Friend Hopper inquired which way the party had gone, and was informed that they went toward “Gray’s Ferry.”  He immediately started in pursuit, and overtook them half a mile from the Schuylkill.  He accosted Mr. Ennells politely, and told him he had made a mistake in capturing William Bachelor; for he was a free man.  Ennells drew a pistol from his pocket, and said, “We have had him before a magistrate, and proved to his satisfaction that the fellow is my slave.  I have got his certificate, and that is all that is required to authorize me to take him home.  I will blow your brains out if you say another word on the subject, or make any attempt to molest me.”

“If thou wert not a coward, thou wouldst not try to intimidate me with a pistol,” replied Isaac.  “I do not believe thou hast the least intention of using it in any other way; but thou art much agitated, and may fire it accidentally; therefore I request thee not to point it toward me, but to turn it the other way.  It is in vain for thee to think of taking this old man to Maryland.  If thou wilt not return to the city voluntarily, I will certainly have thee stopped at the bridge, where thou wilt be likely to be handled much more roughly than I am disposed to do.”

While this controversy was going on, poor William Bachelor was in the greatest anxiety of mind.  “Oh, Master Hopper,” he exclaimed, “Don’t let them take me!  I am not a slave.  All the people in Philadelphia know I am a free man.  I never was in Maryland in my life.”

Ennells, hearing the name, said, “So your name is Hopper, is it?  I have heard of you.  It’s time the world was rid of you.  You have done too much mischief already.”

When Friend Hopper inquired what mischief he had done, he replied, “You have robbed many people of their slaves.”

“Thou art mistaken,” rejoined the Quaker.  “I only prevent Southern marauders from robbing people of their liberty.”

After much altercation, it was agreed to return to the city; and William was again brought before the alderman, who had so hastily surrendered him.  Dr. Kinley, and so many other respectable citizens, attended as witnesses, that even Ennells himself was convinced that his captive was a free man.  He was accordingly set at liberty.  It was, however, generally believed that Mr. Ennells knew he was not a slave when he arrested him.  It was therefore concluded to prosecute him for attempting to take forcibly a free man out of the state and carry him into slavery.

When Friend Hopper went to his lodgings with a warrant and two constables, for this purpose, he found him writing, with a pistol on each side of him.  The moment they entered, he seized a pistol and ordered them to withdraw, or he would shoot them.  Friend Hopper replied, “These men are officers, and have a warrant to arrest thee for attempting to carry off a free man into slavery.  I advise thee to lay down thy pistol and go with us.  If not, a sufficient force will soon be brought to compel thee.  Remember thou art in the heart of Philadelphia.  It is both foolish and imprudent to attempt to resist the law.  A pistol is a very unnecessary article here, whatever it may be elsewhere.  According to appearances, thou dost not attempt to use it for any other purpose than to frighten people; and thou hast not succeeded in doing that.”