He would strike the dog one blow and the slave another, in order to keep the former from tearing the delinquent slave in pieces,--such was the ferocity of his canine attendant.
It was the rule for the slaves to rise and be ready for their task by sun-rise, on the blowing of a horn or conch-shell; and woe be to the unfortunate, who was not in the field at the time appointed, which was in thirty minutes from the first sounding of the horn.

I have heard the poor creatures beg as for their lives, of the inhuman overseer, to desist from his cruel punishment.

Hence, they were usually found in the field "betimes in the morning," (to use an old Virginia phrase), where they worked until nine o'clock.

They were then allowed thirty minutes to eat their morning meal, which consisted of a little bread.

At a given signal, all hands were compelled to return to their work.