The first hint that our folks received in relation to them came from the hunters who followed them. They had crossed over into Ohio and begun inquiring for them, when one fell into the company of one of our detectives, who, pretending to sympathize with the scamp, agreed to do what he could to find the track, though I am not sure that he promised to show it to him when he found it. It was soon known in all directions by our agents and conductors that there was “game abroad and hunters close upon the track,” and as they knew the run-ways better than the hunters from Virginia, they soon had the boys under their protection. Judge Paine in northern Ohio, one of our most enterprising Superintendents, directed their movements, and it required all his tact and energy to run them through.
When they had related their adventures and hairbreadth escapes, Rev. Mr. Frink said, “Jim, you told us that you had not intended to come away till you were persuaded to help the boys; now I want to know the reason why you preferred slavery to freedom, when these boys, who evidently do not know half as much as you do, were willing to risk their lives to obtain liberty.” “That’s it,” said Jim, “that’s the very thing. They don’t know. Some don’t know and some does. Niggers that know isn’t all alike; there is two sorts; some is afraid and they run off as soon as they can, others are not afraid and they will stick by their people.” “You say,” said Mr. Frink, “that some know and some don’t know. What do you mean by that?” “Well,” said Jim, “it may be you have heard of Nat Turner and his insurrection.” “Yes,” said Mr. Frink. “Well,” said Jim, “some of the slaves know all about that, and they talk about it all over Virginia, and Kentucky, and Car’lina, and everywhere. They have meetings in the night; they go this way and that way, and tell what is going on
