He was, or professed to be, highly indignant with Huckstep; and said he would see to it that he did not lay hands on me again.

He told me he should be glad to take me with him to Virginia, but he did not know where he should find a driver who would be so kind to the hands as I was.

If I would stay ten years, he would give me a thousand dollars, and a piece of land to plant on my own account.

"But," said I, "my wife and children." "Well," said he, "I will do my best to purchase them, and send them on to you." I now saw that my destiny was fixed: and that I was to spend my days in Alabama, and I retired to my bed that evening with a heavy heart.
My master staid only three or four days on the plantation.

Before he left, he cautioned Huckstep to be careful and not strike me again, as he would on no account permit it.