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tidings of him, he went to Philadelphia, and applied to Richard Hunt, a constable who was much employed as a slave hunter.
Having procured a warrant, they went together, in search of the fugitives.
It was about dusk, and the poor man just returned from daily toil, was sitting peacefully with his wife and children, when in rushed his old master, accompanied by the constable.
With extraordinary presence of mind, the colored man sprang up, and throwing his arms round his master's neck, exclaimed, ‘O, my dear master, how glad I am to see you!
I thought I should like to be free; but I had a great deal rather be a slave.
I can't get work, and we have almost starved.
I would have returned home, but I was afraid you would sell me to the Georgia men. I beg your pardon a thousand times.
If you will only forgive me, I will go back with you, and never leave you again.’
The master was very agreeably surprised by this reception, and readily promised forgiveness.
He was about to dismiss the constable, but the slave urged him to stay a few minutes.
‘I have earned a little money to-day, for a rarity,’ said he; ‘and I want to go out and buy something to drink; for I suppose old master must be tired.’
He stepped out, and soon returned with a quantity of gin, with which he liberally supplied his guests.
He knew full well that they were both men of intemperate habits; so
Boston, J. P. Jewett and Company; Cleveland, Ohio: Jewett, Proctor and Worthington; London; Low and Company, 1854.
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