_Pine Grove, May 17._ The schooner has but just come round to
Coffin's, and the rain has prevented our plundering her with energy.
But Friday I got up my molasses and gave some out yesterday. You ought
to have seen the little ones dance as the mothers came home with their
piggins full. We are going to give some molasses and bacon monthly for
the present,--in lieu of an increase of wages. Most of the proprietors
are offering rather better terms than the Government,--some in money,
others in a larger share of the crop. We keep the Government scale of
prices, but give them the "poke" and "sweet'ning," and I think have
touched their sensibilities much more certainly thereby.
This same day Mr. and Mrs. Philbrick left Port Royal and
went home. The next extracts are from two of H. W.'s
letters, full of details about the home life and the
wonderful ways of the "people."