needful sunshine. Then let us be thankful for all the great blessings
bestowed upon us by our heavenly Father, and serve him with all our
hearts, in whatever position in life we may be placed. Uncle Ben and I
did _then_, and we do _yet_.

After a prolonged conversation and a good and refreshing season of
prayer I took my departure for my camp, never expecting to meet my
relative again, and never have.

We started next morning on our way to Memphis, and traveled into
Memphis, after three days, on a very fine road for the South, known as
the state-line road. We drove to the cotton-yard, unloaded, and received
the receipts for the cotton, and put up for the night at a wagon-yard. I
spent this night in prayer and supplication that God would save me from
the slave-pen and the auctioneer's block; and my prayers were responded
to in my protection. The next morning we started for home by what was
known as the pigeon-roost route, in order to save toll and other
expenses.

The weight on my mind was removed, and I felt happy and thankful. I was
not sold from the shambles. I prayed, I sung, and I shouted by turns. We
arrived at home, and I waited patiently for my next order.

My young master soon informed me, however, that I might hire myself out,
if I could find and one that would hire me. Good! God was on my side.
With a light heart and truly happy I set about my preparations to hire
myself out; and the very first thing I did was to go to my cabin and
thank God for his goodness, and ask for his protection and guidance.
Always praying? Yes, I was always at it. My heart was big with love to
God.