As negroes began to disappear, and their masters found themselves unable to trace them farther than certain towns in Pennsylvania, they said, in bewilderment, "There must be an Underground Railroad somewhere," and this expression, suiting the popular fancy, became the general name by which the whole system was known.[239]
Operations "Underground."
§ 72. Methods pursued.—Although often varied by circumstances, the general method of work was always the same. In the South, money was usually the motive, and for its sake the managers of the Railroad could usually get some one to aid a slave in escaping and crossing the line. In the North it was an unselfish, and sometimes dangerous, work of charity.
Fugitives arrived at the first station, ignorant, half-clothed, and hungry. There they were fed, and, in order to elude the advertisements sent through the States, disguises were provided. For women, the large veiled bonnet and plain attire of the Quakeress proved one of the best costumes. The men received a slip of paper, with a word or two which would be recognized at the next place, and, unless special caution was needed, were sent forward on foot. Women and children were often taken in close carriages, sometimes constructed for this special purpose.[240]
Stations, that is, the houses of persons known to be interested, were reached between sunset and ten o'clock in the evening. A tap at the door would rouse some member of the family, and the fugitive would be taken to the barn, or some place of concealment.[241] Often, too, these houses were not merely places for a night's tarrying, but homes where the ill and fatigued might remain and be cared for until strong enough for the onward journey.[242]
To conduct people over this long line, and to baffle all plans of their pursuers, required quick wit, as well as great courage and coolness.[243] So successful were the conductors in this respect, however, that a discouraged slave hunter, after a fruitless search, once said it was "as easy to find a needle in a haymow as a negro among Quakers."[244]
When fugitives were concealed, and persons desiring to search the house appeared, it was the custom to receive the searchers courteously. One of the family immediately engaged them in conversation, and offered them refreshments. The hunt was thus delayed as long as possible, so that the fugitive might be helped away. In one case, while the slave's master was thus entertained upon the front piazza, the mistress of the house quietly conveyed the hunted negro out at the back door, and placed him under an inverted hogshead standing by. Then, with the most unconcerned manner, she allowed the man to search until he was satisfied that there could be no fugitive in that house.[245]
§ 73. Colored agents of the Underground Railroad.—An example of the most courageous and successful action may be found in the life of Harriet Tubman,[246] who when a young girl made her escape from slavery alone and unassisted. After several years of work in the North, she determined to go back for her family. This trip was safely accomplished, and followed by others, until during her life she had made nineteen journeys, never losing a person. The Rev. James Freeman Clarke gives the following account of her methods:—
"She said she first obtained enough money, then went to Maryland, where she privately collected a party of slaves and got them ready to start. She satisfied herself that they had enough courage and firmness to run the risks. For if once a negro entered her party, there was no falling back. Fully determined herself, she would allow no one to return.
"She next made arrangements so that they should set out Saturday night, as there would be no opportunity on Sunday for advertising them, so that they had that day's start on their way North. Then she had places prepared where she could be sure that they could be protected and taken care of, if she had the money to pay for that protection. When she was at the North, she tried to raise funds until she got a certain amount, and then went South to carry out this plan. She always paid some colored man to follow after the person who put up the posters advertising the runaway, and pull them down as fast as they were put up."[247]