Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-05-08

was obliged to show himself on account of hun
ger. This was the reverse of truth. He was
concealed in the forward coal bunk, and would
have remained undiscovered until reaching
Boston if the fireman had continued to take
his supply from the after bunk, and had not
gone to the other, Sunday morning. But up
on changing the place of supply, he saw the
body of person, whom he supposed to be
dead He had placed his hand upon the shirt
bosom, at first thinking it to be a piece of
cloth, but found that it was part and parcel of a
human form, and called to his assistant for aid.
Upon that Blocker came out into the light, and
entreating strongly that he might not be ex-
posed, offered the sum of twenty-five cents to
each of the men if they would keep his secret.
He told them he had not suffered from hunger,
but that he had derived excellent nourishment
from some crackers that he had brought with
him.
Having changed course, and made the De-
ford at eight o'clock we found ourselves with
in haing distance of the sister steamer. The
colors were hosted at half mast, with Union
down, and guns were fired as signals that we
were in trouble. An understanding having
thus been secured, both vessels, after short
run and when within about three hundred
yards of each other, hove to, and preparations
were at once made for transferring the fugi-
tive. A boat, manned by two of the crew, and
under command of the first officer Mr.. At
kins, was lowered from the Spaulding, and
Blocker having been brought on deck and
given a seat therein, was rowed to the Detord.
Before being pushed off and while alongside
one of our passengers asked-"How do you
feel, Blocker z" very well, sir, was the
smiling response.
When reaching the vessel that was to return
him TO his home, the fugitive turned toward
us, and waving his hat, babe us good bye. He
appeared very cheerful, and made no COM
plants to those conveying him from us. The
scene was one of considerable excitement, the
decks of both steamers being alive with pas
sengers. Upon the deck of the Detord were
several ladies who waved their handkerchiefs
in response to our friendly greetings. Take
good care of him. sang out Captain Howes
from the upper deck. That we'll do was the
ready and emphatic response. Mr.. Atkins,
when returning, said the negro had been as
sured the best of treatment, and just and talr
presentation of his case before the properly
constituted authorities at Baltimore. Captain
Haett had at first thought the Spaulding was
an English steamer bound for New York, but
said when we were recognized he readily
guessed our trouble"
The Boston Journal, however, gives diff
ferent version of the whole adventure, attrlo-
utiUH llG " SulbC hdSsJ W NO. "ASii4H6
to relieve the WEAKNESS of that lonely ride, ap-
piled to friend in Charleston for the loan of
negro, with the understanding that he should be
returned on certain day, or paid for at the rul
ing rates of such merchandise. The loan hav-
ing been duly effected, and full understand
ing made with the negro, he was struggled
and concealed on board, and brought some way
towards Massachusetts. There was much
commotion on board, Sunday morning, when
the supposed fugitive "shelled out" according
to the programme. Capt. Howes, impressed
with profound sense of his constitutional OBJ
legations, Immediately changed the course of
the S. R. SpauIding, and intercepted another
steamer, to which the negro was transferred to
be carried back to South Carolina.