He remained there several months, during which time he never dared to visit his family, though only eight miles distant from them.  This was a great source of unhappiness; for he was naturally affectionate, and was strongly attached to his wife and children.  At length, he ventured to hire a small house in a very secluded situation, not far from the village of Haddonfield:  and once more he gathered his family around him.  But his domestic comfort was constantly disturbed by fear of men-stealers.  While at his work in the day-time, he sometimes started at the mere rustling of a leaf; and in the night time, he often woke up in agony from terrifying dreams.

The false friend, who betrayed him to his cruel master, likewise suffered greatly from fear.  When he heard that John had again escaped, he was exceedingly alarmed for his own safety.  He dreamed that his abused friend came with a knife in one hand and a torch in the other, threatening to murder him and burn the house.  These ideas took such hold of his imagination, that he often started up in bed and screamed aloud.  But John was too sincerely religious to cherish a revengeful spirit.  The wrong done to him was as great as one mortal could inflict upon another; but he had learned the divine precept not to render evil for evil.

The event proved that John’s uneasiness was too well founded.  A few months after his family rejoined him, Isaac T. Hopper heard that his master had arrived in Philadelphia, and was going to New-Jersey to arrest him.  He immediately apprised him of his danger; and the tidings were received with feelings of desperation amounting to phrensy.  He loaded his gun and determined to defend himself.  Very early the next morning, he saw his master with two men coming up the narrow lane that led to his house.  He stationed himself in the door-way, leveled his gun, and called out, “I will shoot the first man that crosses that fence!” They were alarmed, and turned back to procure assistance.  John seized that opportunity to quit his retreat.  He hastened to Philadelphia, and informed Isaac T. Hopper what had happened.  His friend represented to him the unchristian character of such violent measures, and advised him not to bring remorse on his soul by the shedding of blood.  The poor hunted fugitive seemed to be convinced, though it was a hard lesson to learn in his circumstances.  Again he resolved to fly for safety; and his friend advised him to go to Boston.  A vessel from that place was then lying in the Delaware, and the merchant who had charge of her, pitying his forlorn situation, offered him a passage free of expense.  Kindness bestowed on him was always like good seed dropped into a rich soil.  He was so obliging and diligent during the voyage, that he more than compensated the captain for his passage.  He arrived safely in Boston, where his certificates of good character soon enabled him to procure employment.  Not long after, he sent for his wife, who sold what little property they had in Philadelphia, and took her children to their new home.