ON a fine autumn day, in the year 1834, I left Norfolk, in Virginia, on board a steam-packet destined to New York.

One of the chief-cabin passengers had with her an interesting little boy, who was partially recovering from a long and somewhat serious illness. I was naturally fond of children, but there was an expression in the little fellow's face so soft and intelligent, that the moment I saw him unusually attracted my notice. His amiable disposition, and the patience with which he bore his affliction, brought fresh to my mind my only child

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I had recently lost. His mother, who never left his side, watched over him with a tenderness that seemed to anticipate even his imaginary wants.

In the forenoon of the second day after we set sail, the darling child seemed to find his appetite return, and expressed a wish, with a smile, for a morsel of something to eat, which was peculiarly gratifying to his mother, as he had not made such a request since he was first taken ill. Spontaneously I tendered my services, and offered to go in search of the best I could procure for the little invalid. Without delay I hastened to the steward's cabin, situated at the other end of the vessel, below deck. On my way thither, I had to pass through the midst of a large number of packages shipped from Norfolk. The steward readily supplied me with some dry toast and sea biscuit for the little patient. On my return with them to the chief-cabin, how was I startled to see something alive and moving among the bales of goods that lay piled up on each other, as is usual on board an American steam-boat. What was it but a hand stretched out between two of the packages—a human hand! There it was before me! So wasted! so thin, I thought I could see through it! Yes, it was the hand of a fellow-creature, though the creature it belonged to was concealed. How convulsively those copper coloured fingers moved, and how plainly they showed by their movement it was bread they implored! Surprised, but not alarmed, I involuntarily shared the provision I had obtained, and as I put the biscuit into that mysterious hand it was drawn in, evidently satisfied with the possession of a prize it eagerly craved for. No one on board witnessed the occurrence, it was the work only of a moment, begun and ended at once. Arrived in the chiefcabin, I presented the remainder of my store to the sweet invalid, who seemed much to enjoy the simple fare I had brought him, and politely thanked me for the kindness, as did also his mother.

Successful in my first enterprise, in the afternoon of the same day I ventured to offer my services again on a similar errand, and again they were graciously accepted. I apologized to the steward for the trouble I gave him, but at the same time assured him that the state of the child's health alone could have prompted the liberty I had taken.

It was evident, from the attention he showed me on account of: my sick patient, that he was a family man, and had children of his own at home. I enquired after their names; this afforded him an occasion of calling them to mind, and of speaking of the peculiar qualities for which, in his eye at least, they were each distinguished.

As my visits at length became frequent, I felt bound in one way or another to return his kindness, and to some extent repay him for the use I made of it. All the little trifles I could find in my stores I carefully sought up, and begged his acceptance of them as a small present for his children. In the meantime, I found myself so much in the good graces

of the steward, that I had at all hours free access to his cabin, where I invariably met with something inviting provided for myself, as well as something suited to the delicate taste of what I had now began to call my foster-child. That share which the hospitality of the steward intended for me I felt at liberty to consign into the wasted hand, which never failed to be stretched out to receive the precious morsel, as I returned. To care for that helpless hidden one had become to me a matter of necessity I could not dispense with, and with it the interest I felt in supplying its wants deepened every hour. The hand was so constantly there whenever I passed, I could not but come to the conclusion that though I saw it not, an eye watched for my coming and glistened at my approach, which otherwise would have been closed in despair.

No one but myself had observed the presence of this invisible fugitive on board; and often, when all was still, did I devoutly thank God who had thus placed this despised and illused creature under my care, and enabled me to afford it a temporary relief. That he was a little slave there could be no doubt, but how could I render him effectual aid? Well aware of American laws, I knew what in other countries would be availing, here would be useless. I saw that the poor creature from the captain and crew had nothing to hope for, but everything to fear. Again and again I put to myself the question, how can I assist him in his escape? Perhaps, thought I, we may land at night, and then under cover of darkness I may succeed in getting him, unobserved by those on board, safely to shore. I resolved, at all events, tenderly to watch over a defenceless creature so singularly brought under my care, and render him all the help in my power.

On the sixth day of our voyage I observed the crew removing the packages, that were heaped together, in search of something they had lost, and the gangway was so completely stopped up, that I could not pass as usual to the steward's cabin. My heart was ready to burst with anxiety for my poor little foundling. We sat down at the table to dinner, but my appetite had fled. I felt that the poor creature, I had fed with so much pleasure, must soon be discovered, and the discovery would be worse than death. Package after package was rolled aside; every moment I expected an alarm. At length I heard a cry; then all was still. Immediately the steward descended the cabin stairs, threw a significant look round the table, and whispered something that seemed of no ordinary importance in the captain's ear. The captain rose hastily from the table and ran on deck. A gentleman, sitting at my right, instantly followed him, but soon returned, and with a kind of Satanic glee informed us, they had found a strange young voyager on board. "It was," said he, "a little Mulatto boy, who stated he belonged to Mr. Y., of Norfolk. For fourteen days he had concealed himself among the bushwood on the shore, and the night before we set sail, had ventured on board, and