The water, in which meat had been boiled, was as eagerly sought for by me.

It was a great thing to get the privilege of dipping a piece of bread in such water; and the skin taken from rusty bacon, was a positive luxury.

Nevertheless, I sometimes got full meals and kind words from sympathizing old slaves, who knew my sufferings, and received the comforting assurance that I should be a man some day.

"Never mind, honey--better day comin'," was even then a solace, a cheering consolation to me in my{59} troubles.

Nor were all the kind words I received from slaves.