Why was I there panting and weary, hungry and destitute--skulking in the woods like a thief, and concealing myself like a murderer?
What had I done?
For what fault, or for what crime was I pursued by armed men, and hunted like a beast of prey?
God only knows how these inquiries harrowed up my very soul, and made me well nigh doubt the justice and mercy of the Almighty, until I remembered my narrow escape, when my doubts dissolved in grateful tears.
But why, oh why, had I been forced to flee thus from my fellow men?
I was guilty of no crime; I had committed no violence; I had broken no law of the land; I was not charged even with a fault, except of _the love of liberty_ and a desire to be _free_! I had claimed the right to possess my own person, and remove it from oppression.

Oh my God, thought I, can the American People, who at this very hour are pouring out their blood in defence of their country's liberty; offering up as a sacrifice on the battle field their promising young men, to preserve their land and hearthstones from English oppression; can they, will they, continue to hunt the poor African slave from their soil because he desires that same liberty, so dear to the heart of every American citizen?
Will they not blot out from their fair escutcheon the foul stain which Slavery has cast upon it?
Will they not remember the Southern bondman, in whom the love of freedom is as inherent as in themselves; and will they not, when contending for equal rights, use their mighty forces "to break _every yoke_, and let the oppressed go free ?" God grant that it may be so! As soon as I thought it prudent, I pursued my journey, and finally came out into the open country, near the dwelling of Mr.Dennis Comstock, who, as I have said, was president of the Manumission Society.

To him I freely described my situation, and found him a friend indeed.

He expressed his readiness to assist me, and wrote a line for me to take to his brother, Otis Comstock, who took me into his family at once.

I hired to Mr.
Comstock for the season, and from that time onward lived with him nearly four years.
When I arrived there I was about twenty-two years of age, and felt for the first time in my life, that I was my own master.