I had with me a little money that I had received, from time to time, from gentlemen for whom I had done errands.

I took my scanty means and purchased some dried beef, crackers and cheese, which I carried to mother, who had provided herself with a bag to carry it in.

I occasionally thought of my old master, and of my mission to the city to find a new one.

I waited with the most intense anxiety for the appointed time to leave the land of slavery, in search of a land of liberty.
The time at length arrived, and we left the city just as the clock struck nine.

We proceeded to the upper part of the city, where I had been two or three times during the day, and selected a skiff to carry us across the river.