When the fugitive slave acts were first placed, the north attempted to retaliate with the "Personal Liberty Law" In 1793 when the first Fugitive Slave Acts were placed. When that case was struck down by court, Canada became a very popular destination for runaways, because they believed that everyone was equal and there the Acts could not affect them. So, they continued to give shelter to runaways.
No. It was too suspicious, I couldn't take it. He kept talking and talking but I ignored him, nodding my head every here and there, but I slowly placed myself into a running position. Then I bolted. He looked bewildered and surprised and after a second to comprehend what had just happened he started running after me, calling me over and over to come back, but I never go back, just keep looking forward.
It was getting all to familiar to run and run and run. I could have run all the way to Canada by now. Then the idea hit me. I could go to Canada. I heard a rumor that the Fugitive Slave Acts didn't even exist in Canada, and even if that rumor wasn't true it was still the most North I could possibly get, and at that point, the Fugitive Slave Acts would be too tired to try and raid those towns. And from that point forth, my journey was set.
Conductor to conductor, station to station. I went from one person to the next, making my way northward. At some point after spending so much time along the railroad, I was confident enough not to be found. I had every way of escaping, hiding from, and tricking slave hunters you could think of. I could duck behind bushes, find hard to follow paths, and pose as an errand runner. Conductor to conductor, station to station. I would never be caught, not on my watch.
Or so I thought.
When arriving at a depot on the edge of Pennsylvania and New York, I received news that a group of slave catchers up in Connecticut found how to identify stations, and were getting better at finding the hiding spots in them. After thanking them for the information and leaving, I got anxious. If they had found it up north they would surely be heading south to spread the news. So what could I do? What were my options? I could stay on the railroad and risk being caught but have a better chance at resting better or go off and lower the risk of being caught but lower the chance of a good rest which may slow me down. What to do, that is the question that plagues my every move.
A. Stay on the railroad. If they are up in Connecticut they will be stalled by the number of houses and churches and such they have to raid, you have enough time to cross to Canada. (go to chapter 19)
B. Get off the railroad. It's too risky to know that they know, it will take longer but you can make it. (go to chapter 20)
YOU ARE READING
Runaway (choose your own adventure
Historical FictionSo this was a history project that I did, it's very different from what I do but people liked it so I thought that I could just share it because why not, it is a choose your own adventure so follow the choices.
