The reader will see that the good old rule--"a man is to be held innocent until proved to be guilty"-- does not hold good on the slave plantation.

Suspicion and torture are the approved methods of getting at the truth, here.

It was necessary for me, therefore, to keep a watch over my deportment, lest the enemy should get the better of me.
But with all our caution and studied reserve, I am not sure that Mr.
Freeland did not suspect that all was not right with us.

It _did_ seem that he watched us more narrowly, after the plan of escape had been conceived and discussed amongst us.

Men seldom see themselves as others see them; and while, to ourselves, everything connected with our contemplated escape appeared concealed, Mr.Freeland may have, with the peculiar prescience of a slaveholder, mastered the huge thought which was disturbing our peace in slavery.
I am the more inclined to think that he suspected us, because, prudent as we were, as I now look back, I can see that we did many silly things, very well calculated to awaken suspicion.