We had some conversation with them as we rode along.

They said they had been in the fields picking coffee since half past five o'clock.
They were now going, as they always did after "horn-blow" in the afternoon, (four o'clock,) to their grounds, where they should stay till dark.

Some of their grounds were four, others six miles from home.

They all liked the apprenticeship better than slavery.

They were not flogged so much now, and had more time to themselves.