John was conveyed to Washington and offered for sale to speculators, who were buying up gangs for the Southern market.  The sight of dejected and brutified slaves, chained together in coffles, was too common at the seat of our republican government to attract attention; but the barbarity of John’s master was so conspicuous, that even there he was rebuked for his excessive cruelty.  These expressions of sympathy were quite unexpected to the poor slave, and they kindled a faint hope of escape, which had been smouldering in his breast.  Manacled as he was, he contrived to trip up his master, and leaving him prostrate on the ground, he ran for the woods.  He was soon beyond the reach of his tyrant, and might have escaped easily if a company had not immediately formed to pursue him.  They chased him from the shelter of the bushes to a swamp, where he was hunted like a fox, till night with friendly darkness overshadowed him.  While his enemies were sleeping, he cautiously made his way by the light of the stars, to the house of an old acquaintance, who hastened to take off his fetters, and give him a good supper.

Thus refreshed, he hastened to bid his colored friend farewell, and with fear and trembling set off for Philadelphia.  He had several rivers to cross, and he thought likely men would be stationed on the bridges to arrest him.  Therefore, he hid himself in the deepest recesses of the woods in the day-time, and travelled only in the night.  He suffered much with hunger and fatigue, but arrived home at last, to the great astonishment and joy of his family.  He well knew that these precious moments of affectionate greeting were highly dangerous; for his own roof could afford no shelter from pursuers armed with the power of a wicked law.  He accordingly hastened to Isaac T. Hopper for advice and assistance.

The yellow fever was then raging in Philadelphia, and the children had all been carried into the country by their mother.  Business made it necessary for Friend Hopper to be in the city during the day-time, and a colored domestic remained with him to take charge of the house.  This woman was alone when the fugitive arrived; but she showed him to an upper chamber secured by a strong fastening.  He had been there but a short time, when his master came with two constables and proceeded to search the house.  When they found a room with the door bolted, they demanded entrance; and receiving no answer, they began to consult together how to gain admittance.  At this crisis, the master of the house came home, and received information of what was going on up-stairs.  He hastened thither, and ordered the intruders to quit his house instantly.  One of the constables said, “This gentleman’s slave is here; and if you don’t deliver him up immediately, we will get a warrant to search the house.”

“Quit my premises,” replied Friend Hopper.  “The mayor dare not grant a warrant to search my house.”

The men withdrew in no very good humor, and a message soon came from the mayor requesting to see Isaac T. Hopper.  He obeyed the summons, and the magistrate said to him, “This gentleman informs me that his slave is in your house.  Is it so?”