Anyway we can easily out-distance any rowboat, and Sam tells me there is nothing else to be had at the Landing." "But why have you chosen the northern route?
Surely you had a reason ?" "Certainly; it was to deceive them and get out of slave territory as quickly as possible.

There are friends in this direction and none in the other.

If we should endeavor to flee by way of the Ohio, we would be compelled to run a thousand-mile gauntlet.

There are slaves in Illinois--it has never been declared a free state--but these are held almost exclusively in the more southern counties.

North of the river the settlers are largely from New England, and the majority of them hate slavery and are ready to assist any runaway to freedom." "But you have spoken of a man--Amos Shrunk--who is he ?" "You have certainly heard rumors, at least, that there are regular routes of escape from here to Canada ?" "Yes; it has been discussed at the house.