until I had got two or three miles from the plantation.

I stayed in the woods about three weeks, when I returned to my master
and asked his forgiveness, and promised that I would never run away
again. I was forgiven.

During my three weeks' starving and hiding in the woods I had ample time
for reflection and thought. Prayerfully I considered my situation and
asked God's help to direct me. I came to the conclusion that I was
entirely wrong in my course. God, for his own good purpose, had placed
me in bondage, and in his good time he would relieve me either by death
or emancipation. My hardships, I felt, were by reason of my disobedience
to God's will. Although I was a slave God had given me my task in his
vineyard as a slave, and I should have fronted the wrath of my master,
Wilson, rather than that of God. I felt that I was doing wrong, and
after prayerful consideration I determined to do right, and go back to
the plantation and patiently await God's time to set me free.

Wilson received me as kindly as his nature would permit, and treated me
as he did the other slaves and as if I had never been disobedient to him
and ran away. I felt better, and knew then that I was right in the sight
of my heavenly Father. My views underwent a change for the better while
I was an outcast in the woods, and after that I was better fitted to do
my allotted work for God.




CHAPTER VI.