And but for this, I should certainly have frozen to death; for I was determined not to go to any house for shelter.

I knew of a man belonging to Gen.

Ashly, of St.
Louis, who had run away near Cincinnati, on the way to Washington, but had been caught and carried back into slavery; and I felt that a similar fate awaited me, should I be seen by any one.

I travelled at night, and lay by during the day.
On the fourth day, my provisions gave out, and then what to do I could not tell.

Have something to eat, I must; but how to get it was the question! On the first night after my food was gone, I went to a barn on the road-side, and there found some ears of corn.