A H U N T E R ' S r, I P E . 65 



I live and keep my senses. For," I continued, " you mu?t 

 not think, because you have wealth, that 1 am your ser- 

 vant. I am as free and as white as you are, madam ; and 

 T have done with you, and you with me, for life." 



" That's just what I want," said she. 



"And that you shall have," I replied ; " though really 

 r hate to please you so well. But it shall be done ; and 

 as soon as Mr. Caldwell returns I'll be off." 



About twelve o'clock the old man came home, and I 

 immediately called on him for a settlement ; telling him 

 that I could not stand Mrs. Caldwell's rough treatment. 

 She complained to him that I had told her that I was 

 as white and as free as she was. 



"Well," said the old man, "that's all true, as he is 

 free, and white too ; and if you had let him alone he 

 would not have meddled with you. He is the only one 

 that I can send to do any business and depend on. You 

 have sent Nancy away, and there are two of the best hands 

 gone by your fault." 



She left the room, and dinner was soon on the table. I 

 had not eaten any breakfast, and being told to sit down I 

 did so. 



As soon as dinner was over, the old man got his money, 

 and paid me all my wages in silver dollars. This was very 

 pleasing to me, for it was ten times more than I had ever 

 previously been the owner of. 



After the money was transferred to my pocket, the old 

 man *aid, " Browning, I wish you would remain with me, 

 and I will pay you ten dollars a month as long as you 

 please to stay. The land on the other side of the river 

 will soon be in market, when I will show you all the 

 choicest pieces ; and if you should get a wife, you can 

 have the best of the land, and live on venison and bear- 

 meat, like I have done many times when I first settled in 

 this bottom." 



6* ^ 



