“I have just received a telegraphic despatch from a slave-holder living in Maryland, informing me that six slaves had escaped from him, and that he had reason to believe that they were on their way to Philadelphia, and would come in the regular train direct from Harrisburg; furthermore I am requested to be at the depot on the arrival of the train to arrest the whole party, for whom a reward of $1300 is offered.  Now I am not the man for this business.  I would have nothing to do with the contemptible work of arresting fugitives.  I’d rather help them off.  What I am telling you is confidential.  My object in coming to the office is simply to notify the Vigilance Committee so that they may be on the look-out for them at the depot this evening and get them out of danger as soon as possible.  This is the way I feel about them; but I shall telegraph back that I will be on the look-out.”

While the officer was giving this information he was listened to most attentively, and every word he uttered was carefully weighed.  An air of truthfulness, however, was apparent; nevertheless he was a stranger and there was cause for great cautiousness.  During the interview an unopened telegraphic despatch which had come to hand during the writer’s absence, lay on the desk.  Impressed with the belief that it might shed light on the officer’s story, the first opportunity that offered, it was seized, opened, and it read as follows:  (Copied from the original.)

    HARRISBURG, May 31st, 1856.

    WM. STILL, N. 5th St.:—­I have sent via at two o’clock four
    large and two small hams.

    JOS.  C. BUSTILL.

Here there was no room for further doubt, but much need for vigilance.  Although the despatch was not read to the officer, not that his story was doubted, but purely for prudential reasons, he was nevertheless given to understand, that it was about the same party, and that they would be duly looked after.  It would hardly have been understood by the officer, had he been permitted to read it so guardedly was it worded, it was indeed dead language to all save the initiated.  In one particular especially, relative to the depot where they were expected to arrive, the officer was in the dark, as his despatch pointed to the regular train, and of course to the depot at Eleventh and Market streets.  The Underground Rail Road despatch on the contrary pointed to Broad and Callowhill streets “Via,” i.e. Reading.

As notified, that evening the “four large and two small hams” arrived, and turned out to be of the very finest quality, just such as any trader would have paid the highest market price for.  Being mindful of the great danger of the hour, there was felt to be more occasion just then for anxiety and watchfulness, than for cheering and hurrahing over the brave passengers.  To provide for them in the usual manner, in view of the threatening aspect of affairs, could not be thought of.  In this critical