CHAPTER I. |
MY BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD. | 1 |
Earliest memories.—Born in Maryland.—My father's first appearance.—Attempted outrage on my mother.—My father's fight with an overseer.—One hundred stripes and his ear cut off.—Throws away his banjo and becomes morose.—Sold South. |
CHAPTER II. |
MY FIRST GREAT TRIAL. | 8 |
Origin of my name.—A kind master.—He is drowned.—My mother's prayers.—A slave auction.—Torn from my mother.—Severe sickness.—A cruel master.—Sold again and restored to my mother. |
CHAPTER III. |
MY BOYHOOD AND YOUTH. | 16 |
Early employment.—Slave-life.—Food, lodging, clothing.—Amusements.—Gleams of sunshine.—My knight-errantry.—Become an overseer and general superintendent. |
CHAPTER IV. |
MY CONVERSION. | 25 |
A good man.—Hear a sermon for the first time.—Its effects upon me.—Prayer and communion.—Its first fruits. |
CHAPTER V. |
MAIMED FOR LIFE. | 31 |
Taking care of my drunken master.—His fight with an overseer.—Rescue him.—Am terribly beaten by the overseer.—My master seeks redress at law, but fails.—Sufferings then and since.—Retain my post as superintendent. |
CHAPTER VI. |
A RESPONSIBLE JOURNEY. | 42 |
My marriage.—Marriage of my master.—His ruin.—Comes to me for aid.—A great enterprise undertaken.—Long and successful journey.—Incidents by the way.—Struggle between inclination and duty.—Duty triumphant. |
CHAPTER VII. |
A NEW HOME. | 55 |
Become a Methodist preacher.—My poor companions sold.—My agony.—Sent for again.—Interview with a kind Methodist preacher.—Visit free soil and begin my struggle for freedom. |
CHAPTER VIII. |
RETURN TO MARYLAND. | 66 |
Reception from my old master.—A slave again.—Appeal to an old friend.—Buy my freedom.—Cheated and betrayed.—Back to Kentucky, and a slave again. |
CHAPTER IX. |
TAKEN SOUTH, AWAY FROM WIFE AND CHILDREN. | 79 |
Start for New Orleans.—Study navigation on the Mississippi.—The captain struck blind.—Find some of my old companions.—The lower depths. |
CHAPTER X. |
A TERRIBLE TEMPTATION. | 86 |
Sigh for death.—A murder in my heart.—The axe raised.—Conscience speaks and I am saved.—God be praised! |
CHAPTER XI. |
PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCE. | 93 |
Offered for sale.—Examined by purchasers.—Plead with my young master in vain.—Man's extremity, God's opportunity.—Good for evil.—Return North.—My increased value.—Resolve to be a slave no longer. |
CHAPTER XII. |
ESCAPE FROM BONDAGE. | 102 |
Solitary Musings.—Preparations for flight.—A long good-night to master.—A dark night on the river.—Night journeys in Indiana.—On the brink of starvation.—A kind woman.—A new style of drinking cup.—Reach Cincinnati. |
CHAPTER XIII. |
JOURNEY TO CANADA. | 113 |
Good Samaritans.—Alone in the wilderness.—Meet some Indians.—Reach Sandusky.—Another friend.—All aboard.—Buffalo.—A "free nigger."—Frenzy of joy on reaching Canada. |
CHAPTER XIV. |
NEW SCENES AND A NEW HOME. | 128 |
A poor man in a strange land.—Begin to acquire property.—Resume preaching.—Boys go to school.—What gave me a desire to learn to read.—A day of prayer in the woods. |
CHAPTER XV. |
LIFE IN CANADA. | 138 |
Condition of the blacks in Canada.—A tour of exploration.—Appeal to the Legislature.—Improvements. |
CHAPTER XVI. |
CONDUCTING SLAVES TO CANADA. | 144 |
Sympathy for the slaves.—James Lightfoot.—My first mission to the South.—A Kentucky company of fugitives.—Safe at home. |
CHAPTER XVII. |
SECOND JOURNEY ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. | 150 |
A shower of stars.—Kentuckians.—A stratagem.—A providence.—Conducted across the Miami River by a cow.—Arrival at Cincinnati.—One of the party taken ill.—We leave him to die.—Meet a "friend."—A poor white man.—A strange impression.—Once more in Canada. |
CHAPTER XVIII. |
HOME AT DAWN. | FATHER HENSON'S STORY OF HIS OWN LIFE.
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