We pass over a period of five years succeeding the scene recorded.
During this time there was but little change on the plantation of Squire
Blackadder; either in the dwellers on the estate, or the administration
of its affairs. Neither castigation by the cowskin, nor the punishment
of the pump, was discontinued. Both were frequent, and severe as ever;
and whatever of work could by such means be extracted from human
muscles, was taken out of the unhappy slaves who called Mr Snively
their "obaseeah." Withal, the plantation did not prosper. Blount,
plunging yet deeper into dissipation, drained it of every dollar of its
profits, intrenching even on the standard value of the estate. The
number of its hands had become reduced, till there were scarce enough
left for its cultivation; and, despite the constant cracking of Mr
Snively's whip, weeds began to show themselves in the cotton fields, and
decay around the "gin" house.
At the end of these five years, however, came a change, complete as it
was cheerful.
The buildings underwent repair, "big house" as well as out-offices;
while the crops, once more carefully cultivated, presented a flourishing
appearance. In the court-yard and negro quarters the change was still
more striking. Instead of sullen faces, and skins grey with dandruff,
or brown with dirt, ill-concealed under the tattered copperas-stripe,
could now be seen smiling countenances, with clean white shirts covering
an epidermis that shone with the hue of health. Instead of profane
language and loud threats, too often followed by the lash, could be
heard the twanging of the banjo, accompanied by its simple song, and the
cheerful voice of Sambo excited in "chaff," or light-hearted laughter.
The change is easily explained. It was not the same Sambo, nor the same
"obaseeah," nor yet the same massa. The whole _personnel_ of the place
was different. A planter of the patriarchal type had succeeded to the
tyrant; and Squire Blackadder was gone away, few of his neighbours knew
whither, and fewer cared. By his cruelty he had lost caste, as by the
courses pursued by his son--the latter having almost brought him to
Bankruptcy. To escape this, he had sold his plantation, though still
retaining his slaves--most of them being unsaleable on account of their
well-known wickedness.