ity to make myself free, and I have improved it. When James
was put into prison for libel, he returned me my indenture with a
discharge written on the back, to show in case the government
interfered with my publishing the paper. He did not mean, of course,
that I should be released from my obligations to him; but he has
treated me so unmercifully lately that I have taken advantage of the
paper, and broken my engagement with him."

"You have got round him this time, certainly," said John. "How does he
feel about it?"

"He has appealed to father, and father has decided against me, and
advised me to go back; but I am not at all disposed to do it."

"I would work in some other printing-office," added John, "before I
would go to New York."

"But I can get work nowhere else. I have been to every office, and
they all refuse to employ me, because my brother went to them before
me, and told his story, and made them promise not to hire me."

"I suppose he thought by so doing to compel you to come back to him,"
suggested John.

"I suppose so; but he will find himself mistaken. I shall go to New
York as soon as I can get away."

"What does your father say about your going off so far?"

"I have said nothing to him about it, and do not intend to do so. He
would stop my going at once if he knew it."

"How can you get away without letting him know it?"

"That remains to be seen," answered Benjamin. "I shall want some of
your help about it, I guess."

"I am at your service," said John, "though it seems very little that I
can do to hasten your flight;" but he had hardly uttered the last
sentence before a new thought flashed upon his mind, and he added with
great earnestness, "Yes, I can, too; I have seen the captain of that
New York sloop in the harbour, and I can make a bargain with him to
take you there."

"But he will want to know who I am, and will refuse to take me when he
finds that I am a runaway."

"I can manage that, if you will leave it to me," answered John. "I
will pledge you that he will never know that your name is Franklin."

"I agree, then, to commit myself to your care. See that you manage the
affair well, for to New York I must go."

They parted; and John hurried away to see the aforesaid captain.

"Can you take a friend of mine to New York?" he asked.

"That depends on circumstances," answered the captain. "Who is your
friend?"--a very natural inquiry,--precisely such a one as Benjamin
thought wou