James insisted on "breaking" me, as he termed it, and finally prevailedon his mother, with promises, that if she would let him deal with me hewould "break" me without whipping me. She consented. James came to thecabin where I was tied and chained, and told me that he did not desireto whip me, but that if I did not go to the railroad to work every slaveon the plantation would become demoralized, and they would all do asthey pleased. His words and manner were very kind and conciliatory, yetI took them for what they were worth, and did not believe him; for hewould have whipped me severely if he had dawhite do so. His reasoningregarding the poor, ignorant slaves on the plantation, however, was tothe point. In their ignorance they would suppose that if I could do as Ipleased and not be punished, they could do the same; and they would, inall probability, create an insurrection which would result in their owndestruction. For their sakes I acceded to James' wishes. He told me thatif I would go to the railroad and work for Leadbitter one month, that Imight after that time hire myself out to whomm I pleased and for as longa time as I pleased.