“Just then Aunt Martha came into the house, and hearing the conversation, the good old woman became greatly excited. When she heard what the General said to Ham she caught hold of the former, and in her way gave expression to her feelings. She said:
“'Marsa Gen'l, I's mighty feered somethin' bad gwine to happen to us poor colored folks. Dar frien's seem de only ones what get kill, and when dey do de folks do nuffln wid de 'Sesh. Dey send dem home agin, so dat dey do jes' what dey please. You mind what Aunt Marfa say, dem 'Sesh do wid de darkies what dey wan' to in less den no time. Dey is free; I know dat; but who dey work for? Mus' dey be under de same ones what sell dem before de 'bellion? If dey is, den de 'Sesh make dem young darkies what's comin' on b'lieve anything dey wants to; and afore dey is growd up dey be helpin' de 'Sesh, and den what we do? I tells you dis bin on my min' and in Ham's head, too. We trus' in de good Laud; and you, Marsa Gen'l, you kin fix dis. I's sure you kin. De good Laud spare you for dis; I know he do. I's sure dar was six mans in dis family, all kill, my good old missus die, den my good young missus, she die; dey was all kill and die 'ceptin' you, and I knows dat you are save to take keer of us darkies, or you bin kill long afore dis!'
“'Well, aunty, I will do all I can for everybody. You and Ham shall be cared for; have no fears about that.'
“'Dat be good. I always know you look after us, Marsa Gen'l, case we sabe you life; but, den, my chillens, Laud knows whar dey is. Ham and me bin talkin' 'bout dat. We wants dem to get long, but we not know dem, nor whar dey am. Maybe we see dem some day.'
“'All right, aunty, we will talk about this hereafter.'
“Poor old darkies! They both went back to the kitchen better satisfied and much happier.”
Dr. Adams said: “Uncle Daniel, Aunt Martha did not miss it very far, did she?'
“No; the poor old woman had a presentiment that matters would not be as peaceful and well for the colored people as was anticipated.
“Just at this time old man Joseph Dent rode up to the gate. He was as glad to see the General as if he had been one of his own family. We talked over the war, and praised the old man for the part he had played in assisting us in discovering the plots of the conspirators. He returned to the farm greatly delighted that his work was appreciated.
“We all remained at home for some time trying to shake off our many sorrows. Mary Anderson and Seraine tried to make it pleasant for all. The General interested us in giving his experiences, and Henry in turn his with the conspirators. Time wore on, and finally Gen. Anderson concluded to go to Colorado for the purpose of seeing what he could do in the mines, leaving his wife and daughter still with me. Henry remained with us; he and Seraine visiting occasionally with his friends at Detroit.