They advised me to act very stupid in language and thought, but in business I must be spry; and that I must persuade men to buy me, and promise them that I would be smart.
We passed through the State of Arkansas and stopped at many places, horse-racing and gambling.

My business was to drive a wagon in which they carried their gambling apparatus, clothing, &c.

I had also to black boots and attend to horses.

We stopped at Fayettville, where they almost lost me, betting on a horse race.
They went from thence to the Indian Territory, among the Cherokee Indians, to attend the great races which were to take place there.
During the races there was a very wealthy half Indian of that tribe, who became much attached to me, and had some notion of buying me, after hearing that I was for sale, being a slaveholder.

The idea struck me rather favorable, for several reasons.