Page:The Under-Ground Railroad.djvu/53

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of insects, &c., all alike familiar to her ear. She arrived at her destination, and concealed herself in a wood from whence she could overlook her daughter's humble cabin; seeing Negro children playing in the yard, she accosted them, and sent them to inform her daughter of her arrival, who instantly went to her mother in the forest. Their interview can be better imagined than described. The escape was planned, and thus her daughter and son-in-law were rescued from oppression's heavy hand, and led, in the same direction, to freedom's land. With light hearts they reached the good Quaker's dwelling, and were received with his usual kindness. It was some time before she could convince him that she had been back, and but for the corroborative evidence of her relations, she would probably have failed to convince him. He, as before, fed and clothed them, and they had a free passage to Canada by the under-ground Railway. This narrative may appear marvellous, but it is a fact, for I am dealing with facts only.

No human being on earth could give a stronger evidence of a mother's affections than this woman. It is a confirmation of what Cowper says, which, though so often recited, never loses its strength and beauty.

"Fleecy locks and black complexions
Cannot forfeit Nature's claims;
Skins may differ, but affections
Dwell in White and Black the same."