I will now proceed to the statement of those facts, connected with my escape, for which I am alone responsible, and for which no one can be made to suffer but myself.
My condition in the year (1838) of my escape, was, comparatively, a free and easy one, so far, at least, as the wants of the physical man were concerned; but the reader will bear in mind, that my troubles from the beginning, have been less physical than mental, and he will thus be prepared to find, after what is narrated in the previous chapters, that slave life was adding nothing to its charms for me, as I grew older, and became better acquainted with it.

The practice, from week to week, of openly robbing me of all my earnings, kept the nature and character of slavery constantly before me.

I could be robbed by _indirection_, but this was _too_ open and barefaced to be endured.

I could see no reason why I should, at the end of each week, pour the reward of my honest toil into the purse of any man.

The thought itself vexed me, and the manner in which Master Hugh received my wages, vexed me more than the original wrong.