The Underground Railroad
trustworthy Charlestonians to ascertain if John were really from
Charleston, and if he were actually owned by the man that he represented
as having owned him, Dr. Philip Mazyck, by name; and furthermore, to
learn if the master was really of the brutal character given him. The
testimony of thoroughly reliable persons, who were acquainted with
master and slave, so far as this man's bondage in Charleston was
concerned, fully corroborated his statement, and the Committee could not
but credit his story; indeed they were convinced, that he had been one
of the greatest of sufferers and the chief of heroes. Nevertheless his
story was not written out, and can only be hinted at. Perhaps more time
was consumed in its investigation and in listening to a recital of his
sufferings than could well be spared; perhaps it was thought, as was
often the case, unless full justice could be given him, the story would
be spoiled; or perhaps the appalling nature of his sufferings rendered
the pen powerless, and made the heart too sick for the task. Whether it
was so or not in this case, it was not unfrequently so in other
instances, as is well remembered. It will be necessary, in the
subsequent pages of this work, to omit the narratives of a great many
who, unfortunately, were but briefly noted on the books at the time of
their arrival. In the eyes of some, this may prove disappointing,
especially in instances where these pages are turned to with the hope of
gaining a clue to certain lost ones. As all, however, cannot be
mentioned, and as the general reader will look for incidents and facts
which will most fittingly bring out the chief characteristics in the
career and escape of bondmen, the reasonableness of this course must be
obvious to all.
* * * * *
CHARLES GILBERT.
FLEEING FROM DAVIS A NEGRO TRADER, SECRETED UNDER A HOTEL, UP A TREE,
UNDER A FLOOR, IN A THICKET, ON A STEAMER. In 1854 Charles was owned in
the city of Richmond by Benjamin Davis, a notorious negro trader.
Charles was quite a "likely-looking article," not too black or too
white, but rather of a nice "ginger-bread color." Davis was of opinion
that this "article" must bring him a tip-top price. For two or three
months the trader advertised Charles for sale in the papers, but for
some reason or other Charles did not command the high price demanded.
While Davis was thus daily trying to sell Charles, Charles was
contemplating how he might escape. Being uncommonly shrewd he learned
something about a captain of a schooner from Boston, and determined to
approach him with regard to securing a passage. The captain manifested a
disposition to accommodate him for the sum of ten dollars, provided
Charles could manage to get to Old Point Comfort, there to embark. The
Point was about one hundred and sixty miles distant from Richmond.
A man of ordinary nerve would have declined this condition
unhesitatingly. On the other hand it was not Charles' intention to let
any offer slide; indeed he felt that he must make an effort, if he
failed. He could not see how his lot could be made more miserable by
attempting to flee. In full view of all the consequences he ventured to
take the hazardous step, and to his great satisfaction he reached Old
Point Comfort safely. In that locality he was well known, unfortunately
too well known, for he had been raised partly there, and, at the same
time, many of his relatives and acquaintances were still living there.
These facts were evidently well known to the trader, who unquestionably
had snares set in order to entrap Charles should he seek shelter among
his relatives, a reasonable supposition. Charles had scarcely reached
his old home before he was apprised of the fact that the hunters and
watch dogs of Slavery were eagerly watching for him. Even his nearest
relatives, through fear of consequences had to hide their faces as it
were from him. None dare offer him a night's lodging, scarcely a cup of
water, lest such an act might be discovered by the hunters, whose
fiendish hearts would have found pleasure in meting out the most dire
punishments to those guilty of thus violating the laws of Slavery. The
prospect, if not utterly hopeless, was decidedly discouraging. The way
to Boston was entirely closed. A "reward of $200" was advertised for his
capture. For the first week after arriving at Old Point he entrusted
himself to a young friend by the name of E.S. The fear of the pursuers
drove him from his hiding-place at the expiration of the week. Thence he
sought shelter neither with kinfolks, Christians, nor infidels, but in
this hour of his calamity he made up his mind that he would try living
under a large hotel for a while. Having watched his opportunity, he
managed to reach Higee hotel, a very large house without a cellar,
erected on pillars three or four feet above the ground. One place alone,
near the cistern, presented some chance for a hiding-place, sufficient
to satisfy him quite well under the circumstances. This dark and gloomy
spot he at once willingly occupied rather than return to Slavery. In
this refuge he remained four weeks. Of course he could not live without
food; but to communicate with man or woman would inevitably subject him
to danger. Charles' experience in the neighborhood of his old home left
no ground for him to hope that he would be likely to find friendly aid
anywhere under the shadow of Slavery. In consequence of these fears he
received his food from the "slop tub," securing this diet in the
darkness of night after all was still and quiet around the hotel. To use
his own language, the meals thus obtained were often "sweet" to his
taste.
One evening, however, he was not a little alarmed by the approach of an
Irish boy who came under the hotel to hunt chickens. While prowling
around in the darkness he appeared to be making his way unconsciously to
the very spot where Charles was reposing. How to meet the danger was to
Charles' mind at first very puzzling, there was no time now to plan. As
quick as thought he feigned the bark of a savage dog accompanied with a
furious growl and snarl which he was confident would frighten the boy
half out of his senses, and cause him to depart quickly from his private
apartment. The trick succeeded admirably, and the emergency was
satisfactorily met, so far as the boy was concerned, but the boy's
father hearing the attack of the dog, swore that he would kill him.
Charles was a silent listener to the threat, and he saw that he could no
longer remain in safety in his present quarter. So that night he took
his departure for Bay Shore; here he decided to pass a day in the woods,
but the privacy of this place was not altogether satisfactory to
Charles' mind; but where to find a more secure retreat he could
not,--dared not venture to ascertain that day. It occurred to him,
however, that he would be much safer up a tree than hid in the bushes
and undergrowth. He therefore climbed up a large acorn tree and there
passed an entire day in deep meditation. No gleam of hope appeared, yet
he would not suffer himself to think of returning to bondage. In this
dilemma he remembered a poor washer-woman named Isabella, a slave who
had charge of a wash-house. With her he resolved to seek succor. Leaving
the woods he proceeded to the wash-house and was kindly received by
Isabella, but what to do with him or how to afford him any protection
she could see no way whatever. The schooling which Charles had been
receiving a number of weeks in connection with the most fearful
looking-for of the threatened wrath of the trader made it much easier
for him than for her to see how he could be provided for. A room and
comforts he was not accustomed to. Of course he could not expect such
comforts now. Like many another escaping from the relentless tyrant,
Charles could contrive methods which to his venturesome mind would
afford hope, however desperate they might appear to others. He thought
that he might be safe under the floor. To Isabella the idea was new, but
her sympathies were strongly with Charles, and she readily consented to
accommodate him under the floor of the wash-house. Isabella and a friend
of Charles, by the name of John Thomas, were the only persons who were
cognizant of this arrangement. The kindness of these friends, manifested
by their willingness to do anything in their power to add to the comfort
of Charles, was proof to him that his efforts and sufferings had not
been altogether in vain. He remained under the floor two weeks,
accessible to kind voices and friendly ministrations. At the end of this
time his repose was again sorely disturbed by reports from without that
suspicion had been awakened towards the wash-house. How this happened
neither Charles nor his friends could conjecture. But the arrival of six
officers whom he could hear talking very plainly in the house, whose
errand was actually to search for him, convinced him that he had never
for a single moment been in greater danger. The officers not only
searched the house, but they offered his friend John Thomas $25 if he
would only put them on Charles' track. John professed to know nothing;
Isabella was equally ignorant. Discouraged with their efforts on this
occasion, the officers gave up the hunt and left the house. Charles,
however, had had enough of the floor accommodations. He left that night
and returned to his old quarters under the hotel. Here he stayed one
week, at the expiration of which time the need of fresh air was so
imperative, that he resolved to go out at night to Allen's cottage and
spend a day in the woods. He had knowledge of a place where the
undergrowth and bushes were almost impenetrable. To rest and refresh
himself in this thicket he felt would be a great comfort to him. Without
serious difficulty he reached the thicket, and while pondering over the
all-absorbing matter as to how he should ever manage to make his escape,
an old man approached. Now while Charles had no reason to think that he
was sought by the old intruder, his very near approach admonished him
that it would neither be safe nor agreeable to allow him to come nearer.
Charles remembering that his trick of playing the dog, when previously
in danger under the hotel, had served a good end, thought that it would
work well in the thicket. So he again tried his power at growling and
barking hideously for a moment or two, which at once caused the man to
turn his course. Charles could hear him distinctly retreating, and at
the same time cursing the dog. The owner of the place had the reputation
of keeping "bad dogs," so the old man poured out a dreadful threat
against "Stephens' dogs," and was soon out of the reach of the one in
the thicket.
Notwithstanding his success in frightening off the old man, CHARLES felt
that the thicket was by no means a safe place for him. He concluded to
make another change. This time he sought a marsh; two hours' stay there
was sufficient to satisfy him, that that too was no place to tarry in,
even for a single night. He, therefore, left immediately. A third time,
he returned to the hotel, where he remained only two days. His appeals
had at last reached the heart of his mother--she could no longer bear to
see him struggling, and suffering, and not render him aid, whatever the
consequences might be. If she at first feared to lend him a helping
hand, she now resolutely worked with a view of saving money to succor
him. Here the prospect began to brighten.
A passage was secured for him on a steamer bound for Philadelphia. One
more day, and night must elapse, ere he could be received on board. The
joyful anticipations which now filled his breast left no room for fear;
indeed, he could scarcely contain himself; he was drunk with joy. In