Year: 1859




ted. And as Sam had called him b,
name, this was additional ground for sup
position. The suspicious looking whit,
man was none oIher than the deputy mar.
shall who had the authority of Mr.. Belle
zer 10 apprehend him. He had beer
employed by the man whom Sam haC
seen the night before TO look after Sam
himself, while measures were beng "a.
ken 10 bring INN aud the child before
Judge Miller of The United States Dis.
trlct Court. Immediately calling for as
sislance TO watch Sam. lie himself awaited
a favorable opportunity for seizing Ben.
He saw his powerful frame, and he had
learned the history of his escape TAX
ing out of his pocket a set of irons, and
with two deputies to aid him, he sprang
suddenly upon Ben while he was stopping
to take up a bale of goods, and in a mo-
ment had him beyond the power Of re-
sislance. The movement was so expedi-
tlous that before the hands at work on the
vessel had time to make inquiry as 10 the
matter, Ben was hurried off directly TO
Judge Mllers residence, and that func-
tlonary with his usual alacrity in such
cases granted hearing at once, although
he had not yet taken his breakfast In
half hour they were at the Court House
prepared for the examination. But by
this time were collected a crowd 10 wit
ness the proceedings Ben as soon as he
saw that he had no power of resistance
had determined to keep perfectly quiet
and without saying Il word he had walk
ed calmly and quietly with the officers, and
was now sitting In The Court House man
llesting not the least anxiety about his
own case, but occasionally looking stern
y at the Judge. The deputy showed
his authority for making the claim, and
the Judge read the description of his
person. Ii represented the fugitive as
named Ben, and there was witness to
prove that he had been saIuted by that
name, although be had entered himself
on the vessels books by mother name
His size, his slovenly appearance, his
very black complexion, the loss of a front
tooth, all corresponded with the paper
One more thing was to complete the tes-
tlmony. He was represented as having
the distinctive speech very marked of
Carolina slave. And the advertisements
went on to say that as the slaves could
not read or write for themselves the
probability was that if they were found
with free papers they would be from the
hand Of some abolitonist


The Judge then, more for the purpose
Of applying the test than TO place Ben on
his defence, said:


Ben, have you anything to say why
you should not be delivered up as the
slave of Mr.. Belezer g.


But Ben, who was looking down at the
time did not seem to notice that the Judge
was addressing him. The Judge repeat
ed the question, but stlII no answer
Again the Judge said


Ben, have you nothing to say g.


This time Ben looked up, but instead
of answering he cast his eyes about as
though lie were looking to see to whom
the Judge was speaking. \ gentleman
leaned forward and told him he had bet,
Ter answer the Judge.


"Was your honor speaking to me? l
thought you we're addressing some one
named Ben"


The Judge looked perpiexed the dep
ptes looked at one another.


Is Has the prisoner anything to say il
hIs own behaIf!' asked the Judge of a
lawyer who had stepped mp to Ben at that
moment to offer his services.


He says, sir,' said the lawyer, THAT
/ if your Honor will have his irons taken
off he Will speak for himself, and |, sir,
will be his security, if your Honor pleas
es, that he shall not escape before the
examination closes"


" Take off the irons,' ordered the
Judge.


The irons were taken off. Ben rose
and made polite bow 10 the lawyer who
had befriended him, and again sal down.


" VIII the defendent say what he calls
himself, since he is unwilling TO answer
to the name vf Ben" said the Judge.


81 will write it, may j: please your
Honor" And Ben reaching to the table
wrote on sheet the name JAMES WARD,
in a clear, bold hand, and handing it to
the Judge returned to his place.


" May il please your Honor" said Ben
Il shall occupy very short time in my
own defence It IS hard, hard, very harC
that In country boasring itself to be the
e Ia ov3 ho.,>o oc h.