Georgia, on the low lands, the cultivation is chiefly of rice.  The land where it is raised is often inundated, and the labor of preparing it, and raising a crop, is very arduous.  Men and women are in the field from earliest dawn to dark—­often without hats, and up to their arm-pits in mud and water.  At St. Simon’s, cotton was the staple article.  Ocra, the driver, usually waited on the overseer to receive orders for the succeeding day.  If any slave was insolent, or negligent, the driver was authorized to punish him with the whip, with as many blows as the magnitude of the crime justified.  He was frequently cautioned, upon the peril of his skin, to see that all the negroes were off to the field in the morning.  ‘Ocra,’ said the overseer, one evening, to the driver, ’if any pretend to be sick, send me word—­allow no lazy wench or fellow to skulk in the negro house.’  Next morning, a few minutes after the departure of the hands to the field, Ocra was seen hastening to the house of the overseer.  He was soon in his presence.  ’Well, Ocra, what now?’ ’Nothing, sir, only Rachel says she sick—­can’t go to de field to-day.’  ’Ah, sick, is she?  I’ll see to her; you may be off.  She shall see if I am longer to be fooled with in this way.  Here, Christmas, mix these salts—­bring them to me at the negro house.’  And seizing his whip, he made off to the negro settlement.  Having a strong desire to see what would be the result, I followed him.  As I approached the negro house, I heard high words.  Rachel was stating her complaint—­children were crying from fright—­and the overseer threatening.  Rachel.—­’I can’t work to-day—­I’m sick!’ Overseer.—­’But you shall work, if you die for it.  Here, take these salts.  Now move off—­quick—­let me see your face again before night, and, by G—­d, you shall smart for it.  Be off—­no begging—­not a word;’—­and he dragged her from the house, and followed her 20 or 30 rods, threatening.  The woman did not reach the field.  Overcome by the exertion of walking, and by agitation, she sunk down exhausted by the road side—­was taken up, and carried back to the house, where an abortion occurred, and her life was greatly jeoparded.

“It was no uncommon sight to see a whole family, father, mother, and from two to five children, collected together around their piggin of hommony, or pail of potatoes, watched by the overseer.  One meal was always eaten in the field.  No time was allowed for relaxation.

“It was not unusual for a child of five or six years to perform the office of nurse—­because the mother worked in a remote part of the field, and was not allowed to leave her employment to take care of her infant.  Want of proper nutriment induces sickness of the worst type.

“No matter what the nature of the service, a peck of corn, dealt out on Sunday, must supply the demands of nature for a week.

“The Sabbath, on a southern plantation, is a mere nominal holiday.  The slaves are liable to be called upon at all times, by those who have authority over them.