thirty years a slave by hughes, louis

8/14/2019 Thirty Years a Slave by Hughes, Louis

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TheProjectGutenbergeBook,ThirtyYearsaSlave,byLouisHughes

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.net

Title:ThirtyYearsaSlave

Author:LouisHughes

ReleaseDate:December10,2003[eBook#10431]

Language:English

Charactersetencoding:US-ASCII

***STARTOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHIRTYYEARSASLAVE***

E-textpreparedbyBrettKoonceandProjectGutenbergDistributedProofreaders

Transcriber'snote:Theinconsistentspellingsoftheoriginalhavebeenretainedinthisetext.

THIRTYYEARSASLAVE

FromBondagetoFreedom.

THEINSTITUTIONOFSLAVERYASSEENONTHEPLANTATIONANDINTHEHOMEOFTHEPLANTER.

AUTOBIOGRAPHYOFLOUISHUGHES.

PREFACE.

Theinstitutionofhumanslavery,asitexistedinthiscountry,haslongbeendead;and,happilyforallthesacredinterestswhichitassailed,thereisforitnoresurrection.Itmay,therefore,beasked


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towhatpurposeisthestorywhichfollows,oftheexperiencesofonepersonunderthatdeadandaccursedinstitution?Tosuchquestion,ifitbeasked,itmaybeansweredthatthenarratorpresentshisstoryincompliancewiththesuggestionoffriends,andinthehopethatitmayaddsomethingofaccurateinformationregardingthecharacterandinfluenceofaninstitutionwhichfortwohundredyearsdominatedthecountry--exercisingapotentbutbanefulinfluenceintheformationofitssocial,civilandindustrialstructures,andwhichfinallyplungeditintothemoststupendouscivilwarwhichtheworldhaseverknown.Astheenlightenmentofeachgenerationdependsuponthethoughtfulstudyofthehistoryofthosethathavegonebefore,everythingwhichtendstofullnessandaccuracyinthathistoryisofvalue,eventhoughitbenotpresentedwiththeadjunctsofliteraryadornment,orthrillingsceniceffects.

CHAPTERI.

LIFEONACOTTONPLANTATION.

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BIRTH--SOLDINARICHMONDSLAVEPEN.

IwasborninVirginia,in1832,nearCharlottesville,inthebeautifulvalleyoftheRivannariver.Myfatherwasawhitemanandmymotheranegress,theslaveofoneJohnMartin.Iwasamerechild,probablynotmorethansixyearsofage,asIremember,whenmymother,twobrothersandmyselfweresoldtoDr.Louis,apracticingphysicianinthevillageofScottsville.Weremainedwithhimaboutfiveyears,whenhedied,and,inthesettlementofhisestate,IwassoldtooneWashingtonFitzpatrick,amerchantofthevillage.HekeptmeashorttimewhenhetookmetoRichmond,bywayofcanal-boat,expectingtosellme;butasthemarketwasdull,hebroughtmebackandkeptmesomethreemonths

longer,whenhetoldmehehadhiredmeouttoworkonacanal-boatrunningtoRichmond,andtogotomymotherandgetmyclothesreadytostartonthetrip.Iwenttoherasdirected,and,whenshehadmadereadymybundle,shebademegood-bywithtearsinhereyes,saying:"Myson,beagoodboy;bepolitetoeveryone,andalwaysbehaveyourselfproperly."Itwassadtohertopartwithme,thoughshedidnotknowthatshewasnevertoseemeagain,formymasterhadsaidnothingtoherregardinghispurposeandsheonlythought,asIdid,thatIwashiredtoworkonthecanal-boat,andthatsheshouldseemeoccasionally.Butalas!Wenevermetagain.Icanseeherformstillaswhenshebademegood-bye.ThatpartingIcanneverforget.IranofffromherasquicklyasIcouldafterherpartingwords,forIdidnotwanthertoseemecrying.Iwenttomymasteratthestore,andhe

againtoldmethathehadhiredmetoworkonthecanal-boat,andtogoaboardimmediately.OftheboatandthetripandthescenesalongtherouteIrememberlittle--Ionlythoughtofmymotherandmyleavingher.

WhenwearrivedatRichmond,GeorgePullan,a"nigger-trader,"ashewascalled,cametotheboatandbegantoquestionme,askingmefirstifIcouldrememberhavinghadthechickenpox,measlesorwhooping-cough.Ianswered,yes.ThenheaskedmeifIdidnotwanttotakealittlewalkwithhim.Isaid,no."Well,"saidhe,"youhavegottogo.Yourmastersentyoudownheretobesold,andtoldmetocomeandgetyouandtake


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youtothetrader'syard,readytobesold."Isawthattohesitatewasuseless;soIatonceobeyedhimandwent.

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ASLAVEMARKET.

Thetrader'sestablishmentconsistedofanoffice,alargeshow-roomandayardintherearenclosedwithawallofbrickfifteenfeethigh.Theprincipalmenoftheestablishmentweretheproprietorandtheforeman.Whenslavesweretobeexhibitedforsale,theforemanwascalledtotheofficebymeansofabell,andanordergivenhimtobringintotheshow-roomalltheslavesintheestablishment.Thiswastheworkofbutafewminutes,andthewomenwereplacedinarowononesideoftheroomandthemenontheother.Personsdesirousofpurchasingthempassedupanddownbetweenthelineslookingthepoorcreaturesover,andquestioningtheminaboutthefollowingmanner:"Whatcanyoudo?""Areyouagoodcook?seamstress?dairymaid?"--thistothewomen,whilethemenwouldbequestionedastotheirlineofwork:"Canyouplow?Areyouablacksmith?Haveyouevercaredforhorses?Canyoupickcottonrapidly?"Sometimestheslavewouldberequiredtoopenhismouththatthepurchasermightexaminetheteethandformsomeopinionastohisageandphysicalsoundness;andifitwassuspectedthataslavehadbeenbeatenagooddealhewouldberequiredtostepintoanotherroom

andundress.Ifthepersondesiringtobuyfoundtheslavebadlyscarredbythecommonusageofwhipping,hewouldsayatoncetotheforeman;"Why!thisslaveisnotworthmuch,heisallscarredup.No,Idon'twanthim;bringmeinanothertolookat."Slaveswithoutscarsfromwhippingandlookingwellphysicallyalwayssoldreadily.Theywereneverleftlongintheyard.Itwasexpectedthatalltheslavesintheyardforsalewouldbeneatlydressedandcleanbeforebeingbroughtintotheshow-room.Itwastheforeman'sbusinesstoseethateachonewaspresentable.

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SLAVEWHIPPINGASABUSINESS.

Whippingwasdoneatthesemarkets,ortrader'syards,allthetime.PeoplewholivedinthecityofRichmondwouldsendtheirslaveshereforpunishment.Whenanyonewantedaslavewhippedhewouldsendanotetothateffectwiththeservanttothetrader.Anypettyoffenseonthepartofaslavewassufficienttosubjecttheoffendertothisbrutaltreatment.Ownerswhoaffectedcultureandrefinementpreferredtosendaservanttotheyardforpunishmenttoinflictingitthemselves.Itsavedthemtrouble,theysaid,andpossiblyaslightwearandtearoffeeling.Forthisservicetheownerwaschargedacertainsumforeachslave,andtheearningsofthetradersfromthissourceformedaverylargepartoftheprofitsofhisbusiness.TheyardIwasinhadaregularwhippingposttowhichtheytiedtheslave,andgavehim

"nine-and-thirty,"asitwascalled,meaningthirty-ninelashesashardastheycouldlayiton.Menwerestrippedoftheirshirtsinpreparationforthewhipping,andwomenhadtotakeofftheirdressesfromtheshoulderstothewaist.Thesewhippingswerenotsosevereaswhentheslaveswerestrippedentirelyoftheirclothes,aswasgenerallythecaseontheplantationswhereslaveswereownedbythedozen.IsawmanycasesofwhippingwhileIwasintheyard.SometimesIwassofrightenedthatItrembledviolently,forIhadneverseenanythinglikeitbefore.


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SOLDINTHEMARKET.

IwasonlyintheyardashorttimebeforeIwasboughtbyoneGeorgeReidwholivedinRichmond.Hehadnowife,butanoldladykepthouseforhimandhisthreesons.Atthistimehehadaplaceinthepostoffice,butsoonafterIcametherehelostit.Hethenmovedintothecountryuponafarmofaboutonethousandacres,enclosedbyacedarhedge.Thehousewasaplainframestructureuponastonebasementandcontainedfourrooms.Itwassurroundedwithshrubbery,andwasapleasantcountryseat.ButIdidnotlikeithere.Igrievedcontinuallyaboutmymother.Itcametome,moreandmoreplainly,thatIwouldneverseeheragain.YoungandlonelyasIwas,Icouldnothelpcrying,oftentimesforhourstogether.Itwashardtogetusedtobeingawayfrommymother.Irememberwell"AuntSylvia,"whowasthecookintheReidhousehold.Shewasverykindtomeandalwaysspokeconsolinglytome,especiallyifIhadbeenblue,andhadhadoneofmyfitsofcrying.Atthesetimesshewouldalwaysbakemeanashcakeforsupper,sayingtome;"Mychild,don'tcry;'AuntSylvia'willlookafteryou."Thisashcakewasmadeofcornmealandwater,alittlesalttomakeitpalatable,andwasbakedbyputtingitbetweencabbageleavesandcoveringitwithhotashes.Asweeterormoredeliciouscakeonecouldnotdesire,anditwascommonuponthetablesofalltheVirginia

farmers.Ialwaysconsidereditagreattreattogetoneofthesecakesfrom"AuntSylvia."

Theappellationsof"aunt"and"uncle"fortheolderslaveswerenotonlycommonamongtheblacks,butthewhitesalsoaddressedtheminthesameway.

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ONTHEAUCTIONBLOCK

Iwassickagreatdeal--infact,IhadsufferedwithchillsandfevereversinceMr.Reidboughtme.He,therefore,concludedtosellme,and,

inNovember,1844,hetookmebacktoRichmond,placingmeintheExchangebuilding,orauctionrooms,forthesaleofslaves.Thesaleswerecarriedoninalargehallwherethoseinterestedinthebusinesssataroundalargeblockorstand,uponwhichtheslavetobesoldwasplaced,theauctioneerstandingbesidehim.WhenIwasplacedupontheblock,aMr.McGeecameupandfeltofmeandaskedmewhatIcoulddo."Youlooklikearightsmartnigger,"saidhe,"Virginiaalwaysproducesgooddarkies."Virginiawasthemotherofslavery,anditwasheldbymanythatshehadthebestslaves.SowhenMr.McGeefoundIwasbornandbredinthatstateheseemedsatisfied.Thebiddingcommenced,andIrememberwellwhentheauctioneersaid;"Threehundredeightydollars--once,twiceandsoldtoMr.EdwardMcGee."HewasarichcottonplanterofPontotoc,Miss.AsnearasIcanrecollect,Iwasnotmore

thantwelveyearsofage,sodidnotsellforverymuch.

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PRICEOFSLAVES.

Servantwomensoldfor$500to$700,andsometimesashighas$800whenpossessingextraqualifications.Ahousemaid,brightinlooks,strongandwellformed,wouldsellfor$1,000to$1,200.Brightmulattogirls,wellversedinsewingandknitting,wouldsometimesbringashighas


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$1,800,especiallyifaVirginianoraKentuckian.Goodblacksmithssoldfor$1,600to$1,800.Whentheslaveswereputupontheblocktheywerealwayssoldtothehighestbidder.Mr.McGee,or"Boss,"asIsoonlearnedtocallhim,boughtsixtyotherslavesbeforeheboughtme,andtheywerestartedinaherdforAtlanta,Ga.,onfoot.

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STARTEDFORACOTTONPLANTATION.

Boss,myselfandtenothersmetthemthere.WethenstartedforPontotoc,Miss.OnourwaywestoppedatEdenton,Ga.,whereBosssoldtwenty-oneofthesixtyslaves.Wethenproceededonourway,Bossbyrailandweonfoot,orinthewagon.Wewentabouttwentymilesaday.Iremember,aswepassedalong,everywhitemanwemetwasyelling,"HurrahforPolkandDallas!"Theywerefeelinggood,forelectionhadgiventhemthementhattheywanted.Themanwhohadusinchargejoinedwiththosewemetinthehurrahing.Wewereafraidtoaskthemthereasonfortheiryelling,asthatwouldhavebeenregardedasanimpertinence,andprobablywouldhavecausedusalltobewhipped.

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MYMISSISSIPPIHOME.

Atlength,afteralongandwearisomejourney,wereachedPontotoc,McGee'shome,onChristmaseve.Bosstookmeintothehouseandintothesittingroom,whereallthefamilywereassembled,andpresentedmeasaChristmasgifttothemadam,hiswife.

Myboss,asIrememberhim,wasatall,raw-bonedman,butratherdistinguishedinlooks,withafinecarriage,brilliantinintellect,andconsideredoneofthewealthiestandmostsuccessfulplantersofhistime.Mrs.McGeewasahandsome,statelylady,aboutthirtyyearsofage,brunetteincomplexion,faultlessinfigureandimperiousinmanner.IthinkthattheywereofScotchdescent.Therewerefourchildren,Emma,Willie,JohnnieandJimmie.Alllookedatme,and

thoughtIwas"asprylittlefellow."Iwasveryshyanddidnotsaymuch,aseverythingwasstrangetome.Iwasputtosleepthatnightonapalletonthefloorinthediningroom,usinganoldquiltasacovering.ThenextmorningwasChristmas,anditseemedtobeacustomtohaveegg-nogbeforebreakfast.Theprocessofmakingthiswasnewandinterestingtome.Isawthemwhipthewhitesofeggs,onaplatter,toastifffroth;theyolkswerethoroughlybeateninalargebowl,sugarandplentyofgoodbrandywereadded,andthewhitesoftheeggsandcreamwerethenstirredin,alittlenutmeggratedontopofeachglasswhenfilledforserving.Thiswasadeliciousdrink,andthebestofallwas,therewasplentyofit.Iservedthistoallthefamily,and,astherewerealsovisitingrelativespresent,manyglasseswererequired,andIfoundthetraysoheavyIcouldhardlycarryit.Ihelpedmyself,

aftertheservicewasfinished,andIwasdelighted,forIhadnevertastedanythingsofinebefore.

MybosstoldmeIwastowaitonthemadam,doanyerrandnecessary,attendtothediningroom--infactIwasinstalledasgeneralutilityboy.ItwasdifferentfromthequietmanneroflifeIhadseenbeforecominghere--itkeptmyspiritsupforsometime.Ithoughtofmymotheroften,butIwasgraduallygrowingtotheideathatitwasuselesstocry,andItriedhardtoovercomemyfeelings.


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PLANTATIONLIFE.

Asalreadystated,itwasChristmasmorning,and,afterbreakfast,Isawthecookhurrying,andwhenIwentoutintotheyard,everywhereIlookedslavesmetmyview.Ineversawsomanyslavesatonetimebefore.InVirginiawedidnothavesuchlargefarms.Therewerenoextensivecottonplantations,asinMississippi.Ishallneverforgetthedinnerthatday--itwasafeastfitforaking,sovariedandlavishwasthebilloffare.ThenextattractionformewasthefarmhandsgettingtheirChristmasrations.Eachwasgivenapintofflourofwhichtheymadebiscuit,whichwerecalled"BillySeldom,"becausebiscuitwereveryrarewiththem.Theirdailyfoodwascornbread,whichtheycalled"JohnnyConstant,"astheyhaditconstantly.Inadditiontothefloureachreceivedapieceofbaconorfatmeat,fromwhichtheygottheshorteningfortheirbiscuit.Thecracklingsfromtherenderingoflardwerealsousedbytheslavesforshortening.ThehandswereallowedfourdaysoffatChristmas,andiftheyworkedonthesedays,assomeofthemdid,theygotfiftycentsadayforchopping.Itwasnotcommontohavechoppingdoneduringtheholidays;someplanters,however,founditconvenientthustogetitoutofthewayfortheworkwhichcameafterChristmas.

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THEGREATHOUSE.

Isoonbecamefamiliarwithmyworkinthehouseandwiththeneighborhood,asIoftenhadtocarrynotesforBosstoneighboringfarmers,aswellastocarrythemailtoandfromthepostoffice.The"greathouse,"asthedwellingofthemasterwascalled,wastwostorieshigh,builtofhugelogs,chinkedanddaubedandwhitewashed.Itwasdivided,fromfronttorear,byahalltwenty-fivefeetlongandtwelvefeetwide,andoneachsideofthehall,ineachstory,wasonelargeroomwithalargefire-place.Therewerebutfourroomsinall,yettheseweresolargethattheywereequaltoatleastsixofourmodern

rooms.Thekitchenwasnotattachedtothemainbuilding,butwasaboutthirtyfeettotherear.Thiswasthecommonmodeofbuildinginthesouthinthosedays.Thetwobedroomsupstairswereveryplaininfurnishings,butneatandcomfortable,judgedbythestandardofthetimes.Awingwasaddedtothemainbuildingfordiningroom.Inrearofthekitchenwasthemilkordairyhouse,andbeyondthisthesmokehouseforcuringthemeat.Inlinewiththesebuildings,andstillfurthertotherear,wastheoverseer'shouse.Nearthemilkhousewasalargetree,andattachedtothetrunkwasalever;andherewaswherethechurningwasdone,inwhichIhadalwaystoassist.Thisestablishmentwillserveasasampleofmanyofthoseonthelargeplantationsinthesouth.ThemainroadfromPontotoctoHollySprings,oneofthegreatthoroughfaresofthestateandastageroute,passednearthehouse,and

throughthecenterofthefarm.Oneachsideofthisroadwasafence,andinthecornersofbothfences,extendingforamile,wereplantedpeachtrees,whichboreexcellentfruitingreatprofusion.

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HOUSESERVANTANDERRANDBOY.

Myfirstworkinthemorningwastodusttheparlorandhallandarrangethediningroom.Itcameawkwardtomeatfirst,but,afterthemadam


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toldmehow,Isoonlearnedtodoitsatisfactorily.ThenIhadtowaitonthetable,sweepthelargeyardeverymorningwithabrushbroomandgoforthemailonceaweek.Iusedtogetverytired,forIwasyoungandconsequentlynotstrong.Asidefromthesethingswhichcameregularly,Ihadtohelpthemadaminwarpingthecloth.Idreadedthiswork,forIalwaysgotmyearsboxedifIdidnotorcouldnotdotheworktosuither.Shealwaysmadethewarpherselfandputitin,andIhadtohandherthethreadassheputitthroughtheharness.Iwouldgetverytiredatthisworkand,likeanychild,wantedtobeatplay,butIcouldnotrememberthatthemadamevergavemethatprivilege.Saddlingthehorseatfirstwastroublesometome,butBosswasconstantinhiseffortstoteachme,and,aftermanytrials,Ilearnedthetasksatisfactorilytothemasterandtobringthehorsetothedoorwhenhewishedtogooutforbusinessorpleasure.Ridinghorsebackwascommonforbothladiesandgentlemen,andsometimesIwouldhavetosaddlethreeormorehorseswhenBoss,themadam,afriendorfriendsdesiredaride.Birdhuntingpartieswerecommonandweregreatlyenjoyed,bytheyoungpeopleespecially.Bossalwaysinvitedsomeoftheyoungpeopleoftheneighborhoodtothesepartiesandtheyneverfailedtoputinanappearance.Williams,BradfordandFreemanwerethesonsofrichplanters,andwerealwaysparticipantsinthissport,andtheiryoungladyfriendsjoinedinitason-lookers.Theyoungmensingingandwhistlingtothebirds,Iinthemeantimesettingthenet.AssoonasIhadgotthenetinordertheywouldapproachthebirdsslowly,driving

themintoit.Therewasgreatlaughterandexcitementiftheyweresuccessfulincatchingafineflock.

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CRUELTREATMENT.

Iwasbutalad,yetIcanrememberwellthecrueltreatmentIreceived.SomeweeksitseemedIwaswhippedfornothing,justtopleasemymistress'fancy.Once,whenIwassenttotownforthemailandhadstartedback,itwassodarkandrainymyhorsegotawayfrommeandIhadtostayallnightintown.ThenextmorningwhenIgotbackhomeIhadaseverewhipping,becausethemasterwasexpectingaletter

containingmoneyandwasdisappointedinnotreceivingitthatnight,ashewasgoingtoPanolatospendChristmas.However,thedaycameandallthefamilywentexceptme.Duringthetimetheyweregonetheoverseerwhippedamansoterriblywiththe"bullwhip"thatIhadtogoforthedoctor,andwhenDr.Heningford,theregularfamilyphysician,came,hesaiditwasawful--suchcrueltreatment,andhecomplainedaboutit.Itwascommonforaslavetogetan"over-threshing,"thatis,tobewhippedtoomuch.Thepoormanwascutupsobadlyalloverthatthedoctormadeabranpoulticeandwrappedhisentirebodyinit.Thiswasdonetodrawouttheinflammation.Itseemstheslavehadbeensick,andhadkilledalittlepigwhenhebecamewellenoughtogotowork,ashisappetitecravedheartyfood,andheneededittogivehimstrengthforhistasks.Forthisoneact,comparativelytrivial,hewasalmost

killed.Theideaneverseemedtooccurtotheslaveholdersthattheseslavesweregettingnowagesfortheirworkand,therefore,hadnothingwithwhichtoprocurewhat,attimes,wasnecessaryfortheirhealthandstrength--palatableandnourishingfood.Whentheslavestookanythingthemasterscalleditstealing,yettheywerestealingtheslaves'timeyearafteryear.WhenBosscamehomehewascalledonbythetownofficials,forthecasehadbeenreportedtothem.Boss,however,gotoutofitbysayingthathewasnotathomewhenthetroubleoccurred.Thepoorslavewassickfromhisilltreatmentsomefourorfivemonths,andwhenherecoveredtherewasarunningsoreleftonhisbody,from


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thedeepcutsofthewhip,whichneverhealed.Icannotforgethowhelooked,thesorewasasickeningsight;yet,whenhewasabletowalkhehadtoreturntoworkinthefield.

IhadnotbeenatPontotocverylongwhenIsawthehoundsrunaslave,bynameBenLyon."OldBen,"ashewascalled,ranawayandhadbeengoneaweekwhenhewasseenbyawomanwho"toldonhim,"andthenIwassenttogetthemanwhohadtraineddogs,orhoundsastheywerecalled.Thedogsrantheslaveabouttenmileswhentheylosttrackatacreek,buthewascaughtthatnightinafarmer'shousegettingsomethingtoeat.

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INSTRUCTIONSINMEDICINE.

Aftersometime,Bossbegantotellmethenamesofmedicinesandtheirproperties.Ilikedthisandseemedtograsptheideaverywell.Aftergivingmeanumberofnameshewouldmakemerepeatthem.Thenhewouldtellmethepropertiesofeachmedicinenamed,howitwasusedandforwhatpurposeandhowmuchconstitutedadose.HewoulddrillmeinallthisuntilIknewitand,inashorttime,hewouldaddothernamestothelist.HealwaysshowedmeeachmedicinenamedandhadmesmellandcarefullyexamineitthatImightknowitwhenseenagain.Ilikedthis,

andusedtowishthatIwasaswiseasmymaster.Hewasveryprecise,steadyandgentleinanycaseofsickness,and,althoughhehadlongretiredfromthemedicalworld,allrecognizedhismeritwhereverhewent.Iusedtogotothewoodsandgatherslipperyelm,alumrootandtherootsofwildcherryandpoplar,forweusedalltheseincompoundingmedicinesfortheservants.

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THEOVERSEER--WHIPPINGSANDOTHERCRUELTIES.

Theoverseerwasamanhiredtolookafterthefarmandwhiptheslaves.Veryoftentheywerenotonlycruel,butbarbarous.Everyfarmeror

planterconsideredanoverseeranecessity.Asarule,therewasalsooneachplantation,aforeman--oneofthebrighterslaves,whowasheldresponsiblefortheslavesunderhim,andwhippediftheydidnotcomeuptotherequiredtask.Therewas,too,aforewoman,who,inlikemanner,hadchargeofthefemaleslaves,andalsotheboysandgirlsfromtwelvetosixteenyearsofage,andalltheoldpeoplethatwerefeeble.Thiswascalledthetrashgang.Ah!itwouldmakeone'sheartachetoseethosechildrenandhowtheywereworked.Cold,frostymornings,thelittleoneswouldbecryingfromcold;buttheyhadtokeepon.AuntPolly,ourforewoman,wasafraidtoallowthemtoruntogetwarm,forfeartheoverseerwouldseethem.Thenshewouldbewhipped,andhewouldmakeherwhipallofthegang.Atlength,Ibecameusedtoseveretreatmentoftheslaves;but,everylittlewhile

somethingwouldhappentomakemewishIweredead.Everythingwasinabustle--alwaystherewasslashingandwhipping.IrememberwhenBossmadeachangeinouroverseer.Itwasthebeginningoftheyear.Riley,oneoftheslaves,whowasaprincipalplower,wasnotonhandforworkoneMondaymorning,havingbeendelayedinfixingthebridleofhismule,whichtheanimal,forlackofsomethingbetter,perhaps,hadbeenvigorouslychewingandrenderednearlyuseless.Hewas,therefore,considerablybehindtime,whenhereachedthefield.Withoutwaitingtolearnwhatwasthereasonforthedelay,theoverseerspranguponhimwithhisbullwhip,whichwasaboutsevenfeetlong,lashinghimwith


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allhisstrength,everystrokeleavingitsmarkuponthepoorman'sbody,andfinallytheknotattheendofthewhipburieditselfinthefleshypartofthearm,andtherecamearounditafesteringsore.Hesufferedgreatlywithit,untilonenighthisbrothertookouttheknot,whenthepoorfellowwasasleep,forhecouldnotbearanyonetotouchitwhenhewasawake.ItwasawfultohearthecrackingofthatwhipasitwaslaidaboutRiley--onewouldhavethoughtthatanoxteamhadgottenintothemire,andwasbeingwhippedout,soloudandsharpwasthenoise!

Iusuallysleptinthediningroomonthefloor.Earlyonemorninganoldslave,bynameof"UncleJim,"cameandknockedatthewindow,anduponmyjumpingupandgoingtohim,hetoldmetotellBossthatUncleJimwasthere.Hehadrunaway,sometimebefore,and,forsomereason,hadreturned.Boss,uponhearingthenews,gotupandsentmetotelltheoverseertocomeatonce.Hecame,and,takingthebullwhip,acowhideandalotofpeach-treeswitches,heandBossledUncleJimbackintothecowlot,onthesideofthehill,wheretheydrovefourstakesintheground,and,layinghimflatonhisface,tiedhishandsandfeettothesestakes.Afterwhippinghim,inthisposition,alltheywantedto,apailofstrongsaltandwaterwasbrought,andthepoorfellowwas"washeddown."Thiswashingwascustomary,afterwhippings,astheplantersclaimeditdrewoutallthesoreness,andhealedthelaceratedflesh.

Upononeoccasion,thefamilybeingaway,Iwasleftextraworktodo,beingsettohelpthreefellowslaveslayofftherowsforplantingcorn.Wedidnotgetthemquitestraight.Thedeviationwemadefromthelinewasverylittle,andcouldscarcelybeseen,evenbyanexpert;buttheleastthingwrongabouttheworkwouldcauseanyslavetobewhipped,andsoallfourofuswereflogged.

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THESLAVECABIN.

Therewasasectionoftheplantationknownas"thequarters,"where

weresituatedthecabinsoftheslaves.Thesecabinswerebuiltofroughlogs,anddaubedwiththeredclayormudoftheregion.Noattemptwasmadetogivethemaneatappearance--theywerenotevenwhitewashed.Eachcabinwasaboutfourteenfeetsquare,containingbutoneroom,andwascoveredwithoakboards,threefeetinlength,splitoutoflogsbyhand.Theseboardswerenotnailedon,butheldintheirplacesbywhatweretermedweight-poleslaidacrossthematrightangles.Therewereineachroomtwowindows,adoorandalarge,rudefire-place.Thedoorandwindowframes,orfacings,wereheldintheirplacesbywoodenpins,nailsbeingusedonlyinputtingthedoorstogether.Theinteriorofthecabinshadnothingmoreattractivethantheoutside--therewasnoplasteringandonlyadirtfloor.Thefurnitureconsistedofonebed,aplainboardtableandsomebenchesmadebytheslavesthemselves.

Sometimesacabinwasoccupiedbytwoormorefamilies,inwhichcasethenumberofbedswasincreasedproportionately.Forlightagreaselampwasused,whichwasmadeofiron,bowlshaped,byablacksmith.Thebowlwasfilledwithgreaseandaragorwickplacedinit,oneendrestingontheedgeforlighting.Theselampsgaveagoodlight,andwereingeneraluseamongtheslaves.Tallowcandleswerealuxury,neverseenexceptinthe"greathouses"oftheplanters.Theonlylightforoutdoorsusedbytheslaveswasatorchmadebybindingtogetherabundleofsmallsticksorsplinters.


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COTTONRAISING.

Aftertheselectionofthesoilmostsuitableforcotton,thepreparationofitwasofvitalimportance.Thelandwasdeeplyplowed,longenoughbeforethetimeforplantingtoallowthespringrainstosettleit.Thenitwasthrownintobedsorridgesbyturningfurrowsbothwaystowardagivencenter.Theseedwasplantedattherateofonehundredpoundsperacre.Theplantmadeitsappearanceinabouttendaysafterplanting,iftheweatherwasfavorable.Earlyplanting,however,followedbycold,stormyweatherfrequentlycausedtheseedtorot.Assoonasthethirdleafappearedtheprocessofscrapingcommenced,whichconsistedofcleaningtheridgewithhoesofallsuperfluousplantsandallweedsandgrass.Afterthisanarrowplowknownasa"bulltongue,"wasusedtoturnthelooseeartharoundtheplantandcoverupanygrassnottotallydestroyedbythehoes.Ifthesurfacewasveryroughthehoesfollowed,insteadofpreceding,theplowtounearththoseplantsthatmayhavebeenpartiallycovered.Theslavesoftenacquiredgreatskillintheseoperations,runningplowswithintwoinchesofthestalks,andstrikingdownweedswithinhalfaninchwiththeirhoes,rarelytouchingaleafofthecotton.Subsequentplowing,alternatingwithhoeing,usuallyoccurredonceintwentydays.Therewasdangerindeepplowingofinjuringtheroots,andthiswasavoided,exceptinthe

middleofrowsinwetseasonswhenitwasnecessarytoburyandmoreeffectuallykillthegrass.Theimplementsusedinthecultureofcottonwereshovels,hoes,sweeps,cultivators,harrowsandtwokindsofplows.Itrequiredfourmonths,underthemostfavorablecircumstances,forcottontoattainitsfullgrowth.Itwasusuallyplantedaboutthe1stofApril,orfromMarch20thtoApril10th,bloomedaboutthe1stofJuneandthefirstballsopenedaboutAugust15th,whenpickingcommenced.Thebloomscomeoutinthemorningandarefullydevelopedbynoon,whentheyareapurewhite.Soonaftermeridiantheybegintoexhibitreddishstreaks,andnextmorningareaclearpink.Theyfalloffbynoonofthesecondday.

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THECOTTONWORM.

Acutwormwastroublesomesometimes;buttheplantswerewatchedverycarefully,andassoonasanysignsofwormswereseenworkfortheirdestructionwascommenced.Themajorityoftheeggswerelaiduponthecalyxandinvolucre.Theworm,aftergnawingthroughitsenclosedshell,makesitsfirstmealuponthepartoftheplantuponwhichtheeggwaslaid,beitleaf,stemorinvolucre.Ifitwerelaidupontheleaf,aswasusuallythecase,itmightbethreedaysbeforethewormreachedtheboll;butweretheeggslaidupontheinvolucrethewormpiercedthroughwithintwenty-fourhoursafterhatching.Thenewlyhatchedbollwormwalkslikeageometricallarvaorlooper,ameasuringwormasitwas

called.Thisiseasilyexplainedbythefactthatwhileinthefullgrownwormtheabdominallegs,orprolegs,arenearlyequalinlength,inthenewlyhatchedwormthesecondpairareslightlyshorterthanthethird,andthefirstpairareshorterandslendererthanthesecond--astateofthingsapproachingthatinthefullgrowncottonworm,thoughthedifferenceinsizeintheformercaseisnotnearlysomarkedasinthelatter.Thismethodofwalkingislostwiththefirstorsecondmolt.Thereisnothingremarkableabouttheseyounglarvae.Theyseemtobethickerinproportiontotheirlengththantheyoungcottonworms,andtheyhavenotsodelicateandtransparentanappearance.Theirheads


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areblackandtheirbodiesseemalreadytohavebeguntovaryincolor.Thebodyaboveisfurnishedwithsparse,stiffhairs,eacharisingfromatubercle.Ihaveoftenwatchedthenewlyhatchedbollwhileinthecottonfields.Whenhatchedfromaneggwhichhadbeendepositeduponaleaf,theyinvariablymadetheirfirstmealonthesubstanceoftheleaf,andthenwanderedaboutforalongerorshorterspaceoftime,evidentlyseekingabollorflowerbud.Itwasalwaysinterestingtowatchthisseeminglyaimlesssearchoftheyoungworm,crawlingfirstdowntheleafstemandthenback,thendroppingafewinchesbyasilkenthreadandthenpainfullyworkingitswaybackagain,until,atlast,itfoundtheobjectofitssearch,orfelltothegroundwhereitwasdestroyedbyants.Asthebollwormsincreaseinsizeamostwonderfuldiversityofcolorandmarkingbecomesapparent.Incolordifferentwormswillvaryfromabrilliantgreentoadeeppinkordarkbrown,exhibitingalmosteveryconceivableintermediatestagefromanimmaculate,unstripedspecimentoonewithregularspotsandmanystripes.Thegreenwormsweremorecommonthanthoseofanyothercolor--acommonvarietywasaverylightgreen.Whenthesewormsputinanappearanceitraisedagreatexcitementamongtheplanters.Wedidnotuseanypoisontodestroythem,asIlearnisthemethodnowemployed.

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THECOTTONHARVEST.

Thecottonharvest,orpickingseason,beganaboutthelatterpartofAugustorfirstofSeptember,andlastedtillChristmasorafter,butinthelatterpartofJulypickingcommencedfor"thefirstbale"togointothemarketatMemphis.Thispickingwasdonebychildrenfromninetotwelveyearsofageandbywomenwhowereknownas"sucklers,"thatis,womenwithinfants.Thepickerswouldpassthroughtherowsgettingverylittle,asthecottonwasnotyetinfullbloom.Fromthelowerpartofthestalkwhereitopenedfirstiswheretheygotthefirstpickings.Theseasonoffirstpickingwasalwaysagreattime,fortheplanterwhobroughtthefirstbaleofcottonintomarketatMemphiswaspresentedwithabasketofchampagnebythecommissionmerchants.This

wasacustomestablishedthroughoutMississippi.Afterthefirstpickingsweresecuredthecottondevelopedveryfast,continuingtobudandbloomalloverthestalkuntilthefrostfalls.Theseasonofpickingwasexcitingtoallplanters,everyonewaszealousinpushinghisslavesinorderthathemightreapthegreatestpossibleharvest.Theplanterstalkedabouttheirprospects,discussedthecottonmarkets,justasthefarmersofthenorthdiscussthemarketsfortheirproducts.IoftensawBosssoexcitedandnervousduringtheseasonhescarcelyate.Thedailytaskofeachable-bodiedslaveduringthecottonpickingseasonwar250poundsormore,andallthosewhodidnotcomeuptotherequiredamountwouldgetawhipping.Whentheplanterwantedmorecottonpickedthanusual,theoverseerwouldarrangearace.Theslaveswouldbedividedintotwoparties,with,aleaderforeachparty.

Thefirstleaderwouldchooseaslaveforhisside,thenthesecondleaderoneforhis,andsoonalternatelyuntilallwerechosen.Eachleadertriedtogetthebestonhisside.Theywouldallworklikegoodfellowsfortheprize,whichwasatincupofsugarforeachslaveonthewinningside.Thecontestwaskeptupforthreedayswhenevertheplanterdesiredanextraamountpicked.Theslaveswerejustasinterestedintheracesasiftheyweregoingtogetafivedollarbill.

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PREPARINGCOTTONFORMARKET.

Thegin-housewassituatedaboutfourhundredyardsfrom"thegreathouse"onthemainroad.Itwasalargeshedbuiltuponsquaretimbers,andwassimilartoabarn,onlyitstoodsomesixfeetfromtheground,andunderneathwaslocatedthemachineryforrunningthegin.Thecottonwasputintotheloftafteritwasdried,readyforginning.Inthisprocessthecottonwasdroppedfromthelofttothemanwhofedthemachine.Asitwasginnedthelintwouldgointothelintroom,andtheseedwoulddropatthefeeder'sfeet.Thebasketsusedforholdinglintweretwiceaslargeasthoseusedinthepickingprocess,andtheywerenevertakenfromtheginhouse.Theselintbasketswereusedinremovingthelintfromthelintroomtotheplacewherethecottonwasbaled.Abalecontained250pounds,andthemanwhodidthetreadingofthecottonintothebaleswouldnotvarytenpoundsinthebale,soaccustomedwashetothepacking.Generallyfromfourteentofifteenbalesofcottonwereinthelintroomatatime.

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OTHERFARMPRODUCTS.

CottonwasthechiefproductoftheMississippifarmsandnothingelsewasraisedtosell.Wheat,oatsandryewereraisedinlimited

quantities,butonlyfortheslavesandthestock.Allthefineflourforthemaster'sfamilywasboughtinSt.Louis.Cornwasraisedinabundance,asitwasastaplearticleoffoodfortheslaves.Itwasplantedaboutthe1stofMarch,oraboutamonthearlierthanthecotton.Itwas,therefore,upandpartiallyworkedbeforethecottonwasplantedandfullytilledbeforethecottonwasreadyforcultivation.Peaswereplantedbetweentherowsofcorn,andhundredsofbushelswereraised.Thesepeasafterbeingharvested,driedandbeatenoutoftheshell,wereofareddishbrowntint,notlikethoseraisedforthemaster'sfamily,buttheywereconsideredawholesomeandnutritiousfoodfortheslaves.Cabbageandyams,alargesweetpotato,coarserthanthekindgenerallyusedbythewhitesandnotsodelicateinflavor,werealsoraisedfortheservantsinliberalquantities.Nohay

wasraised,buttheleavesofthecorn,strippedfromthestalkswhileyetgreen,curedandboundinbundles,wereusedasasubstituteforitinfeedinghorses.

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FARMIMPLEMENTS.

Almostalltheimplementsusedontheplantationweremadebytheslaves.Veryfewthingswerebought.Bosshadaskilledblacksmith,uncleBen,forwhomhepaid$1,800,andtherewereslaveswhowerecarpentersandworkersinwoodwhocouldturntheirhandstoalmostanything.Wagons,plows,harrows,grubbinghoes,hames,collars,

baskets,bridlebitsandhoehandleswereallmadeonthefarmandfromthematerialwhichitproduced,excepttheiron.Thetimberusedintheseimplementswasgenerallywhiteorredoak,andwascutandthoroughlyseasonedlongbeforeitwasneeded.Thearticlesthusmanufacturedwerenotfineinformorfinish,buttheyweredurable,andansweredthepurposesofarudemethodofagriculture.Horsecollarsweremadefromcornhusksandfrompoplarbarkwhichwasstrippedfromthetree,inthespring,whenthesapwasupanditwassoftandpliable,andseparatedintonarrowstripswhichwereplaitedtogether.Thesecollarswereeasyforthehorse,andservedthepurposeofthe


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morecostlyleathercollar.Everyseasonatleast200cottonbasketsweremade.Onemanusuallyworkedatthisalltheyearround,butinthespringhehadthreeassistants.Thebasketsweremadefromoaktimber,growninthehomeforestsandpreparedbytheslaves.Itwasnosmallpartoftheworkoftheblacksmithandhisassistanttokeepthefarmimplementsingoodrepair,andmuchofthisworkwasdoneatnight.Alltheplankusedwassawedbyhandfromtimbergrownonthemaster'sland,astherewerenosawmillsinthatregion.Almosttheonlythingsnotmadeonthefarmwhichwereingeneralusetherewereaxes,tracechainsandthehoesusedincultivatingthecotton.

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THECLEARINGOFNEWLAND.

Whenadditionallandwasrequiredforcultivationthefirststepwastogointotheforestinsummerand"deaden"orgirdlethetreesonagiventract.Thiswascuttingthroughthebarkallaroundthetrunkaboutthirtyinchesfromtheground.Thetreessotreatedsoondiedandinayearortwowereinconditiontoberemoved.Theseasonselectedforclearingthelandwaswinter,beginningwithJanuary.Thetrees,exceptthelargerones,werecutdown,cutintolengthsconvenientforhandlingandpiledintogreatheaps,called"logheaps,"andburned.Theundergrowthwasgrubbedoutandalsopiledandburned.Theburningwas

doneatnightandthesightwasoftenweirdandgrand.Thechoppingwasdonebythemenslavesandthegrubbingbywomen.Allthetreesthatblewdownduringthesummerwereleftastheyfelltillwinterwhentheywereremoved.Thiswenton,yearafteryear,untilallthetreeswereclearedout.Thefirstyearafterthenewlandwasclearedcornwasputin,thenextseasoncotton.Asarulecornandcottonwereplantedalternately,especiallyifthelandwaspoor,ifnot,cottonwouldbecontinuedyearafteryearonthesameland.Oldcornstalkswerealwaysplowedunderforthenextyear'scropandtheyservedasanexcellentfertilizer.Cottonwasseldomplantedonnewlyclearedland,astherootsandstumpsrendereditdifficulttocultivatethelandwithoutinjurytothegrowingplant.

IneversawwomenputtothehardworkofgrubbinguntilIwenttoMcGee'sandIgreatlywonderedatit.SuchworkwasnotdonebywomenslavesinVirginia.Childrenwererequiredtodosomework,itmatterednothowmanygrownpeoplewereworking.Therewerealwaystaskssetfortheboysandgirlsranginginagefromninetothirteenyears,beyondtheseagestheyworkedwiththeolderslaves.AfterIhadbeeninPontotoctwoyearsIhadtohelpplantandhoe,andworkinthecottonduringtheseasons,andsoonlearnedtodoeverythingpertainingtothefarm.

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COOKINGFORTHESLAVES.

Insummertimethecookingfortheslaveswasdoneoutofdoors.Alargefirewasbuiltunderatree,twowoodenforksweredrivenintothegroundonoppositesidesofthefire,apolelaidontheforksandonthiskettleswerehungoverthefireforthepreparationofthefood.Cabbageandmeat,boiled,alternatedwithmeatandpeas,werethestapleforsummer.Breadwasfurnishedwiththemealsandcornmealdumplings,thatis,littleballsmadeofmealandgreasefromtheboiledbaconanddroppedintoboilingwater,werealsoprovidedandconsideredquitepalatable,especiallyifcookedinthewaterinwhichthebaconwas


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boiled.Inwinterthecookingwasdoneinacabin,andsweetpotatoes,driedpeasandmeatweretheprincipaldiet.Thisbilloffarewasfordinnerorthemid-daymeal.Forsuppereachslavereceivedtwopiecesofmeatandtwoslicesofbread,butthesesliceswereverylarge,astheloaveswereaboutsixinchesthickandbakedinanoldfashionedoven.Thisbreadwasmadefromcornmealfor,asIhavesaid,onlyonholidaysandspecialoccasionsdidtheslaveshavewhitebreadofanykind.Partofthemeatandbreadreceivedatsuppertimewassavedforthe"morningbite."Theslavesneverhadanybreakfast,butwenttothefieldatdaylightandafterworkingtillthesunwaswellup,allwouldstopfortheirmorningbite.Veryoftensomeyoungfellowatehismorningbitetheeveningbeforeatsupperandwouldhavenothingforthemorning,goingwithouteatinguntilnoon.Thestopformorningbitewasveryshort;thenallwouldplungeintoworkuntilmid-day,whenallhandsweresummonedtotheirprincipalmeal.

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CARDINGANDSPINNING.

Throughthewinterandonrainydaysinsummer,thewomenofthefieldhadtocardthewoolandspinitintoyarn.Theygenerallyworkedinpairs,aspinningwheelandcardsbeingassignedtoeachpair,andwhileonecardedthewoolintorolls,theotherspunitintoyarnsuitablefor

weavingintocloth,oracoarse,heavythreadusedinmakingbridlesandlinesforthemulesthatwereusedinthefields.Thisworkwasdoneinthecabins,andthewomenworkingtogetheralternatedinthecardingandspinning.Fourcutswereconsideredataskorday'swork,andifanyonefailedtocompletehertaskshereceivedawhippingfromthemadam.AtnightwhenthespinnersbroughttheirworktothebighouseIwouldhaveittoreel.Thereelwasacontrivanceconsistingofasortofwheel,turnedonanaxis,usedtotransfertheyarnfromthespoolsorspindlesofthespinningwheelsintocutsorhunks.Itwasturnedbyhandandwhenenoughyarnhadbeenreeledtomakeacutthereelsignaleditwithasnap.Thisprocesswascontinueduntilfourcutswerereeledwhichmadeahunk,andthiswastakenoffandwasreadyforuse.Sotheworkwentonuntilallwasreeled.Ioftengotverywearyofthis

workandwouldalmostfallasleepatit,asitwasgenerallydoneatnightafterIhadhadalongday'stoilatsomethingelse.

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WEAVING--CLOTHESOFTHESLAVES.

Onewomandidtheweavinganditwashertasktoweavefromninetotenyardsaday.AuntLizawasourweaverandshewastaughttheworkbythemadam.AtfirstshedidnotgetonsowellwithitandmanytimesIhaveseenthemadamjumpather,pinchandchokeherbecauseshewasdullinunderstandinghowtodoit.Themadammadetheunreasonabledemandthatsheshoulddothefulltaskatfirst,andbecauseshefailedshewas

punished,aswasthecustominallcasesoffailure,nomatterhowunreasonablethedemand.Lizafinallybecameequaltohertaskandaccomplishediteachday.ButthetroubleandworrytomewaswhenIhadtoassistthemadaminwarping--gettingtheworkreadyfortheweaver.Shewouldwarpthethreadherselfandplaceitintheloom,thenIwouldhavetohandherthethreads,assheputthemthroughthehames.Foranyfailureinquicklycomprehendingordoingmywork,Ididnotfailtoreceivethecustomaryblow,orblows,fromherhand.

Eachpieceofclothcontainedfortyyards,andthisclothwasusedin


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makingclothesfortheservants.Abouthalfofthewholeamountrequiredwasthusmadeathome;theremainderwasbought,andasitwasheavieritwasusedforwinterclothing.Eachmanwasallowedforsummertwopairsofpantsandtwoshirts,butnocoat.Thewomenhadtwodressesandtwochemiseseachforsummer.Forwinterthemenhadeachtwopairsofpants,onecoat,onehatandonepairofcoarseshoes.Theseshoesbeforebeingwornhadtobegreasedwithtallow,withalittletarinit.Itwasalwaysahappytimewhenthemengotthesewintergoods--itbroughtmanyasmiletotheirfaces,thoughthesupplywasmeagerandthearticlesofthecheapest.Thewomen'sdressesforwinterweremadeoftheheavierwool-clothusedforthemen.Theyalsohadonepairofshoeseachandaturban.Thewomenwhocouldutilizeoldclothes,madeforthemselveswhatwerecalledpantalets.Theyhadnostockingsorundergarmentstoprotecttheirlimbs--thesewerenevergiventhem.Thepantaletsweremadelikeapant-leg,camejustabovetheknee,andwerecaughtandtied.Sometimestheylookedwellandcomfortable.Themen'soldpant-legsweresometimesused.

IrememberoncewhenBosswenttoMemphisandbroughtbackaboltofginghamforturbansforthefemaleslaves.Itwasaredandyellowcheck,andtheturbansmadefromitwereonlytobewornonSunday.Theoldwomenweresogladthattheysangandprayed.Alittlegiftfromthemasterwasgreatlyappreciatedbythem.Ialwayscameinformyshareeachyear,butmyclothesweresomewhatdifferent.Iworepantsmadeof

Boss'soldones,andallhisoldcoatswereutilizedforme.Theyroundedthemoffatthetailjustalittleandcalledthemjackets.Myshoeswerenotbrogans,butmadeoflighterleather,andmadesuitableforinthehouse.Ionlyworkedonthefarminbusyseasons,anddidnothavetheregularwearofthefarmhands.OnMondaymorningitwasagreatsighttoseeallthehandsmarchingtothefield.Thecottonclotheswornbybothmenandwomen,andtheturbansofthelatter,weresnowywhite,aswerethewoolhatsofthemen--allcontrastedwiththedarkfacesofthewearersinastrangeandstrikingmanner.

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SLAVEMOTHERS--CAREOFTHECHILDREN.

Thewomenwhohadyoungbabieswereassignedtowhatwasconsidered"lightwork,"suchashoeingpotatoes,cuttingweedsfromthefencecorners,andanyotherworkoflikecharacter.Aboutnineo'clockintheforenoon,atnoon,andthreeo'clockintheafternoon,thesewomen,knownonthefarmsas"thesucklers,"couldbeseengoingfromworktonursetheirbabies.Manyweretheheart-sighsofthesesorrowingmothersastheywenttoministertotheirinfants.Sometimesthelittlethingswouldseemstarved,forthemotherscouldonlystoptheirtoilthreetimesadaytocareforthem.Whenoldenoughtoreceiveit,thebabieshadmilk,theliquorfromboiledcabbage,andbreadandmilktogether.Awomanwhowastoooldtodomuchofanythingwasassignedtothechargeofthesebabiesintheabsenceoftheirmothers.Itwasrarethatshe

hadanyonetohelpher.Thecriesoftheselittleones,whowerecutoffalmostentirelyfrommotherlycareandprotection,wereheart-rending.

Thecabinusedfortheinfantsduringthedaywasadoubleone,thatis,doubletheusualsize,andwaslocatednearthegreathouse.Thecradlesusedweremadeofboards,andwerenotmorethantwobythreefeetinsize.Thewomencarriedtheirbabiesinthecradlestothebabycabininthemorning,takingthemtotheirowncabinsatnight.Thechildrenranginginagefromonetosevenyearswerenumerous,andtheoldwoman


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hadthemtolookafteraswellasthebabies.Thiswasindeedatask,andmightwellhavetaxedthestrengthofayoungerwoman.Theywerealwaysfromeighttoadozeninfantsinthecabin.Thesummerseasonwastryingonthebabiesandyoungchildren.Oftentheywoulddrinktoomuchliquorfromcabbage,ortoomuchbuttermilk,andwouldbetakenwithaseverecolic.IwasalwayscalledontheseoccasionstogowithBosstoadministermedicine.Irememberononeoccasionalittleboyhadeatentoomuchcabbage,andwastakenwithcrampcolic.Inafewminuteshisstomachwasswollenastightandhardasaballoon,andhisteethclenched.Hewasgivenanemetic,putinamustardbathandwassoonrelieved.Thefoodwastooheavyforthesechildren,andtheywerenearlyalwaysinneedofsomemedicalattendance.Excessiveheat,withimproperfood,oftenbroughtoncholerainfantum,fromwhichtheinfantssometimesdiedrapidlyandinconsiderablenumbers.

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METHODSOFPUNISHMENT.

Themethodsofpunishmentwerebarbarousintheextreme,andsonumerousthatIwillnotattempttodescribethemall.Onemethodwastotietheslavetoatree,stripoffhisclothes,andthenwhiphimwitharawhide,orlong,limberswitches,ortheterriblebullwhip.Anotherwastoputtheslaveinstocks,ortobuckhim,thatis,fastenhisfeet

together,drawuphiskneestohischin,tiehishandstogether,drawthemdownovertheknees,andputastickunderthelatterandoverthearms.Ineitherofthesewaystheslavewasentirelyatthemercyofhistormentors,andthewhippingcouldproceedattheirpleasure.Afterthesewhippingstheslavewasoftenlefthelplessandbleedingupontheground,untilthemaster,oroverseer,sawfittolethimup.Themostcommonmethodofpunishmentwastohavetheservantsformaring,calledthe"bullring,"intowhichtheonetobepunishedwaslednaked.Theslavesweretheneachgivenaswitch,rawhide,straporwhip,andeachonewascompelledtocutatthepoorvictimasheranaroundthering.Theringwascomposedofmen,womenandchildren;and,astheynumberedfromfortytofifty,eachcircuitoftheringwouldresultinthatnumberoflashes,andbythetimethevictimhadmadetwoorthree

roundshisconditioncanbereadilyimagined.Theoverseerwasalwaysoneofthering,vigorouslyusingthewhip,andseeingthatalltheslavesdidthesame.Someofthevictimsfaintedbeforetheyhadpassedoncearoundthering.Womenslaveswerepunishedinthesamemannerasthemen.Thesaltwaterbathwasgivenaftereachpunishment.Runawayslaveswereusuallycaughtbymeansofhounds,trainedforthepurposebymenwhomadeitabusinessandasourceofrevenue,notwithstandingitsbrutalfeaturesanddegradinginfluence.

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FOURTHOFJULYBARBECUE.

Barbecueoriginallymeanttodressandroastahogwhole,buthascometomeanthecookingofafoodanimalinthismannerforthefeedingofagreatcompany.Afeastofthiskindwasalwaysgiventous,byBoss,onthe4thofJuly.Theanticipationofitactedasastimulantthroughtheentireyear.Eachonelookedforwardtothisgreatdayofrecreationwithpleasure.Eventheolderslaveswouldjoininthediscussionofthecomingevent.Itmatterednotwhattroubleorhardshiptheyearhadbrought,thisfeastanditsattendantpleasurewoulddissipateallgloom.Some,probably,wouldbepunishedonthemorningofthe4th,butthisdidnotmatter;thementhoughtofthegoodthingsinstorefor


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them,andthatmadethemforgetthattheyhadbeenpunished.Alltheweekprevioustothegreatday,theslaveswereinhighspirits,theyounggirlsandboys,eachevening,congregating,infrontofthecabins,totalkofthefeast,whileotherswouldsinganddance.Theolderslaveswerenotlesshappy,butwouldonlysay;"Ah!Godhasblessedusinpermittingustoseeanotherfeastday."Thedaybeforethe4thwasabusyone.Theslavesworkedwithalltheirmight.Thechildrenwhowerelargeenoughwereengagedinbringingwoodandbarktothespotwherethebarbecuewastotakeplace.Theyworkedeagerly,alldaylong;and,bythetimethesunwassetting,ahugepileoffuelwasbesidethetrench,readyforuseinthemorning.Atanearlyhourofthegreatday,theservantswereup,andthemenwhomBosshadappointedtolookafterthekillingofthehogsandsheepwerequicklyattheirwork,and,bythetimetheyhadthemeatdressedandready,mostoftheslaveshadarrivedatthecenterofattraction.Theygatheredingroups,talking,laughing,tellingtalesthattheyhadfromtheirgrandfather,orrelatingpracticaljokesthattheyhadplayedorseenplayedbyothers.Thesetaleswerereceivedwithpealsoflaughter.Buthowevermuchtheyseemedtoenjoythesestoriesandsocialinterchanges,theyneverlostsightofthetrenchorthespotwherethesweetmeatsweretobecooked.

Themethodofcookingthemeatwastodigatrenchinthegroundaboutsixfeetlongandeighteeninchesdeep.Thistrenchwasfilledwithwood

andbarkwhichwassetonfire,and,whenitwasburnedtoagreatbedofcoals,thehogwassplitthroughthebackbone,andlaidonpoleswhichhadbeenplacedacrossthetrench.Thesheepweretreatedinthesameway,andbothwereturnedfromsidetosideastheycooked.Duringtheprocessofroastingthecooksbastedthecarcasseswithapreparationfurnishedfromthegreathouse,consistingofbutter,pepper,saltandvinegar,andthiswascontinueduntilthemeatwasreadytoserve.Notfarfromthistrenchweretheironovens,wherethesweetmeatswerecooked.Threeorfourwomenwereassignedtothiswork.Peachcobblerandappledumplingwerethetwodishesthatmadeoldslavessmileforjoyandtheyoungfairlydance.Thecrustorpastryofthecobblerwaspreparedinlargeearthenbowls,thenrolledoutlikeanypiecrust,onlyitwasalmosttwiceasthick.Alayerofthiscrust

waslaidintheoven,thenahalfpeckofpeachespoured,in,followedbyalayerofsugar;thenacoveringofpastrywaslaidoverallandsmoothedaroundwithaknife.Theovenwasthenputoverabedofcoals,thecoverputonandcoalsthrownonit,andtheprocessofbakingbegan.Fouroftheseovenswereusuallyinuseatthesefeasts,sothatenoughofthepastrymightbebakedtosupplyall.Theovenswerefilledandrefilleduntiltherewasnodoubtaboutthequantity.Theappledumplingsweremadeintheusualway,onlylarger,andservedwithsaucemadefrombrownsugar.Itlackedflavoring,suchascinnamonorlemon,yetitwasadishhighlyrelishedbyalltheslaves.Iknowthatthesefeastsmademesoexcited,Icouldscarcelydomyhouseduties,andIwouldneverfailtostopandlookoutofthewindowfromthediningroomdownintothequarters.Iwaseagertogetthroughwithmyworkandbe

withthefeasters.Aboutnooneverythingwasreadytoserve.Thetablewassetinagrovenearthequarters,aplacesetasidefortheseoccasions.Thetablewarewasnotfine,beingoftin,butitservedthepurpose,anddidnotdetractfromtheslaves'relishforthefeast.Thedrinkswerestrictlytemperancedrinks--buttermilkandwater.SomeofthenicestportionsofthemeatwereslicedoffandputonaplattertosendtothegreathouseforBossandhisfamily.Itwasapleasurefortheslavestodothis,forBossalwaysenjoyedit.Itwassaidthattheslavescouldbarbecuemeatsbest,andwhenthewhiteshadbarbecuesslavesalwaysdidthecooking.Whendinnerwasallonthetable,the


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invitationwasgivenforalltocome;andwhenallwereinagoodwayeating,Bossandthemadamwouldgoouttowitnesstheprogressofthefeast,andseemedpleasedtoseetheservantssohappy.Everythingwasinabundance,soallcouldhaveplenty--Bossalwaysinsistedonthis.Theslaveshadthewholedayoff,andcoulddoastheyliked.Afterdinnersomeofthewomenwouldwash,seworiron.Itwasadayofharmlessriotforalltheslaves,andIcannotexpressthehappinessitbroughtthem.Oldandyoung,formonths,wouldrejoiceinthememoryofthedayanditsfestivities,and"bless"Bossforthisrayofsunlightintheirdarkenedlives.

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ATTENDANCEATCHURCH.

Therewasanobservanceofreligiousformsatleastbytheoccupantsofboththegreathouseandthecabins.TheMcGeefamilywerechurch-goingpeople,and,exceptinveryinclementweather,neverfailedtoattendserviceonSunday.TheywereMethodists,andtheirchurchwasfourmilesfromtheirresidence.TheBaptistchurchwasbuttwomilesdistant,andthefamilyusuallyalternatedintheirattendancebetweenthetwoplacesofworship.Ialwaysattendedthemtochurch,generallyridingbehindwhiletheBossdrove.Uponreachingchurch,myfirstdutywastoruntoaspringforapitcheroffreshwater,whichIpassednotonlytothe

membersofourparty,buttoanyothersdesiringdrink.Whatevermaybethoughtofthereligiousprofessionsoftheslave-holders,therecanbenoquestionthatmanyoftheslavesweresincerebelieversintheChristianreligion,andendeavoredtoobeythepreceptsaccordingtotheirlight.

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RELIGIOUSMEETINGSOFTHESLAVES.

Saturdayeveningonthefarmwasalwayshailedwithdelight.Theairwasfilledwithhappyshoutsfrommenandboys,sogladweretheythatSunday,theironlydayofrest,wasnear.Inthecabinsthewomenwere

washingandfixinggarmentsforSunday,thattheymighthonortheLordincleanlinessanddecency.Itwasastonishinghowtheyutilizedwhattheyhad,andwithwhatskillandindustrytheyperformedtheseself-imposedtasks.Wherethefamilywaslargeitwasoftenaftermidnightbeforethisworkwasdone.WhilethispreparationfortheSabbathwasinprogressinmostofthecabins,theoldmenwouldgatherinoneforaprayer-meeting.Astheybegantosingsomefamiliarhymn,theairwouldringwiththeirvoices,anditwasnotlongbeforethecabinwasfilledwithbotholdandyoung,whocameintheirsimpleyetsincerewaytogivepraisetoGod.ItwascommontohaveoneortwoexhortersontheplantationwhoclaimedtobecalledtodoserviceforGod,byteachingtheirfellowmentheprinciplesofreligion.Godcertainlymusthaverevealedhimselftothesepoorsouls,fortheywere

veryignorant--theydidnotknowaletteroftheBible.Butwhentheyopenedtheirmouthstheywerefilled,andtheplanofSalvationwasexplainedinawaythatallcouldreceiveit.Itwasalwaysamysterytothewhitebrethrenhowtheslavescouldlineouthymns,preachChristandredemption,yethavenoknowledgeevenofhowthenameofChristwasspelled.Theywereilliteratetothelastdegree,sothereisbutonetheory,theywereinspired.Godrevealeduntothemjustwhattheyshouldteachtheirflock,thesameashedidtoMoses.Irememberverywellthattherewasalwaysasolemnityabouttheservices--acertainharmony,whichhadapeculiareffect--acertainpathetictonewhichquickenedthe


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emotionsastheysangthoseoldplantationhymns.Itmatterednotwhattheirtroubleshadbeenduringtheweek--howmuchtheyhadbeenlashed,theprayer-meetingonSaturdayeveningneverfailedtobeheld.Theirfaithwastriedandtrue.OnSundayafternoons,theywouldallcongregateagaintopraiseGod,andthecongregationwasenthusiastic.Itwaspathetictohearthempray,fromthedepthsoftheirhearts,forthemwho"despitefullyusedthemandpersecutedthem."ThisinjunctionofourSaviourwasstrictlyadheredto.Thewordsthatcamefromtheministerwerealwaysofaconsolatorykind.Heknewthecrossesofhisfellowslavesandtheirhardships,forhehadsharedthemhimself.Iwasalwaystouchedinhearinghimgiveoutthehymns.IcanhearoldUncleBennow,ashesolemnlywordedoutthefollowinglines:

MustIbecarriedtotheskies,Onflowerybedsofease,Whileothersfoughttowintheprize,Andsailedthroughbloodyseas?

Aftersinginghewouldalwaysspeaktothemofthenecessityforpatienceinbearingthecrosses,urgingthemtoendure"asgoodsoldiers."Manytearswereshed,andmanygladshoutsofpraisewouldburstforthduringthesermon.Ahymnusuallyfollowedthesermon,thenallretired.Theirfacesseemedtoshinewithahappylight--theirverycountenanceshowedthattheirsoulshadbeenrefreshedandthatithad

been"goodforthemtobethere."Thesemeetingswerethejoyandcomfortoftheslaves,andeventhosewhodidnotprofessChristianitywerecalmandthoughtfulwhileinattendance.

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ANEIGHBORHOODQUARREL

OppositeourfarmwasoneownedbyaMr.Juval,andadjoiningthatwasanotherbelongingtooneWhite.TheMcGeesandtheWhiteswereveryfastfriends,visitingeachotherregularly--indeedtheyhadgrownuptogether,andMr.Whiteatonetimewastheloverofthemadam,andengagedtobemarriedtoher.Thisfriendshiphadexistedforyears,

whenMcGeeboughttheJuvalfarm,forwhichWhitehadalsobeennegotiating,butwhichhefailedtogetonaccountofMcGeehavingout-bidhim.Fromthiscircumstanceillfeelingwasengenderedbetweenthetwomen,andtheysoonbecamebitterenemies.McGeehaddecidedtobuildafencebetweenthefarmhehadpurchasedandthatofWhite,and,duringthewinter,histeamstersweresettohaulingtherails;and,inunloadingthem,theyaccidentallythrewsomeofthemoverthelineontoWhite'sland.Thelattersaidnothingaboutthematteruntilspring,whenhewroteMcGeealetter,askinghimtoremovetherailsfromhisland.McGeepaidnoattentiontotherequest,andhesoonreceivedasecondnote,whenhesaidtohiswife:"Thatfellowisabouttoturnhimselfafool--I'llgivehimacow-hiding."Athirdandmoreemphaticnotefollowed,inwhichWhitetoldtheBossthattherailsmustbe

removedwithintwenty-fourhours.Hegrewindignant,and,intrueSouthernstyle,hewentimmediatelytotownandboughtarms,andpreparedhimselfforthefray.Whenhereturnedhehadeveryhandontheplantationstopregularwork,andputthemalltobuildingthefence.Iwasofthenumber.Bossandtheoverseercameouttooverlooktheworkandhurryiton.Aboutfouro'clockintheafternoonWhiteputinanappearance,andcamefacetofacewithMcGee,sittingonhishorseandhavingadoublebarreledshotgunlyingacrossthepummelofhissaddle.Whitepassedonwithoutsayingaword,butBossyelledathim;"Hello!Iseeyouareabouttoturnyourselfad--dfool."Whitecheckedupand


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begantoswear,saying:"Youareacowardtoattackanunarmedman."Hegrewfurious,tookoffhishat,ranhisfingersthroughhishair,saying:"HereIam,blowmetoh--l,andI'llhavesomeoneblowyoutherebeforenight."DuringWhite'sragehesaid:"I'llfightyouanywhere--bowie-knifefight,shotgunfightoranyother."Hecalled,inhisexcitement,forhisnephew,whowasworkingonhisfarm,tocome,andimmediatelysenthimtoBillyDuncan'stogethimadoublebarreledshotgun.Meantime,Mrs.McGeeappearedonthescene,andbegantocry,beggingWhitetostopandallowhertospeaktohim.Buthereplied:"Gooff,gooff,Idon'twanttospeaktoyou."Bossgrewweakandsick,andthroughhisexcitement,wastakenviolentlyill,vomitingasifhehadtakenanemetic.HesaidtoWhite;"I'llreturnassoonasItakemywifehome,"buthenevercameback.AsBossandthemadamrodeoff,Whitecamegallopingback,andsaidtoBrooks,ouroverseer:"IfIamshotdownonfoulplaywouldyouspeakofit?"Brooksreplied:"No,Idon'tcaretointerfere--Idon'twishtohaveanythingtodowithit."Whitewasbloodthirsty,andcamebackatintervalsduringtheentirenight,wherewewereworking,toseeifhecouldfindBoss.ItisquiteprobablethatWhitemayhavelongcherishedasecretgrudgeagainstBoss,becausehehadrobbedhimofhisfirstlove;and,broodingovertheseoffenses,hebecamesoexcitedastobealmostinsane.HadMcGeereturnedthatnight,Whitewouldcertainlyhaveshothim.Bossbecamesouneasyoverthesituationthathesentoneofhisslaves,aforeman,toPanolacounty,someseventy-fivemilesdistant,toMrs.McGee'sfather,

togetherbrother,alawyer,tocomeandendeavortoeffectasettlement.Hecame,butallhiseffortswereunavailing.Themenmetatamagistrate'soffice,buttheycametonounderstanding.Ourfolksbecamedissatisfied,anddidnotcaretoremainlongerintheplace,sotheybegantolookoutforotherquarters.BossfinallydecidedtobuyafarminBolivar,Miss.,andtoremovehisfamilytoMemphis,wherehesecuredafineplace,justoutsideofthecity.

[Illustration:Farmer'sMerchantsBank--ThreeDollarBanknote]

CHAPTERII.

SOCIALANDOTHERASPECTSOFSLAVERY.

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REMOVALTOMEMPHIS,TENNESSEE.

McGeehaddecidedtobuildanewhouseuponthepropertywhichhehadpurchasedatMemphis;and,inAugust1850,hesenttwenty-fiveofhisslavestothecity,tomakebrickforthestructure,andIwentalongascook.Afterthebrickswereburned,theworkofclearingthegroundfor

thebuildingswascommenced.Thereweremanylargeandbeautifultreesthathadtobetakenupandremoved;and,whenthisworkwascompleted,theexcavationsforthefoundationsandthecellarwereundertaken.Allofthisworkwasdonebytheslaves.Thesitewasabeautifulone,embracingfourteenacres,situatedtwomilessoutheastfromthecity,ontheMemphisandCharlestonrailroad.TheroadraninfrontoftheplaceandtheBossbuiltaflag-stationthere,fortheaccommodationofhimselfandhisneighbors,whichwasnamedMcGeeStation.

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ANEWANDSPLENDIDHOUSE.

Thehousewasoneofthemostpretentiousinthatregion,andwasayearandahalfinbuilding.Itwastwostoriesinheight,andbuiltofbrick,theexteriorsurfacebeingcoatedwithcementandmarkedoffinblocks,abouttwofeetsquare,torepresentstone.Itwasthenwhitewashed.Therewasaverandainfrontwithsixlargecolumns,and,above,abalcony.Onthebacktherewerealsoaverandaandabalcony,extendingacrossthatendtotheservants'wing.Alargehallledfromfronttorear,ononesideofwhichweredoubleparlors,andontheotherasittingroom,abedroomandadiningroom.Inthesecondstorywereahallandfourrooms,similarinallrespectstothosebelow,andabovethesewasalargeattic.Theinteriorwoodworkwasofblackwalnut.Thewallswerewhite,andthecenterpiecesintheceilingsofalltheroomswereveryfine,beingtheworkofanEnglishartisan,whohadbeenonlyashorttimeinthiscountry.Thisworkwassosuperior,indesignandfinish,toanythingbeforeseeninthatregionthatlocalartisansweremuchexcitedoverit;andsomeofferedtopurchasetherighttoreproduceit,butBossrefusedtheoffer.However,someone,whilethehousewasfinishing,helpedhimselftothedesign,anditwasreproduced,inwholeorinpart,inotherbuildingsinthecity.Thisemploymentofaforeignartistwasunusualthereandcausedmuchcomment.Theparlorswerefurnishedwithmahoganysets,theupholstering

beinginredbrocadesatin.Thediningroomwasalsofurnishedinmahogany.Thebedroomshadmahoganybedsteadsoftheold-fashionedpatternwithcanopies.Costlybric-a-brac,whichBossandthemadamhadpurchasedwhiletravelinginforeigncountries,wasingreatprofusion.MoneywasnoobjecttoEdmundMcGee,andheaddedeverymodernimprovementandluxurytohishome;thedecorationsandfurnishingswerethroughoutofthemostcostlyandelegant;andinthewholeofTennesseetherewasnotamansionmoresumptuouslycompleteinallitsappointments,ormorepalatialinitsgeneralappearance.Whenallwasfinished--pictures,bric-a-brac,statuaryandflowersallintheirplaces,Mrs.McGeewasbroughthome.

InthisnewhouseBossopenedupingrandstyle;everythingwaschanged,

andthefamilyentereduponanew,moreformalandmorepretentiousmannerofliving.Iwasknownnolongeraserrandboy,butinstalledasbutlerandbody-servanttomymaster.Ihadthesameroutineofmorningwork,onlyitwasmoreextensive.Therewasagreatdealtobedoneinsospaciousamansion.Lookingaftertheparlors,hallsanddiningrooms,arrangingflowersintherooms,waitingonthetable,andgoingafterthemailwasmyregularmorningwork,theyearround.Thenthereweremydutiestoperform,nightandmorning,formymaster;theseweretobrushhisclothes,blackhisshoes,assisthimtoarrangehistoilet,anddoanylittlethingthathewantedmeto.Asidefromtheseregularduties,therewerewindowstowash,silvertopolishandstepstostoneoncertaindaysintheweek.Iwascalledtodoanyerrandnecessary,andsometimestoassistinthegarden.Anewstaffofhouseservantswas

installed,asfollows:AuntDelia,cook;Louisa,chambermaid;Puss,lady'smaidtowaitonthemadam;Celia,nurse;Lethia,wetnurse;Sarah,dairymaid;Julia,laundress;UncleGooden,gardener;Thomas,coachman.

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THENEWSTYLEOFLIVING.

Theservants,atfirst,weredazedwiththesplendorofthenewhouse,


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andlaughedandchuckledtothemselvesagooddealaboutmars'finehouse,andreallyseemedpleased;for,strangetosay,theslavesofrichpeoplealwaysrejoicedinthatfact.Aservantownedbyamaninmoderatecircumstanceswashootedatbyrichmen'sslaves.Itwascommonforthemtosay:"Oh!don'tmindthatdarkey,hebelongstopo'rwhitetrash."So,asIsaid,ourslavesrejoicedinmaster'sgoodluck.Eachofthewomenservantsworeanew,gaycoloredturban,whichwastieddifferentlyfromthatoftheordinaryservant,insomefancyknot.Theirfrocksandapronswerenew,andreallytheservantsthemselveslookednew.Myoutfitwasanewclothsuit,andmyapronsforwearingwhenwaitingonthetablewereofsnowywhitelinen,thestylebeingcopiedfromthatoftheNewYorkwaiters.Ifeltbig,forIneverknewwhatawhitebosomshirtwasbefore;andeventhoughthegriefattheseparationfrommydearmotherwasalmostunbearableattimes,andmysenseoflonelinessinhavingnorelativenearmeoftenmademesad,therewasconsolation,ifnotcompensation,inthislittlechange.Ihadknownnocomforts,andhadbeensocowedandbrokeninspirits,bycruellashings,thatIreallyfeltlight-heartedatthisimprovementinmypersonalappearance,althoughitwasmerelyforthegratificationofmymaster'spride;andIthoughtIwoulddoallIcouldtopleaseBoss.

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THEADORNMENTOFTHEGROUNDS.

Forsometimebeforealltheappointmentsofthenewhomewerecompleted,agreatnumberofmechanicsandworkmen,besidesourownservants,wereemployed;andtherewasmuchbustleandstiraboutthepremises.Considerableout-doorworkwasyettobedone--fencestobemade,gardensandorchardstobearrangedandplanted,andthegroundsaboutthehousetobelaidoutandadornedwithshrubberyandflowerbeds.Whenthisworkwasfinallyaccomplished,thegroundswereindeedbeautiful.Thewalksweregraveled,andledthroughaprofusionofshrubberyandflowerbeds.Therewasalmosteveryvarietyofroses;while,scatteredoverthegrounds,therewerespruce,pineandjunipertrees,andsomerarevarieties,seldomseeninthisnorthernclimate.Aroundthegroundswassetacedarhedge,and,intime,theplacebecame

notedforthebeautyofitsshrubbery;therosesespeciallyweremarvelousintherichnessandvarietyoftheircolors,theirfragranceandtheluxuriousnessoftheirgrowth.PeoplewhohavenevertraveledintheSouthhavelittleideaoftherichnessandprofusionofitsflowers,especiallyofitsroses.Amongtheclimbingplants,whichadornedthehouse,themostbeautifulandfragrantwastheAfricanhoneysuckle--itsodorwasindeeddelightful.

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THEGARDEN.

Oneoftheinstitutionsoftheplacewasthevegetablegarden.Thiswas

establishednotonlyfortheconvenienceandcomfortofthefamily,buttofurnishemploymentfortheslaves.UnderthecareofUncleGooden,thegardener,itflourishedgreatly;andtherewassomuchmoreproducedthanthefamilycoulduse,Bossconcludedtosellthesurplus.Thegardener,therefore,wenttothecity,everymorning,withaloadofvegetables,whichbroughtfromeighttotendollarsdaily,andthisthemadamtookfor"pinmoney."InthespringIhadalwaystohelpthegardenerinsettingoutplantsandpreparingbeds;and,asthiswasinconnectionwithmyotherwork,IbecamesotiredsometimesthatIcouldhardlystand.Allthevegetablesraisedwerefine,andatthattime


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broughtagoodprice.Thefirstcabbagethatwesoldinthemarketsbroughttwenty-fivecentsahead.Thefirstsweetpotatoesmarketedalwaysbroughtadollarapeck,orfourdollarsabushel.TheMemphismarketregulationsrequiredthatallvegetablesbewashedbeforebeingexposedforsale.Cornwashusked,andeverythingwascleanandinviting.Anyonefoundguiltyofselling,orexhibitingforsale,vegetablesofapreviousdaywasfined,atonce,bythemarketmaster.Thisrulewascarriedouttotheletter.Nothingstalecouldbesold,orevencomeintomarket.Therulesrequiredthatallpoultrybedressedbeforebeingbroughttomarket.Theentrailswerecleanedandstrungandsoldseparately--usuallyforabouttencentsastring.

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PROFUSIONOFFLOWERS.

Flowersgrewinprofusioneverywherethroughthesouth,andithas,properly,beencalledthelandofflowers.Butflowershadnosuchsalethereashaveourflowershereinthenorth.Thepansyandmanyofourhighlyprizedplantsandflowersgrewwildinthesouth.Thepeopletheredidnotseemtocareforflowersaswedo.Ihavesoldmanybouquetsforadime,andverybeautifulonesforfifteenandtwentycents,thatwouldsellinthenorthforfiftytoseventy-fivecents.

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THEFRUITORCHARD.

Thenewplacehadanorchardofaboutfouracres,consistingofavarietyofapple,peach,pearandplumtrees.Bosshiredanexpertgardenertoteachmetheartofgrafting,and,aftersomepractice,Ibecamequiteskilledinthiswork.Someofthepeartreesthathadbeengraftedhadthreedifferentkindsoffruitonthem,andothershadthreekindsofapplesonthembesidesthepears.ThisgraftingIdidmyself,andthetreeswereconsideredveryfinebyBoss.Anotherpartofmyworkwasthetrimmingofthehedgeandthecareofalltheshrubbery.

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IPRACTICEMEDICINEAMONGTHESLAVES.

McGeehadamedicinechestbuiltintothewallofthenewhouse.Theshelvesformedicinewereofwood,andthearrangementwasveryconvenient.Itwasreallyasmalldrugstore.Itcontainedeverythinginthewayofdrugsthatwasnecessarytouseindoctoringtheslaves.Wehadquinine,castor-oil,alcoholandipecacingreatquantities,astheseweretheprincipaldrugsusedinthelimitedpracticeinthehomeestablishment.Ifaservantcamefromthefieldtothehousewithachill,whichwasfrequent,thefirstthingwedidwastogivehimadoseofipecactovomithim.Ontheeveningafter,wewouldgivehimtwoor

threeofCook'spills.Thesepillswemadeathome,Ialwayshadtopreparethemedicines,andgivethedose,theBossstandingbydictating.Workingwithmedicine,givingitandcaringforthesickwerethepartsofmyworkthatIlikedbest.BossusedDr.Gunn'sbookaltogetherforrecipesinputtingupmedicines.Hereadmetherecipe,whileIcompoundedit.

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ASWELLRECEPTION.


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Incelebrationoftheopeningofthenewhouse,McGeegaveanelaboratereceptionanddinner.Themenuembracednearlyeverythingthatonecouldthinkofordesire,andallinthegreatestprofusion.Itwasacustom,notonlywiththeMcGeesbutamongthesouthernpeoplegenerally,tomakemuchofeating--itwasoneoftheirhobbies.Everythingwascookedwell,andhighlyseasoned.Scarcitywasforeigntothehomesofthewealthysoutherners.

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RELATIVESVISITATTHEMANSION.

Afterthefamilyhadbeensettledaboutamonthinthenewhome,theirrelativesinPanolaCo.,Miss.,Mr.JackMcGee,knownamongtheservantsas"OldJack,"Mrs.MelindaMcGee,hiswife,Mrs.Farrington,theirdaughterwhowasawidow,andtheirotherchildrenLouisa,EllaandWilliam,allcameupforavisit,andtoseethewonderfulhouse.Mr.JackMcGeewasthefatherofmadamandtheuncleofBoss.Mymasterandmistresswerethereforefirstcousins,andBosssometimescalledtheoldmanfatherandatothertimes,uncle.OldMasterJack,ashealighted,saidtothosebehindhim:"Nowbecareful,steplightly,Louisa,thisisthefinesthouseyoueversetfootin."Whenallhadcomeintothehouse,andtheoldmanhadbeguntolookaround,hesaid:"Idon'tknow

whatEdmundisthinkingabout-outtobuildsuchahouse-house."Hewasveryold,andhadneverlostallofhisScotchdialect,andhehadahabitofrepeatingapartorallofsomewords,asintheforegoingquotation.Theothermembersofthevisitingfamilywerewellpleasedwiththehouse,andsaiditwasgrand.Theylaughedandtalkedmerrilyoverthemanynovelthingswhichtheysaw.Mrs.Farrington,whowasagaywidow,wasnaturallyinterestedineverything.Ibusiedmyselfwaitinguponthem,anditwaslatethatnightbeforeIwasthrough.Somanymadeextraworkforme.

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ONEOFTHEVISITORSDISTRUSTSME.

Thenextmorning,afterbreakfast,BossandoldMasterJackwentouttoviewthegrounds.TheytookmealongsothatifanythingwaswantedIcoulddoit.Bosswouldhavemedriveastakeinsomeplacetomarkwherehedesiredtoputsomething,perhapssomeflowers,oratree.Hewentonthroughthegrounds,showinghisfatherhoweverythingwastobearranged.Theoldmanshookhishead,andsaid:"Well,it'sgood,butIamafraidyou'llspoiltheseniggers-niggers.KeepyoueyeonthatboyLou,(meaningme)heisslippery-slippery,toosmart-art.""Oh!I'llmanagethat,Father,"saidBoss."Well,seethatyoudo-oo,forIseerunningawayinhiseyes."OneofthethingsthatinterestedoldMasterJackwastheringingofthedinnerbell."Well,Idothink,"saidtheoldman,"thatboycanringabellbetterthananybodyIeverheard.Why,

itsgotaregulartune."IusedtotrytoseehownearIcouldcometomakingitsay,cometodinner.

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THEMADAMINARAGE.

Thefourdayssoonpassed,andallthecompanygone,wewereoncemoreatourregularwork.Delia,thecook,seeminglyhadnotpleasedthemadaminhercookingwhilethecompanywerethere;so,themorning


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aftertheyleft,shewenttowardthekitchen,calling:"Delia,Delia."Deliasaid:"Dah!Iwonderwhatshewantsnow."Bythistimeshewasinthekitchen,confrontingDelia.Herfacewasflushedasshescreamedout:"Whatkindofbiscuitswerethoseyoubakedthisweek?""Ithinktheywereallright,MisSarh.""Hush!"screamedoutthemadam,stampingherfoottomakeitmoreemphatic."Youdidnothalfcookthem,"saidshe;"theywerenotbeatenough.Thosewaffleswereridiculous,"saidthemadam."Well,MisSarh,Itried.""Stop!"criedMadaminarage,"I'llgiveyouthunderifyoudictatetome."Notaveryelegantdisplayinlanguageormannerforagreatlady!OldAuntDelia,whowasusedtotheseoccurrences,said:"MyLord!datwomandunnowhatshewants.Ah!Lou,thereisnothingbutthedeviluphere,(meaningthenewhome);can'tdonothintopleaseheruphereindisfinehouse.ItellyouSatannebergithisowntilhegither."Theydidnotusebakingpowder,aswedonow,butthebiscuitswerebeatenuntillightenough.Twentyminuteswasthetimeallottedforthiswork;butwhencompanycametherewassomuchtobedone--somanymoredishestoprepare,thatDeliawould,perhaps,nothavesomuchtimeforeachmeal.Buttherewasnoallowancemade.Itwasneverthoughtreasonablethataservantshouldmakeamistake--thingsmustalwaysbethesame.IwaslisteningtothisquarrelbetweenmadamandDelia,supposingmytimewouldcomenext;butforthatonceshesaidnothingtome.

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THEMADAM'SSEVERITY.

Mrs.McGeewasnaturallyirritable.Servantsalwaysgotanextrawhippingwhenshehadanypersonaltrouble,asthoughtheycouldhelpit.EverymorninglittleKate,AuntDelia'slittlegirl,wouldhavetogowiththemadamonherroundstothedifferentbuildingsoftheestablishment,tocarrythekeybasket.Somanywerethekeysthattheywerekeptinabasketespeciallyprovidedforthem,andthechildwasitsregularbearer.Themadam,withthislittleattendant,waseverywhere--inthebarn,inthehennery,inthesmokehouse--andshealwaysmadetroublewiththeservantswherevershewent.Indeed,sherarelyreturnedtothehousefromtheseroundswithouthavingwhipped

twoorthreeservants,whethertherewasreallyanycauseforthepunishmentornot.Sheseldomletadaypasswithoutbeatingsomepoorwomanunmercifully.Thenumberandseverityofthesewhippingsdependedmoreuponthehumorofthemadamthanupontheconductoftheslaves.Ofcourse,Ialwayscameinforashareinthisbrutaltreatment.Shecontinuedheroldhabitofboxingmyjaws,pinchingmyears:nodayeverpassingwithoutherindulginginthisexerciseofherphysicalpowers.SolonghadIenduredthis,Icametoexpectit,nomatterhowwellIdidmyduties;andithaditsnaturaleffectuponme,makingmeacoward,eventhoughIwasnowgrowingintomanhood.Irememberonce,inparticular,whenIhadtriedtopleaseherbyarrangingtheparlor,Ioverheardhersay:"Theysoongetspirit--itdon'tdotopraiseservants."Myheartsankwithinme.Whatgoodwasitformetotryto

please?Shewouldfindfaultanyway.Herusualmorninggreetingwas:"Well,Lou,haveyoudustedtheparlors?""Oh,yes,"Iwouldanswer."Havetheflowersbeenarranged?""Yes,allisinreadiness,"Iwouldsay.OnceIhadstonedthestepsasusual,butthemadamgrewangryassoonasshesawthem.Ihadlaboredhard,andthoughtshewouldbepleased.Theresult,however,wasveryfarfromthat.Shetookmeout,strippedmeofmyshirtandbeganthrashingme,sayingIwasspoiled.Iwasnolongerachild,butoldenoughtobetreateddifferently.Ibegantocry,foritseemedtomemyheartwouldbreak.But,afterthefirstburstoftears,thefeelingcameovermethatIwasaman,anditwasan


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outragetotreatmeso--tokeepmeunderthelashdayafterday.

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ASHOCKINGACCIDENT.

NotlongafterMrs.Farringtonhadmadeherfirstvisittoourhouse,shecametheretolive.Celiahadbeenactingashermaid.WhenMrs.Farringtonhadbeenupsomemonths,itwasdecidedthatallthefamilyshouldgodowntooldMasterJack'sforavisit.Celia,themaid,hadbeensohurriedinthepreparationsforthisvisitthatshehaddonenothingforherself.Thenightbeforethefamilywastoleave,therefore,shewasgettingreadyagarmentforherselftowearonthetrip;anditwassupposedthatsheseweduntilmidnight,orafter,whenshefellasleep,lettingthegoodsfallintothecandle.Allatonce,alittleaftertwelveo'clock,Iheardascream,thenacryof"fire!fire!"andBossyelling:"Louis!Louis!"Ijumpedup,throwinganoldcoatoverme,andranupstairs,inthedirectionofMrs.Farrington'sroom,IencounteredBossinthehall;and,asitwasdarkandthesmokestifling,Icouldhardlymakeanyheadway.AtthismomentMrs.Farringtonthrewherdooropen,andscreamedfor"CousinEddie,"meaningMcGee.Hehurriedlycalledtometogetapitcherofwaterquick.Igraspedthepitcherfromthestand,andheattemptedtothrowthewateronCelia,whowasallinablaze,runningaroundlikeamadwoman;but

thepitcherslippedfromhishandandbroke,verylittleofthewaterreachingher.Shewasatlastwrappedinanoldblanket,toextinguishtheflames;butshewasburnedtoobadlytorecover.Boss,beingaphysician,saidatonce:"Poorgirl,poorgirl!sheisburnedtodeath."Hedidallhecouldforher,wrappedherinlinensheets,andendeavoredtorelievehersufferings,butallwasofnoavail--shehadinhaledtheflame,injuringherinternally,andlivedonlyafewdays.

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MASTER'SNEWCOTTONPLANTATION.

ShortlyafterBossboughthishomeinMemphis,heboughtalargefarmin

Bolivar,Miss.Itwasaregularcottonfarm,ontheMississippiriver,embracing200acres.Thehousesbuiltfortheslaveswereframe,eighteeninnumber,eachtocontainthreeorfourfamilies,andarrangedoneachsideofastreetthatranthroughthefarm.Thisstreetwasallgrassedover,buttherewerenosidewalks.Allthebuildings--thebarn,gin-house,slaves'quartersandoverseers'house--werewhitewashed,andonthisgrass-grownstreettheymadeaneatandprettyappearance.ThehousewheretheBossandthemadamstaid,whentheywentdowntothefarm,wasabouttwohundredyardsfromtheslaves'quarters.Itwasarrangedintwoapartments,onefortheoverseerandwife,andtheotherforthemasterandmistressupontheoccasionoftheirvisits.Thisbuildingwasseparatedfromtheotherbuildingsbyafence.Therewaswhatwascalledthecookhouse,wherewascookedallthefoodforthe

hands.AuntMatildawascookincharge.Besidesthebuildingsalreadynamed,therewerestables,ablacksmithshopandsawmill;andthegeneralorderofarrangementwascarriedoutwithrespecttoall--theappearancewasthatofavillage.Everythingwasraisedinabundance,tolastfromonecroptothenext.Vegetablesandmeatwereprovidedfromthefarm,andadairyoffiftycowsfurnishedallthemilkandbutterneeded.

Thecanebrakesweresoheavythatitwascommonforbearstohidethere,and,atnight,comeoutandcarryoffhogs.Wolveswereplentyin


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thewoodsbehindthefarm,andcouldbeheardatanytime.Thecanewassothickthatwhentheywereclearingupnewground,itwouldhavetobesetonfire,andthecrackingthatwouldensuewaslikethecontinuousexplosionofsmallfirecrackers.

Aboutonehundredandsixtyslaves,besideschildren,allownedbyMcGee,wereworkedonthefarm.Insteadofginningtwoorthreebalesofcottonaday,asatPontotoc,theyginnedsixtosevenbaleshere.

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INCIDENTS.

IrememberwellthetimewhenthegreatSwedishsinger,JennyLind,cametoMemphis.ItwasduringherfamoustourthroughAmerica,in1851.Ourfolkswereallenthusedoverher.Bosswentinandsecuredticketstoherconcert,andIwassummonedtodrivethemtothehall.Itwasagreatevent.Peopleswarmedthestreetslikebees.Thecarriagesandhackswerestackedbackfromthehallasfarastheeyecouldreach.

Onanotheroccasion,whenthegreatprodigy,BlindTom,cametoMemphis,therewasasimilarstiramongthepeople.Tomwasveryyoungthen,andhewascalledtheBlindBoy.Peoplecamefromfarandneartohearhim.Thosecomingfromthevillagesandsmalltowns,whocouldnot

getpassageontheregulartrains,cameinfreightoronflatbottomcars.Theticketswere$5.00each,asIremember,Bosssaiditwasexpensive,butallmusthearthisboypianist.Manywerethecommentsonthisboyofsuchwonderfultalents.AsIdroveourpeoplehometheyseemedtotalkofnothingelse.Theydeclaredthathewasindeedawonder.

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LONGINGFORFREEDOM.

Sometimeswhenthefarmhandswereatwork,peddlerswouldcomealong;and,astheyweretreatedbadlybytherichplanters,theyhatedthem,

andtalkedtotheslavesinawaytoexcitethemandsetthemthinkingoffreedom.Theywouldsayencouraginglytothem:"Ah!Youwillbefreesomeday."Butthedown-troddenslaves,someofwhomwerebowedwithage,withfrostedhairandfurrowedcheek,wouldanswer,lookingupfromtheirwork:"Wedon'tblievedat;mygrandfathersaidwewastobefree,butweaintfreeyet."Ithadbeentalkedof(thisfreedom)fromgenerationtogeneration.Perhapstheywouldnothavethoughtoffreedom,iftheirownershadnotbeensocruel.Hadmymistressbeenmorekindtome,Ishouldhavethoughtlessofliberty.IknowthecrueltreatmentwhichIreceivedwasthemainthingthatmademewishtobefree.Besidesthis,itwasinhumantoseparatefamiliesastheydid.Thinkofamotherbeingsoldfromallherchildren--separatedforlife!Thisseparationwascommon,andmanydiedheart-broken,byreasonofit.

Ah!Icannotforgetthecruelseparationfrommymother.Iknownotwhatbecameofher,butIhavealwaysbelievedherdeadmanyyearsago.Hundredswereseparated,asmymotherandIwere,andnevermetagain.Thoughfreedomwasyearnedforbysomebecausethetreatmentwassobad,others,whowerebrightandhadlookedintothematter,knewitwasacursetobeheldaslave--theylongedtostandoutintruemanhood--allowedtoexpresstheiropinionsaswerewhitemen.Othersstilldesiredfreedom,thinkingtheycouldthenreclaimawife,orhusband,orchildren.Themotherwouldagainseeherchild.Allthesepromptingsoftheheartmadethemyearnforfreedom.NewYear'swas


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alwaysaheart-rendingtime,foritwasthentheslaveswereboughtandsold;andtheystoodinconstantfearoflosingsomeonedeartothem--achild,ahusband,orwife.

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MYFIRSTBREAKFORFREEDOM.

Inthenewhomemydutieswereharderthanever.TheMcGeesheldmewithtightergrip,anditwasnothingbutcruelabuse,frommorningtillnight.SoImadeupmymindtotryandrunawaytoafreecountry.IusedtohearBossreadsometimes,inthepapers,aboutrunawayslaveswhohadgonetoCanada,anditalwaysmademelongtogo;yetIneverappearedasifIpaidtheslightestattentiontowhatthefamilyreadorsaidonsuchmatters;butIfeltthatIcouldbelikeothers,andtryatleasttogetaway.Onemorning,whenBosshadgonetotown,Madamhadthreatenedtowhipme,andtoldmetocometothehouse.WhenshecalledmeIdidnotgo,butwentoffdownthroughthegardenandthroughthewoods,andmademywayforthecity.WhenIgotintoMemphis,IfoundatthelandingaboatcalledtheStatesman,andIsneakedaboard.Itwasnotexpectedthattheboatwouldstaymorethanafewhours,but,forsomereason,itstayedallnight.Theboatwasloadedwithsugar,andIhidmyselfbehindfourhogsheads.Icouldseebothengineers,oneeachsideofme.Whennightcameon,Icreptoutfrommyhidingplace,and

wentforwardtosearchforfoodandwater,forIwasthirstyandveryhungry.Ifoundthetablewherethedeckhandshadbeeneating,andmanagedtogetalittlefood,leftfromtheirmeal,andsomewater.Thiswasbynomeansenough,butIhadtobecontent,andwentbacktomyplaceofconcealment.Ihadbeenonboardtheboatthreedays;and,onthethirdnight,whenIcameouttohuntfood,thesecondmatesawme.Inaminuteheeyedmeoverandsaid:"Why,Ihavearewardforyou."Inasecondhehadmegoupstairstothecaptain.Thisraisedagreatexcitementamongthepassengers;and,inaminute,Iwasbesiegedwithnumerousquestions.Somespokeasiftheyweresorryforme,andsaidiftheyhadknownIwasapoorrunawayslavetheywouldhaveslippedmeashore.Thewholeboatwasinalarm.Itseemedtometheywereconsultingslipsofpaper.Onesaid:"Yes,heisthesame.Listenhow

thisreads:"

"RanawayfromEdmundMcGee,mymulattoboyLouis,5feet6inchesinheight,blackhair,isverybrightandintelligent.Willgive$500forhimalive,andhalfofthisamountforknowledgethathehasbeenkilled."

MyheartsprangintomythroatwhenIheardtwomenreadthisadvertisement.Iknew,atonce,whatitallmeant,rememberinghowoftenIhadheardBossreadsucharticlesfromthepapersandfromthehandbillsthatweredistributedthroughthecity.ThecaptainaskedmeifIcoulddance.Itseemedhefeltsorryforme,forhesaid:"That'sabrightboytobeaslave."Thenturningtomehesaid:"Come,giveusa

dance."Iwasyoungandnimble,soIdancedafewoftheoldsouthernclogdances,andsangoneortwosongs,likethis:

"Comealong,Sam,thefifer'sson,Aintyoumightygladyourday'swork'sdone?"

AfterIfinishedsinginganddancing,thecaptaintookupacollectionformeandgotabouttwodollars.Thischeeredmeagooddeal.IknewthatIwouldneedmoneyifIshouldeversucceedingettingon.


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Onthefollowingevening,whenwereachedWestFranklin,Indiana,whilethepassengerswereattea,anotherboatpushedintoportrightafterours.Immediatelyagentlemanpassengercametomehurriedly,andwhisperedtometogodownstairs,jumpoutonthebowoftheotherboat,andgoashore.Iwasalarmed,butobeyed,forIfeltthathewasafriendtoslaves.IwentoutasquietlyasIcould,andwasnotmisseduntilIhadgottenonshore.ThenIheardthealarmgiventhattheboywasgone--thattherunawaywasgone.ButIspedon,anddidnotstopuntilIhadrunthroughthevillage,andhadcometoaroadthatledrightintothecountry.ItookthisroadandwentonuntilIhadgonefourorfivemiles,whenIcametoafarmhouse.Beforereachingit,however,Imettwomenonhorseback,ontheirwaytothevillage.Theypassedonwithoutspeciallynoticingme,andIkeptonmywayuntilreachingthefarmhouse.Iwassohungry,Iwentinandaskedforfood.WhileIwaseating,themenwhomIhadmetrodeup.Theyhadbeentothevillage,and,learningthatarunawayslavewaswanted,andrememberingmeetingme,theyreturnedinhothaste,inhopeoffindingmeandsecuringthereward.Theyhallooedtothepeopleinthehouse,anoldwomanandherdaughter,whomtheyseemedtoknow,saying:"Thereisarunawayniggerout,whostoleoffaboatthisevening."Theoldladysaid,"Come,"becomingfrightenedatonce.Whentheycameintheybegantoquestionme.Itrembledalloverbutansweredthem.Theysaid:"Youarethefellowwewant,whoranofftheboat."Iwastooscaredtodenyit;soIownedIwasontheboat,andstoleoff.Theydidnottarry

long,but,takingmewiththem,theywent,aboutamileandahalf,totheirhouse.Theyplannedandtalkedalltheway,andonesaid:"Wearegoodfor$75.00forhimanyway."Thenextmorningtheytookmeintothevillage.Theysoonfoundoutthattheengineer,byorderofthecaptain,hadstayedovertosearchforme.Alawsuitfollowed,andIwastakenbeforethemagistratebeforetheengineercouldgetpossessionofme.Therewasalegalcoursethathadtobegonethroughwith.Alawyer,Foxbyname,furnishedthe$75.00forthemenwhohadcaughtme.Thatpartofthecasebeingsettled,FoxandtheengineerstartedforEvansville,Ind.,thatsamenight.Uponarrivingthere,Foxreceivedfromthecaptainoftheboatthemoneyhehadadvancedtothemenwhocaughtme;andwewenton,arrivingatLouisville,Ky.,thenextday.Iwasthentakenagainbeforeamagistrate,bythecaptain,whenthefollowing

statementwasreadbythatofficial:

"CaptainMontgomerybroughtforthaboy,andsaidheisthepropertyofEdmundMcGee,ofMemphis,Tenn.Comeforthowner,andproveproperty,foraftertheboyshallremaininjailsixmonthsheshallbesoldtopayjailfeed."

Mr.McGeewasinformedofmywhereabouts,anditwasnotlongbeforeheandhiscousincametogetme.Whentheycame,Iwascalledupbythenicknametheyhadgivenme,"Memphis.""Comeouthere,'Memphis,'"saidtheturnkey,"yourmasterhascomeforyou."Iwentdownstairstotheoffice,andfoundBosswaitingforme."Hello,Lou!"saidhe,"whatareyoudoinghere,youdog?"IwassofrightenedIsaidnothing.Ofcourse,

somefewwordswerepassedbetweenhimandtheofficers.IheardhimsaythatIwasasmartfellow,andhecouldnottellwhyIhadrunaway;thathehadalwaystreatedmewell.Thiswastoimpresstheofficerswiththeideathathewasnotunkindtohisslaves.Theslave-holdersallhatedtobeclassedasbadtaskmasters.Yetnearlyallofthemwere.TheclothesIworewerejailproperty,andhecouldnottakemeawayinthem;sowestartedtogouptowntogetothers.Aswepassedoutthejailer,Buckhanon,said:"Ain'tyougoingtoputhand-cuffsonhim?""Oh,no!"saidBoss.AfterIwastakentothestoreandfittedwithanewsuitofclothes,hebroughtmebacktothejail,whereIwashed


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myselfandputonthenewgarments.Whenallwascomplete,andIseemedtosuitmaster'sfastidiouseye,hetookmetotheGaultHouse,wherehewasstopping.Intheeveningwestartedforhome,andreachedMemphisthefollowingday.Bossdidnotflogme,asIexpected,butsentmetomyregularroutinework.Wehadbeeninthisnewhomesoshortatimehedidnotwantittoberumoredthathewhippedhisslaves,hewassostylishandrich.Butthemadamwasfilledwithrage,althoughshedidnotsaymuch.IthinktheysawthatIwasnolongerachild--theyfearedIwouldgoagain.ButafterIhadbeenhomesomethreeorfourweeks,MadamSarahcommencedheroldtricks--attemptingtowhipme,boxmyjawsandpinchme.Ifanylittlethingwasnotpleasingtoheratmealtime,itwasaspecialdelightforhertoreachout,whenIdrewneartohertopasssomething,andgivemeablowwithherhand.Trulyitwasamonstrousdomesticinstitutionthatnotonlytolerated,butfostered,suchanexhibitionoftablemannersbyawould-befinelady--suchvulgarspiteandcruelty!

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MYSECONDRUNAWAYTRIP.

Aboutthreemonthsaftermyfirstattempttogetaway,IthoughtIwouldtryitagain.IwenttoMemphis,andsawaboatatthelanding,calledtheJohnLirozey,aCincinnatipacket.Thisboatcarriedthemail.She

hadcomeintoportinthemorning,andwasbeingunloaded.Iwentaboardintheafternoonandjumpeddownintothehull.Bosshadbeenthereintheforepartoftheafternooninquiringforme,butIdidnotknowitthen.AfterIhadbeenintheboatsometime,themencommencedloadingit.Icreptupinthecornerandhidmyself.Atfirsttwoorthreehundreddryandgreenhideswerethrownin,andthesehidme;butlaterontwoorthreetiersofcottonbaleswereputinthecenterofthehull,and,whentheboatstarted,Igotuponthetopofthese,andlaythere.Icouldhearthepeopletalkingaboveme,butitwassodarkIcouldnotseeanything--itwasdarkasadungeon.IhadlaintheretwonightsandbegantogetsoweakandfaintIcouldstanditnolonger.ForsomereasontheboatdidnotstartthedayIwentaboard,consequently,IhadnotgottenasfarfromhomeasIexpected,andmy

privationshadlargelybeeninvain.Despairingandhungry,onthethirdday,Icommencedhowlingandscreaming,hopingthatsomeonewouldhearme,andcometomyrelief,foralmostanythingelsewouldhavebeenpreferabletotheprivationandhungerfromwhichIwassuffering.ButIcouldmakenoonehear,atleastnoonepaidanyattentiontomyscreams,iftheydidhear.Intheevening,however,oneofthedeckhandscameinwithalanterntolookaroundandseeeverythingwasallright.Isawthelightandfollowedhimout,butIhadbeenoutofmyhidingonlyashorttimewhenIwasdiscoveredbyamanwhotookmeupstairstothecaptain.Itwasaneffortformetowalkupstairs,asIwasweakandfaint,havingneithereatennordrankanythingforthreedays.Thisboatwascrowdedwithpassengers,anditwassoonasceneofconfusion.Iwasplacedinthepilot'sroomfor

safety,untilwearrivedatasmalltowninKentuckycalledMonroe.IwasputoffheretobekeptuntilthepacketcamebackfromCincinnati.ThenIwascarriedbacktoMemphis,arrivingaboutoneo'clockatnight,and,forsafekeeping,wasputintowhatwascalledthecalaboose.Thiswasespeciallyforthekeepingofslaveswhohadrunawayandbeencaught.WordwassenttoBossofmycapture;andthenextmorningThomasBland,afellowservantofmine,wassenttotakemehome.IcannottellhowIfelt,fortheonlythoughtthatcametomewasthatIshouldgetkilled.Themadammetusaswedroveintotheyard."Ah!"shesaidtome,"youputupatthewronghotel,sir."Iwastakentothe


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barnwherestockshadbeenprepared,besidewhichwereacowhideandapailofsaltwater,allpreparedforme.Itwasterrible,buttherewasnoescape.Iwasfastenedinthestocks,myclothingremoved,andthewhippingbegan.Bosswhippedmeawhile,thenhesatdownandreadhispaper,afterwhichthewhippingwasresumed.Thiscontinuedfortwohours.FastenedasIwasinthestocks,Icouldonlystandandtakelashafterlash,aslongashedesired,theterriblerawhidecuttingintomyfleshateverystroke.Thenheusedpeachtreeswitches,whichcrackedthefleshsothebloodoozedout.Afterthiscamethepaddle,twoandahalffeetlongandthreeincheswide.Saltandwaterwasatonceappliedtowashthewounds,andthesmartingwasmaddening.Thistorturewascommonamongthesouthernplanters.GodonlyknowswhatIsufferedunderitall,andHealonegavemestrengthtoendureit.Icouldhardlymoveaftertheterribleordealwasfinished,andcouldscarcelybearmyclothestotouchmeatfirst,sosorewasmywholebody,anditwasweeksbeforeIwasmyselfagain.

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PREACHINGTOTHESLAVES.

Asanoffset,probably,tosuchdiabolicalcrueltiesasthosewhichwerepracticeduponmeincommonwithnearlyalltheslavesinthecottonregionofthesouth,itwasthecustominthesectionofcountrywhereI

livedtohavethewhiteministerpreachtotheservantsSundayafternoon,afterthemorningserviceforthewhites.Thewhitepeoplehiredtheministerbytheyeartopreachforthemattheirchurch.Thenhehadtopreachtoeachmaster'sslavesinturn.Thecircuitwasmadeonceamonth,buttherewasserviceofsomekindeverySunday.Theslavesonsomeplacesgatheredintheyard,atothersinthewhitefolks'schoolhouses,andtheyallseemedpleasedandeagertohearthewordofGod.Itwasastrongevidenceoftheirnativeintelligenceanddiscriminationthattheycoulddiscernthedifferencebetweenthetruthsofthe"word"andtheprofessedpracticeofthosetruthsbytheirmasters.MyBosstookprideinhavingallhisslaveslookcleanandtidyattheSabbathservice;buthowwouldhehavelikedtohavetheslaves,withbackslaceratedwiththelash,appearinthoseassemblieswith

theirwoundsuncovered?Thequestioncanneverbeanswered.Themasterandmostofhisvictimshavegonewhereprofessionsofrighteousnesswillnotavailtocoverthebarbaritiespractisedhere.

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AFAMILYOFFREEPERSONSSOLDINTOSLAVERY.

MywifeMatildawasborninFayettecounty,Kentucky,June17th,1830.ItseemsthathermotherandhersevenchildrenweretohavebeenfreeaccordingtotheoldPennsylvanialaw.Thereweretwounclesofthefamilywhowerealsotohavebeenfree,butwhohadbeenkeptovertime;sotheysuedfortheirfreedom,andgainedit.Thelawyersinthecase

wereabolitionistsandfriendstotheslaves,andsawthatthesemenhadjustice.Aftertheyhadsecuredtheirfreedom,theyenteredsuitformywife'smother,theirsister,andhersevenchildren.Butassoonasthebrothersenteredthissuit,RobertLogan,whoclaimedmywife'smotherandherchildrenashisslaves,putthemintoatrader'syardinLexington;and,whenhesawthattherewasapossibilityoftheirbeingsuccessfulinsecu

thirty years a slave by hughes, louis

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