Jim was shaken when I told him of my plans. "What if mother comes looking for us?" He asked. "We have been free for ten years now." I said. "Don't you think she would have come back if she could?"

Jim had no answer for that. However, he suggested that we have our picture taken. "That way I'll always have a picture of you, and you will have one of me."

The Smith's agreed to let me go with them. And when the day came for us to leave, Aunt Mariah gave me a Bible. I was really pleased to have it, because now I could always have the word of God with me.