinion we could
form from the statement Of the place of his resi-
dence in Virginia, and his description Of the cOun-
| try through which they passed, must have been
through the eastern part of Tennessee, between
the Allegheny and Cumberland mountains, and
must have led down the Clinch or Holston rivers,
until these form the Tennessee River, and thence
down that river, across corner of the State Of
Georgia, into Alabama, distance of between five
and six hundred miles. They were about four
weeks performing the journey, including some
time lost in stopping at several towns, to purchase,
sell and exchange negroes But these matters arc
unmportant, and would not have heen noticed
were it not for the bearings they have upon what
follows in the history of the escape.
We have said tISStBen noticed the country thro'
which they passed, and particularly noticed the
large hills and mountains which appeared in sight,
so as to retain general knowledge of the country
and OF distances; and this, as the sequel will show
was of great to him. Ben was sold to cot
ton planter, late in Autumn, and assigned his lodg-
f ings, in one of the negro hus, far inferior to what
70 ia,
winter season was spent in clearing new ground
and nothing very material occurred, until spring
more than the common incidents of slavery in the
cotton growing districts, which soon convinced Der
that he had never known the severity of slavery il
his native State. The winter was soon gone
though with Ben it was made up Of many sorry
days and gloomy nights. When he thought o
" old Virginia." slavcholding and oppressive she
had been to him, he sighed for the poor comforts
she afforded him; but when he thought of Betty
: his vile, OF her parting tears, and Of the Ilttlt
pledge Of her affection she gave him, and which he
, kept with great care, and when he thought o
his chd-hoW it was wont to climb upon h
knee, and roll up at him his large expressive eye
as he returned from his daily toll ere it could pro
, nounce the word father, his heart almost dice
within him. When fancy painted the changes tina
had probably taken place in the Circumstances o
his wife and chId,-that perhaps the mother ant
child might be separuted-that the spoer mig
be rotng upon the virtue of his wife, his sou
, would kindle with the fires of revenge, and hi
I would VOW that he would not only free himself
, but bear off his wife and child from bondage, o
> die in the attempt With such thoughts and feel
ng', the winter passed away, and spring initiated
him into the more active duties Of the cotton field
No opportunity seemed to present itself, favorobl
f for attempting an escape, and he tocd on, mont
p after month, until the summer had begun to wea
away, and but for a circumstance which occurrc
about the last of July or the first Of August, h
would have continued to toll on, until worn out b.
= the labors of the plantation, and the pinings of
!, crushed and broken spirit. Complaint was mad
i that the masters garden had been plundered c
some of its contents; and on search, some Of tn
c stolen articles were found concealed in little WOO
c near the negro quarters. Circumstances fixed sus
# piclon upon Ben, as he was known to have bee
d up and out of his cabin at unusual hour Of tn
l. night. This was the result OF severe attack {
O the summer complaint, but still, it being prove
n was sufficient to convict the poor fellow of III
d crime. A severe fogging was the consequence
V which being the first one he had received since
il had attained the stature of Manhood, did rot 81
h very comfortable upon his naked back, and had 4
n tendency to reconcile him to his condition. 1t VIZ
10 on the night following this unmerted punishment
II that introduced the reader to the subject Of OF
/. story.
l. TO BE CONTINUED.
'e