time being, but about a year after he had got him home he began to put
his plans into operation for severely punishing him. He was afraid of
Ben's prayers. Although Wilson would not have hesitated a moment to have
put any plan into execution he may have conceived, under ordinary
circumstances, yet praying Ben, while defending himself by appeals to
Almighty God was stronger than with carnal weapons in his hands. Wilson
proceeded cautiously and laid snares for Ben. Uncle Ben was one of the
best hands on the plantation, and religiously performed the labor
alloted him truly and persistently. He obeyed his overseer and Wilson in
all things pertaining to his manual occupation, and obeyed God to the
very best of his ability in this as in everything else. But Wilson
wanted to punish Ben, and was determined to do so. He knew that Ben was
a faithful slave to labor, and was reliable, yet he wished to break
Ben's spirit--his manhood, the God part of him. Wilson did not seem to
know that he was not fighting Ben in his scheme of revenge but that he
was fighting God in Ben, and that although he punished Ben to the death
he would be conquered himself, and more severely punished than he could
ever hope to punish Ben. But Wilson was mad, infatuated, and
satanically determined. Precautious preparations were made by Wilson to
insure success in his revengeful scheme, and after having obtained the
aid of several neighbors who were what might be called professional
slave-whippers, he deemed his undertaking to punish and conquer Ben
fully ripe for execution. Ben being a field hand was busily employed
picking cotton, with a prayerful heart, and a watchful eye on Wilson.
From Wilson's actions Ben was sure something was going to occur which
would nearly concern him, and having been hunted like a beast he had
become suspicious and on his guard all the time. Having a feeling of
presentiment, he was uneasy, and, as was usual with him, he kneeled down
and asked God to protect him from the machinations of his enemies, and
give him heart, courage, and strength to overcome the evil intended him.