“'Shot at! Is you gwine to put me out to be snot at? Me done thought thar war 'nuff white folks to get shotten at, widout de poor darkies like me.'
“'Yes; but you want to be free, do you not, Ham?'
“'Yeas; Massa Tom, I wants dat—I wants it bad; but how is gwine to come?'
“'Fight for it. You are no better than I am, are you? Had you not as well be shot as for me to be?'
“'Yeas, sir; dat am so. 'Specks de darkies got to fight. I'll fight, Massa Tom, if you say so. Yes, I do. I stay wid you, I will sho'.'
“Old Martha happened to hear this, and broke forth:
“'Well, well, Massa Tom, I's sorry you is gwine to de wah agin. But it all right. I tells you dat de good Laud save you up for some good. I jes' know he do it all right. I take care of Missus Mary and de little gal; don't you hab no fears 'bout dem. But you isn't gwine to hab Ham go, is you? If you doz, dat ole fool he git kill. I 'spect he got no mo' sense dan jes' git rite in whar dey is fitin?'
“'No, no, Marfa; you is wrong dar. I tell you dat you is. I stay by Massa Tom.'
“Peter and Jackson laughed, and said to the General:
“'Ham thinks you will be in a safe place during the fighting.'