![]() ![]() The barrels were packed with his tobacco, raised on his Virginia plantations. Any hogshead that “went wild” was a bad loss for him. Now they were holding these ropes-ready to roll when their master gave the signal. Faster and faster! Wilder and wilder! And then with a great splash it would plunge into the deep river.įield hands up on the bank had placed strong ropes around a hogshead. Sometimes a barrel would “go wild.” It would get loose from its ropes and go crashing down like a great monster. It was a sight to see-those tobacco hogsheads rolling down the steep bank. Others came from plantations round about. They knew the danger, for they came to Augustine Washington’s plantation every year on “Loading Day.” Many came from the little town of Fredericksburg, across the Rappahannock River. ![]() “Move back!” the sheriff shouted to the people again. He pointed toward the hogsheads, or barrels, of tobacco ready to come rolling down the hill. The sheriff walked toward the crowd to push some of the people back. The crowd on the shore moved back, but not enough to suit the sheriff. “MOVE BACK! Move back!” shouted the sheriff. ![]()
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