When we arrived, me new master beckoned to come inside the stone cottage, not sit by the steps like some outdoor dog. Sit inside at a table where I was given hot stew in the kitchen by the mistress. She don’t have no servant. Rabbit stew, with potatoes and vegetables thrown in. Damper to wipe up the plate. The stew warmed me up, down to me bare feet, me gnarled toes. Filled me up with the promise of hope. The master noticed me eyelids drooping and he showed me the little room off the back they set up. Was a shock to not have to sleep in a hammock, but to get a bed, with sheets and a blanket to keep out the chill. Fell into a dead sleep. Woke up to see the sun breaking through the dust-swept little window with bright handmade curtains, bringing in a little heat.

That first morning I will never forget. There was no chain round me ankles, no one giving out orders, no lining up to get grub, to use the wash house. I looked at the shadows on the floor, it must be late, but the master hadn’t come rushing into the room, to shake me from sleep, to shout at me to get up. I discovered later that I slept through the whole night and day and night again, and Master and Mistress just let me. Was the first bit of kindness I received in a long time and me spirits started to lift.

The homestead is a good few miles from the town of Goulburn, a scrappy town I go to many times to get supplies, to sell chickens, sometimes sacks of vegetables for the master. Work in him fields, look after the cattle, build and mend things. Help dig a well. Live in me own little hut, I build for meself, after I been here a year. And all the while, Master and Mistress look out for me. Feed me well, treat me with respect. They is Christian people and when they hold a little service and the mood catch me, I sing some of the songs Sam Sharpe choir used to sing, while the master play on him fiddle and the mistress clap, following along. I get a little rowdy sometimes and they have to quieten me down, but I think they secretly enjoy all the swaying and praising of the Lord I add to the Sunday prayers.