He could handle with ease a barrel akin to himself in shape
and size.
Uncle Lusthah suddenly found immense responsibility thrust upon him.
In the opinion of the slaves the time and seasons he had predicted
and asked his flock to wait for had come. Negroes from other and
nearer plantations were thronging to the town, and those at The Oaks
were rapidly forming the purpose to do likewise. They only waited
the sanction of their religious teacher to go almost in a body. The
old preacher was satisfied they would soon go any way, unless
inducements and virtual freedom were offered. He therefore sought
Mr. Baron and stated the case to him.
The old planter would listen to nothing. He was too honorable to
temporize and make false promises. "Bah!" he said, irritably, "the
Yanks will soon be driven off as they were before. I can't say you
are free! I can't give you a share in the crops! It's contrary to
the law of the State and the whole proper order of things. I
wouldn't do it if I could. What would my neighbors think? What would
I think of myself? What a fine condition I'd be in after the Yanks
are all driven from the country! No, I shall stand or fall with the
South and maintain the institutions of my fathers.
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