about noon
They were too wise to think of starting an argument with a Southern man upon a subject of which they had a very small amount of information , and which entered upon his daily life , so they said nothing while he was present . That ride was one long to be remembered , for they saw things that might never have come under their observation otherwise . Various plantations were passed , and collections of negro cabins , around which hosts of youngsters were playing , as free from care as the rabbit that ran across the road -- indeed , much more so , for Bunny had to look sharp lest he afford a meal for one of his many enemies , while these pickaninnies had their daily wants supplied , and grew up like so many puppies . Along about noon they reached their destination . The Buckley plantation was well known in that section as one of the best in western Mississippi . Of course , the main staple was cotton , king of the South ; but there were various other products that the owner raised . He had a grinding mill and produced a large amount of sugar and molasses in season .