Once on the road with an ox team, and seated on the tongue of his cart, with no overseer to look after him, the slave was comparatively free; and, if thoughtful, he had time to think.

Slaves are generally expected to sing as well as to work.

A silent slave is not liked by masters or overseers.
_"Make a noise," "make a noise,"_ and _"bear a hand,"_ are the words usually addressed to the slaves when there is silence amongst them.

This may account for the almost constant singing{76} heard in the southern states.

There was, generally, more or less singing among the teamsters, as it was one means of letting the overseer know where they were, and that they were moving on with the work.