Johnson A Bland being sworne says ... ordered the said John to ride a mule and after haveing gone apart of the way and after a short time saw the said John running after the mule which was comeing back to stable whence he started and witness ask John what was the matter said John said mule threw him and witness ordered said John to mount the mule again and proceede after Mr Bryan John mounted the mule refuse to go then witness said he would shoot mule in the heels and make it go and witness then got his gun and went out in front of his house to where the mule and John were John then rode of on the mule about sixty yard when witness discharged his gun and said John deliberately got of the mule and said Master I am shot witness said John I am sorry for it I had rather shot any other or all my negroes than have shot you so faithful a boy as you are ... said Boy he had bin in the army with him and had allways bin a faithful servant to himself and family

Mr. Bland thought a great deal of him and appeared to be verry sorry that he was shot