With these
feelings he (Romescos) declared his intention to kill the very first
negro he caught in his swamp with cur-dogs; and he kept his word.
Lying in ambush, he would await their approach, and, when most
engaged in appropriating the porkers, rush from his hiding-place,
shoot the dogs, and then take a turn at the more exhilarating
business of shooting the negroes. He would, with all possible
calmness, command the frightened property to approach and partake of
his peculiar mixture, administered from his double-barrel gun.
That the reader may better understand Romescos' process of curing
this malady of his neighbour's negroes, we will give it as related
by himself. It is a curious mode of dispatching negro property; the
reader, however, cannot fail to comprehend it. "Plantin' didn't suit
my notions o' gittin' rich, ye see, so I spec'lates in nigger
property, and makes a better thing on't. But there's philosophy
about the thing, and a body's got t' know the hang on't afore he can
twist it out profitably; so I keeps a sort of a plantation just to
make a swell; cos ye got to make a splash to be anybody down south.
Can't be a gentleman, ye see, 'cept ye plants cotton and rice; and
then a feller what's got a plantation in this kind of a way can be a
gentleman, and do so many other bits of trade to advantage. The
thing works like the handle of a pump; and then it makes a right
good place for raising young niggers, and gettin' old uns trimmed
up. With me, the worst thing is that old screwdriver, M'Fadden, what
don't care no more for the wear and tear of a nigger than nothin',
and drives 'em like as many steam-engines he thinks he can keep
going by feeding on saw-dust.
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