The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-07-13

grasp, which was lying on the ground. Again he |
rushed towards me, and again met him. seized |
him about the waist, and being the stronger of the
two. bore him to the earth. While IN that posi- |
tion OBJ aimed possession of the stick aud rising
cast it away from me also.
He likewise arose and ran for the broad-axe on
the workbench. Fortunately there was heavy
plank lying upon it's broad blade in such manner
that he cnud not extricate it beflre [ had sprang
upon his back. Pressing him closely down and
heavily on The plank 80 that the axe WAS held m ore
firmly iu its place, l endeayored. but in van TO
break his grasp upon the handle. In that post ion
we remained for some minutes. There have been
hours in my unhapuy life. many of them, ,rirehr
ihe contemplation of death the end of earthly
sorrows--of the grave resting place for The
tired and worn out body, has been pleasant to dwell
upon.
But such contemplations vanish as they approach
No man in his full strength can stand updsmayed
10 the presence of The King of Terrors." Life
is dear to every living thing The worm that
crawls upon the ground will struggle for it. At
that moment it was dear to me, enslaved and treat
ed as was. Not able to unloose his hand, once
more seized him by the throat and this time with
vce-like grippe that soon relaxed his hold. He
became plant and unstrung-hs face that had
been white with suffoca,ion-ose small serpent
eyes that had spat such were now full of or-
rors; two great white orbs starting from their
sockets.
There was lurking devil" in my heart that
prompted me to kill the human bloodhound on the
sp" to retain the grippe his accursed throat till
the breath oflifs was gone.
dared not murder him. and dared not let him
live. IF killed him my life must paythe forfeit
if he lived, my life only would satisfy his venge-
ance. voice wthin.whispered to me to fly
wanderer among the swamps. fugitive and
vagabond on the face of the EARTH was preferable
to. the life 1 was leading. My resolution was
fnrrned and swinging him from the work bench to
the ground. Ileapad fence near by and hurried
the plantation. passing the slaves at work in
the cotton field. At the end of about quarter of
a mile reached the wood pasture, and it was
small potion of time indeed that had been run
ming it.
Climbing on high fence, could see the cotton
press, the great house, and the space between
1t was conspicuous position whence the whole
plantation was in view. cpuld see Tlbeats cross
| came cut again carrying his saddle and presently
mounted his horse and gaoped away.
was desoIare but thankful. Thankful that my
| life was splred-desoate and discouraged with the
prospect before me. What would become of me?
who would befriend me :! whittier should I fly
| Oh, God! thou who gavest me life and implanted
| in my bosom the love of life, who filled it with
emotions such as other men thy creatures have
| do not f,rsake me (! Have pity poor slave
let me not persh-if tlau dost not protect me. /
am lest-osti Such supple ,tiGns. silently and
unu,tered; ascended from my inmost heart to
| Heaven. But there was answering voice, no
sweet low tone coming f'own from on high, whis
pering to my soul it is !, be not afraid was for
saken Of God. it seemed-the despised and hated
IF men, In about three -fourths of an hour several
of the slaves shouted and made signs for to
Presently looking up the bayou saw Tibeats and
two others on horseback comingat fast gait, fol-
lowed by a troop of dogs. There were many
as ei.ht or ten.
| Distant as was knew them. They belong
ed on the adjoining plantation. The dogs used Oh
the Bayou Boeuf for hunting slaves kind of
bloodhound, hut far more savage breed than is
found in the Northern States. They will attack
a slave at their masters bidding and cling to him
as coinmon bulldog will cling to n four footed
:, animal. Frequently their loud bay is heard in
the swamps and then thee is speculation as TO
what point the runaway will be oyerhauled, The
same an English farmer stops 10 listen 10 the
hounds coursing along the hill-sides, and suggests
his companion that the fox will be taken at such
place.
l never knew a slave escape with his life from
Bayou Boeaf One reason is they not allow
ed to learn the art of swimming and are incapable
of crossing the most inconsiderabe stream. In
their fright they can 60 in no direction but little
way without coming to bayou. when the inevita-
s bic alternative is presented of being drowned OF
\ oreIsaken By the dogs. In youth had practced
the clear Streams that flow through my native
! rict until had become an expert swmmel
= y Iand felt at home in that element. stood upor
Btsle fence until the dogs had reached the cottor
4 = PRESS In AN instant more their long savage yell
] announced they were On my. track, s. ,l
Il Ia Leaping Down fron, n position ran teyyas
i y the swamp Fear gave me stfepesEI and exert
8 8 sd iF toI The plEpqst, yesy few,
could 7sas sps yslpigg q DOS. They war'
saiaging pI,oP mss ESsEy bosyl yYes nearer an'
qPeH 1ask Ractsa s5o issl Their leI
q then knew szy would ssasi 10 pieces. .tiis
e iIs5 & 4 oFsy q s Il 1sses fp dsifhp
4 81 ssspsd III bFspsh haIE u,fsrs
prpya ~ taa lmiRbfy fo says =
4 g:sa so deep bayoui
z syhefe eopld throw off
'e iaso iIs deer, vat eaepfiy rsaehSd THO