front. Instead of
skulking in the woods, in thickets and swamps, under cover of the
darkness, he would boldly approach a hotel and call for accommodations,
as any other southern gentleman. He had a little money, and he soon
discovered that his color was perfectly orthodox. He said that he was
"treated first-rate in Washington and Baltimore;" he could recommend
both of these cities. But destitute of education, and coming among
strangers, he was conscious that the shreds of slavery were still to be
seen upon him. He had, moreover, no intention of disowning his origin
when once he could feel safe in assuming his true status. So as he was
in need of friends and material aid, he sought out the Vigilance
Committee, and on close examination they had every reason to believe his
story throughout, and gave him the usual benefit.

Enoch Davis came from within five miles of Baltimore, having been held
by one James Armstrong, "an old grey-headed man," and a farmer, living
on Huxtown Road. Judged from Davis' stand-point, the old master could
never be recommended, unless some one wanted a very hard place and a
severe master. Upon inquiry, it was ascertained that Enoch was moved to
leave on account of the "riot," (John Brown's Harper's Ferry raid),
which he feared would result in the sale of a good many slaves, himself
among the number; he, therefore, "laid down the shovel and the hoe," and
quit the place.

John Brown (this was an adopted name, the original one not being
preserved), left to get rid of his connection with Thomas Stevens, a
grocer, living in Baltimore. John, however, did not live in the city
with said Stevens, but on the farm near Frederick's Mills, Montgomery
county, Maryland. This place was known by the name of "White Hall Farm;"
and was under the supervision of James Edward Stevens, a son of the
above-named Stevens. John's reasons for leaving were not noted on the
book, but his eagerness to reach Canada spoke louder than words,
signifying that the greater the distance that separated him from the old
"White Hall Farm" the better.

Thomas Edward Dixon arrived from near the Trap, in Delaware. He was only
about eighteen years of age, but as tall as a man of ordinary
height;--dark, with a pleasant countenance. He reported that he had had
trouble with a man known by the name of Thomas W.M. McCracken, who had
treated him "bad;" as Thomas thought that such trouble and bad treatment
might be of frequent occurren