Being so close to the Chesapeake Bay, the woods are flooded and difficult to cross. You carefully feel your way, inch by inch, holding on to a long stick with one hand and Ellen's in the other. Before leaving, Ellen stole a number of items that might prove to be useful on your bid for freedom: a box of self-strike matches, some biscuits, pork belly, and a bag of raisins. In your pouch, tied tightly around your chest, is the $300 you have saved so carefully over the past 7 years.
Traveling through the muddy forest is difficult and you both keep tripping on logs, rocks, and branches. You dare not strike a match until you are sure that no one can see it. You keep hoping to reach a clearing soon to catch a glimpse of the night sky. All you have is a prayer that you are headed north and not south.
From out of nowhere a light appears through the trees. It can't be a torch or a lantern because it is not moving. You motion to Ellen to crouch down in the bushes while you go and investigate. It may be a slave catcher, they often patrol the woods looking to cash in on the reward. It also might be a cabin of a freed family, or a conductor on the underground railroad. You've heard talk that some abolitionists set up safehouses in the woods and along the roads to help fugitives.
She pleads with you to stay but if you stay out here wet and cold you both might die. You gather up your courage and silently move through the dense undergrowth. You listen for the sounds of white men and bloodhounds but hear nothing but crickets. Finally, you reach a clearing and look up to see the sky. The pot of the Big Dipper points to the North Star, which is ahead of you. You are going the right way. But how far have you walked? Based on how sore your feet are, you guess it has been at least 3 hours.
You remain crouched down at the edge of the woods unsure of what to do. The light you saw was in fact a candle in the window, which you know, is a sign that conductors use on the Underground Railroad to let slaves know it is safe to stop there. This is a well known code for runaways. In fact, so well known that slave catchers have begun using it to trap fugitives.