ments, Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Freeland
came down from the barn to the house; and, just as they{225} made their
appearance in the front yard, three men (who proved to be constables)
came dashing into the lane, on horseback, as if summoned by a sign
requiring quick work. A few seconds brought them into the front yard,
where they hastily dismounted, and tied their horses. This done, they
joined Mr. Freeland and Mr. Hamilton, who were standing a short distance
from the kitchen. A few moments were spent, as if in consulting how to
proceed, and then the whole party walked up to the kitchen door. There
was now no one in the kitchen but myself and John Harris. Henry and
Sandy were yet at the barn. Mr. Freeland came inside the kitchen door,
and with an agitated voice, called me by name, and told me to come
forward; that there was some gentlemen who wished to see me. I
stepped toward them, at the door, and asked what they wanted, when the
constables grabbed me, and told me that I had better not resist; that
I had been in a scrape, or was said to have been in one; that they were
merely going to take me where I could be examined; that they were going
to carry me to St. Michael's, to have me brought before my master. They
further said, that, in case the evidence against me was not true, I
should be acquitted. I was now firmly tied, and completely at the mercy
of my captors. Resistance was idle. They were five in number, armed
to the very teeth. When they had secured me, they next turned to John
Harris, and, in a few moments, succeeded in tying him as firmly as they
had already tied me. They next turned toward Henry Harris, who had now
returned from the barn. "Cross your hands," said the constables, to
Henry. "I won't" said Henry, in a voice so firm and clear, and in a
manner so determined, as for a moment to arrest all proceedings. "Won't
you cross your hands?" said Tom Graham, the constable. "_No I won't_,"
said Henry, with increasing emphasis. Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Freeland, and
the officers, now came near to Henry. Two of the constables drew out
their shining pistols, and swore by the name of God, that he should
cross his hands, or they would shoot him down. Each of these hired
ruffians now cocked their pistols,{226} and, with fingers apparently
on the triggers, presented their deadly weapons to the breast of the
unarmed slave, saying, at the same time, if he did not cross his hands,
they would "blow his d--d heart out of him."

_"Shoo