Chapter V

Peter’s master prosecuted for abusing him, and fined Page 155–171
$500, and put under a bond of $2000 for good
behavior—Peter for a long time has a plan for running
away, and the girls help him in it—“the big eclipse of
1806”—Peter starts at night to run away, and the girls
carry him ten miles on his road—the parting
scene—travels all night, and next day sleeps in a
hollow log in the woods—accosted by a man on the
Skeneateles bridge—sleeps in a barn—is discovered—two
pain’ters on the road—discovered and pursued—frightened
by a little girl—encounter with “two black gentlemen
with a white ring round their necks”—“Ingens” chase
him—“Utica quite a thrifty little place”—hires out nine
days—Little Falls—hires out on a boat to go to
“Snackady”—makes three trips—is discovered by Morehouse
☜—the women help him to escape to Albany—hires out on
Truesdell’s sloop—meets master in the street—goes to
New York—a reward of $100 offered for him—Capt. comes
to take him back to his master, for “one hundred
dollars don’t grow on every bush”—“feels
distressedly”—but Capt. Truesdell promises to protect
him, “as long as grass grows and water runs”—he follows
the river.

BOOK THE SECOND.

CHAPTER I.

Beginning of sea stories—sails with Captain Truesdell for Page 173–185
the West-Indies—feelings on leaving the American
shore—sun-set at sea—shake hands with a French
frigate—a storm—old Neptune—a bottle or a
shave—caboose—Peter gets two feathers in his cap—St.
Bartholomews—climate—slaves—oranges—turtle—a small pig,
“but dam’ old”—weigh anchor for New York—“sail ho!”—a
wreck—a sailor on a buoy—get him aboard—his story—gets
well, and turns out to be an enormous swearer—couldn’t
draw a breath without an oath—approach to New
York—quarantine—pass the Narrows—drop anchor—rejoicing
times—Peter jumps ashore “a free nigger.”

CHAPTER II.

Peter spends the winter of 1806–7 in New York—sails in Page 185–199
June in the Carnapkin for Bristol—a sea tempest—ship
becalmed off the coast of England—catch a shark and
find a lady’s hand, and gold ring and locket in
him—this locket, &c. lead to a trial, and the murderer
hung—the mother of the lady visits the ship; sail for
home—Peter sails with captain Williams on a trading
voyage—Gibralter—description of it—sail to
Bristol—chased by a privateer—she captured by a French
frigate—sail for New York—Peter lives a gentleman at
large in “the big city of New York.”