hat was the matter. Master replied, 'Don't you think he
wants me to sell him?' She said, 'Moses, we would not take any money
for you. Captain Cormack put a thousand dollars for you on the supper
table last Friday night, and Mr. Sawyer would not touch it; he wants
you to be overseer in the Dismal Swamp.' I replied, 'Captain Cormack
never said any thing to me about buying me; I would cut my throat from
ear to ear rather than go to him. I know what made him say so; he is
courting Miss Patsey, and he did it to make himself look big.'
Mistress laughed and turned away, and slammed to the door; master
shook himself with laughing, and put the paper he was reading before
his face, knowing that I spoke the truth. Captain Cormack was an old
man who went on crutches. Miss Patsey was the finest of master's
daughters. Master drove me away from him again.

On Monday morning, Mr. Brooks, the overseer, blew the horn as usual
for all to go to the field. I refused to go. I went to master, and
told him that if he would give me a paper, I would go and fetch the
$600; he then gave me a paper, stating that he was willing to take
that sum for my freedom: so I hired an old horse and started for
Norfolk, fifty miles off.

When I reached Deep Creek, I went to the house of Captain Edward
Minner. He was very glad to see me, for in former days I had done much
business for him; he said how sorry he had been to hear that I was at
field work. He inquired where I was going. I said, to Norfolk, to get
some of the merchants to let me have money to buy myself. He replied,
'What did I always say to you? Was it not, that I would let you have
the money at any time, if you would only tell me when you could be
sold?' He called Mrs. Minner into the room, and told her I could be
sold for my freedom; she was rejoiced to hear it. He said, 'Put up
your horse at Mr. Western's tavern, for you need go no farther; I have
plenty of old rusty dollars, and no man shall put his hand on your
collar again to say you are a slave. Come and stay with me to-night,
and in the morning I will get Mr. Garret's horse, and go with you.'

Next morning we set off, and found master at Major Farrence's, at the
cross canal, where I knew he was to be that day, to sell his share of
the canal. When I saw him, he told me to go forward home, for he would
not sell me. I felt sick and sadly disappointed. Captain Minner
stepped up to him, and showed him the paper he had given me, saying,
'Mr. Sa