Page:The Under-Ground Railroad.djvu/39

 was then a married man), three men came suddenly upon him, put a rope around his neck, and unceremoniously dragged him beyond the limits of the Town Authorities, and on to his former place of Slavery. Leaving a wife and three children to lament their bereavement.

The news spread, almost with lightning speed, through the Coloured Community. We rallied 200 strong, in little or no time, augmenting as the news continued to spread from house to house: men and women were much excited, and on the wing of flight in hot pursuit, some of the latter consoling the bereaved wife and children, others following the accumulating multitude to witness our success or failure, and, if necessary in order to secure the freedom of the Fugitive, to lend assistance. We, however, came upon those men-stealers three miles from the town. One end of the rope was connected to the neck of a horse, and the Fugitive was walking or running, while the men were riding. The advancing crowd raised a shout; the Slave looked behind, and motioned his hand for them to hasten their speed, but we were going at the top of our speed. When it became apparent to them that their own liberty and security were in danger, they cut the rope from the neck of the steed, and spurring their horses, they were soon out of our reach and sight. The Fugitive was borne back on the shoulders of his friends, with triumphant