The underground rail road - a record of facts, authentic narratives, letters, &c., narrating the hardships, hair-breadth escapes, and death struggles of the slaves in their efforts for freedom, as (14760890375)

Identifier: undergroundrailr1872stil (find matches)
Title: The underground rail road : a record of facts, authentic narratives, letters, &c., narrating the hardships, hair-breadth escapes, and death struggles of the slaves in their efforts for freedom, as related by themselves and others or witnessed by the author : together with sketches of some of the largest stockholders and most liberal aiders and advisers of the road
Year: 1872 (1870s)
Authors: Still, William, 1821-1902 Smith, Louise A., former owner Eaton, J.W., former owner Cornish, E., former owner
Subjects: Underground railroad Fugitive slaves Antislavery movements
Publisher: Philadelphia : Porter & Coates
Contributing Library: Boston Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Public Library



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efiance all hope of success. Whilst everypulse was beating strong for liberty, only one chance seemed to be left, thetrial of which required as much courage as it would to endure the cuttingoff the right arm or plucking out the right eye. An old chest of substan-tial make, such as sailors commonly use, was procured. A quilt, a pillow,and a few articles of raiment, with a small quantity of food and a bottleof water were put in it, and Lear placed therein; strong ropes were fast-ened around the chest and she was safely stowed amongst the ordinaryfreight on one of the Erricson line of steamers. Her intendeds mother,who was a free woman, agreed to come as a passenger on the same boat.How could she refuse? The prescribed rules of the Company assignedcolored passengers to the deck. In this instance it was exactly where thisguardian and mother desired to be—as near the chest as possible. Onceor twice, during the silent watches of the night, she was drawn irresisti- ESCAPING IN A CHEST. 283
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bly to the chest, and could not refrain from venturing to untie the ropeand raise the lid a little, to see if the poor child still lived, and at thesame time to give her a breath of fresh air. Without uttering a whisper,that frightful moment, this office was successfully performed. That thesilent prayers of this oppressed young woman, together with her faithfulprotectors, were momentarily ascending to the ear of the good God above,there can be no question. Nor is it to be doubted for a moment but thatsome ministering angel aided the mother to unfasten the rope, and at thesame time nerved the heart of poor Lear to endure the trying ordeal ofher perilous situation. She declared that she had no fear. After she had passed eighteen hours in the chest, the steamer arrivedat the wharf in Philadelphia, and in due time the living freight was broughtoff the boat, and at first was delivered at a house in Barley street, occupiedby particular friends of the mother. Subsequently chest and freight w