Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 9).djvu/46

 ten yards in length. Where the posts are of cedar, and the rails of chesnut, the erection, it is said, may stand about fifty years. I examined one reported to be thirty years old, and found it to be so strong, that it may be expected still to last for years to come. There are neither hedges nor stone fences to be seen in this neighbourhood.

The crops, as in most parts of America, are cut down by what is called the Cradle-scythe. I went into a field where a Negro was reaping wheat with this sort of implement, and observed that about an English acre was cut down. On making inquiry, it appeared that he had been engaged about six hours in the work. The following dialogue ensued:

"You work very hard?"

"No Sir, I can do much more in the time, but that of no use."

"You are not free then?"

"No Sir, I a slave, I longs to Jacob Van, there," (pointing to the farm house.)

"But you black people are very well treated here?"

"Oh yes, Sir, master very good to me, give me every thing to eat he eat self, but no Sunday clothes."

"You may live happier than some poor free people?"

"That may be true, Sir, but put bird in cage, give him plenty to eat, still he fly away."

I delay giving a description of the cradle-scythe, as I