Are you not afraid that your slaves will rise and assert their liberty ?" The lady smiled and was evidently hesitating whether to answer seriously or not, when Hattie continued,-- "Aunt! now I see what you meant by our sleeping on a volcano." "Yes," said I, "we at the North often speak of you Southerners as sleeping on a volcano.

Our idea is that the blacks here are prisoners, stealing about in a sulky mood, vengeance brooding in their hearts, and that they wait for their time of deliverance, as prisoners in our state-prison watch their chance to escape." "Well," said she, "believe I am the only slave on the premises.

I am sure that no one but myself is watching for a chance to escape.

I would run away from these people if I could.

But what shall I do with them?
I am not willing to sell them, for when I have hinted at leaving, there is such entreaty for me to remain, and such demonstrations of affection and attachment, that I give it up.
"Here," said she, "are seven house-servants, large and small, to do work which at the North a man and two capable girls would easily do.