nightjohn

we are suppose to do this, right ?

so this little girl, Sarny, narrates her life as a slave. She tells about her mother and anyone else who wants to pray has to do it secretly because they are not allowed to have religion and they could get hurt real bad if they get caught praying. Nightjohn was brought in but it was weird because he had scars on his back from being whipped and it isnt usual for slaves that have to be worked hard to be bought. That night he was in the same house where Sarny was sleeping and he asked for tobacco, he said he would trade letters for some tobacco. Sarny took the deal and he started teaching her the first few letters of the alphabet. This young girl, Alice, was whipped for wandering around and she ran away when the master started to come after her. He sent the dogs after her too, and they caught up with her and hurt her bad. Two other people tried to run, but the dogs were let after them and both were caught and hurt really badly, just like Alice. In the end, Nightjohn explains to Sarny's mother that he came to teach reading and writing to other slaves so they can write down how they are being treated and what is happening; for others to see what is happening to them.