they knew Mammy would be as good as her word, and would not wait for
them. When they reached the church, which was a very nice wooden
building that Major Waldron had had built for that purpose, there was a
large crowd assembled; for, besides Major Waldron's own slaves, quite a
number from the adjoining plantations were there. The younger negroes
were laughing and chatting in groups outside the door, but the older
ones wore very solemn countenances, and walked gravely in and up to the
very front pews. On Mammy's arrival, she placed the little girls in
seats at the back of the house, and left Dilsey and Chris and Riar on
the seat just behind them, "fur ter min' 'em," as she said (for the
children must always be under the supervision of somebody), and then she
went to her accustomed place at the front; for Mammy was one of the
leading members, and sat in the amen corner.

Soon after they had taken their seats, Uncle Gabe, who had a powerful
voice, and led the singing, struck up:

"Roll, Jordan, roll! roll, Jordan, roll!
I want ter go ter heb'n wen I die,
Fur ter hyear sweet Jordan roll.

"Oh, pray, my brudder, pray!
Yes, my Lord;
My brudder's settin' in de kingdum,
Fur ter hyear sweet Jordan roll.

_Chorus._

Roll, Jordan, roll! roll, Jordan, roll!
I want ter go ter heb'n wen I die,