I'se gwine to stay on de ole place till Marse Robert comes back, or is brought back." "But, Uncle Daniel," said Robert, "what's the use of praying for a thing if, when it comes, you won't take it?
As much as you have been praying and talking about freedom, I thought that when the chance came you would have been one of the first to take it.

Now, do tell us why you won't go with us.

Ain't you willing ?" "Why, Robbie, my whole heart is wid you.

But when Marse Robert went to de war, he called me into his room and said to me, 'Uncle Dan'el, I'se gwine to de war, an' I want you to look arter my wife an' chillen, an' see dat eberything goes right on de place'.

An' I promised him I'd do it, an' I mus' be as good as my word.