hey might have put me in jail." But his
master did not appear to hear him.

Poor Uncle Henry followed Ann. His wife lived in Annapolis, and belonged
to a Mr. George McNear, residing there. Uncle Henry went one Saturday
night to see her, when Master William put him into jail for sale; and
that was the last we saw or heard of him.

Alex Brown's mother followed next. After the poor woman was gone, I said
to Alex,--

"Now that your mother has been sold, it is time that you and I studied
out a plan to run away and be free."

But so thoroughly had his humanity been crushed by the foul spirit of
Slavery, so apathetic had he--though in the vigor of youth--become from
long oppression, that he would not agree to my suggestion.

"No," he said, "'t is no use for you and I to run away. It is too far to
the Free States. We could not get there. They would take us up and sell
us; so we had better not go. Master Mack can't sell any more of his
hands; there are no more than can carry on his farm."

"Very well," said I, "trust to that, and you will see what will come of
it."

After that I said no more to him, but determined to be free. My brother
Charles was of like mind; but we kept our thoughts to ourselves. How old
I was then I do not know; but from what the neighbors told me, I must
have been about seventeen. Slaveholders are particular to keep the
pedigree and age of favorite horses and dogs, but are quite indifferent
about the age of their servants, until they want to purchase. Then they
are careful to select young persons, though not one in twenty can tell
year, month, or day. Speaking of births,--it is the time of
"corn-planting," "corn-husking," "Christmas," "New Year," "Easter," "the
Fourth of July," or some similar indefinite date. My own time of birth
was no more exact; so that to this day I am uncertain how old I am.

About the time of the conversation last narrated, Jefferson Dorsey, a
planter near by, had a butchering. One of Dorsey's men met me, and said
that they wanted more help, and that Master Mack said I might go and
lend a hand. Thinking that he spoke truth, I did not ask permission, but
went, and stayed until noon. I soon learned, however, that the man had
deceived me.

Master Mack, when told by some of the people where I was, sent my
brother John after me, with the threat of a whipping. On reaching home,
the women also told me that master would almost kill me. This excited me
greatly, and I replied,--