They made answer short and quick: "O yes, we gwi wuk! we gwi wuk all right. De Union Ginruls dee done tell us tuh come back f'om follin arter de army an' dig greenbacks outer de sod. We gwi wuk. We gwi wuk fuh ourse'ves. We ain' gwi wuk fuh no white man." "Where will you go?" "We ain' gwine nowhar. We gwi wuk right here on de lan' whar we wuz bo'n an' whar belongs tuh us." Some had not been born on the land, but had been purchased during the war by Captain Pinckney, in the kindness of his heart, to prevent family division in the settlement of an estate. One of this lot, returning from a Yankee gunboat, swaggered to conference under the trees, in a fine uniform, carrying a handsome rifle, and declared he would work or not as he pleased, come and go as he pleased and consider the land his own. He went to his cabin, stood in the door, looked the Captain in the eye, brought his gun down with a crash, and said: "Yes, I gwi wuk right here. I'd like tuh see any man put me outer dis house!" Captain Pinckney, after waiting for the men to think over the situation, assembled them again. Their attitude was more insolent and aggressive. He gave them ten days longer for decision; then all who would not work must go. His neighbours were having similar experiences. In a section where a few years before perfect confidence had existed between white and black, all white men went armed, weapons exposed to view. They were few, the blacks many. After consultation, they reported conditions to General Devens at Charleston, and suggested that he send down a representative. He sent a company under an officer whom the planters carried from plantation to plantation. Negroes were called and addressed: "I have come to tell you people that these lands belong to these planters. The Government has not given these lands to you; they do not belong to the Government to give. You are free to hire out to whom you will, or to rent lands. But you must work. You can't live without work. I advise you to make contracts quickly. If crops are not made, you and your families will suffer."