The Bondwoman’s Narrative: Chapter 19: An Old Friend Summary & Analysis

Hannah and Jacob travel together for days after the sister’s death, and although Jacob becomes very fond of Hannah, he never realizes that she’s a woman disguised as a boy. He treats her like a little brother. They travel by night as much as possible, and when they’re compelled to beg strangers for food, Hannah takes on the task because her fair skin keeps her from arousing suspicion. But she loses Jacob one night after they’re caught stealing a boat to cross a river. The boat’s owner emerges from his cabin, shooting at them, and Jacob is shot and killed instantly. Hannah, unable to control the boat by herself, floats helplessly down the river until she runs into a rock and is flung from the boat.

Hannah comes back to her senses hours later, cold, in pain, and still half-submerged in the water. She drags herself up on the bank and is waiting for the sun to warm her when an elderly woman passes by. Hannah calls out weakly for help, and the woman turns. As luck—or divine providence—would have it, it’s Aunt Hetty! Aunt Hetty quickly returns to her house, gets some food to revive Hannah, and helps her recover enough to sit up.

While Hannah eats, Aunt Hetty explains what happened after that long ago day when the master’s overseer discovered her giving lessons to Hannah. The master had Aunt Hetty and Uncle Siah arrested for breaking the law forbidding anyone to instruct an enslaved person. They languished in jail until one of their relatives was able to bail them out. This relative brought them to his own estate and gave them a house and a monthly stipend for their needs. Uncle Siah recently died, and now Aunt Hetty lives alone with a little girl she’s adopted.

Hannah stays with Aunt Hetty for several weeks, recuperating and resting. But, as much as she wishes she could stay forever, she knows she must leave eventually. When it’s time, Aunt Hetty suggests that Hannah aim for the free state of New Jersey, and that she stops traveling disguised as a boy. Her skin is fair enough to pass as White, and with the money that Aunty Hetty offers her, she can afford to finish her journey by steamboat and train. Furthermore, Aunty Hetty provides Hannah with letters of introduction to “friends of the slave” she knows—or knew, as it’s possible some of them might have died or moved—along the way who will help Hannah out.