“Have you heard since of her, and the children?”
“No; don’t know whar they are; may be dead.”
“Perhaps this wife and these children will be sold south.”
“I hope I may die if they be.”
“Why do you not buy your freedom?”
“Master won’t sell me. I offered him a thousand dollars, and pay him in five years, but he would not sell me. Black men can’t do anything.”
“Are you treated well?”
“Yes; but I work hard; but I would not mind that if my family were with me.”
“Where are you from?”
“Virginia; left thar many years ago.”