Fugitive slaves: a. were more likely to be women than men, because they were trying to escape sexual assault. b. benefited from the refusal of non-slaveowners to participate in patrols that looked for fugitives. c. generally understood that the north star led to freedom. d. succeeded in escaping more frequently from the deep south because they had access to ships leaving ports like new orleans and charleston. e. who escaped to canada were routinely returned to slavery by the british authorities

c. Generally understood that the North Star led to freedom.

Explanation:

Before and throughout the U.S. Civil War (the 1860s), fugitive slaves escaped to the north, finding shelter during the day, and moving during the night. Usually, they didn´t possess any maps or tools to help them. Polaris, known as the North Star, was their single lead, and it was found by following the arm of the Big Dipper constellation (Drinking Gourd).

it refers to race, i am pretty sure this was a popular term in nazi germany or something.

your answer would be (b)