In due time, he succeeded in getting on the steamer, but he soon learned, that her course was not direct to Philadelphia, but that some stay would be made in Norfolk, Va.  Although disappointed, yet this being a step in the right direction, he made up his mind to be patient.  He was delayed in Norfolk four weeks.  From the time Charles first escaped, his owner (Davis the negro trader), had kept a standing reward of $550 advertised for his recovery.  This showed that Davis was willing to risk heavy expenses for Charles as well as gave evidence that he believed him still secreted either about Richmond, Petersburg, or Old Point Comfort.  In this belief he was not far from being correct, for Charles spent most of his time in either of these three places, from the day of his escape until the day that he finally embarked.  At last, the long looked-for hour arrived to start for Philadelphia.

He was to leave his mother, with no hope of ever seeing her again, but she had purchased herself and was called free.  Her name was Margaret Johnson.  Three brothers likewise were ever in his thoughts, (in chains), “Henry,” “Bill,” and “Sam,” (half brothers).  But after all the hope of freedom outweighed every other consideration, and he was prepared to give up all for liberty.  To die rather than remain a slave was his resolve.

Charles arrived per steamer, from Norfolk, on the 11th day of November, 1854.  The Richmond papers bear witness to the fact, that Benjamin Davis advertised Charles Gilbert, for mouths prior to this date, as has been stated in this narrative.  As to the correctness of the story, all that the writer has to say is, that he took it down from the lips of Charles, hurriedly, directly after his arrival, with no thought of magnifying a single incident.  On the contrary, much that was of interest in the story had to be omitted.  Instead of being overdrawn, not half of the particulars were recorded.  Had the idea then been entertained, that the narrative of this young slave-warrior was to be brought to light in the manner and time that it now is, a far more thrilling account of his adventures might have been written.  Other colored men who knew both Davis and Charles, as well as one man ordinarily knows another, rejoiced at seeing Charles in Philadelphia, and they listened with perfect faith to his story.  So marvellous were the incidents of his escape, that his sufferings in Slavery, previous to his heroic struggles to throw off the yoke, were among the facts omitted from the records.  While this may be regretted it is, nevertheless, gratifying on the whole to have so good an account of him as was preserved.  It is needless to say, that the Committee took especial pleasure in aiding him, and listening to so remarkable a story narrated so intelligently by one who had been a slave.

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LIBERTY OR DEATH.

JIM BOW-LEGS, alias BILL PAUL.