The Underground Railroad
Madelyn Baker Pd 1
ESCAPE
Overall Goal: HEAD NORTH
To make sure you are headed in the correct direction:
- use the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper to locate the North Star (tip of the Little Dipper), follow to find your way north!
- look at moss on trees if it isn't clear enough to locate the North Star; moss typically grows on the north side of trees
Obstacles
To escape the peculiar institution:
- Beware of your overseer, their job is to keep you in slavery
- If you are caught, you will receive a flogging
- Bounty hunters will try to retrieve you for money, BEWARE
- Dogs will be on your path: walk through rivers to hide your scent
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad is the path you will take to freedom.
"Conductors" will assist you on the underground railroad. They can be trusted.
"Stationmasters" are the owners of shelters of hiding places for runaway slaves.
Use this help to escape the land of being referred to as "darkies." You are human!
You will take the path from New Orleans to Detroit in order to escape the Black Belt.
With slave revolts occurring, such as those by Nat Turner and Denmark Vesey, security has been on the rise. You will have help along the way, reaching "stations" that will be able to hold you for safekeeping before moving on.
Ad for a runaway slave
Map of the underground railroad
Drawing of a runaway slave
Song instructing slaves how to reach freedom
When the Sun comes back
And the first quail calls
Follow the Drinking Gourd,
For the old man is a-waiting for to carry you to freedom
If you follow the Drinking Gourd
The riverbank makes a very good road.
The dead trees will show you the way.
Left foot, peg foot, travelling on,
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
The river ends between two hills
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
There’s another river on the other side
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
When the great big river meets the little river
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
For the old man is a-waiting for to carry to freedom
If you follow the Drinking Gourd.