Summary

After hearing news of his freedom, Kossula’s countrymen traveled from Burns Meaher’s plantation to Jim Meaher’s land in order to plan the next phase of their lives together. Kossula explained to Hurston that they were at a loss for what to do next: while they were glad to be free, they also had no easily accessible home. They discussed trying to go back to Africa, but were daunted by the time and expense involved, after trying to save enough to afford the trip from working menial jobs, the only kind available to newly freed slaves. They decided to ask the Meaher brothers for some land in reparation for their years as slaves. They chose Kossula to approach the brothers, because they considered him to be one of the most articulate members of the group.

Kossula ran into Tim Meaher one...