The negroes not
engaged in labor relating to the hospital gathered around Uncle
Lusthah in the hope of receiving some advice from Miss Lou.
Mournfully the old man told them what she and Aun' Jinkey had said,
adding, "I doan see no oder way fer us des at dis time ob our
triberlation. Ole Pharo sut'ny got he grip on us agin, he sut'ny hab
fer a spell. But brudren en sistas, hit ony lak a cloud comin'
'cross de risin' sun. Let us des wait pashently de times en seasons
ob de Lawd who alone kin brung de true 'liverance."
When he saw the deep, angry spirit of protest he threw up his hands,
crying, "Wat de use? I warn you; I 'treat you, be keerful. Wat could
us do wid our bar han's agin armed men? I tells you we mus' wait or
die lak Moses 'fo' we enter de promis lan'." Then he told them about
Yarry and asked for two or three to volunteer to dig the grave.
A score stepped forward and nearly all expressed their purpose to
attend the funeral. The old man persuaded all but three to remain
near the quarters at present, saying, "So many gwine wid me mout mek
trouble, fer Perkins look ugly dis mawnin'.
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