44
NEGRO AFFECTION.
pic'nee. Den 'gen, missis, 'praps me pic'nee do something bad, something he no ought to do, and massa take he and tie he two hands up to one tree, else he make two men 'tretch he upon de ground, an den de driber lick he so, an me cry to see him lick so, and me pic'nee bawl, but me no dare say, ' Don't do so, massa ; let him go,' but me hab to go way and lebe he dere ; so you see, missis, dat make me say me no lub slabery. Now wen me noung, me hab to work hard, hab dig cane hole, weed cane, pick grass, do ebery ting; but now me ole, and no able to work, dey take away me house, 'cause me no b'longs to dem, but den me no me free, and me bless God me am free." This was Juncho's tale : it proves negroes do feel for their relations when in trouble, or suffering from illness ; but with regard to her being turned out of her house after freedom, I think is not quite correct, for I never heard of an Antiguan planter doing so. Perhaps all of her children who could be of any service to the estate, by working upon the property, quitted it, and the manager might have told her, that if they did not return, she must leave too. Another instance, which illustrates the doctrine that negroes do feel affection towards each other, is related by one who used to frequent the slave markets. One day, going his rounds, he saw two fine intelligent-looking youths, with their arms clasped tightly round each other, and being pleased with their appearance, he went up, and asked the price of the eldest of the two. After some talk, the bargain was completed, and the negro became the property of his new master. While this business was going on between the buyer and seller, the youths looked on with the deepest feeling of attention depicted upon their sable faces. When the younger perceived that his companion was about to be led away from him, he clung to him with almost supernatural strength. Suddenly he released his hold, sprang up, for he had thrown himself down upon his knees, commenced jump-