Mountains have always been a refuge and a defense for the outlaw, and the few dwellers in this almost unknown wilderness were not infrequently either indifferent or friendly to the fugitives.

The escaped slaves might, if they chose, adopt for an indefinite time the free life of the hills; but in most cases they naturally drifted northward for greater security until they found themselves in a free State.

Through the mountainous regions of Virginia many thus escaped, and they were induced to remain there by the example and advice of residents of their own color.

The negroes themselves excelled all others in furnishing places of refuge to fugitives from slavery and in concealing their status.

For this reason John Brown and his associates were influenced to select this region for their great venture in 1859.
But there were other than geographical conditions which helped to determine the direction of the lines of the Underground Railroad.