all boat. One of them seized the chain of the
fugitives' boat, and peremptorily claimed it. "This is not your boat, we
bought this boat and paid for it," spake one of the brave fugitives. "I
am an officer, and must have it," said the white man, holding on to the
chain. Being armed, the white men threatened to shoot. Manfully did the
black men stand up for their rights, and declare that they did not mean
to give up their boat alive. The parties speedily came to blows. One of
the white men dealt a heavy blow with his oar upon the head of one of
the black men, which knocked him down, and broke the oar at the same
time. The blow was immediately returned by Thomas Sipple, and one of the
white men was laid flat on the bottom of the boat. The white men were
instantly seized with a panic, and retreated; after getting some yards
off they snapped their guns at the fugitives several times, and one load
of small shot was fired into them. John received two shot in the
forehead, but was not dangerously hurt. George received some in the
arms, Hale Burton got one about his temple, and Thomas got a few in one
of his arms; but the shot being light, none of the fugitives were
seriously damaged. Some of the shot will remain in them as long as life
lasts. The conflict lasted for several minutes, but the victorious
bondmen were only made all the more courageous by seeing the foe
retreat. They rowed with a greater will than ever, and landed on a small
island. Where they were, or what to do they could not tell. One whole
night they passed in gloom on this sad spot. Their hearts were greatly
cast down; the next morning they set out on foot to see what they could
see. The young women were very sick, and the men were tried to the last
extremity; however, after walking about one mile, they came across the
captain of an oyster boat. They perceived that he spoke in a friendly
way, and they at once asked directions with regard to Philadelphia. He
gave them the desired information, and even offered to bring them to the
city if they would pay him for his services. They had about twenty-five
dollars in all. This they willingly gave him, and he brought them
according to agreement. When they found the captain they were not far
from Cape May light-house.

Taking into account the fact that it was night when they started, that
their little boat was weak, combined with their lack of knowledge in
relation to the imminent danger surrounding them, any intelligent