fat meat.

For fear the slaves should run away, while unable to work from
flogging, he kept them chained till they could work again. This man
had from 500 to 700 men under his control. When out of other
employment, I sometimes worked under him, and saw his doings. I
believe it was the word of this man which gained my freedom. He is
dead, but there are yet others like him on public works.

When the great kindness of Captain Minner had set me clear of Mr.
Sawyer, I went to my old occupation of working the canal boats. These
I took on shares, as before. After a time, I was disabled for a year
from following this employment by a severe attack of rheumatism,
caught by frequent exposure to severe weather. I was anxious, however,
to be earning something towards the repayment of Captain Minner, lest
any accident, unforeseen by him or me, should even yet deprive me of
the liberty for which I so longed, and for which I had suffered so
much. I therefore had myself carried in a lighter up a cross canal in
the Dismal Swamp, and to the other side of Drummond's Lake. I was left
on the shore, and there I built myself a little hut, and had
provisions brought to me as opportunity served. Here, among snakes,
bears, and panthers, whenever my strength was sufficient, I cut down a
juniper-tree, and converted it into cooper's timber. The camp, like
those commonly set up for negroes, was entirely open on one side; on
that side a fire is lighted at night, and a person sleeping puts his
feet towards it. One night I was awoke by some animal smelling my
face, and snuffing strongly; I felt its cold muzzle. I suddenly thrust
out my arms, and shouted with all my might; it was frightened, and
made off. I do not know whether it was a bear or a panther; but it
seemed as tall as a large calf. I slept, of course, no more that