Page:The Under-Ground Railroad.djvu/46

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facts are more cogent upon the human mind than fine-spun, hair-splitting logical arguments; though on scientific subjects these are allowable, and in many respects necessary. I had, at one time, a woman with her child at my house, on her way to Canada. It being my duty, as well as part of my profession, to assist her, I sent a a message to one of our conductors, some six miles distant, that I should pay him a visit that evening, for what purpose he quite understood, as the sequel will show. Late in the night, when the hum of business had gradually sunk into dead silence, the foot of the busy traveller was no longer heard, and he had retired into his domicil quietly to take rest, I arose from my bed, leaving my loved ones sound asleep; then kissing them, I threw around me an over-coat to protect me from the cold North wind, and turning my face toward this poor woman, I felt it was my duty as a father, my duty as a Christian, to save this mother and her babe from the iron grasp of Slavery, if in my power. If I ever felt the out-bursting of a father's affections, and influenced by these feelings to assist a Slave-Mother in securing the freedom of her darling babe, it was then. My wife gave the child to the mother, and I walked out to the gate, followed by the woman; after looking this way and that way, we proceeded. Our steps were quick and cautious, our words few and seldom, and raising only to a whisper.