“Nature has scattered her bounties lavishly here in the South,” he said. And because it was a happy subject William Freeland began to tell the scientist about cotton.
“The new state of Texas added thousands of acres. They’re starting to raise cotton in California, and now,” his voice showed excitement, “they find cotton can be raised in the Nebraska Territory.”
“A marvelous plant!” Dr. Ross was really interested.
A shadow crossed Freeland’s face.
“There is just one drawback. There aren’t enough slaves to raise cotton on all this land. The Yankees fear our cotton. They know that, if they let us alone, cotton will become the deciding factor throughout the country. Because they have no cotton lands, they try to throttle us. They tie our hands by trying to limit slavery. They know that cotton and slavery expand together.”
“But if slavery becomes illegal—as it did in Great Britain—in the West Indies?” The little man leaned forward. William smiled indulgently. He took a long draw on his pipe before answering.
“The United States is only a federation of states—nothing more. Where slavery was not needed it was abolished. But we need slaves here in the South, now more than ever. So”—and he waved his pipe—“we’ll keep them!”
“I’m reversing my schedule today,” Dr. Ross said as they rose from the table. “This afternoon I shall take a nap, because tonight I’m going out after Lepidoptera. I saw signs of him down by the creek yesterday, but they only fly after dark. I may be out all night.”
His host frowned.
“I’d better send one of the boys with you.” The little man shook his head.