I did not know North from South, East from West.

I looked in vain for the North Star; a heavy cloud hid it from my view.

I walked up and down the road until near midnight, when the clouds disappeared, and I welcomed the sight of my friend,--truly the slave's friend,--the North Star! As soon as I saw it, I knew my course, and before daylight I travelled twenty or twenty-five miles.

It being in the winter, I suffered intensely from the cold; being without an overcoat, and my other clothes rather thin for the season.

I was provided with a tinder-box, so that I could make up a fire when necessary.