As soon as it was practicable, Friend Hopper returned home, where he found the woman and her son in a state of great agitation.  He immediately sent her to a place of greater safety, and gave the son a letter to a farmer thirty miles up in the country.  He went directly to the river Schuylkill, but was afraid to cross the bridge, lest some person should be stationed there to arrest him.  He accordingly walked along the margin of the river till he found a small boat, in which he crossed the stream.  Following the directions he had received, he arrived at the farmer’s house, where he had a kindly welcome, and obtained employment.

The master being unable to recapture his slaves, called upon Isaac T. Hopper to inquire if he knew anything about them.  He coolly replied, “I believe they are doing very well.  From what I hear, I judge it will not be necessary to give thyself any further trouble on their account.”

“There is no use in trying to capture a runaway slave in Philadelphia,” rejoined the master.  “I believe the devil himself could not catch them when they once get here.”

“That is very likely,” answered Friend Hopper.  “But I think he would have less difficulty in catching the masters; being so much more familiar with them.”

Sixty dollars had already been expended in vain; and the slave-holder, having relinquished all hope of tracing the fugitives, finally agreed to manumit the woman for fifty dollars, and her son for seventy-five dollars.  These sums were advanced by two citizens friendly to the colored people, and the emancipated slaves repaid them by faithful service.

THE SLAVE OF DR. RICH.

In the autumn of 1828, Dr. Rich of Maryland came to Philadelphia with his wife, who was the daughter of an Episcopal clergyman in that city, by the name of Wiltbank.  She brought a slave to wait upon her, intending to remain at her father’s until after the birth of her child, which was soon expected to take place.  When they had been there a few months, the slave was informed by some colored acquaintance that she was free in consequence of being brought to Philadelphia.  She called to consult with Isaac T. Hopper, and seemed very much disappointed to hear that a residence of six months was necessary to entitle her to freedom; that her master was doubtless aware of that circumstance, and would probably guard against it.

After some minutes of anxious reflection, she said, “Then there is nothing left for me to do but to run away; for I am determined never to go back to Maryland.”

Friend Hopper inquired whether she thought it would be right to leave her mistress without any one to attend upon her, in the situation she then was.  She replied that she felt no scruples on that point, for her master was wealthy, and could hire as many servants as he pleased.  Finding her mind entirely made up on the subject, he gave her such instructions as seemed suited to the occasion.