The first time he was caught without much difficulty, chained to the overseer's horse, and in that way brought back.

The poor man, to save his wife from a beating, laid all the blame upon himself; and said that his wife had no wish to escape, and tried to prevent him from attempting it.

He was severely whipped; but soon ran away again, and was again arrested.

The overseer, Ludlow, said he was determined to put a stop to the runaway, and accordingly had resort to a somewhat unusual method of punishment.
There is a great scarcity of good water in that section of Alabama; and you will generally see a large cistern attached to the corners of the houses to catch water for washing &c.

Underneath this cistern is frequently a tank from eight to ten feet deep, into which, when the former is full the water is permitted to run.