Every  one  scanned  me  with  suspicion.  There  were
three  classes :  the  ruling,  upper  class  of  whites ;  the  poor
"white  trash,"  who  were,  morally  and  intellectually,  on
a  level  with  or  below  the  slaves  they  watched  for  their
subsistence;  and  the  slave.  The  whites  suspected  the
stranger,  if  he  appeared  at  all  in  command  of  himself,
as  an  enemy  to  the  "Divine  Institution."  The  slave,  as
an  enemy  to  his  race, — seeking  bargains  in  human
property.  So,  I  was  held  at  arm's-length  by  one,  and
closely,  most  ingeniously  and  treacherously  interviewed
by  the  other.  But  I  had  been  in  the  world  too  long,
and  seen  too  much  of  men  and  things  to  be  drawn  on
and  sold.
I  put  up  at  a  hotel  in  which,  after  four  weeks'  care-


WILLIAM  MINNIS.  37

ful,  apparently  careless,  indifferent  investigation  I  dis
covered  that  William  was  a  servant, — hired  out  by  his
master,  who  lived  in  another  part  of  the  city.  I  tried
all  plans  to  learn  the  names  of  the  men,  and  their  integ
rity,  that  I  might  make  some  inquiry  for  my  boy.
After  about  four  weeks  I  conceived  a  plan  to  call  for  a
"boy"  to  carry  my  carpet-sack  to  the  boat,  to  take  a
short  trip  to  the  next  town ;  and  calling  one  of  the  ser
vants,  I  said:  "Boy,  see  here!  take  this  to  the  boat  for
me."

"Mas',  dat  not  my  work.  Dat  Bill's  work.  He  do
dat  are  work."

Well,  now,  I  thought,  I've  got  so  much;  maybe  I've
found  my  boy;  and  Dimond  called  out,

"Bill!  see  here.     Dis  here  geman  want  you.
"Bill"  took  my  bag;  and  all  quiet,  a  little  way
out  I  ventured  to  ask, — "What  is  your  name?"

"William  Minnis."

Now,  just  imagine  my  surprise.
