he could not bear the idea of her being free.  He thought it too hard, as she had raised so many tempests for him, to see her free and under her own control.  He had tantalized her in every possible way to humiliate and annoy her; yet while he could demand her services he appreciated and placed perfect confidence in mother and family.  None but a fiendish slaveholder could have rended an honest Christian heart in such a manner as this.

    Though it was her sad and weary lot to toil in slavery
    But one thing cheered her weary soul
    When almost in despair
    That she could gain a sure relief in attitude of prayer

CAPT.  TIRRELL REMOVES THE FAMILY—­ANOTHER STRATEGY

One day the Captain commenced complaining of the expense of so large a family, and proposed to my mother that we should work out and he take part of the pay.  My mother told him she would need what she earned for my little brother’s support.  Finally the Captain consented, and I was the first to be disposed of.  The Captain took me in his buggy and carried me to the Depot, and I was put into a Union family, where I remained five months.  Previous to my leaving, however, my mother and the Captain entered into a contract—­he agreeing not to sell us, and mother agreeing not to make her escape.  While she was carrying out her promise in good faith, he was plotting to separate us.  We were all divided except mother and my little brother, who remained together.  My sister remained with one of the rebels, but was tolerably treated.  We all fared very well; but it was only the calm before the rending tornado.  Captain T. was Captain of the boat to Memphis, from which the Union soldiers had rescued us.  He commenced as a deck hand on the boat, then attained a higher position, and continued to advance until he became her Captain.  At length he came in possession of slaves.  Then his accomplishments were complete.  He was a very severe slave master.  Those mushroom slaveholders are much dreaded, as their severity knows no bounds

    Bondage and torture, scourges and chains
    Placed on our backs indelible stains.

I stated previously, in relating a sketch of my mother’s history, that she was married twice, and both husbands were to be sold and made their escape.  They both gained their freedom.  One was living,—­the other died before the war.  Both made every effort to find us, but to no purpose.  It was some years before we got a correct account of her second husband, and he had no account of her, except once he heard that mother and children had perished in the woods while endeavoring to make their escape.  In a few years after his arrival in the free States he married again.