Being a mechanic, he had by industry earned more money than he had paid to his owner for his time, and this he had laid aside, with the hope that he might some day get enough to purchase his freedom.
He had in his chest about a hundred and fifty dollars.

His was a heart that felt for others, and he had again and again wiped the tears from his eyes while listening to Isabella's story.
"If she can get free with a little money, why not give her what I have ?" thought he, and then resolved to do it.
An hour after, he entered the quadroon's room, and, laying the money in her lap, said,-- "There, Miss Isabella, you said just now that if you had the means you would leave this place.

There is money enough to take you to England, where you will be free.

You are much fairer than many of the white women of the South, and can easily pass for a free white woman." At first Isabella thought it was a plan by which the negro wished to try her fidelity to her owner; but she was soon convinced, by his earnest manner and the deep feeling he manifested, that he was entirely sincere.
"I will take the money," said she, "only on one condition, and that is that I effect your escape, as well as my own." "How can that be done ?" he inquired, eagerly.
"I will assume the disguise of a gentleman, and you that of a servant, and we will thus take passage in a steamer to Cincinnati, and from thence to Canada." With full confidence in Isabella's judgment, William consented at once to the proposition.

The clothes were purchased; everything was arranged, and the next night, while Mr.Gordon was on one of his sprees, Isabella, under the assumed name of Mr.Smith, with William in attendance as a servant, took passage for Cincinnati in the steamer Heroine.
With a pair of green glasses over her eyes, in addition to her other disguise, Isabella made quite a gentlemanly appearance.