This remark put the slave-hunter in a violent rage.  The magistrate decided that his evidence was not admissible, on the ground that he was interested.  He then proposed to summon two witnesses from a Virginian vessel lying at one of the wharves.

“Of course thou art at liberty to go for witnesses,” replied Friend Hopper.  “But I appeal to the magistrate to discharge this man.  Under present circumstances, he ought not to be detained a single moment.”  The alderman needed no urging on that point.  He very promptly discharged the prisoner.  As soon as he left the office, the slave-hunter seized hold of him, and swore he would keep him till witnesses were brought.  But Friend Hopper walked up to him, and said in his resolute way, “Let go thy hold! or I will take such measures as will make thee repent of thy rashness.  How darest thou lay a finger upon the man after the magistrate has discharged him?”

Thus admonished, he reluctantly relinquished his grasp, and went off swearing vengeance against “the meddlesome Quaker.”

Friend Hopper hastened home with the colored man, and wrote a brief letter to his friend William Reeve, in New-Jersey, concluding with these words:  “Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”  This letter was given to the fugitive with directions how to proceed.  His friend accompanied him to the ferry, saw him safely across the river, and then returned home.

In an hour or two the slave-hunter came to the house, accompanied by a constable and two witnesses from Virginia.  “The slave I arrested was seen to come here,” said he.  “Where is he?  Produce him.”

Friend Hopper replied very quietly, “The man has been here; but he is gone now.”

This answer made the agent perfectly furious.  After discharging a volley of oaths, he said he had a search warrant, and swore he would have the house searched from garret to cellar.  “Very well,” replied Friend Hopper, “thou art at liberty to proceed according to law; but be careful not to overstep that boundary.  If thou dost, it will be at thy peril.”

After the slave-hunter had vented his rage in a torrent of abuse, the constable proposed to speak a few words in private.  With many friendly professions, he acknowledged that they had no search-warrant.  “The gentleman was about to obtain one from the mayor,” said he; “but I wished to save your feelings.  I told him you were well acquainted with me, and I had no doubt you would permit me to search your house without any legal process.”

Friend Hopper listened patiently, perfectly well aware that the whole statement was a sham.  When the constable paused for a reply, he opened the door, and said very concisely, “Thou art at liberty to go about thy business.”

They spent several days searching for the fugitive, but their efforts were unavailing.

MARY MORRIS.