Day Three:  By Clara Rodriguez

The emotional and the spiritual journeyof the enslaved refugees who escaped through the Underground Railroad leaves me with a deep profound feeling of helplessness and sadness as our motor-coach takes us from one safehouse to another. I saw homes with secret underground tunnels.and some with fake walls that led through hidden passages that would hide their human cargo untill it was safe to bring them out and send them on their way to freedom.

To experience the search to Footsteps to Freedom, a field study, I have put myself into the mindset and experiences of an enslaved refugee. I imagine myself as a black man,running away from my white captures. I am alone , not being able to communicagte with the White population because my dialect would hold me back or worst give me away as a runaway. I have left my family behind. I promised them I would come back for them, but I will probably never see them again. But, Lord I have to find the Promise Land and maybe you'll grant me the strength to returrn and free my family too. I must stay alert, because the slave catchers are right behind me. There are times I can hear their breath as they relentlessly hunt me down. Looking up at the sky I see the drinking gourd, "Follow the Drinkin Gourd." Freedom beckons me North, North to the freedom land. The nights are cold and lonely but, I must cross the stream maybe I can throw the slave catchers off a bit. I'm so hungry, but I don't dare make a fire to cook that squirrel I caught this evening. A fire might give me away. I found some berries but, I wasn't able to get my fill. Lord, give strenght! Making my way through the trees I see a light! I come closer, yes , there's a house up a ways. An Osage tree fence leads to a small wooden house that has a quildt thrown over the right side of the porch. A lit candle fkickers at the window. Could it be? I heard tell that an Osage Tree Fence that leads to a house is a sure sign of a Safe House! The quilt was another sign. It was thrown over the right side of the porch. It was safe to approach. I meekly knowc on the door. It opens. A kindly white face smiles at me and invites me in. I have found shelter for the night. These kind people will lead me or direct me to the next Safe House. I know that there will be many bleak days ahead, but tonight I'm safe..

Tonight I sleep____fair dreams of freedom will sllip into my mind. Oh god, let me reach, touch and taste this freedom white folks have but have been denied to me because of the color of my skin.

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Springboro--by Judy Sandello

In Springboro,we saw a geat presentation from the Springboro Historical Society. Actors dressed in period clothing portrayed a Quaker and a Freedom Seeker. By the time they were done,there weren't many dry yes in the place! It was very moving.We then got on the bus and saw many safe houses. We also saw the oldest house in Warren County which was built in 1798. What a great way to learn about history!