I had spent most of the forenoon in my workshop, engaged in deep and solemn thought.
It is impossible for me now to recollect all the perplexing thoughts that passed through my mind during that forenoon; it was a day of heartaching to me.

But I distinctly remember the two great difficulties that stood in the way of my flight: I had a father and mother whom I dearly loved,--I had also six sisters and four brothers on the plantation.

The question was, shall I hide my purpose from them?
moreover, how will my flight affect them when I am gone?
Will they not be suspected?
Will not the whole family be sold off as a disaffected family, as is generally the case when one of its members flies?
But a still more trying question was, how can I expect to succeed, I have no knowledge of distance or direction.

I know that Pennsylvania is a free state, but I know not where its soil begins, or where that of Maryland ends?
Indeed, at this time there was no safety in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or New York, for a fugitive, except in lurking-places, or under the care of judicious friends, who could be entrusted not only with liberty, but also with life itself.
With such difficulties before my mind, the day had rapidly worn away; and it was just past noon.

One of my perplexing questions I had settled--I had resolved to let no one into my secret; but the other difficulty was now to be met.