Year: 1859

due time, and the next morning the
baggage and our fugi,ives were safely
deposited on board the steams .ip. A lii.
ie before the ship loosed from the wharf
the porter of the steamboat gent tapped
on the box and said in low toae, "An
is right"


Some month or so previous 10 this time
Ben had been with his master TO S.yan-
nah, and on the way be- had become ac-
quaInted with the porter, and ascertained
That he was regular agent for the L C.
H. X, and from him he got the idea of
tuglnves escaping as freight


The noble steamship was soon out TO
sea, and fortunately The voyage was a
very calm one. When night came on
and all was quiet, Ben removed the cover
of their box and lifted Sue out among the
cotton bales and boxes in the hold of the
vessel. She had been confined closely
for more than forty hours, excep, that the
night before they had several time, ven
tured TO raise the lid and inhale the fresh
air for short time. During the voyage
they were not more than fourth of the
time IN the box. Whenever they heard
any noise approaching they Stepped into
their hiding place and closed all down.


On the arrival of the ship al Philadel-
phia they were put ashore rather roughly,
and were repeatedly turned over before
they were deposited on board a freight
car. There the box was turned on end
and several others placed on the TOD of il
and around it. The door O. the car was
boiled, and III less than an hour they we're
on their way to Plusbrrg. 1t had been
Ben's intention to get out at PhIadelph
and let the empty box follow its direction,
but every moment had been so expedi-
lious that no opportunity was afforded 10
release himself and his cGnpanion.-
He was, however, we'll posted Oh the g.-
ography Of lis route, and now finding
that they were shut closely in, and haiving
got their heads rig ghted, he felt for his
slides and moving them, he, viii some
exertion of strength, was enabled 10 push
the adjoining boxes aside SO as to get out.
Bot be had heard enough from julius TO
know that should he be found there they
might be suspected Of beng runaway<,
and detained until they could be spirited
away to a Southern State. He therefore
contented himself with adjusting the var-
Gus boxes so as 10 ge, his own near TO the
entrance and without others encumbernC
it. They were not disturbed until they
reached Piusburg- Their jug of water
was now entirely exhausted, although
Ben had secretly replenished i, on the
ship the night before they left il. The
door of the car was opened aud the box
with the fugi,ives was the first taken out
| That with several others was transferred
to another railroad car. and while await
ing the arrival of other freight the door
of their new quarters was left open. B
gently raised the box lid, aud seeing the
coast clear Git was then after sunset) he
! placed caps on his revolver, and set ii
away in his coat pocket. Then helping
Sue out, he covered the box over again,
and while Sue was concealinG hers If be-
hind II, he put four screws in and had all
| fast in a few minutes.


Now, Sue" said he, mo more negro
talk; and whatever you have TO say let
1t be correctly spoken, but speak as little
as possible. Leave all the talking 10
me"


By this time dray came up TO the car
with load of stoves. Ben and Sue con-
cealed themselves behind the boxes The
stoves having been placed in the car, and
the men who were handling them having
left, the conductor was about to lock the
door when Ben politely requested him
not 10 lock up yet.


Who are youl" asked the conductor,
and stepped into the car TO see the per-
son who spoke. Ben was so shaded that
his color could not be noticed


Sir" said Ben. 1T is necessary to
our safety that you make no noise. !
shall no, Eur, you if you keep quiet, bu,
(and here he displayed his revoIver) you
must take the consequences if you place
us in danger. First tell HE, Sir, wha,
place this is4''


The conductor thinking he had to deal
with a crazy man, gently replied, :. This
is Piusburg."


And this car is now going TO ChIca
goz' inquired Ben.


"Y Yes, Sir, and you had better get out
quickly, for we star; in less than five
minutes"


e But, Sir. | have a woman with me z"