The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-02-26


were all that intervcned between me and
liberty, and they should fall before my
strength.
Old Father White prayed for me, and
as he knelt down on the wooden floor OF
our prison, and Offered up his petition to
the great Creator to aid me in my enter
prise, and to protect me on my way, "A
holy something seemed to creep over me
a still, quiet feeling, which made me think
lll,t there was great Power above who
would even condcsccnd to guard over and
project the poor slave
1t was not very difficult thing for me
to remove two Of the iron bars, and when
that WIS done my old friend prayed
again. The tears showered down his
checks. "Rcmcmbcr," he said, when +
had at length got through the opening in
the window, 'that it is now hundreds of
years ago since the star appeared to the
shcpcrls. Lool; at them to night jim.
The North Start was made for the
slave"
crept along very softly over the fields
of the plantation, and then took the main
road to the great river; but dare not
travel fer on it, as orders had been given
to capture any colored man found Off his
owners property. So kept along rs
near as | could to the roadside, in the
hope of escaping observation. The night
was yet young, and the air was fresh and
frosty, so l made good way.
But when first began to feel weary l
suddenly thought of my poor old friend.
Would they punish nim-bcat him, per-
haps kill him for being party TO my
escape ! could not bear the idea. For
some time / stood irresolute whether to
return or not. 1t would be better |
thought, to 60 5ack-to give myself up
and confess all-ratheI than one hair of
his head should be injured. Just then |
looked up and saw the North Star. 1t
was the slaves star-thc star that pointed
to freedom. Must ] give it up! Must
return now that my dream was almost
reaizcd-now that the long ng Of my soul
was almost fulfilled Poor father White
good old mAn-frienl of my boyhooI--
my kind instructor. Yes, would aban-
don all and back, back to slavery.
But, mark what was that ! A noise
behind All, horses feet Yes, and
the baying Of bloodhounds. No stopping
now On, on; my pursuers are behind
the hounds are on my track. Oh, star,
star shinc--Shine in thy brilliant glory,
light the hunted slave on his path-lead
him where LncOln's soldiers stand beneath
the banner Of liberty, or to death On
sprang through the hush. The branchc:
cracked and bent as | flew through the
them the prickly bushes tore and lacer
ated my fish, but l did not feel the
wounds.
Closer they came behind, the baying o
the savage brutes grew more distinct,
AMI the certainiy!of being torn to death
by them gradually crept over me. felt
faint AM sick, my limbs grew weak, and
dizziness was stealing over my brain
Then saw before Inc creek Into il
plunged, breaking in doing SO thir
coating Of ice, with which had 10 con
tend all the way across. 1t cut my arms
and legs painfully, but it was no time tc
mini that.
gained the other side and ran dowr
the wafer side for mile or more, ins
keeping my feet in the stream on purpose
to fl nc the dogs off the scent; and iher
took 10 the WOO Is again. My pursucr
| coul hear, and also the yelping Of th,
dogs, now aA fault on the river side
Faint and weary though | was, as thC
day broke l remembered as the Nortl
Star faded from my sight, that one thou
SIND eight hundred and sixty,two year
before the good Saviour was born and
then felt very calm, for He who lovet
man so much that lie died for him was
perhaps at that very moment gazing dowr
from heaven with pity, and shielding wit!
His bmnipotent arm the poor hun,e,
slave.
The sun shone out very warm and ligh
as | continued my onward way. The
hounds | had not hearl for some hours
an! was thinking that probably the pur
suit had been given up, when fresh diff
cully presented itself-ahead were the
tents of the Confederate army. 1t would
require my judgement to escape obscr-
vation from any Of the soldiers that nigh
be rambling about. So | took wide
circuit, and at length made my way for.
ward again, when thought that hat
left them long way on the right but
had hardly done so ere | heard the dog
again. The Potomac could be far off
and once on the other side | was free.
On pushed. and in an hours time saw
the great stream, but the d2gs were close
on my track. 1t was race for life
Nearer they came. Then l heard th(
horses again, and the shouts Of my pursu
ers They saw ME, and wild with excite
ment on they rode. A hundred yards, anC
then the river. looked round, and there
was great dog closed in my rear. my
knife was out in moment, and before h'
could make his spring | buried it in hi
chest. A wild shout rose from behind
answered by one from the opposite shore
| glanced 10 the front, and there stooi
some federal soldiers shouting TO me to
swim.
gave one wild bound--the water CLOSED
over me, and when rose TO the surface