Fredrick Douglass's Aunt, Hester, had gone out with a man and when she came their owner Cornell Lloyd was not happy and he killed Aunt Hester, while Fredrick Douglass was watching. Douglass could've been killed if Cornell Lloyd had seem him. "I was so terrified and horror-stricken at the sight , that I hid." Pg. 24
Fredrick Douglass's owner's wife Mrs. Auld taught him to read. The owner did not want his Mrs. Auld to continue teaching Douglass which made her become cruel and stop teaching him. Douglass took this risk by learning to read, which was against the law. pg.69
Douglass was so tired and sick he ran away to his previous owner to ask for help, his previous owner just said he could stay the night but Douglass had to go back the next day. When Fredrick Douglass goes back he punches his owner, Mr. Covey and fights him. Once they are done fighting Mr. Covey never touches Douglass again. This was a major risk for Douglass because he could've been killed or gone to jail or worse. Pg. 82