being willing to do almost any thing, I soon fell in with two slave-owners from my own state, tooking for some slaves who had made their escape from them: and having it in my power to assist them, I did it, and they rewarded me beyond my highest expectations; and for six years, I obtained a disgraceful subsistence by such acts of cruelty.

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Among other transactions of that period, was the apprehension of a man called James, the recollection of which torments me inexpressibly. He had belonged to the estate of Mr. R- of Albamarle county. At the death of Mr. R, James passed into the hands of those who treated him very ill-and he ran away. When I first fell in with him, he lived on a small lot in New-Jersey, with his wife, a free woman, whom he had married in Virginia, and contrived to bring with him, and three children.

"After losing my way, and travelling some hours on foot, I came to his little habitation, late at night. He treated me very kindly, gave me food, and his own bed, while himself and wife occupied chairs by the fire; and in the morning he walked with me several miles, to put me in the right way: it was in vain that I offered him a small reward, he would not take it. "Months had passed away, when by chance my eyes lit upon an old advertisement, offering

a large reward for his apprehension. I knew at once it was James, for I had observed a remarkable scar on his chin, which was mentioned in the description of him. Hard as my heart then was, and callous to every feeling of humanity, I could not help shuddering at the thought of betraying my kind friend but the prospect of gain soon made my decision, I wrote to his master, and received his answer. All things were prepared, and I was to have fifty dollars more than the sum mentioned in the advertisement.

:

"I went alone again to his quiet retreat; it was in winter, and the weather had been piercing cold, and the river Delaware was closed. I arrived at early twilight. How bitter have my thoughts been since, when I have recollected the honest satisfaction that gleamed in his sable features when I approached. During the evening, I proposed to him a removal into Pennsylvania: I told him I had a few acres of land, suitable for a garden, and a comfortable dwelling-house, in the neighbourhood of the city; and that, recollecting his former kindness to me, I had come to persuade him to occupy the one, and improve the other, for which I could afford to give him high wages.

"The poor man agreed to accompany me next day, to look at the premises; and if it

pleased him, to take possession of them on the first of April. Early in the morning, I was awaked by preparations for breakfast; and they were delighted with my taking so much notice of them as I did, and with my gratitude for the services they had rendered me. The whole family were cheerful,

"We parted with light hearts, and James and I reached the river in due time, and entered on the ice. Hitherto we had walked side by side, but now he fell a little behind me; and we had proceeded but a little way, when I perceived the ice to give way, and I immediately went down as far as my arms, which I stretched out, and so supported myself for some minutes, until James threw me the end of his great-coat, to which I held, and he pulled me out, and taking me on his shoulder, carried me, very much exhausted, to the shore.'

"Here the sick man closed his eyes, and lay for a short time; when, reviving, he resumed the affecting narrative: On coming to myself again, I found what my intended innocent victim had been prompted to do by feelings of humanity and gratitude, and that he had rescued me from inevitable destruction. Shall I tell you' what followed?'-Oh my husband!' exclaimed the wife, you could not have persevered in your wicked purpose you never could have

8

sent the man into slavery who had preserved your life ??

"Yes, I could! I did!' replied the husband'cold-blooded villain that I was! The very day which witnessed my danger and my delivery, saw me assist in binding-chaining hand and foot, him to whom I was indebted for my worthless life!-Separated from his wife and children, and freedom, he departed without uttering a single word. Once, and once only, he suffered his eyes to dwell for an instant on mine, which sunk before their glare. Never can I forget that agonizing and despairing glance-it haunts me in broad daylight—it is with me in the deepest shades of night!'

"Here my servant had risen up, and stood behind me, his eyes glistening with tears that trickled down his ebon cheeks; when the sick man's eyes lighting upon the Negro, he exclaimed in the extremity of terror- James is there-behind you, Sir; he is come to torment me already! -Take him away-take him away!' he repeated slowly, and sunk into a slumber from which he never awoke !"

"The eyes of the Lord are upon the ways of man; He seeth all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others.

K

They cause the cry of the poor to come unto Him; and He heareth the cry of the afflicted. When He giveth quietness, who can make trouble? And when He hideth his face, who then can behold Him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only." Job, xxxiv.

THE LITTLE BOSTONIAN.

In the year 1819, a decent looking man, residing at Sturbridge, in the interior of Massachusetts, called at the house of a coloured woman in Boston, and inquired if she bad not a son, whom she was willing to place on his farm in the country. He promised to feed and clothe him, and to give him an ordinary school education. The poor woman, rejoiced at the prospect of obtaining so advantageous a situation for her child, gladly gave her consent, without inquiring into his character as she ought to have done and furnishing the boy with all his best clothing, dispatched him on his journey for the country, with, as she thought, his future master.

Instead of taking him to Sturbridge, as he had promised, this man placed him on board a vessel bound to New-York, and set sail with him the same day for that place. Immediately on his arrival there, he inquired for a vessel bound