to know why I could not stand it as well as the rest. I told him he
knew well I had not been used to it for a long time; that his overseer
was the worst that had ever been on the plantation, and that I could
not stand it. He said he would direct Mr. Brooks to give each of us a
pint of meal or corn every evening, which we might bake, and which
would serve us next morning, till our breakfast came at noon. The
black people were much rejoiced that I got this additional allowance
for them. But I was not satisfied; I wanted liberty.

On Sunday morning, as master was sitting in his porch, I went to him,
and offered to give him the $230 I had already paid him, if, beside
them, he would take for my freedom the $600 he had given for me. He
drove me away, saying I had no way to get the money. I sat down for a
time, and went to him again. I repeated my offer to procure the $690,
and he again said I could not. He called his wife out of the room to
the porch, and said to her, 'Don't you think Moses has taken to
getting drunk?' She asked me if it was so; I denied it, when she
inquired what 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.