He was not only a religious man, but he professed to believe in a system for which I have no name.

He was a genuine African, and had inherited some of the so-called magical powers, said to be possessed by African and eastern nations.

He told me that he could help me; that, in those very woods, there was an herb, which in the morning might be found, possessing all the powers required for my protection (I put his thoughts in my own language); and that, if I would take his advice, he would procure me the root of the herb of which he spoke.

He told me further, that if I would take that root and wear it on my right side, it would be impossible for Covey to strike me a blow; that with this root about my person, no white man could whip me.

He said he had carried it for years, and that he had fully tested its virtues.
He had never received a blow from a slaveholder since he carried it; and he never expected to receive one, for he always meant to carry that root as a protection.