The days of sadness for mistress were days of joy for us.  We shouted and laughed to the top of our voices.  My mistress was more enraged than ever—­nothing pleased her.  One evening, after I had attended to my usual duties, and I supposed all was complete, she, in a terrible range, declared I should be punished that night.  I did not know the cause, neither did she.  She went immediately and selected a switch.  She placed it in the corner of the room to await the return of her husband at night for him to whip me.  As I was not pleased with the idea of a whipping I bent the switch in the shape of W, which was the first letter of his name, and after I had attended to the dining room my fellow servant and myself walked away and stopped with an aunt of mine during the night.  In the morning we made our way to the Arsenal, but could gain no admission.  While we were wandering about seeking protection, the girl’s father overtook us and persuaded us to return home.  We finally complied.  All was quiet.  Not a word was spoken respecting our sudden departure.  All went on as usual.  I was permitted to attend to my work without interruption until three weeks after.  One morning I entered Mrs. Lewis’ room, and she was in a room adjoining, complaining of something I had neglected.  Mr. L. then enquired if I had done my work.  I told him I had.  She then flew into a rage and told him I was saucy, and to strike me, and he immediately gave me a severe blow with a stick of wood, which inflicted a deep wound upon my head.  The blood ran over my clothing, which gave me a frightful appearance.  Mr. Lewis then ordered me to change my clothing immediately.  As I did not obey he became more enraged, and pulled me into another room and threw me on the floor, placed his knee on my stomach, slapped me on the face and beat me with his fist, and would have punished me more had not my mother interfered.  He then told her to go away or he would compel her to, but she remained until he left me.  I struggled mightily, and stood him a good test for a while, but he was fast conquering me when my mother came.  He was aware my mother could usually defend herself against one man, and both of us would overpower him, so after giving his wife strict orders to take me up stairs and keep me there, he took his carriage and drove away.  But she forgot it, as usual.  She was highly gratified with my appropriate treatment, as she called it, and retired to her room, leaving me to myself.  I then went to my mother and told her I was going away.  She bid me go, and added “May the Lord help you.”  I started for the Arsenal again and succeeded in gaining admittance and seeing the Adjutant.  He ordered me to go to another tent, where there was a woman in similar circumstances, cooking.  When the General found I was there he sent me to the boarding house.  I remained there three weeks, and when I went I wore the same stained clothing as when I was so severely punished, which has left a mark on my head which will ever remind me of my treatment while in slavery.  Thanks be to God, though tortured by wrong and goaded by oppression, the hearts that would madden with misery have broken the iron yoke.