In Philadelphia you continue your roles as a wealthy southern planter and his loyal slave. Several times you are approached by what clearly are abolitionists who urge you to "leave that old cripple" and escape to freedom.6 At first you both are unsure of what to do or whom to trust, so you continue in your roles. 

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Your disguise has worked very well. Perhaps too well. You don't want to use any more of your money on expensive hotels and need to find a place where you can plan the next phase of your journey. On the streets you are amazed to see so many black folk going about their business without being stopped or questioned by condescending white folks. Ellen calls to a black woman and she gives you a strange look. It is a look mixed with fear and disgust. She sees Ellen as a slave owner and obviously won't approach. You approach her and explain your  amazing story of escape. You ask her where you can find a safe place to hide.

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She takes you to a house owned by a Quaker named Samuel Johnson. Mrs. Johnson brings you hot stew and biscuits and reassures you that you have reached freedom. 

"Even though this is Philadelphia, it is not safe to stay here", Mrs. Johnson adds. "We can put you in touch with other well known members of The Society." She is referring of course to the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. 

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After a good night's rest you both are given new clothes and falsfied emancipation papers that say that your former master had set you free in his will. You are taken to meet other members of The Society including William Still, a freedmen who had escaped from Maryland more than a decade earlier. 

"It's not safe in this city anymore", still tells you. "White people make up 90% of the population and most of them don't care to help the cause of slavery. However, the streets are crawling with pro-slavery forces out to catch a fugitive and collect on the reward." This is a way of saying that you can still trust no one. 

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Since you are determined to stay in Philadelphia you tell him that you want to find a job and a place to live. There are 15,000 black people in a city of 150,000. A sizable number. Still tells you of two segregated neighborhoods where black folks live. One is along the Delaware River, the other in a place called Black Bottom. 

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Still puts you in touch with people who get you a job as a carpenter. Ellen finds work as a domestic servant in a white household. Even though racism is still common you are elated that you are free to make your own choices and keep the money you earn. You are amazed to see shops owned by black businessmen. Schools educate black children and are taught by white and black teachers. 

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You and Ellen finally decide on having children, because the horror of having them stolen from you and sold like cattle is long gone.