In the old office were many faded
plantation and household books, and he was able to glean enough from
these to confirm the methodical carefulness of Freeman Hynds. There
were, too, dry receipts for "monies Paid by Mr. Rich. Hynds" for
some old slave; or a brief notice that "By Orders Mr. Richd. Hynds,
no Women shall be Whipt"; or "Bought by Mr. R. Hynds & Charg'd to
his Acct., one Crippl'd Black Childe namd Scipio from Vanham's Sale,
& Given to Sukey his Mother." Another time it would be a list of
Christmas gifts: "One Colour'd Head Kerchief for Nancy. One Flute
for Blind Sam. One Shoulder Cape for Kitty my Nurse. One
Horn-handl'd Knife for Agrippa. One Pckt. Tobacco & a Jorum of Rum
for Shooba."
Over against these items were others: "By Orders Mr. Freeman Hynds,
Juba to Receive Twenty light Lashes for Malingering; Black Tom to be
Shipt to River Bottom Plantation for the Chastning of his Spiritt;
Bread & Water & Irons 3 Dayes & Nights for Shooba for Frighting of
his Fellowes & other Evil Behaviour."
This was interesting enough, but not conclusive. All that The Author
could find only deepened his uncertainty, and this made him
abominably cross, an ill temper increased by the presence of Mr.
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