Out of this bushel of corn-meal, the family in the great house had a small loaf every morning; thus leaving us, in the kitchen, with not quite a half a peck per week, apiece.

This allowance was less than half the allowance of food on Lloyd's plantation.

It was not enough to subsist upon; and we were, therefore, reduced to the wretched necessity of living at the expense of our neighbors.

We were compelled either to beg, or to steal, and we did both.

I frankly confess, that while I hated everything like stealing, _as such_, I nevertheless did not hesitate to take food, when I was hungry, wherever I could find it.