odor, and I was far from being a trustworthy
slave. Nevertheless, I watched my opportunity when Master Thomas came to
Baltimore (for I was still his property, Hugh only acted as his agent)
in the spring of 1838, to purchase his spring supply of goods,{253} and
applied to him, directly, for the much-coveted privilege of hiring my
time. This request Master Thomas unhesitatingly refused to grant; and he
charged me, with some sternness, with inventing this stratagem to make
my escape. He told me, "I could go _nowhere_ but he could catch me; and,
in the event of my running away, I might be assured he should spare no
pains in his efforts to recapture me." He recounted, with a good deal of
eloquence, the many kind offices he had done me, and exhorted me to be
contented and obedient. "Lay out no plans for the future," said he. "If
you behave yourself properly, I will take care of you." Now, kind and
considerate as this offer was, it failed to soothe me into repose. In
spite of Master Thomas, and, I may say, in spite of myself, also, I
continued to think, and worse still, to think almost exclusively about
the injustice and wickedness of slavery. No effort of mine or of his
could silence this trouble-giving thought, or change my purpose to run
away.

About two months after applying to Master Thomas for the privilege of
hiring my time, I applied to Master Hugh for the same liberty,
supposing him to be unacquainted with the fact that I had made a similar
application to Master Thomas, and had been refused. My boldness in
making this request, fairly astounded him at the first. He gazed at me
in amazement. But I had many good reasons for pressing the matter; and,
after listening to them awhile, he did not absolutely refuse, but told
me he would think of it. Here, then, was a gleam of hope. Once master of
my own time, I felt sure that I could make, over and above my obligation
to him, a dollar or two every week. Some slaves have made enough, in
this way, to purchase their freedom. It is a sharp spur to industry; and
some of the most enterprising colored men in Baltimore hire themselves
in this way. After mature reflection--as I must suppose it was Master
Hugh granted me the privilege in question, on the following terms: I was
to be allowed all my time; to make all bargains for work; to find my own
employment, and to collect my own wages; and,{254} in return for this
liberty, I was required, or obliged, to pay him three dollars at the
e