Year: 1875

Having completed my labors at Selma.
selected Columbus Miss, for my next field
of labor. l had been at work in Columbus
about two weeks when difficulty occurred
which. but for the faithfulness Of a negro,
would have ended in my death at the hands
OF an infuriated mob. During one OF my
visits to plantation near Columbus met
with negro slave of more than ordinary
intelligence. His master was man of
coarse and brutal instincts, who had burn
ed the initials Of his name into the flesh
of several OF his slaves, to render their cap
ture more certain in case they should try
to escape from this merciless wretch.
l saw several of the victims of his cruelty
whose backs would forever bear the marks
of his branding-iron and lash. He
was veritable ''Legree." On one Of my
excursions over his plantation was ac-
companied by the slave mentioned.


During our rambles he gaze me a his
tory of his life and sufferings. and ex-
pressed an earnest desire TO gain his free
dom. felt that he could be relied upon,
and impaired to him the secret object OF
my visit to the South He listened with
absorbing earnestness while l explained
to him the difficulties and dangers he
would have to encounter on so long and
periious a Journey He, however, de-
clared his determination to make the at
tempt. saying that death itself was prefer


able to his present existence. On the fol-
lowing day Saturday again visited the
plantation, and selected this slave FOR my
companion. He informed me he had de-
cided to start for Canada as soon as he
could communicate with brother, who
was slave on a plantation few miles
distant He wished to take this brother
with him, if possible. | gave him in
structions for his guidance after he should
cross the Ohio river; the names of Friends
at Evansville. Ind, and Cleveland. Ohio,
to whom he could apply for assistance.
also furnished him with pistol, knife
and compass and directed him to travel
by night only until he reached friends
north of the Ohio river.


On the following Monday evening, while
seated at the supper table at the hotel at
which was stopping. heard loud and
excited talking in the adjoining room. In
few minutes the landlord came up to me
with an excited look, and said, Colonel


- wishes to speak with you. You
had better go and meet him." Iimmedi-
ately rose. and went into the room from
which the loud talking emanated. As
entered, the Colonel, in a loud and yehe-
mently brutal tone, said, That's him
arrest him." Upon which man stepped
up and said, "You are my prisoner" l
demanded the reason why was arrested.
Whereupon the doughty Colonel strobe
toward me with his fist cenched, and
charged me with being an aboltionist and
said he would have my hearts blood that
had enticed away his nigger ''Joe;" that
that the nigger had not been seen since he
went out with me on the previous Satur-
day.
The room was filled with an excited
crowd of men. who glared upon me with
fierce and fendish looks. l tried to keep
COOL but I confess felt that my work was =
done. l knew the character OF the Colonel,
and also knew that he possessed much in
fiuence with the worst class Of sOutherners
of that section.


In the meantime the constable had pro-
duced pair of iror handouts and fastened
them around my wrists. Alter the Colonel
coarse abuse upon me--fOr the purpose OF
exciting the crowd to hang mel quietly
asked il / would be allowed to say few
sign of distress, in hope that there might
courage sufficient to sustain my request.
l had no sooner made 1.-THE sign OF dis
tress" than a voice near me said, "Yes,
let's hear what he has TO say" In mo-
ment several others spoke up and said.
HE ought to be allowed to speak" |
was encouraged, and very quietly said,
.'Gentlemen, am total stranger here,
without friends; am your prisoner in
irons. You have charged me with viola
ting your laws; will you act the part Of
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