,,MY ,,"N ,,IS ,,S,Y ,,LL ,,S;G

            ,,BR5DA ,,WOODS

   ,PUBLI%$ 0,G4 ,P4 ,PUTNAM'S ,SONS
         ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK
    ,COPY"R ^C #BJJH 0,BR5DA ,WOODS
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
  ,TRANSCRIP;N ( ,,ISBN #J-CII-BDCAB-G

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
,LAURA ,COX1 ,J5NY ,LUKE1 ,%>ON ,CILLEY1
    ,MELODY ,MOORE1 & ,BE? ,MC,GU69
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #B ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #A-HH

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJI
                                     ;II
























                                    ;III










            ,6MY GR&DAU<T]1
             ,ALEX&RA ,ROSE












                                     ;IV
























    ,,MY ,,"N ,,IS ,,S,Y ,,LL ,,S;G   #A

    ,ON A ,PLANT,N ,WAY ,NOR? (
    ,WAYCROSS1 ,GEORGIA1 #AHJB
  ,I 0 BORN 9 ! SUMM]"T ON A HOT ,AUGU/
NI<T :5 ,MAMA SD ! MOON %"O L ! SUN1 BIG
& B"R1 NE>LY R.D4 ,WE CD N"E 2 SURE (!
"D1 B MY MAMA & PA REMEMB] ! MON? & C 2
C]TA9 (! YE> 2C E GIRL * BORN ON ? PLAN-
T,N 9 #AGIJ _H 6BE "ND ,S,Y4 ,\R MAMAS &
PAPPIES DIDN'T H ANY SAY4 ,"!'S ,S,Y
,JANE1 ,S,Y ,LEE1 & ME1 ,S,Y ,MAY4 ,!
,MA/]'S WIFE "ND U ALL & WE ALL C>RY !
,MA/]'S LA/ "N1 ,H>RISON4
  ,I 0 F\R YE>S OLD :5 ,I F/ "W$ !
FIELDS1 TOT+ WAT] F 2F SUNUP 6AF SUND[N4
  ,ELEV5 PLANT+ S1SONS H PASS$ S9CE ,I 0
BORN 9 ? L& ,PA CALLS ',M]ICA4
  ,MY "N IS ,S,Y ,MAY ,H>RISON & ,I AM A
SLAVE4





                                      #B
























                ,,"P ,I               #C

                  ,,"O

,MORN9' -E
,B NO SUN
,& QUIET IS "EY":
,!N ,I HE> RA9DROPS
,FALL9' H>D ON ! RO(
,& ,I FEEL MY BIG TEE?
,"P MY LIPS Z ,I SMILE
,NO COTTON PICK9'
,NO CORNFIELDS TD
,ME & BRO!R ,ABRAHAM
,MI<T E'5 GET 6PLAY

  ,! S.D ( RA9 ON ! RO( OP5$ MY EYES4 ,A
BUCKET;L ( WET W9D :IRL$ "? ! CAB9'S
WALL HOLE & ,I /UDI$ ! "D1 !N S(TLY
SANG1 8,MORN9' -E1 B NO SUN1 & QUIET IS
"EY": '''0
  ,I YAWN$ BIG1 WANT+ 6/RET*1 B ,I CDN'T
BUDGE )\T WAK+ "EY"O4 ,WE 7 L F\R FIELD
MICE TW9$ TGR ON \R N>R[ /RAW B$4 ,MAMA
0 / ASLEEP NEXT 6ME1 ,PA CU4L$ 2S H]1
CLOSE L TWO H&S :5 Y PRAY4 ,MY ONLY   #D
BRO!R1 ,ABRAHAM1 :O IS A YE> OLD] ?AN
ME1 0 FLAT ON 8 BACK 2S ,PA1 SNOR+ L\D &
H>D4 ,8 HUGE M\? 0 WIDE-OP51 *E/ GR[+ S
BIG ) E BR1?1 X LOOK$ L X 0 AB 6BUR/4
  ,! CAB9 WALLS >E BLACK ) SOOT & X ONLY
TAKES T5 ( MY FOOT/EPS 6CROSS F "O SIDE
6! O!R4 ,B WE H A POR* ": WE C SIT \T-
SIDE & FEEL L \R _W IS Z WIDE Z ! SKY )
ALL ( XS />S4 ,\ BACK WE H A G>D5 ": WE
GR[ C[P1S AL;GSIDE R$ YAMS1 OKRA1 GRE5S1
& WAT]MELONS1 : ,PA REF]S 6Z ,AUGU/
HAMS4
  ,! FIRE 9 ! FIREPLACE _H BURN$ \1 IN-
VIT+ ! COLD 6FILL ! CAB94 ,B T9Y PIECES
( HOT WOOD T LOOK L ORANGE LI<TN+ BUGS
L+]$1 RE/+ ATOP ! GRAY A%ES4
  ,MAMA GROAN$ & PULL$ ! BLANKET UP >.D
H] NECK4 8,IS ! FIRE \1 ,S,Y ,MAY80 %E
ASK$4
  8,SUR'NUF10 ,I REPLI$4
  8,X RA99'80
  8,YES1 MA'AM ''' & PL5TY H>D40
  ,MAMA SQUIRM$ \ ( ,PA'S >MS1 />$ 96MY
EYES1 & SMIL$4 8,NO COTTON T'"D40
  ,I GAVE H] A GIANT GR94 8,9DE$40    #E
  ,%E TI$ ON H] H1D RAG & POK$ ,PA ) H]
ELB[4 8,TITUS10 %E :ISP]$4
  ,PA OP5$ "O EYE & GL.ED >.D ! CAB9 =
SIGNS ( "DBR1K4 8,X MORN9'1 ,DESSA80 HE
ASK$4
  8,9DE$1 & RA99'10 ,MAMA REPLI$4
  ,I GI7L$ & REP1T$1 8,PL5TY H>D40
  ,! LAU<T] 9 ,PA'S BELLY _H B>ELY ROLL$
XS WAY 6HIS M\? :5 ! RA9 2GAN 6P\R "? !
HOLES 9 ! RO(4
  8,ABRAHAM60 ,PA YELL$ Z HE L1P$ UP &
PULL$ ON 8 BRIT*ES4
  ,ABRAHAM WOKE )A />T & SLID ONTO !
FLOOR4
  8,GRAB RAGS1 "Y91 /RAW TOO4 ,& HURRY
B'=E ! FLOOR TURNS 6MUD10 ,PA SD Z HE
PU%$ "? ! DOOR & /EPP$ \TSIDE4
  ,I CRAWL$ \ ( B$ & PEEP$ "? ! HALF-OP5
DOOR4 ,! SKY HELD ! D>KE/ ( CL\DS1 PROM-
IS+ AN ALL-"D RA94
  ,I SMIL$ AT ,ABRAHAM 2F HE W5T \4 8,WE
GOT A "D (F & X A9'T E'5 ,SUN"D40
  8,:AT Y GOT 6LOOK S HAPPY 'B\T8 ,CORN
& COTTON FIELDS / GONNA 2 "! T'MORR[ &
EV'RY "D AF T4 ,B'SIDES1 ,I BET*A !   #F
,MISSY'LL CALL Y UP 6! H\SE 6HELP T5D H]
"Y9S OR CL1N H] PANTRY10 HE FUSS$1
TRAIL+ 2H ,PA \TSIDE 96! /ORM4
  ,I GAZ$ T[>D ! BIG H\SE & HOP$ HE 0
WR;G4 ,! LA/ "T X _H RA9$1 ! ,MISSY'D _H
M HELP ?AN %E NE$$ UP AT ! H\SE & ,MAMA
& ,I'D FILL$ \R "D ) QUILT+ & *ATT]4
  8,S,Y ,MAY80 ,MAMA CALL$ Z %E PIL$ K9-
DL+ & WOOD 9 ! FIREPLACE4 8,DON'T APPE>
IDLE OR ! ,MA/] MI<T LIKELY SELL Y40
  8,MA/] A9'T LIKELY 6SELL NO "O & ,I "K
X10 ,I REPLI$4 8,N"E HAS & N"E W4 ,MA/]
SAY Y BORN ON ,H>RISON L&1 Y SUR'NUF
GONNA DIE ON ,H>RISON L&40 ,"Y ,MA/]
,H>RISON UTT]$ ^? ^WS NE>LY E ,SUN"D
MORN+ 2F HE RODE (F 6*UR*3 8,I AM N L MY
DA4Y1 ,GOD RE/ 8 S\L4 ''' ,AF ALL1 ,I AM
A ,*RI/IAN MAN &! ,"L ABV [NS MY S\L10
HE WD ADD Z HE CRACK$ 8 :IP ONCE1 !N AG1
& (T5 A ?IRD "T 2F 8 LAZY BR[N-&-:ITE
SPECKL$ HORSE WD 2G9 XS SL[ GALLOP1
PULL+ ! BU7Y T BR"\ ! ,MA/]1 :O _H EYES
T 7 BLUE L ! SKY1 & 8 YELL[-HAIR$ ,MISSY
6! BRICK *UR* )! WOOD5 CROSS T PO9T$
/RAI<T UP 6H1V54                      #G
  8,HU% N[10 ,MAMA SD1 8B'=E ! DEVIL
HE>S Y & MAKES X N S4 ,& "H1 SET ! PAIL
\ 6CAT* WAT]4 ,SAVE Y F HAV9' 6TOTE X F
! WELL40
  ,I SET ! PAIL D[N \TSIDE & WAT*$ Z !
RA9DROPS 2GAN 6FILL X1 PL9K;Y PL9K1
PL9K;Y PL9K4
  ,MAMA JO9$ ME & LOOK$ UP4 8,LIKELY
X'LL RA9 ALL "D1 CLE> 6NI<TFALL40
  ,WE /OOD 9 ! DOORWAY SIDE 0SIDE1 !
FIRE 2H U 2G9N+ 6BLAZE AG1 RA9WAT] & W9D
BRU%+ \R FACES1 A WOMAN & H] GIRL *4 ,I
0 ALM Z TALL Z %E4
  ,MAMA'S SK9 IS ! SAME DEEP BR[N COLOR
Z M9E1 ?\< %E WD SAY "! >E NO TWO COLOR$
FOLKS ) SK9 T MAT*ES1 T"O = T"O4 ,"O HAS
A P9* M R$1 ANO!R A ?IM#;L ( YELL[1 T "O
OV] "! A H9T ( BLUE ) 8 BLACK4 ,H] FACE
IS B1UTY MIX$ ) SWEET1 H] NOSE BROAD &
BOLD1 H] EYES NE>LY BLACK1 H] LIPS CURL$
) PL1SANT;S4 ,H] HIPS >E WIDE ) PL5TY (
FLE%1 H] F+]S L;G1 H] H&S Z CALLUS$ Z _M
M5'S1 H] BACK 2G9N+ 6B5D4
  ,MAMA PRESS$ A PIG E> 9 MY H&4 8,RUN &
2 QK] ?AN LI<TN9'4 ,GIVE ,HANNA-      #H
BELLE ! E> & TELL H] ,I NE$ A CUPPA M1L4
,TELL H] ! E>'S ALR BE5 CUR$4 ,HANNA-
BELLE ''' %E GOT A W1K SPOT = PIG E>S40
  ,FOLKS :O 5JOY TALK+ & SPR1D+ TALES1
9CLUD+ MY PA1 CLAIM ,HANNABELLE ,H>RISON
IS ! OLDE/ SLAVE 9 ,AM]ICA4 ,!Y SAY %E 0
BORN 9 ,SAVANNAH & T ! ,OLD ,MA/] PD
TW5TY DOLL>S = H] :5 %E 0 AB MY AGE4
,%E'S Z SCRAWNY Z A NEWBORN BIRD1 )A
TWI/$ BACK & WR9KL$ SK9 T'S ?9 & Z YELL[
Z A N-Q-RIPE E> ( CORN4 ,H] HAIR IS L;G1
/RAI<T] ?AN ! ,MISSY'S1 & "EY"O :ISP]S T
%E'S M ?AN HALF :ITE4 ,%E HOB#S >.D SL[-
LY 2C "O LEG IS %ORT] ?AN ! O!R4 ,MAMA
SAYS T "S ( ,HANNABELLE'S M9D IS MISS+1
G"O 6T PLACE ": M9DS G :5 Y LOSE !M4
  ,! WAY ,PA TELLS ! TALE1 ,HANNABELLE 0
A -ELY "Y GAL1 "S"TS TOO SASSY1 & (T5"TS
TOO SWEET4 ,%E "W$ UP AT ! H\SE1 T5D+ !
,OLD ,MA/] & 8 SICKLY MISSUS1 EAT+ :AT 0
LEFT ( _! VIDL9S1 SLEEP+ 9 A R1L B$4 ,%E
LI/5$ C>E;LLY 6_! SECRETS "? ANY OP5
DOOR1 GA!R$ !M UP1 & C>RI$ !M D[N 6!
SLAVE QU>T]S )! DIRTY WA%4 ,& !N "O "D1
NO "O C SAY :Y1 X O3URR$ 6,HANNA-     #I
BELLE 6RUN (F1 BACK 6,SAVANNAH1 6SE>* =
H] K94
  ,( C\RSE1 ,OLD ,MA/] ,H>RISON SE>*$
"EY": =! LOVELY ,HANNABELLE1 TRAIL+ H]
"D & NI<T1 8 H.DS W1V+ _! WAY "? !
WOODS1 PURSU+1 _! NOSES HUNT+ = H] SC5T
UNTIL !Y F.D X4 ,!N ! ,OLD ,MA/] DRA7$
H] BACK1 GAVE H] ! :IP UNTIL BLOOD
/R1M$1 & BROKE "O ( H] LEGS ) 8 HAMM]4
,PA SD ,HANNABELLE _H SCR1M$ & WAIL$ S
L\DLY1 %E LIKELY SPLIT E E> F ,ALABAMA
6! ,C>OL9AS4
  8,SPOZE Y WON'T RUN (F AG1 W Y1 ,HAN-
NABELLE860 ! ,OLD ,MA/] YELL$1 8 WILD
EYES GL>+1 WAV+ ! BLOOD-SOAK$ :IP 9 "O
H&1 ! HAMM] 9 ! O!R4
  8,NOSSIR10 ,HANNABELLE _H :IMP]$4
  ,I CD ONLY 2 GRATE;L T ! ,OLD ,MA/] &
8 MISSUS 7 L;G D1D 2F ,I DREW MY F/
BR1?S1 B /ORIES ( 8 EVIL NATURE / MADE
ME %IV] & TREM#4
  ,S9CE !N1 ,HANNABELLE HAS LABOR$ 9 !
FIELDS4 8,WAIT9' ON ! ,"L 6C>RY ME TO
FREEDOM4 ,C>RY ME 6FREEDOM TD40 ,%E
REP1TS ! SAME ^WS OV] & OV] Z WE     #AJ
TOIL "D AF "D1 PL[+1 PLANT+1 PICK+1
GL9T+ 9 ! SUN Z X %IFTS XS PLACE 9 !
SKY4
  ,I /EPP$ \TSIDE & TURN$1 GAZ+ YOND] &
NE> AT ! T9Y CAB9S1 TWELVE 9 ALL4 ,SMOKE
ROSE F E *IMNEY1 =C+ XS WAY UPW>D "? !
RA9DROPS 96! CL\DS1 MAK+ X H>D 6TELL ":
"O 2GAN &! O!R 5D$4 ,Z ,I SCURRI$ AL;G1
! MUD SANK 2N MY B>E FEET1 MY FOOTPR9TS
MELT+ AWAY ALM Z FA/ Z ,I MADE !M4
  8,:AT Y WANT1 GAL1 \ 9 ? "H RA980
,HANNABELLE SD Z %E CRACK$ OP5 H] DOOR4
8,A9'T Y GOT GD S5SE80
  8,YES1 MA'AM1 Y "K ,I D1 B MY MAMA NE$
A CUPPA CORNM1L = P"O BR1D4 ,%E SAY TO
GIVE Y ? "H PIG E>4 ,ALR CUR$40
  ,HANNABELLE SNAT*$ ! PIG E> F MY H& &
,I /EPP$ 9SIDE H] CAB94 ,X 0 J L \RS EX-
CEPT %E _H A R1L *AIR4 ,%E M1SUR$ \ A
CUP ( M1L F H] BAG1 PUT X 9 A SMALL RAG1
TI$ X UP1 & PLAC$ X 9 MY PALM4 8,N[
GIT60
  8,YES'M10 ,I REPLI$4 ,Z ,I HURRI$ BACK
6\R CAB91 A RAY ( SUNLI<T SLIC$ "? !
CL\DS4 ,I :ISP]$ A QUIET PRAY] 6!    #AA
,"L4 8,PL1SE KEEP ! RA9 -IN' ''' L1/
TILL AF ! SUN GOES D[N40
  8,GET \ !M WET CLO!S10 ,MAMA SD Z %E
MIX$ ! M1L ) WAT]4 8,& /& B'H9D ! CUR-
TA91 ,S,Y ,MAY4 ,Y 'B\T GR[N40
  ,I SLIPP$ ! ONLY O!R DRESS ,I [N OV]
MY H1D1 PULL$ ON A PAIR ( ,ABRAHAM'S H&-
ME-D[N BRIT*ES1 & SAT D[N 9 FRONT (!
FIRE ) MY KNEES TUCK$ "U MY *94 ,"! 0 "O
YAM ROA/+ 9 ! BLUE & YELL[ FLAMES & Z X
FILL$ ! CAB9 ) XS SWEET SMELL1 MY M\?
WAT]$4
  8,= YR PA10 ,MAMA SD1 "K+ :AT ,I 0
?9K+4 ,MAMA HUMM$ =A :ILE & !N TOOK 6S++
A TUNE4 8,GOT A LL YAM T SURE IS SWEET4
,WI% ,I _H ANO!R = MY ,S,Y 6EAT40
  ,J Z %E TOOK A PIECE ( P"O BR1D \ (!
FRY+ PAN & SLIPP$ X ON MY PLATE1 ,PA &
,ABRAHAM BUR/ IN1 %AK+ ! WAT] (F _!
SOAK$ CLO!S L TWO MANGY DOGS4
  8,N"E SEE'D S M* RA94 ,FIELDS'LL LIKE-
LY 2 SO7Y T'MORR[4 ,IF'N ! ,MISSY A9'T
S5T = Y'ALL YET1 A9'T LIKELY %E W4 '''
,Y'ALL MI<T EV5 GET TWO "DS' RELIEF10
,PA SD Z ,MAMA PLAC$ TWO PIECES (    #AB
P"O BR1D ON ,ABRAHAM'S PLATE1 & TWO ON
,PA'S AL;G )! YAM4
  8,ABRAHAM10 ,PA SPOKE Z HE ATE4
  8,YESSIR10 ,ABRAHAM MUM#D ) 8 M\?
FULL4
  8,MA/] GOT HORSES 9 NE$ ( %OES4 ,"T ,I
LE>N$ Y IRON"W SAME Z MY PA LE>N$ ME4
,GET Y \ !M FIELDS4 ,FILL YR BELLY 9 A
HURRY1 BOY1 & A9'T NO PO9T 9 PUTT9' ON
DRY CLO!S ''' ALL ? RA940
  ,PA _H BE5 A BLACKSMI? S9CE HE 0
TWELVE OR ?IRTE51 & 8 >MS 7 Z /R;G Z !
IRON HE "W$4 ,! ,MA/] CALL$ HM SKILL;L &
(T5"TS LOAN$ HM \ 6O!R PLANT,NS & F>MS4
,PA ALW RETURN$ FULL ( TALES (! SI<TS &
S.DS HE'D PICK$ UP ON 8 WAY4 ,ONLY A FEW
( ,MA/] ,H>RISON'S SLAVES _H "E SE5 A
R1L T[N & ,PA 0 "O ( !M4 ,HE (T5 F.D HMF
9 ! T[N ( ,WAYCROSS1 & ONCE1 HE'D BE5 Z
F> Z ,C>OL9A4
  ,ABRAHAM & ,PA /U6$ ! LA/ PIECES ( P"O
BR1D 96_! M\?S & RU%$ \TSIDE AG4
  8,%UT ! DOOR1 ,S,Y ,MAY1 B'=E ! FIRE
BL[S \10 ,MAMA SD4
  ,I REPLI$1 8,YES1 MA'AM10 B 2F     #AC
,I CD GET X CLOS$1 A %E-GOAT1 FULL (
MILK1 SQUEEZ$ IN1 SE>*+ =A DRY W>M
PLACE4 ,I HELD H] / :ILE ,MAMA MILK$ H]1
& :5 %E F9I%$1 ,MAMA P\R$ "S (! W>M1
SWEET MILK 96MY T9 CUP4 ,I DRANK X FA/ &
BE7$ = M4


















                                     #AD
























                 ,,TWO               #AE

,L A GRASSHOPP] JUMP9'
,2T GRE5 BLADES ( GRASS
,A "D C G TOO FA/
,L BEES F A HIVE
,T'S BE5 RATTL$ 0A ROCK
,A "D C G TOO FA/
,L A BUTT]FLY F YR H&
,6KEEP F 2IN' CAU<T
,A "D C G TOO FA/
,L A D>K & RA9Y "D
,:5 COTTON ,I WON'T PICK
,A "D C G TOO FA/

  ,0! "T NI<T _H -E1 ! CL\DS 7 G"O4 ,A
%9+ SLIV] (! MOON & M ?AN A HUNDR$ />S
LIT ! SKY4
  8,I CD CIPH] CLE> 6A HUN'D]D10 ,I
BOA/$ 6,ABRAHAM Z HE SAT 2S ME ON ! POR*
/EP AF SUPP]4 ,! WOOD5 PLANKS 7 SOAK$ )
WAT] & ,I CD FEEL MY BRIT*ES GETT+ WET4
,B AF SP5D+ ALL "D 9SIDE D>N+ & QUILT+1
,I DIDN'T M9D4
  8,Y CA9'T N10 ,ABRAHAM REPLI$4 8,ONLY
:ITE FOLKS &! COLOR$ =EMAN CD CI-    #AF
PH] CLE> 6A HUN'D]D40
  8,I T1*$ M'SELF10 ,I SD4 8,0C.T9'
/>S40
  8,H[ _M "! 2 T'NI<T80 HE ASK$1 LOOK+
UP4
  8,I DUNNO ''' TOO _M 6C.T ''' B M ?AN
A HUN'D]D4 ,SEE80 ,I PICK$ UP A TWIG &
PO9T$ D[N 96! WET DIRT4 ,I _H MADE A
HUNDR$ T9Y M>KS1 TW5TY SETS ( FIVE1 J L
,I'D SE5 ! =EMAN D4
  8,C Y LE>N ME80 ,ABRAHAM ASK$4
  8,I DUNNO ''' S F> ,I ONLY T1*$ M'SELF
''' B ,I CD TRY40 ,I H&$ HM ! TWIG4 8,N[
LOOK UP & MAKE A M>K = EV'RY />4 ,MAKE
F\R M>KS1 !N :5 Y GET 6NUMB] FIVE1 CROSS
"? ! O!R F\R4 ,T'S H[ Y "K :5 Y GOT
FIVE4 ,FIVE & FIVE MAKES T54 ,T5 & T5
MAKES TW5TY40
  ,ABRAHAM />$ UP 96! SKY1 LOOK$ D[N AT
! DIRT1 & MADE A M>K4 8,H[ Y "K : "O Y
CIPH]$8 ,ALL ( 'EM LOOKS ! SAME 'CEPT "S
IS BIG & O!RS A9'T40
  8,KEEP BO? EYES ON ! SKY :5 Y MAKE YR
M>KS10 ,I SD4 8,MAKE 2LIEVE X'S A GIANT
PIE T Y DUN CUT A SLICE \ (1 !N      #AG
ONLY C.T !M T'S 9 T SLICE4 ,Y CA9'T N"E
C.T !M ALL40
  8,"O ''' TWO ''' ?REE10 ,ABRAHAM
PAUS$4 8,CIPH]9' A9'T H>D40
  ,I WAT*$ A %OOT+ /> 4APPE> 96! SKY &
REPLI$1 8,N"E SD X WAS40
  8,HU% UP1 ,S,Y10 ,ABRAHAM SD S(TLY1 8
EYES / FIX$ ON ! SKY4 8,NEXT ?+ ,I "K1 Y
GONNA LE>N YR LRS40
  8,IF'N ,I DID1 Y 'SPOZE ,I CD T1*
M'SELF 6R1D'N'WRITE80
  8,MORE'N LIKELY4 ,Y\'S QK-WITT$ 5\<4
,!N Y CD WRITE D[N !M S;GS Y & ,MAMA'S
ALW S+9'40
  8,"O CAME 6ME ? MORN9' ''' WANNA HE>80
  8,SUR'NUF10 HE REPLI$4
  ,I SANG HM MY TUNE4 8,L A GRASSHOPP]
JUMP9' 2T GRE5 BLADES ( GRASS1 A "D C G
TOO FA/4 ,L BEES F A HIVE T'S BE5 RATTL$
0A ROCK1 A "D C G TOO FA/4 ,L A--0
  8,Y'ALL -E ON 9SIDE N[10 ,PA 9T]RUPT$1
/&+ 9 ! DOOR1 GAZ+ 96! CL\D.S SKY4 8,SUN
GONNA 2 UP T'MORR[40
  8,YESSIR10 WE REPLI$1 & HURRI$ 9SIDE4
  ,WE CRAWL$ 96B$ & SLEEP _H J       #AH
CLOS$ MY EYES :5 "S"O KNOCK$ LI<TLY ON !
DOOR4 ,PA CLIMB$ \ 6SEE :O X WAS4 ,I CD
SEE A H&"S FACE 9 ! MOONLI<T4 ,X 0 ,JO%-
UA4
  ,JO%UA "W$ UP AT ! ,MA/]'S H\SE1 S]V+
& SMIL+1 & ALM ALW WORE :ITE GLOVES4 ,!
,MISSY MADE "EY"O :O "W$ AT ! H\SE WE>
:ITE GLOVES1 SAY+ T 0 ! ONLY WAY %E CD
TELL ^: H&S 7 DIRTY & ^: H&S 7 CL1N4 ,A
GIRL "ND ,LUC9DA :O "W$ ) ,JO%UA _H T Z
H] MA9 JOB1 6KEEP ! H\SE SLAVES' GLOVES
WA%$ & :ITE L NEW4
  ,"! 7 TWO ?+S ,I FANCI$ AB ,JO%UA4 ,"O
0 T EV5 :5 ,I /OOD "R NEXT 6HM1 ,I CD
H>DLY SMELL HM1 N L ,PA1 ,ABRAHAM1 &!
O!R M5 :O "W$ L;G & H>D1 SW1T MAK+ /R1MS
D[N _! BACKS1 >MS1 & FACES4 ,! O!R ?+ 0
T :5"E ! F\R KNUCKLES ( ,JO%UA'S :ITE-
GLOV$ H& RAPP$ ON \R DOOR1 X G5],Y M1NT
HE 0 AB 6SLIP ,PA "S?+ SWEET = U 6EAT4
  8,M* OBLIG$1 ,JO%UA10 ,PA SD Z HE TOOK
A SMALL PACKAGE F 8 H&4
  8,Y WELCOME10 HE REPLI$4 8,MA/] FRET-
T9' T ! RA9 GONNA RU9 8 H>VE/40
  8,LET HM FRET10 ,PA SD4            #AI
  ,JO%UA LAU<$4 8,Y "R1 ,TITUS40
  ,SOON ,JO%UA'S & ,PA'S VOICES 2CAME
:ISP]S & ,I CDN'T HE> :AT !Y 7 SAY+4 ,T
0 USU,Y H[ X 0 :5 ,JO%UA CAME 6CALL )A
SWEET TR1T OR FRE% SECRETS F ! BIG H\SE4
  ,ABRAHAM LIK$ 6T1SE ME & TOLD ANY"O :O
WD LI/5 T ,I 0 SWEET ON ,JO%UA4 ,B ,I
DIDN'T PAY HM ANY M9D 2C ,JO%UA 0 Z OLD
Z ,PA4
  ,I _H J 3JUR$ UP A VI.N ( MYF )A HUSB&
:O 0 "Y B SWEET-SMELL+ & GD-LOOK+ L
,JO%UA1 & 0 FEEL+ Z HAPPY Z A BIRD )A
PLUMP WORM 9 XS B1K1 :5 ,I HE>D ,JO%UA
SAY1 8,G'NI<T40
  ,PA %UT ! DOOR1 CRAWL$ BACK 96B$1 &
OP5$ ! PACKAGE4 ,X HELD "O BIG SLICE (
G+] CAKE1 : WE %>$ 2F WE CURL$ UP & W5T
BACK 6SLEEP4

  ,! NEXT MORN+1 Z ,PA _H =ETOLD1 !
FIELDS 7 TOO SO7Y 6BE "W$4 ,B J :5 ,I
2GAN 6LOOK =W>D 6A MORN+ 6RUN WILD &
FREE1 ,MAMA TOLD ME T ! ,MISSY _H *ORES
= ME 6D UP AT ! BIG H\SE4
  ,I KNOCK$ LI<TLY ON ! BIG H\SE     #BJ
BACK DOOR &! ALW ORN]Y ,LUC9DA OP5$ X4
,%E 0 WE>+ A PAIR (! ,MISSY'S H&-ME-D[N
%OES & H] USUAL SMIRK4 8',B\T "T10 0 ALL
%E SD Z ,I /EPP$ 9SIDE4
  ,LUC9DA 0 A YE> OLD] ?AN ME4 ,%E _H
GR[N Z /\T Z A FULL-GR[N PIG F DR9K+
:OLE GLASSES ( MILK FAT & SN1K+ BUTT] TO
SPR1D ON ! BR1D T %E /OLE F ! ,MA/]'S
PANTRY4 ,%E 0 AL SNOOTY1 ! WAY ! H\SE
SLAVES C BE--EXCEPT = ,JO%UA1 T IS4
  ,LUC9DA KEPT H] N>R[ NOSE PO9T$ UP 9 !
AIR1 LOOK+ L A H.D TRY+ 6CAT* A SC5T4
,(T5"TS X O3URR$ 6ME 6REM9D H] T %E 0 /
A SLAVE1 EV5 IF H] H&S & CLO!S 7 CL1N1 B
,I N"E DID4
  8,MISSY SAYS Y\'S 6DU/10 ,LUC9DA SD Z
%E H&$ ME A PAIR ( CL1N :ITE GLOVES &A
DU/ RAG4
  8,DU/ :AT80 ,I ASK$ Z ,I PUT ON !
GLOVES4
  ,LUC9DA RAIS$ H] VOICE4 8,ANY?+ T NE$S
DU/9'60
  ,JO%UA PEEK$ \ (! PANTRY & SD1 8,%HH
''' QUIET N[10 !N A4$1 8,MORN9'1 ,S,Y
,MAY40                               #BA
  8,MORN9'10 ,I :ISP]$4
  8,Y BE/ />T UP/AIRS ''' ! ,MISSY & H]
"Y9S IS HAV9' _! MORN+ M1L10 ,JO%UA SD4
  8,YESSIR10 ,I SD4 ,I TRUDG$ UP !
/AIRS1 MAK+ UP A TUNE J L ,MAMA DOES4
,MAMA HAS LL S;GS = ALM E *ORE4 ,%E SAYS
X HELPS H] KEEP H] M9D4 8,MY B>E FEET ON
! WOOD5 /EPS1 6! TOP ,I G4 ,GOTTA DU/
:AT J GOT DU/$ ONLY "O "D AGO40
  ,I SLID MY :ITE-GLOV$ H& AL;G ! BANI/]
UNTIL ,I R1*$ ! TOP (! /EPS & W&]$ 96!
,MISSY'S B$ROOM4 ,! B$ 0 ALR MADE1 PIL-
L[S PLUMP$1 FLOOR FRE%LY WAX$1 LACE CUR-
TA9S PULL$ BACK1 & W9D[S OP5$ WIDE1 AL-
L[+ FRE% AIR 6FILL ! ROOM4 ,! TOILET POT
&! ,MA/]'S SPITTOON 7 EMPTY4 ,I DU/$
"EY?+1 EV5 ?\< "! 0 NO DU/ 6SP1K (1 !N
W5T 96! OLDE/ GIRL'S ROOM4
  ,%E 0 CALL$ ,MISS ,2ATRICE1 & %E _H
P9K FRECKL$ SK91 & BR[N HAIR T CURL$ :5
! FOG FELL L[4 ,%E 0 Z TALL Z ME1 &
LAU<$ A LOT4 ,Z ,I DU/$ H] DRESS]1 ,I 0
OV]COME )A W1K;S 6OP5 ! DRAW]S1 & RUN MY
F+]S OV] :AT ,I KNEW !Y HELD3 H] PRETTY
2L;G+S1 FRE%-PRESS$ CLO!S1 SW1T]S1   #BB
SOCKS ) LACE TRIM4 ,B ,I 0 AFRAID "S"O
WD CAT* ME1 GIVE ME T5 LA%ES )A SWIT* OR
WORSE1 ! :IP4 ,S1 ! DRAW]S REMA9$ CLOS$4
  ,I 0 J AB 6L1VE ,MISS ,2ATRICE'S ROOM
:5 ,I SAW X4 ,A BOOK4 ,I HALT$1 !N PEEK$
96! HALLWAY1 LI/5+ =! S.DS ( P AFOOT4 ,I
DIDN'T HE> ANY"O1 S ,I PICK$ X UP4 ,I 0
LOOK+ AT ! LRS1 WOND]+ :AT !Y SD1 :5 ,I
HE>D "S"O 2H ME4
  8,:AT Y DO9'1 B>EFOOT ,S,Y80 ,X 0 ,LU-
C9DA4
  ,I CLOS$ ! BOOK & PUT X D[N4 8,DU/9' L
,I 0 TOLD40
  8,T S8 ,SEEMS 6ME Y 0 LOOK9' AT ,MISS
,2ATRICE'S BOOK40
  8,DU/9' "U X IS ALL4 ,:AT Y WANT UP "H
ANYWAY8 ,A9'T Y GOT M GLOVES 6WA%80
  8,MISSY S5T ME4 ,6KEEP AN EYE ON Y4
,GD ?+ %E DID40
  8,I'S D"O 9 "H10 ,I TOLD H]4 ,I /EPP$
96! HALL1 B H] EYES 7 / ON ! BOOK4 ,I
/>$ AT H]1 MY EYES WIDE1 Z %E PICK$ UP !
BOOK1 TORE \ A PAGE1 CRUMPL$ X 9 H] H&1
& DROPP$ X ON ! FLOOR4
  8,:AT Y D T =80 ,I ASK$4           #BC
  ,LUC9DA ONLY LAU<$4 ,& Z %E HURRI$ D[N
! /EPS1 ,I KNEW ! TATTL]'S TALE WD QKLY
F9D ! ,MISSY'S E>S4
  ,I 0 TRY+ 6SMOO? \ ! CRUMPL$ PAGE :5
,I HE>D ! ,MISSY CALL MY "N F ! BOTTOM (
! /AIRS4 8,S,Y ,MAY80
  8,YES'M80
  8,YES'M :AT80
  8,YES'M1 ,MISSY ,H>RISON80
  8,-E D[N "H10 ! ,MISSY SD1 H] M\?
TWI/$ 6"O SIDE 0ANG]1 ,LUC9DA /&+ 2S H]1
HOLD+ AN IRON1 SMIRK+4
  8,YES'M1 ,MISSY ,H>RISON10 ,I REP1T$ Z
,I W5T D[N ! /EPS4 ,I _H MY H& 2H MY
BACK1 ! PAGE F ! BOOK 9 X4
  ,I /OOD 9 FRONT ( H]1 S CLOSE T ,I CD
FEEL ! W>M? ( H] BR1? :5 %E SPOKE1 SMELL
! TEA %E'D J DRUNK4
  ,%E SPIT ANO!R "Q AT ME4 8,D Y "K YR
LRS80
  8,NO1 MA'AM4 ,Y "K ,I DON'T40
  8,LUC9DA "H TOLD ME Y RIPP$ A PAGE \ (
"O ( ,MISS ,2ATRICE'S BOOKS4 ,IS T S80
  8,NO1 MA'AM4 ,X W]5'T ME4 ,X WAS--0
  ,%E DIDN'T LET ME F9I%4 8,HOLD \   #BD
YR H&S10 ! ,MISSY SD H>%LY4
  ,I DID Z ,I 0 TOLD1 ! PAGE F ! BOOK
CL5*$ TI<TLY 9 MY FI/4
  8,OP5 YR H&1 GAL60 %E -M&$4
  ,! ,MISSY TOOK ! N[-DAMP PAGE F MY H&4
8,IF Y DON'T "K YR LRS1 :Y WD Y D ?80 %E
ASK$4
  8,B ,I--0
  8,%U%60 ,MISSY ,H>RISON SD4
  ,I HUNG MY H1D1 "K+ X 0 USE.S 6TRY TO
3V9CE H] T X 0 ,LUC9DA :O _H D"O X & N
ME4
  8,Y "K :AT HAPP5S :5 Y D "S?+ L ?80
  8,YES'M1 ,MISSY ,H>RISON10 ,I SD4
8,PUNI%;T40
  8,HOLD \ YR H&S AG1 FACEUP10 %E SD4
  8,YES1 MA'AM40
  ,! ,MISSY TOOK ! IRON F ,LUC9DA & HELD
X OV] MY H&S4 ,I FELT ! H1T1 & MY BODY
%OOK L A DUCK J \ ( WAT]4 ,I CLOS$ MY
EYES4
  ,J Z %E 0 AB 6BURN MY PALMS1 ,JO%UA
SPOKE S(TLY F 2H H]4 8,%E'LL 2 NO GD 6NO
"O1 H\SE OR FIELD1 ) H&S ALL BURNT &
SWOLE UP1 ,MISSY ,H>RISON40          #BE
  ,MISSY />$ AT ME = Q A SPELL4 ,!N %E
SI<$4 8,I SUPPOSE Y'RE "R10 %E SD1 H&+ !
IRON 6,LUC9DA4 8,B GET ME A ?ICK SWIT*1
,JO%UA1 & MAKE SURE X'S / GRE5 ''' ,S,Y
,MAY "H HAS A LESSON 6LE>N40
  ,JO%UA B[$ 8 H1D & -PLI$4 8,YES'M40
  8,LUC9DA80 ! ,MISSY SD4
  8,YES'M1 ,MISSY ,H>RISON80 %E REPLI$1
GR9N+ ) DELI<T4
  8,F9I% UP T IRON+10 %E SD Z %E H&$ H]
BACK ! IRON4
  ,LUC9DA SKULK$ 96! KIT*54 ,I 0 GLAD %E
WASN'T "! 6GLOAT Z ! SWIT* PASS$ F ,JO%-
UA'S H& 6! ,MISSY'S4 ,JO%UA GAZ$ 96MY
EYES 2F HE TURN$ 6JO9 ,LUC9DA4 ,I HOP$
HE _H SE5 MY GRATE;L;S4
  ,! ,MISSY M>*$ ME \TSIDE4 ,! GRASS 0
DAMP & S(T "U MY FEET4 ,! SWIT* HIT MY
LEGS ! F/ "T1 /++4 ,I FL9*$1 GAZ+ D[N Z
%E CIRCL$ ME1 HITT+ ME F E SIDE4 ,I
WANT$ 6RUN AWAY4
  8,HOLD /1 GAL60 %E W>N$ ME Z %E HIT ME
AG & AG4
  ,TE>S WELL$ UP 9 MY EYES & !N RAN D[N
MY *EEKS4 ,I CD HE> ! SWIT* CUTT+    #BF
"? ! AIR1 MAK+ A :IZZ+ S.D1 !N SNAPP+ Z
X MET MY FLE%4 ,! ,MISSY DIDN'T /OP UN-
TIL MY LEGS 7 BLOODY4 ,X FELT L ="E4
  ,2F %E W5T 9SIDE1 %E PO9T$ 6A BASKET (
J-WA%$ %EETS & SD1 8,^! NE$ HANG+40
  ,I 0 TREMBL+4 8,YES'M1 ,MISSY ,H>RI-
SON10 ,I REPLI$1 LIFT+ A %EET F ! BASKET
& ?R[+ X OV] ! L9E4
  ,I WI%$ ,LUC9DA D1D1 BURI$1 & G"O1 B N
6H1V54

  ,T NI<T1 Z ,MAMA CL1N$ MY W.DS ) W>M
WAT]1 ,I TOLD ,MAMA1 ,PA1 & ,ABRAHAM :AT
_H HAPP5$4 ,ABRAHAM %OOK 8 H1D & ,MAMA
SD ,I %D N"E T\* ANY?+ T WASN'T M9E4
  ,B FEW O!R ^WS 7 SPOK5 UNTIL ,PA :IS-
P]$1 8,NI<T1 ,S,Y GIRL40







                 ,,?REE              #BG

,F UP ON 8 HORSE
,! COLOR$ =EMAN SAYS
,BACK 6"W Y'ALL
,WE DUN LO/ U TWO "DS
,/RAW HAT ON 8 H1D
,NEW :IP AT 8 SIDE
,GOTTA "W FA/
,X'S H>VE/"T

  ,! SUN FELT L X 0 SITT+ ON MY BACK1
TRY+ 6BURN A HOLE CLE> "? ME4 ,MY LEGS 7
H1VY F YE/]"D'S B1T+ & ,I DRA7$ AL;G1
PULL+ MY SACK 2H ME4 ,MY LIPS 7 DRY1 MY
?ROAT TOO4 ,I SE>*$ ! FIELDS1 HOP+ 6SEE
A LL "O -+ T[>D ME )A PAIL ( COOL WELL
WAT]4 ,BETT] YET1 ,I PRAY$1 "S"O W (F]
ME A SLICE ( AN ,AUGU/ HAM ) XS SWEET
P9K JUICE & BLACK SE$S4
  ,F "O PLANT,N 6! NEXT1 ? NEW CROP
CALL$ COTTON SEEMS 6BE TAK+ OV]4 ,! COT-
TON XF IS :ITE1 S(T1 & ALL FLUFF1 B X'S
! PRICKLY "PS T SURR.D ! COTTON M1T T
TE> UP YR F+]S4 ,I HATE X 2C X PA9S ME1
MAK+ MY F+]TIPS BLE$ S M* T ,I ALM   #BH
MISS PICK+1 %UCK+1 & GR9D+ CORN4
  ,! COLOR$ =EMAN1 8 SK9 Z BLACK Z !
HAIR ON MY H1D1 RODE 0SL[LY ON 8 HORSE4
8,Y'ALL DR9K PL5TY WAT] N[10 HE ADVIS$4
8,A9'T NO GD 6NO "O SICK OR D1D40
  ,HANNABELLE 0 "W+ 2H ME4 ,I HE>D H]
:ISP]1 8,WAIT9' ON ! ,"L 6C>RY ME 6FREE-
DOM4 ,C>RY ME 6FREEDOM TD40
  ,I /OPP$ PICK+ & WIP$ AT ! SW1T /R1M+
D[N ! BACK ( MY NECK4 ,PA'S "YE/ SI/]1
,DELILAH1 0 TWO /EPS AH1D ( ME4 8,:Y
,HANNABELLE ALW SAYS T ''' ,8C>RY ME TO
FREEDOM0'80 ,I ASK$4
  ,DELILAH /OOD UP /RAI<T & RU2$ ! SMALL
( H] BACK4 8,ASK9' ! ,"L 6LET H] DIE &
TAKE H] UP 6H1V510 %E REPLI$4
  8,:Y -E80
  8,Y A9'T NO H1!N1 IS Y1 ,S,Y ,MAY80
,DELILAH ASK$4
  8,NO1 MA'AM1 Y "K ,I A9'T40
  8,!N Y "KS T ! ,"L IS 9 H1V5 ABV1 ":
,HE SITS ON ,8 ?R"O ''' & :5 WE GETS "!1
,HE GONNA GREET U & WELCOME U 96! PLACE
CALL$ ,P>ADISE1 ": ! /REETS IS PAV$ )
JEWELS & GOLD & WE GONNA H "EY?+3    #BI
A H\SE BI7] ?AN ! ,MA/]'S1 PL5TY PRETTY
CLO!S L ! ,MISSY & H] LL GALS1 ALL !
SWEETS WE CD EAT4 ,WE'LL 2 SMIL9' &
LAU<9'1 FULLA JOY1 FI4LE MUSIC 9 ! AIR1
FOLKS DANC9' & C>RY9' ON '''0
  ,DELILAH 0 GR9N+ BIG & WIDE4
  ,I GAZ$ UP AT ! CLE> BLUE SKY4
  ,H1V5 S.D$ WOND];L4
  ,SU45LY1 F ACR ! FIELDS ,I HE>D ! COL-
OR$ =EMAN'S VOICE &! HOOVES ( 8 HORSE Z
HE GALLOP$ T[>D U4 8,DEE-LI-LAH60
  ,DELILAH />T$ "W+ FA/1 B ! =EMAN ALR
_H 8 :IP \ & ,I CR+$ Z X SNAPP$ AG/ ,DE-
LILAH'S WET BACK4
  ,I DIDN'T LOOK UP :5 HE SPOKE4 8,DEE-
LI-LAH80
  8,YESSIR80 ,DELILAH REPLI$4
  8,KEEP WA79' YR T;GUE & ,I MI<T TAKE A
M9D 6CUT X \4 ,:AT Y TRY9' 6T1* ? "Y980
HE ASK$4
  8,NU?9'10 ,DELILAH REPLI$4
  ,HE CRACK$ 8 :IP A SECOND "T4 8,NU?9'
:O80
  8,NU?91 SIR10 ,DELILAH SD1 >*+ H] BACK
9 PA94                               #CJ
  8,BACK 6"W ''' ALL Y'ALL10 HE MUTT]$4
  ,I GL>$ AT HM Z HE TROTT$ AWAY ON 8
HORSE1 WI%+ HE WD GET ! :IP & FEEL XS
/+4 ,I /UDI$ ! PA9 ON ,DELILAH'S FACE1
RAN MY H&S ACR MY R$1 WELT$ LEGS1 & 2GAN
6"K :Y ,HANNABELLE WANT$ 6BE Z F> AWAY Z
H1V54
  8,HE WORSE ?AN ! :ITE =EMAN4 ,I CAT*ES
A GL1M 9 8 EYE E "T HE SNAPS T :IP10 ,I
HE>D ,OLD ,MOSES SAY Z HE SL[LY DRA7$ A
HALF-FULL SACK ( COTTON 2H HM4 ,OLD
,MOSES' F+]S 7 TWI/$1 8 BU%Y HAIR :ITE1
8 BACK COV]$ ) SC>S F ! :IP1 8 ROTT5
TEE? ALM ALL G"O4
  8,TAKE "S1 ,S,Y ,MAY4 ,X'S FRE% F !
WELL & COLD10 A SMALL BOY "ND ,LL ,PETE
SD1 DIPP+ ! LADLE 96! WAT] PAIL & PU%+ X
96MY H&4 ,HE 0 MISS+ 8 TWO FRONT TEE?4
,I WAT*$ HM SMILE Z ! WAT] COOL$ MY
BURN$ PURPLE LIPS4 ,I DIPP$ X 9 AG &
SWALL[$ QKLY4 ,0! ?IRD "T1 ,I />T$ 6FEEL
ALIVE AG4
  8,M* OBLIG$10 ,I SD Z ,I H&$ HM BACK !
LADLE4
  ,DELILAH DIPP$ BO? H&S 9 8 PAIL1   #CA
SPLA%$ WAT] ON H] FACE1 & SI<$4 ,H] BEL-
LY 0 HUGE ) * & ,I KNEW T "S"T SOON "!
WD 2 A KNOCK ON \R DOOR &A VOICE WD :IS-
P]1 8,DESSA1 -E QK40 ,!N ,MAMA WD RU% \
L A :IRLW9D1 -+ BACK A GD SPELL LAT]1
BR++ TALES (! NEWE/ GIRL OR BOY * :O _H
BE5 "ND 0! ,MISSY & A4$ 6! ,MA/]'S GR[+
LI/4 ,S F> ? YE>1 ONLY TWO GIRL *N _H
BE5 BORN1 & BO? _H BE5 "ND ,NAOMI4 ,! F/
0 CALL$ ,NAOMI ,L\ISE1 ! SECOND ,NAOMI
,M>IE4 ,IF ,DELILAH _H A GIRL1 %E WD BE-
-E ,NAOMI NUMB] ?REE4 ,IF %E _H A BOY1
NO "O CD SAY :AT 8 "N MI<T BE4
  ,I'D BE5 "W+ ALL "D B _HN'T _H ANY?+
6EAT S9CE MORN+ EXCEPT "S ROA/$ NUTS
,OLD ,MOSES _H GIV5 ME4 ,! SUN 0 GO+
D[N1 S9K+ 2H ! TREES 96! E>?4
  ,ABRAHAM 0 ) ,PA AG1 LE>N+ IRON"W1 &
,MAMA 0 ON ! O!R SIDE (! PLANT,N4 ,"O (!
OLD-"TRS :O DID NO?+ B GR9D CORN 9 A %$
_H DI$ LA/ EV5+1 S ,MAMA _H BE5 GIV5 H]
JOB4 ,X _H ONLY BE5 "O "D1 B ,I ALR
MISS$ !M1 ,MAMA AL;GSIDE ME1 SPR1D+ H]
SWEET;S "? ! FIELDS1 ,ABRAHAM'S H1VY
FEET PLO4+ 2H ME4                    #CB
  ,I GL.ED UP AT A FLOCK ( CRANES FLY+
S\?4 ,!N ,I /RA9$ MY E>S1 LI/5+ = FROG
MUSIC 2C 0! "T !Y 2G9 CROAK+1 X'S ALM "T
6H1D BACK 6! QU>T]4
  ,SU45LY ,DELILAH YELL$ L\DLY1 8,"L
,JESUS1 HELP ME60 & FELL 6! GR.D1 MOAN+1
>MS >.D H] BIG BELLY4
  ,! =EMAN CIRCL$ H] ON 8 HORSE4 ,HE
-M&$ ,OLD ,MOSES & "S O!RS 6PUT ,DELILAH
9 ! WAGON ON TOP (! BURLAP SACKS FULL (
FRE%-PICK$ COTTON4 8,GET H] BACK 6! QU>-
T]1 QK60 HE TOLD ! DRIV]1 !N TURN$ 6ME4
8,S,Y ,MAY1 G GET ,DESSA ''' TELL YR MA-
MA T ,DELILAH'S "T IS -E ''' & MAKE
HA/E1 GAL40
  8,YESSIR10 ,I REPLI$1 & TOOK (F FA/]
?AN A COTTONTAIL RA2IT1 HOLD+ MY DRESS
UP S ,I WDN'T TRIP1 ! DUSKY AIR COOL+ MY
FACE4
  ,I BUR/ "? ! %$ DOOR ": %E 0 GR9D+
CORN4 8,MAMA6 ,MAMA6 ,-E QK60
  8,:AT'S ! MATT]1 *80
  8,X'S ,DELILAH1 H] "T IS -E &! =EMAN1
HE SAY 6-E QK40
  ,! SUN F9I%$ SETT+ &! MOON TOOK    #CC
XS PLACE 9 ! SKY Z ,MAMA & ,I HURRI$ TO-
W>D ! QU>T]4 8,FET* ME TWO PAILS ( WAT]
F ! WELL1 ,S,Y ,MAY10 ,MAMA SD Z %E 5T]$
,DELILAH'S CAB94

  ,LATE T NI<T1 ,MAMA TIPTO$ OV] \R
?RE%OLD1 HUMM+ A S(T SWEET TUNE4 8,DELI-
LAH GOT H]F A BOY *4 ,! ,MISSY GIV$ HM !
"N ,SAMSON4 ,8 H1D'S MI<TY BIG ''' ALM
LO/ BO? ( 'EM40 ,MAMA SLIPP$ \ ( H]
DRESS & CLIMB$ 96B$ AL;GSIDE ME4
  8,A9'T T SUM?9'1 ,SAMSON & ,DELILAH80
,PA MUM#D1 8 M9D HALF ASLEEP1 T;GUE HALF
AWAKE4
  8,MISSY SAY %E & ,MA/] L1V9' E>LY
T'MORR[1 H1D$ 6,SAVANNAH4 ,SAY ! ,MA/]'S
BRO!R GOT TR\#S40
  8,T S80 ,PA ASK$4
  8,SUR'NUF10 ,MAMA REPLI$4
  8,I'LL ASK ,JO%UA TM10 ,PA GRUNT$ Z HE
DRIFT$ T[>D SLEEP4 8,HE'LL LIKELY "K40



                                     #CD
























                 ,,F\R               #CE

,! NEWS SPR1D 9 :ISP]S
,LATE ! NEXT "D
,MA/] &! ,MISSY G"O
,UP ,SAVANNAH WAY
,N SURE H[ L;G
,!Y GONNA 2 AWAY
,BRE?R5 GOT WORRIES
,IS :AT !Y SAY

  ,DELILAH TURN$ SICKLY 9 ! ?REE "DS
S9CE ! BABY CAME1 & ,MAMA _H 6BE 0H]
SIDE4 ,S ,I TOOK ,MAMA'S JOB GR9D+ CORN
96M1L4 ,! %$ 0 COOL L A SPR+ MORN+ & ?\<
,I 0 PL1S$ 6BE \ (! SUN1 "! 0 NO "O TO
TALK TO4 ,S ,I MADE UP ANO!R S;G4
  8,GR9D9' CORN1 GR9D9' CORN1 GR9D9'
CORN A9'T S BAD4 ,B PICK9' COTTON1 PICK-
IN' COTTON1 PICK9' COTTON MAKES ME SAD40
,I SANG X OV] & OV] Z ,I GR.D ! CORN 9TO
M1L & PUT X 96SACKS4
  ,I 0 J "W+ & S++1 S++ & "W+1 ! CORN
GR9D] HUMM+1 :5 \ (! CORN] ( MY EYE ,I
SAW "S?+ SMALL & QK BUR/ "? ! %$ DOOR4
,AT F/ ,I ?"\ X 0 A BOBCAT UNTIL     #CF
,I SAW H]4 ,X 0 ,JANU>Y ,JULY4
  ,JANU>Y ,JULY 0 NE>LY N9E1 SCRAWNY L
ME1 & "EY"O 9 ! QU>T]1 "Y & OLD1 -PLA9$
%E 0 ! LAZIE/ GAL !Y "E KNEW4 ,%E 0 "ND
,JANU>Y ,JULY 0H] MAMA & PA 2C %E 0 BORN
"O ,JANU>Y :5 ! ,MA/] &! ,MISSY 7 AWAY4
,!N !Y A4$ ,JULY 2C X J S.D$ "R4 ,S !
:ITE =EMAN _H RECORD$ X 9 ! BOOK1 ,JANU-
>Y ,JULY ,H>RISON1 & NO "O C TELL Y :Y1
B ! ,MISSY N"E *ANG$ X4
  8,Y 'B\T SC>$ ! <O/ \TTA ME60 ,I
YELL$4
  8,Y SC>$A "EY?+1 ,S,Y ,MAY10 %E T1S$4
  8,IS N10 ,I SD4
  8,IS S40
  8,:AT Y RUN 9 "H =80 ,I ASK$4 8,HID9'
F ! =EMAN AG980
  ,JANU>Y ,JULY GR9N$4 8,SUR'NUF40
  8,MI<T Z WELL HELP ME !N10 ,I TOLD H]4
  8,DON'T "K H[10 %E REPLI$4
  8,I CD LE>N Y ''' SEE4 ,Y PUT ! DRI$
CORN 9 "H & TURN ? H&LE4 ,& :5 ! M1L -ES
\ "H1 Y PUT X 9 "O ( ^! SACKS40
  ,JANU>Y ,JULY GRA2$ A H&;L ( YELL[
K]NELS & SPILL$ !M 96! GR9D]4 8,L    #CG
?80
  8,YESSIREE10 ,I SD1 & />T$ S++ AG4
8,GR9D9' CORN1 GR9D9' CORN1 GR9D9' CORN
A9'T S BAD--0
  8,:AT Y S+9'80 ,JANU>Y ,JULY ASK$4
  8,A S;G ,I MADE UP40
  8,:Y -E80
  8,6HELP ME KEEP MY M9D40
  8,": CD X G80
  8,"S":S40
  8,:O TELL$ Y T80
  8,MY MAMA40
  ,B :5 ,I />T$ S++ ! CORN S;G AG &
,JANU>Y ,JULY JO9$ IN1 ,I SU45LY WI%$ ,I
DIDN'T H E>S 6HE>4 ,H] VOICE S.D$ L TWO
CR[S CAW+4
  8,JANU>Y ,JULY1 Y CA9'T H>DLY S+40
  8,I "KS10 %E *UCKL$4
  ,! S.D ( ROLL+ :EELS & HORSES' HOOVES
MADE U /OP "W+ & PEEK "? ! T9Y W9D[4
,AL;GSIDE ! CORN %$ 0 A N>R[ ROAD T DI-
VID$ ,H>RISON L& F ! ,SULLIVAN PLANT,N
ACR ! WAY4 ,TWO :ITE M51 "O ) B"R R$
HAIR1 BO? C>RY+ RIFLES1 RODE 2S A WAGON
T 0 2+ DRIV5 0A ?IRD :ITE MAN4 ,9    #CH
! BACK (! WAGON SAT A HUGE COLOR$ MAN1
*A9 >.D 8 D>K ?ICK NECK1 8 BODY BLOODY1
FACE BLOODI]4 ,8 H1D 0 HELD D[N L HE 0
B>ELY ALIVE4 ,"O (! :ITE M5 JA2$ HM ) 8
RIFLE &! HUGE COLOR$ MAN SAT UP /RAI<T4
  8,/AY ALIVE1 NI7]10 ! :ITE MAN SD4
8,WE GOT A BIG B.TY 6COLLECT40
  ,I :ISP]$ 6,JANU>Y ,JULY1 8,A RUN-
AWAY40
  ,%E REPLI$ S(TLY1 8,SUR'NUF40
  8,!Y'S SURE 6HANG HM10 ,I TOLD H]4
  8,:Y -E80
  8',CAUSE HE RUN (F10 ,I REPLI$1 & RE-
TURN$ 6GR9D+ CORN4
  8,!N HE GONNA 2 D1D80 %E ASK$1 / PEEK+
"? ! W9D[4
  8,D1D Z CD BE40
  ,JANU>Y ,JULY %OOK H] H1D4 8,I A9'T
N"E RUNN9' (F40
  ,I AGRE$4 8,NEI ME40
  ,JANU>Y ,JULY LOAD$ M K]NELS 96! GR9D-
]1 & Z WE GR.D ! CORN1 WE SANG1 8,GR9D9'
CORN1 GR9D9' CORN1 GR9D9' CORN A9'T S
BAD '''0
                                     #CI
  ,LAT] T NI<T1 Z ! FIRE FLICK]$1 ,I
TOLD ! /ORY (! RUNAWAY4
  8,LIKELY !Y'LL HANG HM10 ,PA SD4
  8,Y "E POND] RUNN9' (F1 ,PA80 ,ABRAHAM
ASK$4
  ,MAMA PUT H] F+] 6H] M\?4 8,%HH40
  8,CA9'T NOBODY HE> U1 ,DESSA10 ,PA SD4
  8,WELL1 DID Y80 ,ABRAHAM ASK$ AG4
  8,YESSIREE1 A H1P ( "TS4 ,"E S9CE ,I 0
A "Y9 ,I BE5 LIS'N9 6TALES ( COLOR$ :O
MADE X ,NOR?1 "S ALL ! WAY \TTA ',M]ICA
CLE> 6,CANADA1 ": "! A9'T NO S* ?+ Z
SLAV]Y4 ,I EV5 HE>'D TALES 'B\T FOLKS :O
TRI$ 6G BACK 6,AFRICA40
  8,AFRICA ''' ": YR PA -E F80 ,I ASK$4
  8,SUR'NUF1 ,S,Y GIRL1 CLE> ACR !
OC1N40 ,PA GOT A DR1MY LOOK 9 8 EYES4
8,I SEE'D X ONCE F ! %ORES ( ,C>OL9A40
  8,AFRICA80 ,ABRAHAM ASK$4
  8,NAW1 SON4 ,! OC1N4 ,PIECE ( WAT] T
C>RIES YR EYES Z F> AWAY Z ! MOON40
  ,I L1N$ MY H1D ON ,PA'S %\LD]4 8,T ":
,AFRICA IS ''' F> AWAY Z ! MOON80
  8,SEEMS 6ME X J MI<T BE40
                                     #DJ
























                 ,,FIVE              #DA

,MA/] BE5 S\R
,L V9EG> !Y SAY
,S9CE HM &! ,MISSY
,-E BACK ?ISSA WAY

  ,LL M ?AN A =TNI<T2 T'S ALL X'S BE5
S9CE ,DELILAH'S BOY *1 ,SAMSON1 0 BORN4
,B ,DELILAH'S ALR BACK 6"W4 ,! COTTON
FIELDS >E ONLY HALF PICK$1 B ! CORN IS
NE>LY H>VE/$1 R[ AF R[ ( YELL[+ /ALKS
SWAY+ )! W9D4
  ,JO%UA HAS BE5 D[N 6! QU>T] MO/ EV5+S
S9CE ! ,MA/] GOT BACK F ,SAVANNAH4 ,LA/
NI<T HE & ,PA SAT ON ! POR*1 :ISP]+ UN-
TIL SUNRISE4 ,PA KEEPS A WORRI"S LOOK1 &
,MAMA TELLS U 6LET HM 2 2C HE'S POND]+
H>D & DEEP4 ,POND]+ :AT1 %E C'T SAY4
  ,T NI<T1 :5 ,JO%UA KNOCK$ S(TLY1 ,MAMA
& ,ABRAHAM 7 DEEP ASLEEP1 B ,I 0 WIDE-
AWAKE4 ,:5 ,PA W5T \TSIDE1 ,I CREPT 6!
DOOR1 PEEK$ "? AN EYE-SIZ$ HOLE1 & LIS-
T5$4
  8,ONLY FIVE1 ,I HE>D ! ,MA/] SAY3
,JANU>Y ,JULY1 ,ABRAHAM1 ,S,Y        #DB
,MAY1 ,L'IL ,PETE1 & T BIG GAL F UP AT !
H\SE1 ,LUC9DA4 ,I GOTTA SAY ,I'M GLAD
%E'S GO9'1 ?\< X'LL LIKELY 2 H>D ON H]
MAMA & PAPPY40
  8,Y SURE Y HE>D "R80 ,PA ASK$4
  8,I A9'T D1F1 ,TITUS4 ,PLUS ,I EV5
SEE'D X WROTE D[N40
  8,DIDN'T "K Y CD R1D40
  8,J A MITE10 ,JO%UA REPLI$4
  8,G S\?1 Y SAY80 ,PA ASK$4
  8,PA/ ,WAYCROSS40
  8,96! BIG SWAMP80
  8,9DIAN L&4 ,CALL$ ,SEM9OLES ''' & F
:AT ,I HE>1 !Y'S LIKELY 6HELP Y4 ,:AT ,I
BE5 TOLD IS T COLOR$ IS FREE 6LIVE AM;G/
'EM L;G Z !Y "W ! L& & GIVE A POR;N ( _!
CROP 6! *IEF4 ,9 RETURN1 !Y GIVES Y PRO-
TEC;N F ! :ITE MAN40
  8,S IS ! COLOR$S SLAVE OR FREE80
  8,F ! TALES ,I BE5 TOLD1 ! ,SEM9OLES
CLAIM CA9'T NO MAN [N ANO!R10 ,JO%UA
HESITAT$4 8,& ,I AL BE5 ASSUR$ T :ITE M5
& MO/ SLAVE HUNT]S A9'T TOO FOND (!
SWAMP4 ,B DON'T 2 FOOL$1 ,TITUS4 ,"S
,9DIANS IS CRAFTY1 "W+ ) B.TY        #DC
HUNT]S &! L4 ,S Y BE/ 2W>E40
  ,PA KEPT QUIET =A :ILE 2F HE ASK$ AN-
O!R "Q4 8,ALL 'CAUSE ( FEV]80
  8,SUR'NUF1 NE>LY WIP$ \ 8 BRO!R'S :OLE
QU>T]1 "Y & OLD1 /\T & L1N4 ,GOTTA HELP
HM1 HE SAY ''' 'B\TTA LOSE 8 CROPS '''
MADE A SOLEMN PROMISE 6S5D HM FIVE ( 8
SLAVES 9 LESS ?AN A =TNI<T40
  8,B :Y MY BOY & ,S,Y ,MAY80 ,PA S.D$ L
HE _H TE>S 9 8 EYES4 8,?9K X'S 'CAUSE (
,LUC9DA & T BOOK80
  ,JO%UA GL.ED AWAY F ,PA1 UP AT ! HALF-
MOON T 0 HANG+ 9 ! SKY4 8,CA9'T SAY40
  8,! F\R ( US'LL 2 G"O A=E SUNRISE "D
AF T'MORR[4 ,Y GOT ! CANTE5 & VIDL9S80
  8,SUR'NUF ''' & ,I'LL BR+ ANO!R CANTE5
& M PROVI.NS = Y'ALL T'MORR[10 ,JO%UA SD
Z HE H&$ ,PA TWO SACKS4 8,MAKE SURE
Y'ALL /E] CLE> ( ,WAYCROSS & TRY & KEEP
CLOSE 6! WAT]'S $GE4 ,MAKES X H>D] = !M
HE>T.S H.DS 6CAT* YR SC5T40
  8,I'LL REMEMB]10 ,PA REPLI$4
  8,& '''0 ,JO%UA HESITAT$ AG4 8,BE
WAT*;L ( GATORS ''' ,I HE>S !Y GOT 'EM
MON/R\S BIG4 ,A# 6SWALL[ Y :OLE 9    #DD
"O BITE4 ,& SNAKES--!Y GOT COTTONM\?S &
RATTL]S T C KILL Y QK Z A :I/LE40
  8,I'M 2HOLD9' 6Y1 ,JO%UA40
  8,MAY ! GD ,"L KEEP Y1 ,TITUS10 ,JO%UA
REPLI$4 8,Y BE5 BETT]'N A BRO!R 6ME4
,I'LL SURELY MISS Y40
  8,!N -E ) U1 ,JO%UA10 ,PA SD4
  8,NAW1 ,TITUS4 ,RUNN9' ''' X A9'T =
ME4 ,B'SIDES1 ,I A9'T N"E BE5 A BRAVE
MAN4 ,Y 0 ALW ! BRAVE "O4 ,MAYBE X'S ":
Y 2L;GS1 )! ,9DIANS4 ,!Y'S A BRAVE P1 &
PR\D TOO1 F :AT ,I'M TOLD40
  ,2F ,JO%UA TURN$ 6WALK AWAY1 HE GAVE
,PA'S %\LD] A L;G SQUEEZE4 ,0! "T ,PA
CAME 9SIDE1 ,I _H SCRAM#D BACK 6B$1 PRE-
T5D+ 6BE ASLEEP4
  ,PA :ISP]$ \R "NS4 8,DESSA1 ,ABRAHAM1
,S,Y ,MAY80
  ,MAMA LIFT$ H] H1D F ! PILL[4 8,X A9'T
SUNUP YET1 ,TITUS40
  8,I "K1 B ,I GOT "S?+ 6TELL Y'ALL4 ,"D
AF T'MORR[ A=E SUNRISE1 WE GONNA L1VE ?
PLACE40
  8,HAS Y LO/ YR M9D1 MAN80 ,MAMA ASK$4
  8,NAW1 ,DESSA1 ,I / GOT MY M9D4    #DE
,B ,MA/] 'B\TTA S5D ,S,Y ,MAY1 ,ABRAHAM1
& ?REE O!R "Y9S 6HIS BRO!R 9 ,SAVANNAH40
  8,= H[ L;G80 ,MAMA ASK$4
  8,= ALW10 ,PA REPLI$4
  ,ABRAHAM LAU<$4 8,Y M/ 2 FUNN9' ) U1
,PA40
  8,X'S TRU? ''' ,JO%UA EV5 SEE'D X
WROTE D[N40
  ,I SAT UP 9 B$1 REMEMB]+ ! RUNAWAY
,JANU>Y ,JULY & ,I _H SE5 F ! %$1 B1T51
BLOODY1 & NE>LY D1D4 ,WORRY FILL$ MY
M9D4 ,WD T HAPP5 6U8
  8,"D AF T'MORR[80 ,MAMA ASK$4
  8,YES'M ''' & CA9'T N"O ( Y'ALL :ISP]
A ^W1 S5D NO "O A F>EWELL LOOK ) YR
EYES4 ,Y'ALL G AB YR "W L A9'T NU?9'
*ANG$4 ,SAVE ANY EXTRA BITS ( BR1D1 HOE-
CAKES &! L2 NUTS1 ROOTS1 :AT"E Y C GET A
HOLD ( )\T BR+9' ATT5;N 6YRF40
  ,ABRAHAM CLIMB$ \ ( B$ & SAT CROSS-
LE7$ ON ! FLOOR NE> ! FIRE4 8,WE H1D9'
NOR?1 CLE> \TTA ',M]ICA 6,CANADA1 L Y 0
SAY9'80
  8,NAW ''' S\? 6! BIG SWAMP4 ,!N CLE>
96,FLORIDA IF NE$ BE40               #DF
  8,& IF'N WE GET CAU<T80 ,MAMA ASK$4
  8,WE GOT TWO *OICES1 ,DESSA10 ,PA RE-
PLI$4 8,/AY "H & WAT* :IL/ ,ABRAHAM & MY
,S,Y GIRL GET C>T$ (F 9 ! BACK (A WAGON1
OR RUN AWAY 6FREEDOM1 ALL ! :ILE PRAY9'
T ! ,"L KEEP & GUIDE U40
  ,MAMA />$ 96! CRACKL+ FIRE1 ! FLAMES
DANC+ 9 H] EYES4 ,%E 0 SIL5T =A SPELL4
,!N %E :ISP]$1 8,RUN AWAY 6FREEDOM40















                 ,,SIX               #DG

,GOTTA LOOK D[N
,96! DIRT ALL "D
,OR MY BR[N EYES
,IS SURE 6GIVE U AWAY

  ,! NEXT MORN+1 ,I 0 9 ! FIELDS J Z !
SUN PEEK$ 96! SKY4 ,BIRDS FLEW OV]H1D1
CALL+ 6EA* O!R ) _! S;GS1 & TWO COTTON-
TAIL RA2ITS CROSS$ MY PA?4 ,I TOLD MYF1
DON'T TALK1 KEEP YR H1D D[N1 & PICK FA/4
  ,DELILAH 0 ! F/ 6NOTICE4 8,:AT'S WR;G1
GAL1 YR EYES A9'T MET M9E ALL MORN9'4 ,Y
/ BROOD9' OV] T :UPP9'80
  8,YES'M10 ,I SD4
  8,PICK9' COTTON MI<TY FA/10 ,OLD ,MOS-
ES SD1 SMIL+ & NE>LY TOO?.S4
  8,YESSIR10 ,I REPLI$1 />+ 96! DU/Y
DIRT 2N MY FEET4 8,Y GOT "S P1NUTS80 ,I
ASK$ HM4
  8,SUR'NUF1 LL GAL4 ,ALW GOT A H&;L OR
TWO = Y10 ,OLD ,MOSES REPLI$1 & PLAC$ !M
9 MY \T/RET*$ PALM4 ,HE RAIS$ 8 EYEBR[S
Z ,I SLIPP$ !M 96! POCKET ( MY DRESS1 N
EAT+ !M "R AWAY1 ! WAY ,I G5],Y      #DH
DID4
  8,SAV9' 'EM = LAT]10 ,I TOLD HM4
  8,SUIT Y'SELF10 HE SD4
  ,T 0 :5 ,I SAW ,JANU>Y ,JULY DO+ "S?+
%E H>DLY "E DID--PICK+ COTTON4 ,I DRA7$
MY SACK FULL ( COTTON 6! WAGON1 HOI/$ X
96! BACK1 & GRA2$ AN EMPTY SACK4 ,SEE+ T
! =EMAN 0 NO": >.D1 ,I MADE MY WAY 6!
PLACE ": ,JANU>Y ,JULY 0 PICK+4 ,I WON-
D]$ :AT %E'D D IF %E KNEW T "S"D SOON %E
WD 2 TAK5 AWAY1 N"E 6SEE H] MAMA & PA OR
?REE BRO!RS & TWO SI/]S AG4
  ,:5 "O (! LL "OS T\*$ H] BACK1 TRY+ TO
DRAW H] AWAY F ! FIELDS & 96A GAME (
TAG1 %E >*$ H] BACK 9 PA94 ,I CD TELL %E
_H GOTT5 X4 ,! :IP4
  ,I 9*$ UP 2H H]4 8,Y AW'"R80 ,I ASK$4
  ,JANU>Y ,JULY'S EYES SE>*$ ! FIELDS =!
=EMAN 2F %E SPOKE4 8,NAW ''' GOT TW5TY
LICKS40
  ,BLOOD OOZ$ "? ! BACK ( H] DRESS4
8,I'S SORRY10 ,I SD4
  ,%E PUN*$ A FI/;L ( COTTON 96H] SACK4
8,:Y -E8 ,Y A9'T ! "O GIV$ ME ! B1T9'
''' ,MA/] DID40                      #DI
  ,I DIDN'T 2LIEVE MY E>S4 ,MA/] H>DLY
"E GAVE ! :IP 6ANY"O1 USU,Y L1V+ T DIRTY
"W 6"O (! =EM54 ,& ,I'D N"E SE5 HM B1T A
*4 8,MA/]80 ,I ASK$4
  8,YES'M4 ,!N HE TELL$ ME ,I CA9'T 2 NO
LAZY GAL NO M1 RUNN9' (F1 HID9' TILL
SUPP]"T40
  ,A TRAIL ( TE>S ROLL$ D[N ,JANU>Y ,JU-
LY'S *EEK4 ,I WANT$ 6W>N H]1 6TELL H] TO
TIPTOE 6\R CAB9 TN & ,I WD 2SEE* ,PA TO
TAKE H] ) U4 ,B 9/1D ,I KEPT ! SECRET Z
,I _H BE5 TOLD4
  8,I GOT "S NUTS ''' ,OLD ,MOSES GIV$
ME10 ,I TOLD H]1 R1*+ 96MY POCKET4 8,Y
CD H 'EM IF'N Y WANT40
  8,I A9'T HUNGRY1 ,S,Y ,MAY10 0 ALL %E
SD Z %E PULL$ H] BAG FULL ( COTTON T[>D
! WAGON4
  ,I MADE MY WAY BACK 6MY R[1 TAK+ MY
PLACE 2T ,DELILAH & ,HANNABELLE1 GAZ+
96! BLUE SKY1 WOND]+ H[ F> AWAY ! SUN 0
& H[ F> WE 7 GO+ 6H 6RUN4 ,I GL.ED AT
,JANU>Y ,JULY & SAD;S FILL$ ME4 ,I HE>D
A HORSE TROTT+ & GOT BACK 6"W4
  ,B X WASN'T ! =EMAN4 ,X 0 !        #EJ
,MA/]1 WE>+ CL1N1 PRESS$ CLO!S4 ,I FL9*$
:5 HE CAME 6A /OP 9 FRONT ( ME & CALL$
ME 0"N4 8,S,Y ,MAY80
  8,YESSIR10 ,I REPLI$1 />+ AT ! HOOVES
( 8 HORSE1 ^: IRON %OES 7 ?ICK & NEW1
FA%ION$ 0MY PA4
  ,F 8 SA4LE1 ! ,MA/] CA/ A D>K %AD[4
8,Y'RE A GD LL "W] & ,I ?ANK Y10 HE SD1
& TIPP$ 8 HAT4
  ,I 0 TEMPT$ 6LOOK UP1 B DIDN'T D>E4
8,Y\'S MI<TY WELCOME1 SIR40
  ,Z HE RODE AWAY1 ,I KNEW T 0 8 WAY (
SAY+ GD-BYE4 ,B ?9K+ BACK 6! :IPP+ &!
HOT IRON ! ,MISSY _H HELD OV] MY H&S1 ,I
FELT N A BIT ( SORR[4 ,I 0 GLAD TN WD 2
MY LA/ ON ,H>RISON L&4 ,I ONLY WOND]$ AB
! BIG SWAMP ": WE 7 H1D$ &! ,9DIANS
,JO%UA _H SD WD HELP U4

  ,X 0 NI<TFALL 2F ! =EMAN LET U G BACK
6! QU>T]4 ,JANU>Y ,JULY WALK$ UP 2S ME4
,I TOOK H] 0! H& & L$ H] 6H] CAB94
  8,GD-BYE10 ,I TOLD H]4
  8,:Y -E80 %E ASK$4
  8,:Y -E :AT80                      #EA
  8,:Y -E Y SD GD-BYE :5 Y GONNA SEE ME
T'MORR[8 ,Y "\A J SAY G'NI<T40
  8,SORRY1 G'NI<T10 ,I SD Z %E W5T IN-
SIDE4
  8,NI<T1 ,S,Y ,MAY60 ,DELILAH CALL$ Z
%E GLID$ PA/ ME1 HOLD+ H] BABY BOY1
,SAMSON1 ANXI\S 6NURSE HM1 !N ROCK HM TO
SLEEP4
  8,G'NI<T10 ,I REPLI$4
  ,HANNABELLE HOB#D BY4 8,WAIT9' ON !
,"L 6C>RY ME 6FREEDOM10 %E :ISP]$4

  8,MY POCKETS IS FULLA PL5TY10 ,ABRAHAM
SD Z HE BUTT$ 96! CAB94 8,LOOKA "H4 ,I
GOT NUTS1 ROOTS1 PIECES ( PIG FAT1 PL5TY
D&ELIONS1 & E YAM BIG & SMALL F ! G>D540
  8,ANY"O SEE'D Y80 ,MAMA ASK$4
  8,NAW ''' 'CAUSE ,I 0 QK Z QK C BE40
  ,PA PU%$ "? ! DOOR1 C>RY+ TWO L>GE
SACKS4 8,-PLI;TS ( ,JO%UA40
  ,I PEEK$ \TSIDE1 96! NI<T1 HOP+ 6CAT*
A GLIMPSE ( HM S ,I CD WAVE S L;G4
  8,WE 'B\TTA L1VE80 ,ABRAHAM ASK$4
  8,NAW1 FOLKS IS / AB4 ,WE GONNA EAT1
!N RE/ A SPELL40                     #EB
  ,MY 9SIDES FELT L BUGS 7 CRAWL+ "? !M1
& MY H& %OOK :5 ,I PICK$ UP MY CUP 6FILL
X ) WAT]4
  ,ABRAHAM LAU<$4 8,S,Y ,MAY GOT A CASE
(! N]VES40
  ,PA PATT$ MY H1D4 8,%E GOT A "R 6H !
N]VES ''' WE ALL DOES4 ,? L& "R "H IS
ALL %E E "K$1 Y & YR MAMA TOO4 ,& WE
GO9' 6A PLACE A9'T N"O ( U "E SEE'D
B'=E4 ,S Y LET YR SI/] AL"O1 BOY '''
%E'S ! ONLY "O Y GOT40
  8,AM510 ,MAMA A4$4
  ,PA GOT ON 8 KNEES4 8,WE GONNA PRAY40
  ,WE KNELT 9 FRONT (! FIRE & ,PA PRAY$4
8,"L ABV ''' ,Y "K :Y WE GOTTA L1VE ?
PLACE & WE 2SEE* ,Y 6GUIDE \R FEETS1 TO
KEEP U SAFE F HURT & H>M4 ,S5D ,YR MI<TY
ANGELS 6BE \R GUIDES & PL1SE B.S ^? WE'S
L1V9' B'H9D4 ,AM540
  8',SPECI,Y ,JANU>Y ,JULY10 ,I A4$4
  8,9DE$10 ,MAMA :ISP]$4
  ,WE ATE )\T SP1K+1 !N LAY D[N ON !
/RAW B$4 ,B ,I KEPT MY EYES OP51 WAT*+ !
FLAMES D.E ON ! SOOT-COV]$ WALLS4 ,I 0
SC>$4 ,SC>$ WE MI<T GET CAU<T4       #EC
,SC>$ (! WOODS AT NI<T4 ,SC>$4
  ,AF A :ILE1 ,PA SAT UP & SD S(TLY1
8,DESSA1 ,ABRAHAM1 ,S,Y ,MAY ''' X'S "T4
,Y'ALL GET UP & MAKE HA/E40
  ,MAMA :ISP]$ A "Q4 8',TIS ! "R ?+ 6D1
,TITUS80
  8',TIS ''' & 2 QUIET Z DE]10 ,PA SD Z
WE TIPTO$ AWAY F ! CAB94
















                                     #ED
























               ,,"P ,,II             #EE

                 ,,SEV5

,RUNN9' FA/
,NO LOOK9' BACK
,RUNN9' H>D
,GOTTA KEEP ON
,BLE$9' FEET
,NO N"E M9D

  ,WE RAN 96! CORNFIELDS1 PA/ ! COTTON
FIELDS1 EA* ( U GLANC+ OV] \R %\LD]S AT
! FA9TE/ S.D1 FL9*+ AT ! SLI<TE/ MOVE;T1
\R FOOT/EPS GUID$ ONLY 0! LI<T (! MOON4
,WE EA* C>RI$ A SACK & 0! "T WE'D MADE X
6! PLACE ": ! FIELDS TURN$ 96! WOODL&S1
M9E 0 ALR FEEL+ H1VY4 ,I TURN$1 TAK+ "O
LA/ LOOK AT ! ,H>RISON PLANT,N1 ! PLACE
T _H BE5 MY HOME4
  8,JO%UA SAY WE GOTTA FOLL[ T />10 ,PA
SD4
  8,: "O80 ,ABRAHAM ASK$4
  ,PA PO9T$ AT ! SKY4 8,! BI7E/ "O '''
"R "!40
  ,I LOOK$ UP4 ,X 0 Z IF X 0 ! ON-   #EF
LY /> 9 ! SKY4 8,I SEES X1 ,PA40
  ,PA PICK$ UP SPE$4 8,C'MON1 WE GOT A
L;G WAYS 6G40
  ,WE TROTT$ L HORSES 96! WOODS4 ,PA L$1
ME "R 2H HM1 ,MAMA TRAIL+ ME1 ,ABRAHAM
ON H] HEELS1 RUNN+ FA/1 FA/]1 FA/]1 \ (
BR1?1 GASP+ = AIR1 D>T+ 2T L[-LY+ BRAN*-
ES ( TREES1 /EPP+ 9 GOPH] HOLES1 LOS+ \R
FOOT+1 GETT+ X BACK AG4 ,ROCKS & BRAN*ES
CUT MY FEET1 B ,I 0 TOO SC>$ 6FEEL ANY
PA94
  ,WE RAN = :AT FELT L ="E1 *OMP+ ON
PIECES ( P"O BR1D & PIGSK9S :5 WE GOT
HUNGRY4 ,0! "T MORN+ CAME1 WE 7 DEEP 96!
WOODS4
  ,WE SANK 96A CLUMP ( TALL GRASS4 ,PA
SD1 8,Y'ALL SLEEP N[1 :ILE ! SUN IS %9-
IN'4 ,:5 D>K;S -ES1 WE'LL RUN AG40
  8,Y SURE1 ,TITUS80 ,MAMA ASK$4
  8,H>D] = 'EM 6SEE U RUNN9' AT NI<T40
  8,Y "R10 %E REPLI$4
  8,N[1 IF Y\'S F9I%$ FRETT9'1 ,DESSA1 G
6SLEEP4 ,ME & ,ABRAHAM GONNA TAKE TURNS
KEEP9' "O EYE OP540
  8,WE'S J L POSSUMS1 SLEEP9' 9 !    #EG
"D1 SC\T9' >.D 9 ! D>K10 ,ABRAHAM SD1 &
L1N$ 8 BACK AG/ A TREE T 0 OOZ+ SAP4
  8,[LS & BATS TOO ''' !Y ONLY FLIES AT
NI<T10 ,I A4$ Z ,I CURL$ UP 2S ,MAMA4
  8,%U% N[10 ,PA ADVIS$4
  ,2F ,I CLOS$ MY EYES1 ,I SAW ,PA PULL
"S?+ \ ( "O (! SACKS ,JO%UA _H GIV5 HM4
,X GL1M$ Z ! SUNLI<T B\NC$ (F ( X4 ,A
KNIFE )A L;G BLADE4

  ,X 0 ALM EV5+ :5 ,I WOKE UP4 ,ABRAHAM
0 SNOR+4 ,MAMA 0 DEEP ASLEEP1 & ,PA 0
NO": 6BE SE54
  ,I SQUIRM$ \ ( ,MAMA'S >MS & CIRCL$ !
TREE ,ABRAHAM 0 SLEEP+ "U1 TRY+ 6BE Z
QUIET Z A KITT54 ,B ,MAMA / WOKE UP4 ,%E
BRU%$ ! L1VES & DIRT F H] CLO!S4 8,":'S
YR PA80
  8,DON'T "K4 ,I J WAK$ UP & HE 0 G"O40
  ,\ ( NO":1 WE HE>D ! S.D ( FOOT/EPS
ATOP DRY L1VES4 ,MAMA PLAC$ H] H& OV] MY
M\? & PULL$ ME 2H ! TREE4 ,& Z ! FOOT-
/EPS GOT CLOS]1 ,I FELT ,MAMA TREM#1 B
,I CDN'T KEEP MYF F PEEK+4 ,X 0 ,PA4
  ,MAMA SAW HM TOO4 8,:AT Y TRY9'    #EH
6D1 ,TITUS1 SC>E ME & ? * \TTA \R
WITS860
  8,NAW1 ,DESSA ''' DON'T 2 S FA9THE>T-
$40 ,HE PLAC$ 8 >M >.D H] %\LD]S4 8,I
LOCAT$ U A CREEK & "S GOOSEB]RIES40 ,HE
OP5$ 8 H& & %[$ U4 8,!Y'S MI<TY S\R1 L
GOOSEB]RIES ALW IS4 ,I 0 HOP9' 6F9D "S
BLACKB]RIES1 B ,I 0 PLUM \TTA LUCK40
  ,I TOOK "O (! T9Y B]RIES F 8 H&1 SWAL-
L[$ X1 & FR[N$4
  8,! CANTE5'S FULLA FRE% WAT]4 ,TAKE A
SWALL[1 ,S,Y ,MAY10 ,PA SD4
  ,X 0 "S (! SWEETE/ WAT] ,I'D "E TA/$4
  ,ABRAHAM F9,Y WOKE UP & ,PA *ID$ HM4
8,WASN'T Y TOLD 6KEEP "O EYE OP51 "Y980
  8,I TRI$1 ,PA ''' B EI ,I _H 6KEEP BO?
( 'EM OP5 OR BO? ( 'EM CLOS$40
  8,S Y DECID$ HAV9' BO? ( 'EM CLOS$ 0
BE/80
  8,YESSIR1 ,I DID40
  ,N"O ( U CD KEEP F LAU<+ L\D4 ,=A
TW9KL+ WE 7 HAPPY & FREE4 ,I WOND]$ IF ?
0 :AT X 0 L 9 ,DELILAH'S H1V54
  ,!N1 Z QK Z A JACKRA2IT 2+ *AS$ 0A
FOX1 X 0 OV]4 ,PA />$ AT U4 8,ANY-   #EI
?+ HAPP5S 6ME ''' Y'ALL GOTTA PRESS ON4
,SWE> 6ME1 ,DESSA40
  8,I SWE> B'=E Y &! ,"L1 ,TITUS10 ,MAMA
REPLI$4
  8,& ,ABRAHAM ''' Y\'S A MAN N[4 ,"U-
/&80
  ,ABRAHAM /RET*$4 8,YESSIR1 ,I D40
  8,?ISSA WAY40 ,PA MO;N$4 ,WE FOLL[$ HM
6! CREEK1 WAT*+1 LI/5+4 8,WE'LL WAIT "H
A SPELL TILL ! SKY GETS GD & DUSKY40
  ,:5 D>K;S FELL1 ,I SE>*$ ! SKY =! /> &
PO9T$4 8,"! X 2 ''' ,JO%UA'S />40
  8,JO%UA'S />8 ,T ! "N Y GIV$ X1 ,S,Y
,MAY80 ,PA ASK$4
  8,YESSIR40
  8',CAUSE Y\'S SWEET ON HM1 HUH80
,ABRAHAM SNICK]$4
  8,NAW ''' 'CAUSE HE'S ! "O :O TELL$
,PA40
  ,PA AGRE$4 8,!N ,JO%UA'S /> X IS40
  8,:5 Y SPOZE WE'LL GET 6! SWAMP1 ,TI-
TUS80 ,MAMA ASK$4
  8,F :AT ,JO%UA TELL$ ME1 X'LL LIKELY 2
?REE NI<TS IF WE'S QK1 F\R IF WE'S SL[40
  8,H[ HE "KS S M*80 ,ABRAHAM        #FJ
ASK$4
  8,F "W9' UP AT ! H\SE ALL ^! YE>S1
TRAVEL9' )! ,MA/] & ,MISSY 6,WAYCROSS1
,SAVANNAH1 ,MACON1 ONCE CLE> TO
,VIRG9IA1 KEEP9' 8 BIG E>S OP540
  ,MAMA GR9N$4 8,HE SURE D H "S BIG
E>S40
  ,PA LAU<$4 8,:O Y TELL9'80
  8,:Y WE H1D$ S\? '/1D ( NOR?1 CLE> \T-
TA ',M]ICA 6,CANADA1 L Y TALK$ 'B\T80
,ABRAHAM ASK$4
  ,I KNEW ! ANSW] B ,I HELD MY T;GUE4
  8,L ,I TOLD Y'ALL A=E1 X'S TOO F> &
X'S TRICKY4 ,MORE'N LIKELY ! F\R ( U
WDN'T MAKE X40
  8,B :Y ! SWAMP80 ,ABRAHAM ASK$4
  8,9DIANS40
  ,MAMA GL.ED AT ,PA4 8,9DIANS80
  8,JO%UA SAY !Y'S LIKELY 6HELP U4 ,SAY
!Y LET Y LIVE ) 'EM & R.D AB 'EM4 ,HE
SAY !Y E'5 LET "S COLOR$ JO9 _! TRIBES40
  8,COLOR$ ,9DIANS80 ,ABRAHAM ASK$4 8,NO
S*A ?+40
  8,CALL$ ,BLACK ,9DIANS40
  ,MAMA TURN$1 LOOK$ BACK T[>D !     #FA
PLANT,N1 & ASK$1 8,:O ELSE ! ,MA/]
PLANN$ 6S5D (F80
  8,JANU>Y ,JULY1 BIG ,LUC9DA F UP AT !
H\SE1 & ,L'IL ,PETE10 ,I BLURT$4
  ,PA HALT$ D1D 9 8 TRACKS4 8,H[ Y "K$
T1 ,S,Y ,MAY80
  ,I TOLD ! TRU?4 8,I SN1K$ \TTA B$ &
HE>D Y & ,JO%UA TALK9'40
  8,S ,JO%UA A9'T ! ONLY "O GOT BIG
E>S80 ,MAMA ASK$4
  8,SPOZE N10 ,I ANSW]$4
  ,WE />T$ TRUDG+ "? ! WOODS1 OV] S(T
GRASS1 >.D FALL5 BRAN*ES & ANTHILLS1
/EPP+ ON PIECES ( TREE B>K & MOSS1 CAT*+
GLIMPSES ( BATS & [LS FLY+ 9 ! MOONLI<T1
( COONS & POSSUMS SCURRY+4 ,!N ,I HE>D
!M4
  8,PA80 ,I SD4 8,I HE> H.DS40
  ,WE HALT$ & LI/5$4
  8,Y HE>9' ?+S1 ,S,Y ,MAY4 ,A9'T NO
H.DS10 ,ABRAHAM SC(F$4
  8,%HH10 ,MAMA SD4
  ,WE KEPT QUIET UNTIL "O (! BLOODH.DS
LET LOOSE A H[L4
  8,!Y'S F> YOND]1 HURRY N[10 ,PA    #FB
SD1 & />T$ TROTT+4 ,! W9D 0 BL[+ & WE
GALLOP$ 96X4
  8,WE A9'T GO9' BACK10 ,MAMA SD1 PANT+4
8,I'D RA!RS 2 D1D ?AN LIVE )\T MY "Y9S40
  8,A9'T NO "O 'B\TTA 2 D1D4 ,WE GONNA
MAKE X4 ,I "KS WE W10 ,PA SD Z WE CAME
6A RIV]BANK4 8,M ?AN "O WAY 6\TSM>T !M
MANGY H.DS4 ,Y'ALL FOLL[ "R B'H9D ME &
KEEP BO? FEET 9 ! WAT] AL;G ! BANK ( ?
"H CREEK40
  ,WE DRA7$ \R FEET "? ! %ALL[ WAT]1
CRISS-CROSS+ "? ! CREEK4 ,I PICTUR$ !
H.D CAT*+ ME1 BIT+ MY >MS & ANKLES1
PULL+ ME 6! GR.D4 8,RUN FA/]60 ,I SD4
  ,& WE GALLOP$ AG1 TAK+ GIANT /RIDES1
UNTIL WE NO L;G] HE>D ! S.DS (! H.DS &!
SKY _H *ANG$ COLOR 6! BLUE T -ES "R 2F !
SUN4
  ,F9,Y1 WE SL[$ 6A WALK4 8,?ISSA L;G
CREEK10 ,ABRAHAM SD1 SCRAT*+ 8 >MS &
BACK4 8,&! BUGS DUN BIT ME UP GD40
  ,PA LAU<$4 8,/OP :99'1 BOY4 ,Y WORSE'N
A LL GAL40
  ,I POK$ ,ABRAHAM 9 ! BACK )! TIP (A
/ICK ,I'D BE5 C>RY+4 8,WORSE'N A     #FC
LL GAL10 ,I TAUNT$4
  ,ABRAHAM GRA2$ ! /ICK F MY H& & WAV$ X
AT ME4 8,I'MA GIVE Y A LICK9'1 SCRAWNY
GAL40
  8,I A9'T AFE>$ ( Y1 ,ABRAHAM ''' Y &
YR BIG FEETS10 ,I SD1 PRANC+ >.D HM UN-
TIL HE FELL 9 ! WAT]4 ,I LAU<$ H>D4
8,BIG FEETS1 BIG FEETS1 BIG FEETS60
  8,I A9'T PAY9' Y NO M9D1 ,S,Y ,MAY10
HE SD4
  8,/OPPIT60 ,MAMA SCOLD$4 8,"H WE IS
RUNAWAYS & Y'ALL 2HAV9' L X'S ,SUN"D
B'=E LA/40
  ,PA PULL$ ,ABRAHAM 6HIS FEET4 8,Y'ALL
SAVE YR FUSS9' = AF WE'S \TTA H>M'S
WAY40
  ,ABRAHAM GL>$ & W>N$ ME4 8,I'MA GET Y1
,S,Y ,MAY4 ,J WAIT & SEE40
  8,I SPOZE WE C /OP CALL9' Y ,S,Y ,MAY
''' SEE9' Z Y\'S ! ONLY ,S,Y \ "H40 ,MA-
MA GE/UR$ T[>D ! ?ICK WOODS & YOND]4
8,SPOZE WE C J CALL Y ,S,Y F "H ON IN4
,:AT Y ?9K1 ,TITUS8 ,I N"E DID C>E =! "N
( ,MAY1 B ! "N ,S,Y GOT A SWEET;S 6X40
  ,PA AGRE$4 8,S ,S,Y X IS40         #FD
  ,MAMA />T$ HUMM+ & T L$ 6A S;G4 8,GOT
A * "ND ,S,Y1 SWEET Z CD BE1 LIKES 6S+
LL S;GS1 J L ME40
  ,I SMIL$ & HELD H] H&4




















                 ,,EI<T              #FE

,SUN BIG & B"R
,W9D "? ! TREES
,I CLOS$ MY EYES
,& DR1M$

  ,WE SLEPT 2S A SL[-MOV+ CREEK ": ! WA-
T] B>ELY COV]$ ! SPECKL$ ROCKS4 ,I DR1M$
,I 0 A BIG PLANT,N ,MISSY1 / COLOR$ B A
,MISSY4 ,I _H A F9E H\SE1 PETTICOATS )
:ITE LACE1 DRESSES ) R$ RI2ONS1 PRETTY
P>ASOLS1 &A PANTRY FULL ( FOOD & SWEET
C&IES4 ,ALL "D L;G ,I SAT ON ! V]&A ) MY
FEET UP1 SIPP+ LEMONADE1 :ILE :ITE FOLKS
& ,LUC9DA WAIT$ ON ME H& & FOOT4
  ,I 0 TRULY 5JOY+ MY DR1M UNTIL ! SMELL
( COOK+ VIDL9S WOKE ME4 ,PA 0 ROA/+ A
BIG FI%4 ,I RU2$ MY EYES4 8,H[ L;G ,I
BE5 SLEEP80
  8,Q A SPELL1 ,S,Y ,MAY40
  8,X'S J ,S,Y N[10 ,I REM9D$ HM4
  ,PA APOLOGIZ$4 8,I'S GONNA TRY H>D TO
REMEMB]1 B WD Y =GIVE ME IF ,I =GETS "S-
"TS80
  8,YESSIR1 ,PA10 ,I REPLI$4         #FF
  ,8 EYES _H CIRCLES "U !M1 D>K L A
COON1 & ,I CD TELL HE 0 TUCK]$ \4 ,I
GL.ED OV] AT ,ABRAHAM4 ,HE 0 SNOR+4 8,I
CD KEEP "O EYE OP5 = Y :ILE Y RE/10 ,I
TOLD HM4
  8,J "O EYE80
  8,NOSSIR1 BO?40
  8,Y SURE1 LL GAL80
  8,Z CD BE40
  8,H A PIECE ( FI% ) ME & !N ,I'LL LAY
MY H1D D[N ''' B IF'N Y HE> !M H.DS1
R\SE ME /RAI<T-AWAY40
  8,I W1 ,PA40
  ,:ILE ! ?REE ( !M SLEPT "U A WILL[
TREE ^: BRAN*ES BRU%$ ! GR.D & SWAY$ ) E
BREEZE1 ,I LI/5$ =! S.DS ( DOGS & HORSES
RI45 0SLAVE HUNT]S4
  ,I S(TLY :I/L$ & WAT*$ Z A BIG B1V]
WA4L$ UP 6! WAT]'S $GE 6DR9K1 B ! S.DS (
BIRDS OV]H1D MADE ME LOOK UP AT ! SKY1 :
0 BLU] ?AN BLUE4 ,I ?"\ AB ,JANU>Y ,JU-
LY1 H[ %E CDN'T C>RY A TUNE1 & SMIL$4
,!N ,I REMEMB]$ T ANY "D N[ !Y 7 GO+ TO
C>RY H] AWAY4
  ,ALL (A SU45 A RU/L+ 9 ! BRU%      #FG
MADE ME JUMP4 ,B X 0 J A :ITE-TAIL$ DE]
H1D$ 6! CREEK4 ,I /UDI$ X Z X PUT "O
SMALL HO( 9 FRONT (! O!R1 LOOK+ ? WAY &
T1 ! WAY DE] T5D TO4
  ,"O M NI<T UNTIL WE R1* ! BIG SWAMP1
,JO%UA _H SD1 ! BIG SWAMP ": SNAKES &
GATORS LIV$4 ,T 0 ! LA/ ?"\ ,I _H 2F ,I
L1N$ AG/ ! WIDE TREE ,I 0 SITT+ "U1
CLOS$ MY EYES1 & FELL ASLEEP4
  8,S,Y10 ,PA :ISP]$ Z HE GRA2$ MY
SLEEVE & PULL$ ME 2H ! TRUNK4 8,GET UP 9
! TREE10 HE SD1 PU%+4
  8,HUH80 ,I SD1 %AK+ ! SLEEP (F4
  ,ABRAHAM R1*$ \ 8 H& & PULL$ ME UP 6!
BRAN* ": HE 0 SITT+4 8,%HH10 ,MA SD F UP
9 ! TREE1 PO9T+ 6?REE H.DS ON ! O!R SIDE
(! CREEK4
  ,! ?ICK;S (! L1VES HID U F _! VIEW1 B
,I CAU<T GLIMPSES (! DOGS Z !Y SNI6$ !
AIR1 TURN+ >.D 9 CIRCLES1 3F.D$4
  ,I HE>D ,MAMA PRAY+ S(TLY Z TWO :ITE
M5 RID+ HORSES APPROA*$ ! H.DS & PO9T$
AT ! TREES NE> ": WE 7 HID+4 ,"O ( !M _H
B"R R$ HAIR1 & Z !Y L$ _! HORSES 6! $GE
(! CREEK1 ,I R1LIZ$ !Y 7 ! SAME      #FH
TWO M5 ,JANU>Y ,JULY & ,I _H SE5 F !
CORN %$4 ,SLAVE HUNT]S4
  ,B J Z !Y R1DI$ 6CROSS ! CREEK1 TWO
GOLD5 FOXES D>T$ \ (! WOODS 2H !M4 ,!
FOXES PR.ED AL;G ! CREEK BANK1 L1D+ !
BLOODH.DS AWAY F U4
  8,D>N H.DS6 ,A9'T WOR? ! SLOP Y FE$
'EM60 ! MAN )! R$ HAIR HOLL]$4 ,!Y GL.ED
T[>D ! TREE ": WE 7 HID+ "O M "T 2F !Y
TURN$ _! HORSES1 FOLL[+ ! FOXES & B>K+
DOGS4
  ,X 0 A L;G :ILE 2F WE D>$ 6CLIMB D[N F
! TREE4 ,MAMA & ,I HELD EA* O!R & CRI$4
,! COLOR _H LEFT ,ABRAHAM'S FACE & SW1T
P\R$ D[N 8 BACK & >MS4 ,WE GA!R$ >.D
,PA1 SC>$1 TIR$1 & TREMBL+4
  8,TITUS ''' OH1 ,TITUS10 ,MAMA :IMP]$4
  8,Y'ALL HURRY4 ,GA!R UP YR ?+S10 ,PA
SD1 & WE D>T$ 96! BRU%4
  ,I FOLL[$ ON 8 HEELS4 8,I'S SORRY1
,PA40
  8,= :AT1 ,S,Y80
  8,= CLOS9' MY EYES & LETT9' SLEEP CAT*
ME40 ,I HESITAT$4 8,&= PICK9' UP T BOOK1
BR+9' ALL ? TR\#40                   #FI
  8,CA9'T SAY X 0 ! BOOK1 CA9'T SAY X
WASN'T10 0 ALL HE SD4
  ,=! F/ "T S9CE WE'D 2GUN \R J\RNEY1 WE
DIDN'T WAIT UNTIL NI<TFALL 63T9UE4 ,WE
W1V$ "? ! WOODS1 TRY+ 6BE Z QUIET Z CD
BE4 ,I TRIPP$ OV] KNOTT$ TREE ROOTS &
FELL H>D4 ,PA PULL$ ME 6MY FEET4
  8,Y HURT80
  ,I WAS1 B ,I SD1 8,NAW1 ,PA10 & KEPT
RUNN+4 ,MY KNEES 7 SCRAP$ & BURN+1 B !
AIR COOL$ !M4
  ,SOON ,I FELT L A BIRD1 MY FEET FLY+
OV] ! E>?1 B ! AIR GOT H>D] 6CAT*4 ,I
/OPP$ & D\#D OV]1 H&S ON MY KNEES4 ,MY
HE>T RAC$ & MY *E/ H1V$1 GULP+ = AIR4
,MY ?ROAT 0 RAW & DRY4 ,MAMA /OPP$ 2S
ME4
  8,C'MON60 ,PA CALL$4
  8,%E CA9'T1 ,TITUS4 ,%E CA9'T4 ,%E'S /
A *4 ,Y RUNN9' L Y GOT HOT COALS 'N1? YR
FEETS40 ,MAMA HELD ME1 TAK+ EA* BR1? )
ME4
  8,%E'S "R1 ,PA10 ,ABRAHAM PANT$4
8,CA9'T NO "O RUN FA/ Z Y40
  ,PA GAVE UP1 LET U RE/1 & AF A     #GJ
SPELL ,MAMA ASK$1 8,H[ WE GONNA "K :5 WE
GETS 6! SWAMP80
  8,WAT] ''' SPOZE "!'LL 2 PL5TY ( X10
,PA REPLI$4 8,& GATORS10 HE A4$4 8,GOT
"S S BIG1 !Y'S A# 6SWALL[ Y :OLE ) "O
BITE40
  ,MAMA FR[N$4 8,:O TELL$ Y S* A ?+80
  8,IF'N X'S A TALE1 ,JO%UA TELL$ X10 HE
RESPOND$1 GLANC+ UP T[>D ! SKY4 8,HOPE
WE'S H1D$ 9 ! "R DIREC;N4 ,JO%UA'S />
A9'T \ YET 6GUIDE U40
  8,MAYBE WE %D WAIT TILL DUSK1 ,TITUS10
,MAMA ADVIS$4
  ,PA LI/5$ =! H.DS1 & HE>+ N"O1 SI<$ &
AGRE$4 ,WE SLUMB]$ A:ILE UNTIL D>K;S FI-
N,Y CAME &! MOON FELL 96! SKY1 AL;G )
PL5TY ( />S1 9CLUD+ ,JO%UA'S4
  ,WE />T$ TROTT+ AG1 ? "T M SL[LY1 UN-
TIL ,MAMA HALT$4 ,%E GOT WIDE-EY$ Z %E
LOOK$ F> YOND]1 PA/ A CLE>+1 & GRA2$
,PA'S H&4 8,TITUS1 :AT'S !M LI<TS80
  8,WAYCROSS ''' T 2 ,WAYCROSS1 ,GEOR-
GIA4 ,T M1NS ! SWAMP CA9'T 2 M* FUR!R4
,& WE GOTTA /E] CLE> 'CAUSE !Y GOT LAWM5
& SLAVE HUNT]S40 ,PA *ANG$ DIREC;N   #GA
& MO;N$4 8,HURRY60























                                     #GB
























                 ,,N9E               #GC

,GRASS WET
,2N MY FEET
,[LS SAY
,HOOT
,NI<T BUGS FLY
,SNAKES WRI7LE
,GATORS *OMP
,SWAMP

  ,WE'D BE5 H1D+ EA/ = _M MILES 6GET
AWAY F ,WAYCROSS4 ,N[ ,PA SE>*$ ! SKY =
,JO%UA'S />4 ,WE CAUTI\SLY *ANG$ DIREC;N
6FOLL[ X4
  8,? "H GRASS 2 A MITE SO7Y10 ,ABRAHAM
SD4 8,? ! SWAMP80
  8,SUR'NUF10 ,PA REPLI$4 8,? ! SWAMP4
,& Y'ALL 2 WAT*;L = SNAKES4 ,!Y GOT PL5-
TY ''' "S ) RATTL]S1 "S N4 ,GOT "O CALL$
A COTTONM\?--C KILL Y QK40
  8,:Y !Y CALL X A COTTONM\?80 ,ABRAHAM
ASK$4
  8,9SIDE ( XS M\? LOOKS L COTTON10 ,PA
REPLI$4
  8,Y ?9K !M ,9DIANS GOT COTTON      #GD
FIELDS80 ,I ASK$4
  8,I DUNNO10 ,PA GRUM#D4
  8,IF'N !Y D1 Y ?9K WE GONNA HAVTA PICK
X80
  8,DUNNO T NEI1 ,S,Y40
  8,:AT K9DA ,9DIANS WE LOOK9' =80
,ABRAHAM ASK$4
  8,CALL$ ,SEM9OLES10 ,PA ANSW]$4
  8,!Y GONNA F9D U OR WE GONNA F9D !M80
  8,CA9'T SAY10 ,PA REPLI$4
  8,!Y SP1K ,9DIAN OR SAME Z U80 ,I
ASK$4
  8,CA9'T SAY T NEI10 HE SD4 8,?ISSA
WAY40 ,PA MO;N$4
  ,MAMA TU7$ ON ,PA'S %IRTSLEEVE & UTT]$
^WS ,I'D N"E HE>D H] SAY 2F4 8,I'S AW;L
TIR$1 ,TITUS40
  ,MAMA SANK 6! GR.D4 ,PA PULL$ H] 6H]
FEET4 8,Y\'S /R;G1 ,DESSA40
  ,B ,MAMA CRI$1 8,NO1 N NO M6 ,I'S TIR$
( 2+ /R;G ''' BE5 /R;G] ?AN IRON ALL MY
"DS40
  ,H] CRY+ TURN$ 6WAIL+4 ,PA WIP$ AT H]
TE>S & WRAPP$ 8 >M >.D H]4 8,CA9'T /OP
N[10 HE SD1 L1D+ H] AL;G4 8,Y C      #GE
MAKE X40
  ,I GRA2$ H] O!R H& & REASSUR$ H]4 8,WE
GONNA 2 J F9E1 ,MAMA40
  ,ABRAHAM 0 ?REE /EPS 2H U4 8,J F9E1
,MAMA10 HE REP1T$4
  ,I ALM 2LIEV$ HM UNTIL !Y FLEW T[>D U
L A SW>M ( BEES1 SCREE*+4 ,BATS4 ,WE
SWATT$ AT !M1 DUCK+ "O WAY1 L1N+ ANO!R4
  ,"R !N1 ,I MISS$ ! WOOD5 POR*1 W>M
FIRE1 & SMALL /RAW B$ ( \R CAB94 ,B ,I
DIDN'T D>E TELL ,PA4 ,I J TRAIL$ 2H HM1
HOP+ T :]"E WE 7 GO+ 6WD 2 BETT] ?AN ":
WE'D -E F4
  ,MAMA /AY$ QUIET Z WE /EPP$ "? ! SOAK$
GRASS4 ,:5 WE CAME 6A SMALL LAKE1 %E FI-
N,Y SPOKE4 8,N"E SEE'D TREES L ^!1 GR[9'
\TTA WAT]4 ,!Y SURE IS LOVELY40
  8,CYPRESS TREES10 ,PA SD4
  ,! BLACK WAT] (! LAKE 0 A MIRROR1 %[+
U A PICTURE ( "EY?+ T SAT ABV X1 9CLUD+
! MOON4 8,X'S R1L PRETTY1 ,PA1 A9'T X80
,I SD4
  8,SUR'NUF10 HE REPLI$1 & A4$1 8B !
"D'S 'B\T 6BR1K "?4 ,Y'ALL HURRY1 NO "T
6DAWDLE4 ,:5 WE F9D A DRY SPOT1      #GF
WE'LL /OP & GET \R BE>+S40
  8,& "S %UT-EYE80 ,ABRAHAM ASK$ Z WE
TRAIL$ AL;G4
  8,& "S %UT-EYE10 ,PA REPLI$4
  8,I SURE HOPE WE F9DS !M ,9DIANS QK10
,I A4$4
  8,ME TOO10 ,PA REPLI$4
  ,:5 ! SUN CAME UP1 ,PA L$ U 6A BIG
PAT* ( DRY GRE5 GRASS AL;GSIDE A SMALL
LAKE4 ,HE SMIL$4 8,J L A PRAIRIE40
  ,MAMA SAT D[N "U A TREE4 ,I SNU7L$ UP
CLOSE 6H]1 LI/5$ =! S.DS ( B>K+ DOGS1 &
HE>+ N"O1 CLOS$ MY EYES4
  ,0! "T ,I WOKE UP1 X 0 AF MID"D & "EY-
"O ELSE 0 / SLEEP+4 ,I 9*$ AWAY F ,MAMA1
PUT MY H& OV] MY BR[ 6%UT \ ! GL>E (!
SUN1 & LOOK$ YOND] = ,9DIANS4 ,I DIDN'T
SEE ANY1 B ,I QUIV]$ :5 ,I SAW A SNAKE )
SK9 T LOOK$ L A RA9B[ WRI7L+ "? ! TEA-
COLOR$ WAT]4 ,I WAIT$ UNTIL X _H G"O 02F
,I CUPP$ MY H&S & DRANK4 ,SWAMP WAT]4
  ,Z ,I DRANK1 ! SKY 2GAN 6D>K51 & ,I
H1D$ BACK "U ! TREE1 FIGUR+ RA9 0 AB TO
-E4 ,I KEPT WAT* :ILE X RA9$ G5TLY4 ,J Z
QKLY Z ! RA9 & CL\DS _H -E1 !Y       #GG
4APPE>$ &! SUN %"O B"R AG4
  ,!N1 F \ ( NO":1 A BOBCAT %[$ UP ON !
WAT]'S $GE4 ,:ILE ! CAT LAPP$ AT ! WAT]1
,I SCOOT$ T[>D ,PA4
  8,PA10 ,I :ISP]$4
  8,HUH80
  ,I PO9T$4 8,A BOBCAT40
  ,PA SAT UP4 8,%HH ''' !Y'S %Y Z CD BE4
,KEEP /4 ,SOON Z HE GETS 8 FILL1 HE'LL
RUN (F40
  ,AF ! CAT _H CREPT AWAY1 ,PA SD1 8,WA-
T] M/ 2 SAFE 6DR9K40
  8,X TA/ES R1L GD10 ,I 9=M$ HM4
  8,H[ L;G Y BE5 AWAKE1 ,S,Y80 HE ASK$ Z
HE DRANK F ! SWAMP4
  8,A SPELL40
  8,SEE'D ANY GATORS80
  8,NOSSIR10 ,I SD4 8,DON'T ?9K S4 ,ALL
,I SEE'D 0 A SNAKE ) SK9 T LOOK$ L A
RA9B[ & N[ T CAT4 ,:AT !Y LOOK L1 ANY-
H[80
  8,GATORS8 ,L A LIZ>D B BLACK & HUGE
''' BI7]'N "S M51 )A BROAD SN\T & PL5TY
%>P TEE?40
  ,I M/ H LOOK$ SC>$1 2C ,PA PATT$   #GH
MY %\LD] & TOLD ME N 6FRET AB ! GATORS4
  8,?ISSA /RANGE PLACE1 ,PA40
  8',TIS10 HE REPLI$4 8,GOT FL[]S &
TREES T CD GR[ 9 NU?9' B WAT]40
  ,I WAV$ MY H&S BACK & =? 9 ! WAT]1
MAK+ RIPPLES T TRAVEL$ F>!R & F>!R AWAY4
8,& !M A9'T DUCKS10 ,I SD1 PO9T+ AT A
FLOCK ( BIRDS 9 ! LAKE4
  8,NAW1 LL GAL4 ,!Y'S COOTS & !Y'S GD
EAT9'40
  8,I'S PL5TY HUNGRY1 ,PA4 ,WI% ,I _H A
YAM4 ,E'5 "S PORK BELLIES40
  8,ME TOO ''' IF WE'S LUCKY1 WE'LL CAT*
U A WILD TURKEY10 ,PA SD HOPE;LLY4
  ,MY M\? WAT]$4 8,A TURKEY80
  8,SUR'NUF4 ,B = N[1 WE GOTTA MAKE D )
:AT WE C F9D NE>BY40
  ,I PICK$ AT MY F+]NAILS4 8,IS WE GONNA
DIE80 ,I ASK$4
  8,NOSSIREE10 0 ALL HE SD & ,I WANT$ TO
2LIEVE HM4
  8,IS !Y GONNA CAT* U & C>RY U BACK 6!
PLANT,N80
  8,NO 9DE$10 HE REPLI$4 ,PA'S BODY
SU45LY %OOK4 ,B1DS ( SW1T COV]$ 8    #GI
=EH1D4
  8,IS Y FEEL9' POORLY1 ,PA80
  8,NAW1 ,S,Y GIRL ''' J A *ILL10 HE
REPLI$ Z 8 BODY QUIV]$ AG4 ,AT ! SAME
9/ANT1 ,ABRAHAM WOKE UP1 YELL+ L A BOLT
( LI<TN+ _H /RUCK HM4 8,:AT'S ! MATT]1
BOY80 ,PA ASK$4
  ,I TAUNT$ HM4 8,PRO'BLY GOT A H1P ( R$
ANTS 9 8 PANTS40
  8,NAW1 SCRAWNY GAL ''' ,I BE5 DR1M9'40
  8,M/A BE5 AN AW;L DR1M10 ,PA SD4
  8,YESSIR1 PLUM AW;L4 ,I 0 HANG+ F A
TREE40
  8,)A ROPE R.D YR NECK80 ,I ASK$4
  8,SUR'NUF40
  8,H M]CY10 ,I REPLI$4
  8,Y'ALL QUIT X N[ & HELP ME F9D "S
EATS10 ,PA SD4
  ,0! "T ,MAMA WOKE UP1 ,PA _H CAU<T U A
BIG FI% )A SPE> HE MADE & TWO COOTS BY
SN>+ !M Z !Y WA4L$ 9 ! PRAIRIE GRASS4
,ABRAHAM & ,I _H GA!R$ UP A MESS ( D&E-
LIONS1 A BUN* ( WILD B]RIES1 & PURPLE
FRUIT F A TREE WE _H N"E SE5 ! LIKES (4
  8,LOOK :AT WE F.D10 ,ABRAHAM SD    #HJ
Z HE %[$ ! PURPLE FRUIT 6,MAMA & ,PA4
8,!Y K9DA LOOKS L PLUMS1 & ,I BET !Y'S J
Z SWEET10 HE SD1 PREP>+ 6TAKE A BITE4
  ,B ,PA SNAT*$ ! FRUIT F 8 H&4 8,MI<T 2
FULLA POISON1 BOY ''' ,I SWE> Y A9'T GOT
A LICKA S5SE60
  ,ABRAHAM GOT A B1T5-D[N LOOK ON 8 FACE
& SAT 9 ! GRASS4
  8,DON'T 2 H>D L A HAMM]1 ,TITUS4 ,! *
2 HUNGRY10 ,MAMA *A/IS$ ,PA Z %E /ROK$ !
TOP ( ,ABRAHAM'S H1D4
  8,DON'T N"O ( Y'ALL EAT NU?9' Y A9'T
ATE B'=E10 ,PA W>N$4
  ,I GL.ED OV] AT ! TWO BIRDS T 7 ROA/+
OV] ! FIRE4 8,:AT 'B\T !M COOTS80 ,I
ASK$4 8,I A9'T N"E ATE NO COOT40
  8,WELL1 ,I HAS1 & !Y'S SAFE 6EAT10 ,PA
REPLI$4 ,!N 8 EYES TOOK ON AN ODD LOOK &
HE FELL 6! GR.D4
  8,TITUS60 ,MAMA CALL$1 RU%+ 6HIS SIDE1
TRY+ 6R\SE HM4 8,TITUS60 %E SD AG1 B
CDN'T WAKE HM4 ,%E FR[N$ :5 %E T\*$ 8
=EH1D4 8,FEV]40
  ,WE HELP$ H] DRAG HM "U A TREE &=A "T
WE WAT*$ ! BR1? G 9 & \ ( HM4 8,IS   #HA
X A BAD FEV]1 ,MAMA80 ,I ASK$4
  8,GOT ALL K9DS1 "S KILL Y1 "S CA9'T10
%E REPLI$ Z %E RIPP$ (F A PIECE ( H]
DRESS4 8,SOAK ? ) WAT]1 WR+ X \1 & BR+ X
BACK4 ,GOTTA KEEP 8 H1D COOL1 :AT MY MA-
MA TAU<T ME40
  ,PA'S BODY %OOK ) *ILLS4 8,"L1 PL1SE
DON'T LET MY PA DIE10 ,I PRAY$ Z ,I RAC$
T[>D ! WAT]4
  ,ABRAHAM (F]$ ,MAMA 8 HELP4 8,:AT Y
NE$ ME 6D80
  8,H& ME ! BLANKET4 ,NU?9' ELSE 6D B
KEEP 8 BODY W>M1 H1D COOL40 ,%E GL.ED AT
! ROA/$ COOTS4 8,Y'ALL EAT N[4 ,ALL ,I C
HOPE IS T :AT"E DUN TOOK A HOLD ( HM
DON'T GIT ! RE/ ( U40 ,%E PAUS$4 8,EI (
Y'ALL FEEL9' \TTA SORTS80
  ,ABRAHAM PLAC$ ! BACK ( 8 H& ON 8 H1D4
8,NO1 MA'AM1 N ME10 HE REPLI$ Z HE PULL$
! T5D] COOK$ COOTS A"P4
  ,I T\*$ MY H1D4 ,X 0 BURN+ HOT4 ,MAMA
CD TELL 0! LOOK ON MY FACE T ,I _H ! FE-
V] TOO4
  8,Y\'S ON FIRE1 ,S,Y1 A9'T Y80 %E ASK$
Z ,I SAT D[N 2S H]4                  #HB
  8,YES'M10 ,I REPLI$4 8,CD 2 ! WAT]4
,ME & ,PA 0 ! F/ 6DR9K X40
  8,CA9'T SAY10 ,MAMA REPLI$ Z %E TORE
(F ANO!R PIECE ( H] DRESS & H&$ X TO
,ABRAHAM4 ,:5 HE BR"\ ! SOAK$ CLO? BACK1
%E LAID ME D[N1 PUT MY H1D 9 H] LAP1 &
PLAC$ ! COOL -PRESS OV] MY EYES & BR[4
8,RE/ N[1 SWEET GAL ''' RE/ N[10 %E SD
S(TLY Z %E ROCK$ ME BACK & =?4















                  ,,T5               #HC

,8 >M R.D H] WAI/
,FROGS CROAK
,H] H1D ON 8 %\LD]
,CRICKETS KEEP "T
,A FULL MOON ABV
,NI<T DANC9'

  ,0! "T ,I WOKE UP1 X 0 ALM EV5+ (!
NEXT "D & ,PA 0 G"O4 8,IS ,PA D1D80 ,I
ASK$ ,MAMA4
  ,ABRAHAM ANSW]$1 8,NAW1 SCRAWNY GAL1
CA9'T NU?9' KILL ,PA4 ,HE'S (F SC\T9'1
SE>*9' = ,9DIANS4 ,Y ! "O WE ?"\ 0 GONNA
DIE1 TALK9' 9 YR SLEEP1 S+9' A S;G 'B\T
GR9D9' CORN4 ,IF'N Y _HN'T BE5 S SICK )
FEV]1 ,I WDA LAU<$ S L\D1 !Y WDA HE>D ME
CLE> BACK 6! PLANT,N40
  ,MAMA GAVE ME SIPS ( WAT] F ! CANTE54
8,Y HUNGRY80 %E ASK$4
  8,YES'M10 ,I REPLI$4 8,Y'ALL EAT ALL !
COOT80
  ,ABRAHAM RU2$ 8 /OMA*4 8,YES 9DE$1 & X
SURE 0 GD40
  8,B WE GOT PL5TY FI% &! SWEETE/    #HD
RASPB]RIES T "E T\*$ MY T;GUE40 ,MAMA
SMIL$ Z %E /ROK$ MY HAIR4
  8,& ME & ,PA CAU<T "S FROGS ''' TA/ES
L *ICK510 ,ABRAHAM BOA/$4
  8,I DON'T HAVTA EAT NO FROG1 D ,I1
,MAMA80
  8,NO FROG1 B Y GOTTA EAT SUM?9' B'=E Y
WA/E AWAY10 %E REPLI$4
  8,Y1H1 'CAUSE Y\'S SCRAWNI]'N "E4 ,E'5
!M FROGS GOT M M1T ON _! LEGS ?AN Y10
,ABRAHAM T1S$4
  ,I TRI$ 6GET UP S ,I CD *ASE HM1 B MY
LEGS WDN'T HOLD ME & ,I FELL BACK 6!
GR.D4 8,C>E;L N[10 ,PA SD F 2H ME1 & ,I
TURN$ >.D 6SEE HM SMIL+ BIG4 8,FEV] 'B\T
G"O80
  8,SUR'NUF1 B %E'S M ?AN A MITE W1K1
TOO W1K 6WALK10 ,MAMA ANSW]$4
  ,ABRAHAM 9T]RUPT$4 8,Y SEE'D ANY ,9DI-
ANS80
  8,NAW1 B ,I SEE'D GATORS BIG & SMALL4
,!Y'S UNSI<TLY CR1TURES4 ,SEE'D A BLACK
BE> TOO4 ,I FIGURE F "H ON 9 WE'S BE/ TO
TRAVEL :ILE ! SUN IS UP4 ,WE'LL /AY !
NI<T "H1 B T'MORR[ WE GOTTA MAKE     #HE
UP = LO/ "T40
  ,TWO :ITE BIRDS ) L;G1 ?9 ORANGE LEGS
WAD$ 9 ! LAKE ": DRAGONFLIES HOV]$ &
FL[]S BLOOM$4
  ,ABV U A BLACK VULTURE CIRCL$4

  ,T NI<T1 ,MAMA & ,PA D.ED "U ! LI<T (!
MOON1 6! MUSIC (! NI<T4 ,&=! SECOND "T
S9CE WE'D LEFT ,H>RISON L&1 ,I SMIL$4

  ,! NEXT MORN+1 ,I /OOD UP C>E;LLY1
HOP+ MY LEGS WD HOLD ME4
  8,Y GONNA 2 W1K =A SPELL10 ,MAMA SD4
  8,Y A# 6WALK1 ,S,Y80 ,PA ASK$4
8',CAUSE IF Y CA9'T1 ,I CD C>RY Y40
  8,I CD WALK1 B N RUN10 ,I REPLI$4
  ,AF WE ATE "S B]RIES & D&ELION ROOTS1
,PA /UDI$ ! ROCKS HE _H US$ LA/ NI<T TO
MAKE AN >R[ 6PO9T U 9 ! "R DIREC;N4 ,HE
LOOK$ YOND]1 !N TOSS$ ! /"OS ? WAY & T4
  8,:Y -E Y DID T80 ,ABRAHAM ASK$4
  8,TRACK]S & SLAVE HUNT]S ''' DON'T
WANNA L1VE 'EM NO CLUES4 ,& MAKE SURE !
FIRE'S \ GD40
  ,:ILE ,ABRAHAM D\S$ ! FIRE1 ,PA    #HF
PULL$ (F A L1FY BRAN* F ! CYPRESS TREE &
DU/$ ! BRU% ": WE'D CAMP$4 ,MAMA "Q$ HM4
8,?"\ Y TOLD U :ITE M5S 0 AFE>$ (!
SWAMP80
  8,X'S :AT ,I 0 TOLD1 B WE CA9'T 2 C>E-
.S10 HE SD Z HE L$ U AWAY F ! PRAIRIE1
96! TALL WET GRASS4 ,I 0 ON ! LOOK\T =
BLACK BE>S1 BIG GATORS1 POISON-FANG$
SNAKES1 & BOBCATS4
  ,WE PASS$ M.DS ( MOSS-COV]$ E>? ":
PLANTS & TREES GREW4
  8,DON'T Y'ALL ?9K AB TRY9' 6WALK ON
X10 ,PA W>N$4 8,I TRI$ & X TREM#D B'N1?
ME4 ,X A9'T R1L L&1 J MOSS1 P1T1 &
PLANTS SITT9' ATOP ! WAT]40
  ,:5 A HAWK SO>$ OV]H1D1 ,PA EXCLAIM$1
8,LOOKA T3 ,WE'S FREE6 ,FREE Z BIRDS60
  8,FEELS GD1 DON'T X80 ,MAMA A4$4
  8,SURE D1 GAL10 ,PA REPLI$1 LAU<+1 8
TEE? :ITE & GL1M+ 9 ! SUN4
  ,I />$ AT ! TIPS ( MY F+]S4 ,G"O 7 !
CUTS & PRICKS MADE F COTTON PLANTS4 ,I
GL.ED AT MY LEGS4 ,G"O 7 ! WELTS & SC>S
F MY :IPP+4 ,I FELT L A PIG :O'D BE5 LET
\ (! P51 A *ICK5 :O'D SQUEEZ$ XS     #HG
WAY \ (A COOP4 ,\ "H 9 ! SWAMPL&S "EY?+
ROAM$ FREE1 9CLUD+ ME4
  8,IS WE SLAVES OR IS WE N80 ,I ASK$4
  ,PA REPLI$1 8,WE'S FREE60




















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