"Your negroes sacked your house, stripped it of furniture, bric-a-brac, heirlooms, and divided these among themselves. They got it into their heads that the property of whites belongs to them; and went about taking possession with utmost determination and insolence. Nearly all houses here have been served the same way. I sent for a United States officer and he made them restore furniture--the larger pieces, which are much damaged. Small things--mementoes which you value as much or more--are gone for good. There was but one thing they did not remove--the mirror in the wall."[22] "The negroes have been dancing shin-digs in your house," the Englishman went on. "They have apportioned your land out among themselves." Yet the Captain was not fully prepared for the desolation that met his eyes when he went home next day. Ever before, he had been met with glad greetings. Now, instead of a merry crowd of darkeys rushing out with shouts of "Howdy do, Marster!" "Howdy do, Boss!", silence reigned and no soul bade him welcome as he made his way to his own door. Within the house one faithful servant raised her voice in lonely and pathetic notes of joy. "Where are the others?" he asked. "Where are the men?" "Don' know, Marster." "Tell any you can find to come here." She returned from search to say none could be found. Dinner-hour passed. The men kept themselves invisible. He said to her: "I will be back tomorrow. Tell the men I must see every one of them then." He returned armed. It was his known custom as a huntsman to carry a gun; hence he could carry one now without betraying distrust. "Indeed, I felt no fear or distrust," he says; "these were my own servants, between whom and myself the kindest feelings had always existed. They had been carefully and conscientiously trained by my parents; I had grown up with some of them. They had been glad to see me from the time that, as a little boy, I accompanied my mother when she made Saturday afternoon rounds of the quarters, carrying a bowl of sugar, and followed by her little handmaidens bearing other things coloured people liked. At every cabin that she found swept and cleaned, she left a present as an encouragement to tidiness. I could not realise a need of going protected among my own people, whom I could only remember as respectful, happy and affectionate." He bade the woman summon the men, and he waited under the trees. They came, sullen, reluctant, evincing no trace of old-time cordiality; addressed him as "you" or "Cap'n"; were defiant; brought their guns. "Men," he said, "I know you are free. I do not wish to interfere with your freedom. But I want my old hands to work my lands for me. I will pay you wages." They were silent. "I want you to put my place in order, and make it as fruitful as it used to be, when it supported us all in peace and plenty. I recognise your right to go elsewhere and work for some one else, but I want you to work for me and I will on my part do all I can for you."