nsult our feelings?" And yet, in
the next moment, came the consoling thought, _"The day of oppressor
will come at last."_ Of one thing I could be glad--not one of my dear
friends, upon whom I had brought this great calamity, either by word
or look, reproached me for having led them into it. We were a band of
brothers, and never dearer to each other than now. The thought which
gave us the most pain, was the probable separation which would now take
place, in case we were sold off to the far south, as we were likely
to be. While the constables were looking forward, Henry and I, being
fastened together, could occasionally exchange a word, without being
observed by the kidnappers who had us in charge. "What shall I do with
my pass?" said Henry. "Eat it with your biscuit," said I; "it won't do
to tear it up." We were now near St. Michael's. The direction concerning
the passes was passed around, and executed. _"Own nothing!"_ said I.
_"Own nothing!"_ was passed around and enjoined, and assented to. Our
confidence in each other was unshaken; and we were quite resolved to
succeed or fail together--as much after the calamity which had befallen
us, as before.

On reaching St. Michael's, we underwent a sort of examination at my
master's store, and it was evident to my mind, that Master{229} Thomas
suspected the truthfulness of the evidence upon which they had acted
in arresting us; and that he only affected, to some extent, the
positiveness with which he asserted our guilt. There was nothing said by
any of our company, which could, in any manner, prejudice our cause; and
there was hope, yet, that we should be able to return to our homes--if
for nothing else, at least to find out the guilty man or woman who had
betrayed us.

To this end, we all denied that we had been guilty of intended flight.
Master Thomas said that the evidence he had of our intention to run
away, was strong enough to hang us, in a case of murder. "But," said I,
"the cases are not equal. If murder were committed, some one must have
committed it--the thing is done! In our case, nothing has been done! We
have not run away. Where is the evidence against us? We were quietly
at our work." I talked thus, with unusual freedom, to bring out the
evidence against us, for we all wanted, above all things, to know the
guilty wretch who had betrayed us, that we might have something tangible
upon which to pour the execrations. From something which dropped, in the
course of th