“One morning he had a pass from his master to go to a neighboring town on business, and he thought this a good opportunity to execute the project he had so long entertained.  He started, and traveled all night, and lay concealed in the woods all day, and on the third day after he had left home he ventured on to the estate of Judy’s mistress.  He went into one of the hen-houses, and it was not long before he saw Judy come out to feed the poultry.  She was very much frightened when she saw him, and thought of the consequences that might arise from his master’s rage if he found him.  However, she hid him in the barn, supplying him with food at night.  He stayed there more than a week, intending to leave Kentucky after his master’s pursuit should have ceased.  But one morning his master came to the house, and told Judy’s mistress that one of his slaves was concealed on the place, and asked permission to hunt him, which was granted.  He soon found him by the aid of one of the slaves who had noticed Judy carrying food to the barn, and watched her till he had discovered her husband, and then informed against him.”

“O how mean to betray him!” exclaimed Alfred.

“Yes, Ally, it was; but I suppose it was the hope of reward that induced him to be guilty of such a base act.”

“And was he rewarded?” asked Cornelia, “for I am sure if he was he did not deserve it.”

“I do not know that he was, my daughter,” answered Mrs. Ford.  “John was taken to jail and locked up until his master should return home.  Judy obtained a permit to enter the jail, and stayed with him in the cold, damp cell, cheering him with her presence.  She could not bear the thought of being again separated, and determined to accompany him, let the consequences be what they might.  Her husband was taken to a blacksmith’s shop on the next day after his recapture, and a heavy pair of handcuffs placed upon him, and a chain (having at the end a large iron ball) was then fastened to his leg to prevent him from running, and in this condition they started for home.  They walked for six days, she with her infant in her arms, and he, heavily loaded with irons.  And she told me that often her dress was one cake of ice up to her knees, the snow and rain being frozen on her skirts.  Her husband’s shoes soon gave way, and his feet bled profusely at every step.  Judy tore off her skirt, piece by piece, to wrap them in, for she loved him tenderly.  But the anguish of their bodies was nothing in comparison with that of their minds.  Fear for the consequences of the attempt, and regret that it had not been successful, filled their hearts with grief, and they journeyed on with no earthly hope to cheer them.

“Just think, my children, what they must have suffered through those long dreary days, John going back to slavery and misery, and Judy not knowing what her own fate might be.  But she had comforted herself with the thought that when John’s master saw what a condition he was in, he would relent toward him.  But she was sadly mistaken, for he took him, weary, sick, and suffering, as he was, and whipped him cruelly, and then left him in an old shed.”