When the army retreated to the Ohio, in September, she had come as far back as Murfreesboro, and there stopped to await the army's return, which she was confident would not be long delayed.
"How brave and devoted you have been," said Rachel warmly, as Aunt Debby concluded her modestly-told story.

"No man could have done better." "No, honey," replied the elder woman, with her wan face coloring faintly, "I've done nothin' but my plain duty, ez I seed hit.

I've done nothin' ter what THEY would've done had n't they been taken from me afore they had a chance.

Like one who speaks ter us in the Book, I've been in journeyin's often, in peril of robbers, in perils of mine own countrymen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in weariness an' painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger an' thirst, in fastings often, in cold an' nakedness, but he warns us not ter glory in these things, but in those which consarn our infirmities." "How great should be your reward!" "Don't speak of reward.

I only want my freedom when I've 'arned hit--the freedom ter leave an 'arth on which I've been left behind, an' go whar my husband an' son are waitin' fur me." She rose and paced the floor, with her face and eyes shining.
"Have you no fear of death whatever ?" asked Rachel in amazement.
"Fear of death! Child, why should I fear death?
Why should I fear death, more than the unborn child fears birth?
Both are the same.