Emboldened by the cruel speech just recited, my captors enclosed me, and said, "Come now, this matter may easily be settled without you going to jail; who do you belong to, and where did you come from ?" The facts here demanded were in my breast.

I knew according to the law of slavery, who I belonged to and where I came from, and I must now do one of three things--I must refuse to speak at all, or I must communicate the fact, or I must tell an untruth.

How would an untutored slave, who had never heard of such a writer as Archdeacon Paley, be likely to act in such a dilemma?
The first point decided, was, the facts in this case are my private property.

These men have no more right to them than a highway robber has to my purse.

What will be the consequence if I put them in possession of the facts.