"My overseer has been over and I find the black imps on our
place are in much the same condition as yours, a few venturing to
talk about wages or shares in the crop and all that nonsense. I sent
him back with half a dozen men, armed to the teeth, and told him to
put the hands at work as usual. Mother is going to ride over and
spend part of the day. I don't wish her to be there alone just yet,
and I shall gallop over in time to be on hand when she arrives.
Things are getting settled, my arm is not so painful, and it is time
we pulled ourselves and everything together. You struck the right
note when you said, 'Now is the time to enforce authority.' It must
be done sharply too, and these people taught the difference between
the Yanks' incendiary talk and our rights and positive commands.
From what Perkins says, this old Uncle Lusthah is a fire-brand among
your people. Give your overseer his orders and I'll see that he
carries them out."
Perkins was summoned, acquainted with the policy--just to his mind--
resolved upon, told to pick out the detail for hospital duty and to
have the rest ready for work after an early dinner.
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