But now de holy time taken up in work for we food." These words were deeply impressed upon us by the intense earnestness with which they were spoken.

They revealed "the heart's own bitterness." There was also a lighting up of joy and hope in the countenance of that child of God, as he looked forward to the time when he might become _wise to many more tings_.
[Footnote A: We would observe, that they did not refer to Mr.
Chamberlain, but to another magistrate, whose name they mentioned.] They gave a heart-sickening account of the cruelties of the treadmill.
They spoke of the apprentices having their wrists tied to the handboard, and said it was very common for them to fall and hang against the wheel.
Some who had been sent to the treadmill, had actually died from the injuries they there received.

They were often obliged to see their wives dragged off to Morant Bay, and tied to the treadmill, even when they were in a state of pregnancy.

They suffered a great deal of misery from _that; but they could not help it_.
Sometimes it was a wonder to themselves how they could endure all the provocations and sufferings of the apprenticeship; _it was only "by de mercy of God_!" They were asked why they did not complain to the special magistrates.
They replied, that it did no good, for the magistrates would not take any notice of their complaints, besides, it made the masters treat them still worse.

Said one, "We go to de magistrate to complain, and den when we come back de busha do all him can to vex us.