bered I
had not given evidence of speech, I determined to act as if I was dumb;
and when the magistrate called to me, I also thought deafness was often
united with dumbness, and I made my mind up to act both deaf and dumb, and
when he called "Boy, come here," I took no notice, and did not appear to
hear, until one of the officers led me from the box nearer to the
magistrate, who demanded my name, where from, and to whom I belonged, and
what I was doing in the barn, which I still appeared not to hear, and
merely looked at him, and at last acted as if I was deaf and dumb, and so
effectually that he discharged me, convinced I was a valueless deaf and
dumb nigger; and when told by the officer to go, I dared not move for fear
of being found out in my acting, and would not move until I was forced out
of the door, and for some time (for fear of detection) I acted deaf and
dumb in the streets, to the fear of women and children, until it was dark,
when I made for the woods, where I remained until eleven o'clock at night,
when I again resumed my journey to Chester (Pennsylvania), which I had
been told was only twenty-six miles. Shortly after resuming my journey, I
saw four horses in the field, and I determined, if possible to possess one
of them, and I chased them two hours, but did not succeed in catching one;
so I was obliged to go on walking again, but shortly met with a
gentleman's horse on the road which I mounted, and rode into Chester, and
let the horse go where he liked. In Chester I met with a quaker, named
Sharpies, who took me to his house, gave me the best accommodation, and
called his friends to see me, never seemed weary of asking questions of
negro life in the different plantations. I let them see the money I had,
which was in notes, and much damaged by my swimming across the river, but
they kindly passed it for me, and I got other money for it; and I was
presented with two suits of clothes. He sent in a waggon to Philadelphia
and recommended me to a gentleman (who being alive, I wish not to reveal),
where I remained in his employ about five weeks. This kind friend
persuaded me to make for Canada; and it was with much reluctance I at last
complied. My reluctance was in consequence of understanding that Canada
was a very cold place, and I did not relish the idea of going on that
account; and as a gentleman said he could find employment for me at Derby,
near Philadelphia, I went and worked there three years, during whic