Page:The Under-Ground Railroad.djvu/67

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47

trader, turned to Mr. Hopper, the Quaker, saying, "Zeke is free, nobody can take him, can they, Mr. Hopper?" Mr. Hopper replied, "Wherever Zeke is, I assure thee, he is free." Being thus assured, the black man made a low bow towards the ground, and with a droll expression of countenance, said, "I hope you are well, Mr. Godwin, I am happy to see you, Sir, I am Zeke!" The trader seized Zeke by the collar, and began to threaten and abuse him. Zeke said, "If you don't let go Mr. Godwin, I'll knock you down; I am a free Citizen of these United States, and won't be insulted in this way by anybody." Zeke was taken before the Magistrate, who, after hearing the particulars, said to Mr. Godwin, "Zeke is as free as any one in this room, and you have been outwitted."

A Slave, with his wife and child, made their escape, and having spent 2 weeks in the forest, without anything to eat for 4 days, not daring to show themselves to any one, for fear of being captured, fast losing their physical strength, hunger preying upon their vitals, almost exhausted with fatigue as well, and the hope of living to reach a land of freedom having nigh fled, yet an instinctive desire to do so still lingered in their care-worn bosoms. In this condition they saw a gentleman, as they were concealed near his farm, passing to and fro, they ventured to shew themselves, not knowing whether he was a friend or foe; too true, he was an enemy. He provided them