Listen to this passage as you read! (Roll over the questions to see the answers) Henson begins his narrative with this sentence: “I WAS (sic) born, June 15, 1789, in Charles County, Maryland, on a farm belonging to Mr. Francis N., about a mile from Port Tobacco.” How old was Henson when this book was published? What information does the author give you on this title page? How does the information on this page help you predict events in Henson’s life story? Henson is talking about the death, or “decease” of his master. How did Henson’s mother feel? Did Henson share her feelings at first? “Entreating” means begging. How would you react if you were the mother? The son? How does the information here help you think about the focus question: What were some of the factors people had to consider as they thought about escaping from slavery? Henson recorded his reactions to this at a much later date. If you were Henson, how would you feel at this point? How did Henson feel about running away? How did he hope to become free? Here, Henson has been asked by his master to take other slaves to the master’s brother in Kentucky. In other sections of his narrative, he talks about passing near Ohio, a free state. This is the opportunity he talks about. He could have easily brought his group of 22 into free territory and escape. Do you agree with Henson’s decision to keep going on to Kentucky, fulfilling his obligation to his master? Henson eventually succeeded in saving the money to buy his freedom, only to have his master say it wasn’t enough. At that point, he decided to escape. How does the information here help you think about the focus question: What were some of the factors people had to consider as they thought about escaping from slavery? Close Window