Captured in Philadelphia

Ben nodded and was about to agree to sing again, but before he could say another word he was interrupted by a loud thumping knock coming from the front of the townhouse. Everyone froze and looked towards the tiny front door. Claudia walked over and asked, “Who is it?”

“U.S. Marshals, ma’am. Open up,” said the man’s voice from the outside.

“Marshals?” said Henry. That familiar feeling of terror quickly returned. “But this is a free state!”

“May I ask who you lookin’ for, sir?” asked Claudia.

Instead of answering, there was a strong kick at the door causing the hinges to buckle. The door flew open and several men in navy uniforms poured into the small townhouse. The crash of the wooden door startled Baby Claire and she began crying. Some of the officers carried black wooden clubs and some carried pistols.

“What are you doing?” asked Claudia. She was frantic.  

One of the last men to enter the home was Theophilis Knight.

“There she is,” said Theophilis. He was pointing at Harriet. “An’ it looks like the whole gang’s all here.”

Robert stood up and spoke to the first officer. “Excuse me, constable, but what’s this all about?”

The first officer held up a piece of paper. “We have a warrant here and the legal authority to take into custody one Harriet Tubman and anyone in her company that she has abducted from the state of Maryland.”

“Abducted?” asked Ben.

“Harriet didn’t abduct no one!” said Robert. “We left of our own free will.”

“Sounds like a confession, constable,” said Theophilis.

“How did you find us here?” asked Harriet.

“Money is a powerful thing,” said Theophilis. “I offered a few shiny coins to that little colored boy named Leonard and he gave y’all up like it was his sworn duty.”

“Leonard!” said Claudia.

Betrayal of fugitives by fellow blacks wasn’t common, but it did happen from time to time especially if the freeman was in dire straits financially. Young Leonard had a wife and three children at home that he had trouble feeding. His youngest daughter was also struggling with a bout of scarlet fever which at that time often led to an early grave. Since the passing of the Fugitive Slave Act, more and more slave-catchers had been roaming into Pennsylvania looking for runaways and offering money for any information that could lead to a capture. When Leonard heard that Theophilis was offering twenty dollars to anyone who could provide the location of Harriet Tubman and the rest of her group he decided to bite. It wasn’t an easy choice to make, but the daily struggle to make ends meet and to provide for his children had been wearing him down.

          When one of the officers approached Robert with shackles he instinctively swatted away the officer’s arms. Another marshal knocked Robert across the back of his legs with a club, and Robert fell to his knees, groaning in pain.

          “Leave him alone!” yelled Henry.

The marshals surrounded the rest of the group and began slapping shackles on everyone’s wrists.

          “You alright, Robert?” asked Henry.

          “I don’t understand,” said Ben. “This is a free state.”

          “It may be a free state, but you ain’t a free man,” said Theophilis. 

-- Captured in Philadelphia 

from Time Trip #2: A Ride On the Underground Railroad (Chapter 26)

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4

KILLING FOR COUNTRY  

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TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 1

THE JOURNEY TO ANCIENT GREECE 

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TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2

A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

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TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3

WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING 

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