Sed I, dis chile’s a freeman now, he’ll be a slave no more; I travell’d faster all dat night, dan I ever did before. I came up to a farmer’s house, jest at de break of day, And saw a white man standin’ dar, sed he, “You are a runaway.”
I tole him I had left de whip, an’ bayin’ of de hound, To find a place where man is man, ef sich dar can be found; Dat I had heard, in Canada, dat all mankind are free, An’ dat I was going dar in search of liberty.
I’ve not committed any crime, why should I run away? Oh! shame upon your laws, dat drive me off to Canada. You loudly boast of liberty, an’ say your State is free, But ef I tarry in your midst, will you protect me?
_Mrs. Neal._ Thee may put the tea to draw, Charlotte. Thy father will be in soon, and we must have breakfast.
I think, Simeon, it is time those people were called. Thee knows that they may be pursued, and we ought not to detain them long here.
_Mr. Neal._ Yes, Ruth, thou art right. Go, Charlotte, and knock on their chamber door, and tell them that breakfast is ready.
_Mrs. N._ Poor creatures! I hope they’ll reach Canada in safety. They seem to be worthy persons.
_Charlotte._ I’ve called them, mother, and they’ll soon be down. I’ll put the breakfast on the table.
_Mr. N._ Good morning, James. Thee has heard, I presume, that we have two very interesting persons in the house?
_Jones._ Yes, I heard that you had two fugitives by the Underground road, last night; and I’ve come over to fight for them, if any persons come to take them back.
_Mr. N._ Go, Thomas, and harness up the horses and put them to the covered wagon, and be ready to take these people on, as soon as they get their breakfast. Go, Thomas, and hurry thyself.
And so thee wants to fight, this morning, James?
_Jones._ Yes; as you belongs to a society that don’t believe in fighting, and I does believe in that sort of thing, I thought I’d come and relieve you of that work, if there is any to be done.
_Mr. N._ Good morning, friends. I hope thee rested well, last night.
_Mrs. N._ Yes, I hope thee had a good night’s rest.
_Mr. N._ I’ll introduce thee to our neighbor, James Jones. He’s a staunch friend of thy people.
_Jones._ I am glad to see you. I’ve come over to render assistance, if any is needed.