ked my master one time if he would
consent to have me purchase my freedom. He replied that he would. I
was then very happy, knowing that I was at that time able to pay part
of the purchase money, by means of the money which I some time since
buried. This I took out of the earth and tendered to my master,
having previously engaged a free negro man to take take his security
for it, as I was the property of my master, and therefore could not
safely take his obligation myself. What was wanted in redeeming
myself, my master agreed to wait on me for, until I could procure it
for him. I still continued to work for Col. Smith. Ther was
continually some interest accruing on my master's note to my friend
the free negro man above named, which I received, and with some
besides which I got by fishing, I laid out in land adjoining my old
master Stanton's. By cultivating this land with the greatest
diligence and economy, at times when my master did not require my
labor, in two years I laid up ten pounds. This my friend tendered to
my master for myself, and received his note for it.

Being encouraged by the success which I had met in redeeming myself, I
again solicited my master for a further chance of completing it. The
chance for which I solicited him was that of going out to work the
ensuing winter. He agreed to this on condition that I would give him
one quarter of my earnings. On these terms I worked the following
winter, and earned four pounds sixteen shillings, one quarter of which
went to my master for the privilege, and the rest was paid him on my
own account. This added to the other payments made up forty four
pounds, eight shillings, which I had paid on my own account. I was
then about thirty five years old.

The next summer I again desired he would give me a chance of going out
to work. But he refused and answered that he must have my labor this
summer, as he did not have it the past winter. I replied that I
considered it as hard that I could not have a chance to work out when
the season became advantageous, and that I must only be permitted to
hire myself out in the poorest season of the year. He asked me after
this what I would give for the privilege per month. I replied that I
would leave it wholly with his own generosity to determine what I
should return him a month. Well then, said he, if so two pounds a
month. I answered him that if that was the least he would take I
would be contented.

Accordi