Madison is a tall and physically powerful enslaved Black man who possesses an indomitable desire for personal freedom. He loves his wife deeply and faces an agonizing choice between pursuing his own liberty and remaining near her. He possesses great charisma and intellect, making him a natural leader among his peers.

Mr. Listwell is a white traveler from Ohio who initially holds a complacent view regarding the institution of enslavement. Upon hearing Madison's private lamentations in the woods, he undergoes a moral awakening and decides to actively support the abolitionist cause. He provides resources and practical aid to those seeking freedom, though he must maintain a careful disguise when traveling through Southern society.

Tom is a sailor who serves as the first mate of the enslavement ship Creole. Described as a trim and compact officer, his direct involvement in the brutal business of transporting human beings forces him into close contact with Madison. He finds his assumptions challenged after observing the captives aboard his vessel, leading to heated tavern debates regarding the true nature of courage.

Jack is a seasoned sailor and a regular presence at the local coffee-house. He holds aggressively racist views, insisting that enslaved people lack courage while boasting that he could easily suppress any uprising. He serves as an antagonistic conversational partner who frequently attempts to goad others into agreeing with him.

Wilkes is a local loafer in Virginia who freely shares gossip with patrons at the tavern. He embodies the casual racism of his community and mistakenly assumes that any wealthy-looking white traveler shares his views on enslavement. His loose lips provide valuable information to those willing to listen quietly.

Mrs. Listwell is an Ohio resident who firmly shares her husband's abolitionist convictions. She is highly hospitable and empathetic, readily cooking for and offering shelter to people seeking freedom who arrive at her door in the dead of night.

Susan is Madison's beloved wife, who is also held in enslavement in Virginia. She represents the deep family bonds that are constantly threatened by the institution of enslavement. She is incredibly courageous, actively assisting her husband by bringing him food and supplies when he is forced to hide in the wilderness.