I was then hired out again; but by this time I had become much better skilled in running away, and would make calculation to avoid detection, by taking with me a bridle.

If any body should see me in the woods, as they have, and asked "what are you doing here sir! you are a runaway!"-- I said, "no, sir, I am looking for our old mare;" at other times, "looking for our cows." For such excuses I was let pass.

In fact, the only weapon of self defence that I could use successfully, was that of deception.

It is useless for a poor helpless slave, to resist a white man in a slaveholding State.

Public opinion and the law is against him; and resistance in many cases is death to the slave, while the law declares, that he shall submit or die.
The circumstances in which I was then placed, gave me a longing desire to be free.