CopyrightCopyright©1970byDoverPublications,Inc.Allrightsreserved.

BibliographicalNote

ThisDoveredition,firstpublishedin2000,isthesecondDoverunabridgedrepublicationoftheworkfirstpublishedin1853byDerbyandMiller,Auburn,NewYork.TheIntroduction

writtenbyPhilipS.Fonerforthe1970Dovereditionisincludedinthisedition,asare7illustrationsfromthe1854edition.

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData

Northup,Solomon,b.1808.

Twelveyearsaslave/

SolomonNorthup;introductionbyPhilipS.Foner.p.cm.Originallypublished:Auburn,N.Y.:DerbyandMiller.Includesindex.

9780486130699

1.Northup,Solomon,b.1808.2.Slaves-UnitedStates—Biography.3.Afro-Americans-Biography.4.Plantationlife—Louisiana-History-19thcentury.5.

Slavery-Louisiana—History-19thcentury.I.Title.

E444N872000306.3’62’092-dc21

99-089488

ManufacturedintheUnitedStatesbyCourierCorporation41143508www.doverpublications.com

INTRODUCTIONTOTHEDOVEREDITIONCOMMENTINGonthe

literallyhundredsofslavenarrativespublishedduringtheantislaverycrusade,

EphraimPeabody,acontemporarywriter,notedthattheywere“calculatedtoexertaverywideinfluenceonpublicopinion”becausetheycontained“thevictim’saccountoftheworkingsofthisgreatinstitution.”Amongtheautobiographiesbyformerslaves,afewwereespeciallyeffectiveinpresentingaclearpictureofthenatureandoperationsofthat“peculiarinstitution.”Themostfamous

wereFrederickDouglass’Narrative,publishedin1845,WilliamW.Brown’sNarrative,publishedtwoyearslater,JosiahHenson’sautobiography,publishedin1849,andSolomonNorthup’sNarrative,publishedin1853.Northup’saccountisconsideredoneofthemostauthenticdescriptionsofslaveryfromtheviewpointoftheslavehimself.UlrichB.Phillips,

whodoubtedthevalueandauthenticityofmanyoftheslaveautobiographies,wroteofNorthup’sbook:“...thisonehasatonewhichengagesconfidence.Itspicturesofplantationlifeandlaborareofparticularinterest.”

KidnappingoffreeNegroesandtheirsaleintoslaverywasnotuncommon,especiallyasthepriceofslavesmountedinthe

decadesfollowingthelegalclosingoftheAfricanslavetrade.ButoneofthemostnotoriouskidnappingcaseswasthatofSolomonNorthup.HehadbeenaraftsmanandfarmeraroundLakeChamplaininNewYorkuntil1841when,onthegroundofhistalentwiththefiddle,twostrangersofferedhimemploymentinacircuswhichtheysaidwasthenatWashington.Goingthere

withthem,withoutevenbiddingfarewelltohiswifeandchildren,forwhathethoughtwouldbemerelytemporaryemploymentatgoodwages,Northupwasdrugged,shackled,robbedofhisfreepapers,andsoldtothefirmofPrice,BurchandCo.,awell-knownslavetradingestablishment.Eachtimeheprotestedthathewasafreeman,Northupwaswhippeduntilhelearnednot

tomentionthefacttoanyone.Confinedinaslavejail“withintheveryshadowofthecapitol,”Northupobserved:“Thevoicesofpatrioticrepresentativesboastingoffreedomandequality,andtherattlingofthepoorslaves’chainsalmostcommingled.”Theseslavepenswereconstructedbylargetraders,andtheNegroeswereconfinedinthemwhileawaitingsaleor

transportationtoamarket.NorthupwasshippedtotheNewOrleansmarket.Ashewasmarchedtotheshiphandcuffedinaslavecoffee,hereflectedthattheslavesweremoving“throughthecapitalofanation,whosetheoryofgovernment,wearetold,restsonthefoundationofman’sinalienablerighttolife,LIBERTY,andthepursuitofhappiness!Hail!Columbia,happyland,indeed

!”

AtNewOrleans,NorthupwassoldbythefirmofTheophilusFreemantoaplanterwholivedonaTexasroad,twelvemilesfromLamourie.SoldagaintoaplanterneartheRedRiverinLouisiana,hewasenslavedonaplantationforadozenyearsuntilaletter,whichafriendlywhitecarpenterhadwrittenforhim,broughtone

ofhisformerpatronswithanagent’scommissionfromtheGovernorofNewYork.Withtheassistanceofthelocalauthorities,Northup’srealidentitywasestablished,hislibertyprocured,andin1853hereturnedtohiswifeandchildrenatSaratoga.

InclosinghisNarrative,Northupcomments:“Idoubtnothundredshavebeenasunfortunateasmyself;that

hundredsoffreecitizenshavebeenkidnappedandsoldintoslavery,andareatthismomentwearingouttheirlivesonplantationsinTexasandLouisiana.”

Intheyearofhisrescue,DavidWilsontookdownNorthup’sstoryas“acorrectpictureofslavery.”Itwaspublishedthatyearwiththetitle,TwelveYearsaSlave:NarrativeofSolomon

Northup.Thetitlepageannouncedtheauthoras“acitizenofNewYork,kidnappedinWashingtonCityin1841,andrescuedin1853,fromacottonplantationneartheRedRiverinLouisiana,.”AnAppendixcontainedthetextofthelawpassedbytheNewYorklegislaturein1840toprotectthefreecitizensofthestatefrombeingkidnappedorreducedtoslavery,the

petitionofMrs.AnneNorthup,Northup’swife,totheGovernorofNewYork,whichledtoherhusband’srestitutiontofreedom,andlettersestablishingtheauthenticityofNorthup’sclaimthathewasafreeNegrowhohadbeenkidnappedandsoldintoslavery.

Northup’sNarrativewasdedicatedtoHarrietBeecher

StowewhoseAKeytoUncleTom’sCabin,publishedin1853asareplytotheattacksontheaccuracyofthefactsinUncleTom’sCabin,hadnotedthatNorthup“wascarriedtoaplantationintheRedRivercountry—thatsameregionwherethesceneofUncleTom’scaptivitywaslaid—andhisaccountofthisplantation,andthemodeoflifethere,andsomeincidentswhichhedescribed,forma

strikingparalleltothathistory.”Inhisdedication,NorthupcitedhisNarrativeas“affordinganotherkeytoUncleTom’sCabin.”Withinayearafterits

publication,Northup’sNarrativehadsold25,000copies.Itisthe1854edition,carryingthenotice“TwentiethThousand,”whichisreprintedinthisvolume.Theauthormadenochanges

fromthefirsteditionotherthanreprintingonthededicationpagethereferencetohiminAKeytoUncleTom’sCabin.Writtenimmediatelyafter

Northup’srescuefromslavery,theNarrativehadnoneoftheerrorsindetailpresentinaccountsputdownfromdistantmemory.Itisnotsurprising,then,thatNorthup’sslavenarrativehas

provedtobeanimportantsourceforscholarsstudyingtheinternalslavetrade,slaveauctionsandtheseparationofslavefamilies,thelifeoftheslaveontheSouthernplantations,theroleoftheslavedriver,andtheextentofslaveresistance.(LikeFrederickDouglass,SolomonNorthupwhippedhisoverseerandwasinvolvedintwonear-rebellions.)Northup’spictureofcottonplantationworkis

oneofthefewdetailedcontemporaryportraitsthatexist—thatis,fromtheviewpointoftheslave.Hisdescriptionofconditionsonacottonplantationinthemid-1840’sandearly1850’siscertainlyoneofthemostvaluablewehave.HisaccountofhowthewoodsandswampsofLouisianawere“continuallyfilledwithrunaways”whostoleprovisionsfromthe

surroundingfarmsisextremelyusefulinthestudyoftherelativelypermanentsettlementsofrunawayslaves(calledmaroons)whichweretobefoundinwoodsandswampsinmanypartsoftheSouth.

“Tenyears,”Northupwrote,“Iwascompelledtoaddresshim[themaster]withdowncasteyesanduncoveredhead—intheattitudeand

languageoftheslave,.”Thewhipwastheantidotetoanyinfringementofthisconduct.Indeed,asNorthup’snarrativemakesabundantlyclear,thewhipwasthesymbolofslavery,especiallyinthedeepSouth.Northup’sdescriptionofhisbrutalLouisianamaster“whosechiefdelightwasindancingwithhis‘niggers’orlashingthemabouttheyardwithhislongwhip,”andofthe

repeatedfloggingsoftheslavegirl,Patsey,madeatremendousimpactonthousandsofreaders.FewofthesereaderscoulddisagreewithNorthup’sinsightaboutslaveryasheexpressedittowardtheendofhisnarrative:

“Theremaybehumanemasters,astherecertainlyareinhumanones—theremaybeslaveswell-clothed,well-fed,

andhappy,astheresurelyarethosehalf-clad,half-starvedandmiserable;nevertheless,theinstitutionthattoleratessuchwrongandinhumanityasIhavewitnessed,isacruel,unjust,andbarbarousone.”

Thepresent-dayreaderwillfindintheNarrativeabsorbingdescriptionsoftheoperationsoftheslavesystemaswellasacomprehensive

portraitofthearbitraryandabsolutepowerofslavery.

PHILIPS.FONER

LincolnUniversity,PennsylvaniaNovember,1969

SOLOMONINHISPLANTATIONSUIT.

TWENTIETHTHOUSAND.

TWELVEYEARSASLAVE.

NARRATIVE

OF

SOLOMONNORTHUP,

ACITIZENOFNEW-YORK,

KIDNAPPEDIN

WASHINGTONCITYIN1841,

AND

RESCUEDIN1853,

FROMACOTTONPLANTATIONNEARTHE

REDRIVER

INLOUISIANA.

AUBURN:

DERBYANDMILLER.

BUFFALO:

DERBY,ORTONANDMULLIGAN.

LONDON:

SAMPSONLOW,SON&COMPANY,47LUDGATE

HILL.

1854.

“ITISASINGULARCOINCIDENCE,THATSOLOMONNORTHUPWASCARRIEDTOAPLANTATIONINTHEREDRIVERCOUNTRY—THATSANEREGIONWHERETHES0ENEOFUNCLETOM’SCAPTIVITYWASLAID—ANDHISACCOUNTOFTHISPLANTATION,ANDTHEMODEOFLIFETHERE,

ANDSOMEINCIDENTSWHICHHEDESCRIBES,FORMASTRIKINGPARALLELTOTHATHIBT08Y.”

KeytouncleTom’sCabin,p.174.

TOHARRIETBEECHER

STOWE.

WHOSENAME,

THROUGHOUTTHEWORLD,ISIDENTIFIED

WITHTHE

GREATREFORM:

THISNARRATIVE,AFFORDINGANOTHER

HeytoUncleTom’sCabin,

ISRESPECTFULLYDEDICATED

“Suchdupesarementocustom,andsoproneToreverencowhatisancient,andcanpleadAcourseoflongobservanceforitsuse,Thatevenservitude,theworstofIlls,Becausedelivereddownfromsiretoson,Iskeptandguardedasasacredthing.Butisitfit,orcanitbearthe

shockOfrationaldiscussion,thatamanCompoundedandmadeup,likeothermen,Ofelementstumultuous,inwhomlustAndfollyinasamplemeasuremeet,Asinthebosomoftheslaveherules,Shouldbeadespotabsolute,andboastHimselftheonlyfreemanof

hisland?”

COWPER

TableofContents

TitlePageCopyrightPageINTRODUCTIONTOTHEDOVEREDITIONTWENTIETHTHOUSAND.-TWELVEYEARSASLAVE.

DedicationEDITOR’SPREFACE.CHAPTERI.CHAPTERII.CHAPTERIII.CHAPTERIV.CHAPTERV.CHAPTERVI.CHAPTERVII.CHAPTERVIII.CHAPTERIX.CHAPTERX.CHAPTERXI.CHAPTERXII.

CHAPTERXIIICHAPTERXIV.CHAPTERXVCHAPTERXVI.CHAPTERXVII.CHAPTERXVIII.CHAPTERXIX.CHAPTERXX.CHAPTERXXI.CHAPTERXXII.ROARINGRIVER.-AREFRAINOFTHEREDRIVERPLANTATION.APPENDIX.

DOVERAFRICAN-AMERICANBOOKS

EDITOR’SPREFACE.

WHENtheeditorcommencedthepreparationofthefollowingnarrative,hedidnotsupposeitwouldreachthesizeofthisvolume.

Inorder,however,topresentallthefactswhichhavebeencommunicatedtohim,ithasseemednecessarytoextendittoitspresentlength.

Manyofthestatementscontainedinthefollowingpagesarecorroboratedbyabundantevidence—othersrestentirelyuponSolomon’sassertion.Thathehasadheredstrictlytothetruth,theeditor,atleast,whohashadan

opportunityofdetectinganycontradictionordiscrepancyinhisstatements,iswellsatisfied.Hehasinvariablyrepeatedthesamestorywithoutdeviatingintheslightestparticular,andhasalsocarefullyperusedthemanuscript,dictatinganalterationwhereverthemosttrivialinaccuracyhasappeared.

ItwasSolomon’sfortune,

duringhiscaptivity,tobeownedbyseveralmasters.Thetreatmenthereceivedwhileatthe“PineWoods”showsthatamongslaveholderstherearemenofhumanityaswellasofcruelty.Someofthemarespokenofwithemotionsofgratitude—othersinaspiritofbitterness.ItisbelievedthatthefollowingaccountofhisexperienceonBayouBoeufpresentsacorrect

pictureofSlavery,inallitslightsandshadows,asitnowexistsinthatlocality.Unbiased,asheconceives,byanyprepossessionsorprejudices,theonlyobjectoftheeditorhasbeentogiveafaithfulhistoryofSolomonNorthup’slife,ashereceiveditfromhislips.

Intheaccomplishmentofthatobject,hetrustshehassucceeded,notwithstanding

thenumerousfaultsofstyleandofexpressionitmaybefoundtocontain.

DAVIDWILSON.

WHITEHALL,N.Y.,May,1853.

CHAPTERI.INTRODUCTORY—ANCESTRY—THENORTHUPFAMILY—BIRTHANDPARENTAGE—MINTUSNORTHUP—MARRIAGEWITHANNEHAMPTON—GOODRESOLUTIONS

—CHAMPLAINOANAL—RAFTINGEXCURSIONTOCANADA—FARMING—THEVIOLIN—COOKING—REMOVALTOSARATOGA—PARKERANDPERRY—SLAVESANDSLAVERY—THECHILDREN—THEBEGINNINGOFSORROW.

HAVINGbeenbornafreeman,andformorethanthirtyyearsenjoyedtheblessingsoflibertyinafreeState—andhavingattheendofthattimebeenkidnappedandsoldintoSlavery,whereIremained,untilhappilyrescuedinthemonthofJanuary,1853,afterabondageoftwelveyears—ithasbeensuggestedthatanaccountofmylifeandfortuneswouldnotbe

uninterestingtothepublic.

Sincemyreturntoliberty,IhavenotfailedtoperceivetheincreasinginterestthroughouttheNorthernStates,inregardtothesubjectofSlavery.Worksoffiction,professingtoportrayitsfeaturesintheirmorepleasingaswellasmorerepugnantaspects,havebeencirculatedtoanextentunprecedented,and,asI

understand,havecreatedafruitfultopicofcommentanddiscussion.

IcanspeakofSlaveryonlysofarasitcameundermyownobservation—onlysofarasIhaveknownandexperienceditinmyownperson.Myobjectis,togiveacandidandtruthfulstatementoffacts:torepeatthestoryofmylife,withoutexaggeration,leavingitfor

otherstodetermine,whethereventhepagesoffictionpresentapictureofmorecruelwrongorasevererbondage.

AsfarbackasIhavebeenabletoascertain,myancestorsonthepaternalsidewereslavesinRhodeIsland.TheybelongedtoafamilybythenameofNorthup,oneofwhom,removingtotheStateofNew-York,settledat

Hoosic,inRensselaercounty.HebroughtwithhimMintusNorthup,myfather.Onthedeathofthisgentleman,whichmusthaveoccurredsomefiftyyearsago,myfatherbecamefree,havingbeenemancipatedbyadirectioninhiswill.HenryB.Northup,Esq.,ofSandyHill,adistinguishedcounseloratlaw,andthemantowhom,underProvidence,Iamindebtedformypresent

liberty,andmyreturntothesocietyofmywifeandchildren,isarelativeofthefamilyinwhichmyforefatherswerethusheldtoservice,andfromwhichtheytookthenameIbear.Tothisfactmaybeattributedtheperseveringinteresthehastakeninmybehalf.

Sometimeaftermyfather’sliberation,heremovedtothetownofMinerva,Essex

county,N.Y.,whereIwasborn,inthemonthofJuly,1808.HowlongheremainedinthelatterplaceIhavenotthemeansofdefinitelyascertaining.FromthenceheremovedtoGranville,Washingtoncounty,nearaplaceknownasSlyborough,where,forsomeyears,helaboredonthefarmofClarkNorthup,alsoarelativeofhisoldmaster;fromthenceheremovedtotheAldenfarm,at

MossStreet,ashortdistancenorthofthevillageofSandyHill;andfromthencetothefarmnowownedbyRusselPratt,situatedontheroadleadingfromFortEdwardtoArgyle,wherehecontinuedtoresideuntilhisdeath,whichtookplaceonthe22ddayofNovember,1829.Heleftawidowandtwochildren—myself,andJoseph,anelderbrother.Thelatterisstilllivinginthecountyof

Oswego,nearthecityofthatname;mymotherdiedduringtheperiodofmycaptivity.

Thoughbornaslave,andlaboringunderthedisadvantagestowhichmyunfortunateraceissubjected,myfatherwasamanrespectedforhisindustryandintegrity,asmanynowliving,whowellrememberhim,arereadytotestify.Hiswholelifewaspassedinthe

peacefulpursuitsofagriculture,neverseekingemploymentinthosemoremenialpositions,whichseemtobeespeciallyallottedtothechildrenofAfrica.Besidesgivingusaneducationsurpassingthatordinarilybestoweduponchildreninourcondition,heacquired,byhisdiligenceandeconomy,asufficientpropertyqualificationtoentitlehimtotherightofsuffrage.Hewas

accustomedtospeaktousofhisearlylife;andalthoughatalltimescherishingthewarmestemotionsofkindness,andevenofaffectiontowardsthefamily,inwhosehousehehadbeenabondsman,heneverthelesscomprehendedthesystemofSlavery,anddweltwithsorrowonthedegradationofhisrace.Heendeavoredtoimbueourmindswithsentimentsofmorality,andto

teachustoplaceourtrustandconfidenceinHimwhoregardsthehumblestaswellasthehighestofhiscreatures.Howoftensincethattimehastherecollectionofhispaternalcounselsoccurredtome,whilelyinginaslavehutinthedistantandsicklyregionsofLouisiana,smartingwiththeundeservedwoundswhichaninhumanmasterhadinflicted,andlongingonlyforthegrave

whichhadcoveredhim,toshieldmealsofromthelashoftheoppressor.Inthechurch-yardatSandyHill,anhumblestonemarksthespotwherehereposes,afterhavingworthilyperformedthedutiesappertainingtothelowlyspherewhereinGodhadappointedhimtowalk.

UptothisperiodIhadbeenprincipallyengagedwithmyfatherinthelaborsofthe

farm.Theleisurehoursallowedmeweregenerallyeitheremployedovermybooks,orplayingontheviolin—anamusementwhichwastherulingpassionofmyyouth.Ithasalsobeenthesourceofconsolationsince,affordingpleasuretothesimplebeingswithwhommylotwascast,andbeguilingmyownthoughts,formanyhours,fromthepainfulcontemplationofmyfate.

OnChristmasday,1829,IwasmarriedtoAnneHampton,acoloredgirlthenlivinginthevicinityofourresidence.TheceremonywasperformedatFortEdward,byTimothyEddy,Esq.,amagistrateofthattown,andstillaprominentcitizenoftheplace.ShehadresidedalongtimeatSandyHill,withMr.Baird,proprietoroftheEagleTavern,andalsointhefamilyofRev.AlexanderProudfit,

ofSalem.ThisgentlemanformanyyearshadpresidedoverthePresbyteriansocietyatthelatterplace,andwaswidelydistinguishedforhislearningandpiety.Annestillholdsingratefulremembrancetheexceedingkindnessandtheexcellentcounselsofthatgoodman.Sheisnotabletodeterminetheexactlineofherdescent,butthebloodofthreeracesminglesinherveins.Itisdifficulttotell

whetherthered,white,orblackpredominates.Theunionofthemall,however,inherorigin,hasgivenherasingularbutpleasingexpression,suchasisrarelytobeseen.Thoughsomewhatresembling,yetshecannotproperlybestyledaquadroon,aclasstowhich,Ihaveomittedtomention,mymotherbelonged.

Ihadjustnowpassedthe

periodofmyminority,havingreachedtheageoftwenty-oneyearsinthemonthofJulyprevious.Deprivedoftheadviceandassistanceofmyfather,withawifedependentuponmeforsupport,Iresolvedtoenteruponalifeofindustry;andnotwithstandingtheobstacleofcolor,andtheconsciousnessofmylowlystate,indulgedir.pleasantdreamsofagoodtime

coming,whenthepossessionofsomehumblehabitation,withafewsurroundingacres,shouldrewardmylabors,andbringmethemeansofhappinessandcomfort.

FromthetimeofmymarriagetothisdaytheloveIhavebornemywifehasbeensincereandunabated;andonlythosewhohavefelttheglowingtendernessafathercherishesforhisoffspring,

canappreciatemyaffectionforthebelovedchildrenwhichhavesincebeenborntous.ThismuchIdeemappropriateandnecessarytosay,inorderthatthosewhoreadthesepages,maycomprehendthepoignancyofthosesufferingsIhavebeendoomedtobear.

Immediatelyuponourmarriagewecommencedhouse-keeping,intheold

yellowbuildingthenstandingatthesouthernextremityofFortEdwardvillage,andwhichhassincebeentransformedintoamodernmansion,andlatelyoccupiedbyCaptainLathrop.ItisknownastheFortHouse.Inthisbuildingthecourtsweresometimeheldaftertheorganizationofthecounty.ItwasalsooccupiedbyBurgoynein1777,beingsituatedneartheoldForton

theleftbankoftheHudson.

DuringthewinterIwasemployedwithothersrepairingtheChamplainCanal,onthatsectionoverwhichWilliamVanNortwickwassuperintendent.DavidMcEachronhadtheimmediatechargeofthemeninwhosecompanyIlabored.Bythetimethecanalopenedinthespring,Iwasenabled,fromthesavingsofmy

wages,topurchaseapairofhorses,andotherthingsnecessarilyrequiredinthebusinessofnavigation.

Havinghiredseveralefficienthandstoassistme,IenteredintocontractsforthetransportationoflargeraftsoftimberfromLakeChamplaintoTroy.DyerBeckwithandaMr.Bartemy,ofWhitehall,accompaniedmeonseveraltrips.DuringtheseasonI

becameperfectlyfamiliarwiththeartandmysteriesofrafting—aknowledgewhichafterwardsenabledmetorenderprofitableservicetoaworthymaster,andtoastonishthesimple-wittedlumbermenonthebanksoftheBayouBœuf.

InoneofmyvoyagesdownLakeChamplain,IwasinducedtomakeavisittoCanada.Repairingto

Montreal,Ivisitedthecathedralandotherplacesofinterestinthatcity,fromwhenceIcontinuedmyexcursiontoKingstonandothertowns,obtainingaknowledgeoflocalities,whichwasalsoofservicetomeafterwards,aswillappeartowardsthecloseofthisnarrative.

Havingcompletedmycontractsonthecanal

satisfactorilytomyselfandtomyemployer,andnotwishingtoremainidle,nowthatthenavigationofthecanalwasagainsuspended,IenteredintoanothercontractwithMedadGunn,tocutalargequantityofwood.InthisbusinessIwasengagedduringthewinterof1831-32.

Withthereturnofspring,Anneandmyselfconceivedtheprojectoftakingafarmin

theneighborhood.Ihadbeenaccustomedfromearliestyouthtoagriculturallabors,anditwasanoccupationcongenialtomytastes.IaccordinglyenteredintoarrangementsforapartoftheoldAldenfarm,onwhichmyfatherformerlyresided.Withonecow,oneswine,ayokeoffineoxenIhadlatelypurchasedofLewisBrown,inHartford,andotherpersonalpropertyandeffects,we

proceededtoournewhomeinKingsbury.ThatyearIplantedtwenty-fiveacresofcorn,sowedlargefieldsofoats,andcommencedfarminguponaslargeascaleasmyutmostmeanswouldpermit.Annewasdiligentaboutthehouseaffairs,whileItoiledlaboriouslyinthefield.

Onthisplacewecontinuedtoresideuntil1834.InthewinterseasonIhadnumerous

callstoplayontheviolin.Wherevertheyoungpeopleassembledtodance,Iwasalmostinvariablythere.Throughoutthesurroundingvillagesmyfiddlewasnotorious.Anne,also,duringherlongresidenceattheEagleTavern,hadbecomesomewhatfamousasacook.Duringcourtweeks,andonpublicoccasions,shewasemployedathighwagesinthekitchenatSherrill’s

CoffeeHouse.

Wealwaysreturnedhomefromtheperformanceoftheseserviceswithmoneyinourpockets;sothat,withfiddling,cooking,andfarming,wesoonfoundourselvesinthepossessionofabundance,and,infact,leadingahappyandprosperouslife.Well,indeed,wouldithavebeenforushadweremainedonthefarmat

Kingsbury;butthetimecamewhenthenextstepwastobetakentowardsthecrueldestinythatawaitedme.

InMarch,1834,weremovedtoSaratogaSpringsWeoccupiedahousebelongingtoDanielO’Brien,onthenorthsideofWashingtonstreet.AtthattimeIsaacTaylorkeptalargeboardinghouse,knownasWashingtonHall,atthenorth

endofBroadway.Heemployedmetodriveahack,inwhichcapacityIworkedforhimtwoyears.AfterthistimeIwasgenerallyemployedthroughthevisitingseason,asalsowasAnne,intheUnitedStatesHotel,andotherpublichousesoftheplace.InwinterseasonsIrelieduponmyviolin,thoughduringtheconstructionoftheTroyandSaratogarailroad,Iperformedmanyharddays’

laboruponit.

Iwasinthehabit,atSaratoga,ofpurchasingarticlesnecessaryformyfamilyatthestoresofMr.CephasParkerandMr.WilliamPerry,gentlementowardswhom,formanyactsofkindness,Ientertainedfeelingsofstrongregard.Itwasforthisreasonthat,twelveyearsafterwards,Icausedtobedirectedtothem

theletter,whichishereinafterinserted,andwhichwasthemeans,inthehandsofMr.Northup,ofmyfortunatedeliverance.

WhilelivingattheUnitedStatesHotel,Ifrequentlymetwithslaves,whohadaccompaniedtheirmastersfromtheSouth.Theywerealwayswelldressedandwellprovidedfor,leadingapparentlyaneasylife,with

butfewofitsordinarytroublestoperplexthem.ManytimestheyenteredintoconversationwithmeonthesubjectofSlavery.AlmostuniformlyIfoundtheycherishedasecretdesireforliberty.Someofthemexpressedthemostardentanxietytoescape,andconsultedmeonthebestmethodofeffectingit.Thefearofpunishment,however,whichtheyknewwascertain

toattendtheirre-captureandreturn,inallcasesprovedsufficienttodeterthemfromtheexperiment.HavingallmylifebreathedthefreeairoftheNorth,andconsciousthatIpossessedthesamefeelingsandaffectionsthatfindaplaceinthewhiteman’sbreast;conscious,moreover,ofanintelligenceequaltothatofsomemen,atleast,withafairerskin,Iwastooignorant,perhapstoo

independent,toconceivehowanyonecouldbecontenttoliveintheabjectconditionofaslave.Icouldnotcomprehendthejusticeofthatlaw,orthatreligion,whichupholdsorrecognizestheprincipleofSlavery;andneveronce,Iamproudtosay,didIfailtocounselanyonewhocametome,towatchhisopportunity,andstrikeforfreedom.

IcontinuedtoresideatSaratogauntilthespringof1841.Theflatteringanticipationswhich,sevenyearsbefore,hadseducedusfromthequietfarm-house,ontheeastsideoftheHudson,hadnotbeenrealized.Thoughalwaysincomfortablecircumstances,wehadnotprospered.Thesocietyandassociationsatthatworld-renownedwateringplace,werenot

calculatedtopreservethesimplehabitsofindustryandeconomytowhichIhadbeenaccustomed,but,onthecontrary,tosubstituteothersintheirstead,tendingtoshiftlessnessandextravagance.

Atthistimeweweretheparentsofthreechildren—Elizabeth,Margaret,andAlonzo.Elizabeth,theeldest,wasinhertenthyear;

Margaretwastwoyearsyounger,andlittleAlonzohadjustpassedhisfifthbirth-day.Theyfilledourhousewithgladness.Theiryoungvoicesweremusicinourears.Manyanairycastledidtheirmotherandmyselfbuildforthelittleinnocents.WhennotatlaborIwasalwayswalkingwiththem,cladintheirbestattire,throughthestreetsandgrovesofSaratoga.Theirpresencewas

mydelight;andIclaspedthemtomybosomwithaswarmandtenderloveasiftheircloudedskinshadbeenaswhiteassnow.

Thusfarthehistoryofmylifepresentsnothingwhateverunusual—nothingbutthecommonhopes,andloves,andlaborsofanobscurecoloredman,makinghishumbleprogressintheworld.ButnowIhadreacheda

turningpointinmyexistence—reachedthethresholdofunutterablewrong,andsorrow,anddespair.NowhadIapproachedwithintheshadowofthecloud,intothethickdarknesswhereofIwassoontodisappear,thenceforwardtobehiddenfromtheeyesofallmykindred,andshutoutfromthesweetlightofliberty,formanyawearyyear.

CHAPTERII.THETWOSTRANGERS—THECIRCUSCOMPANYDEPARTUREFROMSARATOGA—VENTRILOQUISMANDLEGERDEMAIN—JOURNEYTONEW-YORK—CIRCUS—

ARRIVALINWASHINGTON—FUNERALOFHARRISON—THESUDDENSICKNESS—THETORMENTOFTHIRST—THERECEDINGLIGHT—IN-SENSIBILITY—CHAINSANDDARKNESS

ONEmorning,towardsthelatterpartofthemonthof

March,1841,havingatthattimenoparticularbusinesstoengagemyattention,IwaswalkingaboutthevillageofSaratogaSprings,thinkingtomyselfwhereImightobtainsomepresentemployment,untilthebusyseasonshouldarrive.Anne,aswasherusualcustom,hadgoneovertoSandyHill,adistanceofsometwentymiles,totakechargeoftheculinarydepartmentatSherrill’s

CoffeeHouse,duringthesessionofthecourt.Elizabeth,Ithink,hadaccompaniedher.MargaretandAlonzowerewiththeirauntatSaratoga.

OnthecornerofCongressstreetandBroadway,nearthetavern,then,andforaughtIknowtothecontrary,stillkeptbyMr.Moon,Iwasmetbytwogentlemenofrespectableappearance,both

ofwhomwereentirelyunknowntome.Ihavetheimpressionthattheywereintroducedtomebysomeoneofmyacquaintances,butwho,Ihaveinvainendeavoredtorecall,withtheremarkthatIwasanexpertplayerontheviolin.

Atanyrate,theyimmediatelyenteredintoconversationonthatsubject,makingnumerousinquiries

touchingmyproficiencyinthatrespect.Myresponsesbeingtoallappearancessatisfactory,theyproposedtoengagemyservicesforashortperiod,stating,atthesametime,Iwasjustsuchapersonastheirbusinessrequired.Theirnames,astheyafterwardsgavethemtome,wereMerrillBrownandAbramHamilton,thoughwhethertheseweretheirtrueappellations,Ihavestrong

reasonstodoubt.Theformerwasamanapparentlyfortyyearsofage,somewhatshortandthick-set,withacountenanceindicatingshrewdnessandintelligence.Heworeablackfrockcoatandblackhat,andsaidheresidedeitheratRochesteroratSyracuse.Thelatterwasayoungmanoffaircomplexionandlighteyes,and,Ishouldjudge,hadnotpassedtheageoftwenty-five.

Hewastallandslender,dressedinasnuff-coloredcoat,withglossyhat,andvestofelegantpattern.Hiswholeapparelwasintheextremeoffashion.Hisappearancewassomewhateffeminate,butprepossessing,andtherewasabouthimaneasyair,thatshowedhehadmingledwiththeworld.Theywereconnected,astheyinformedme,withacircuscompany,theninthecityof

Washington;thattheywereontheirwaythithertorejoinit,havingleftitforashorttimetomakeanexcursionnorthward,forthepurposeofseeingthecountry,andwerepayingtheirexpensesbyanoccasionalexhibition.Theyalsoremarkedthattheyhadfoundmuchdifficultyinprocuringmusicfortheirentertainments,andthatifIwouldaccompanythemasfarasNew-York,theywould

givemeonedollarforeachday’sservices,andthreedollarsinadditionforeverynightIplayedattheirperformances,besidessufficienttopaytheexpensesofmyreturnfromNew-YorktoSaratoga.

Iatonceacceptedthetemptingoffer,bothfortherewarditpromised,andfromadesiretovisitthemetropolis.Theywere

anxioustoleaveimmediately.Thinkingmyabsencewouldbebrief,IdidnotdeemitnecessarytowritetoAnnewhitherIhadgone;infactsupposingthatmyreturn,perhaps,wouldbeassoonashers.Sotakingachangeoflinenandmyviolin,Iwasreadytodepart.Thecarriagewasbroughtround—acoveredone,drawnbyapairofnoblebays,altogetherforminganelegant

establishment.Theirbaggage,consistingofthreelargetrunks,wasfastenedontherack,andmountingtothedriver’sseat,whiletheytooktheirplacesintherear,IdroveawayfromSaratogaontheroadtoAlbany,elatedwithmynewposition,andhappyasIhadeverbeen,onanydayinallmylife.

WepassedthroughBallston,andstrikingthe

ridgeroad,asitiscalled,ifmymemorycorrectlyservesme,followeditdirecttoAlbany.Wereachedthatcitybeforedark,andstoppedatahotelsouthwardfromtheMuseum.

ThisnightIhadanopportunityofwitnessingoneoftheirperformances—theonlyone,duringthewholeperiodIwaswiththem.Hamiltonwasstationedatthe

door;Iformedtheorchestra,whileBrownprovidedtheentertainment.Itconsistedinthrowingballs,dancingontherope,fryingpancakesinahat,causinginvisiblepigstosqueal,andotherlikefeatsofventriloquismandlegerdemain.Theaudiencewasextraordinarilysparse,andnotoftheselectestcharacteratthat,andHamilton’sreportoftheproceedspresentedbuta

“beggarlyaccountofemptyboxes.”

Earlynextmorningwerenewedourjourney.Theburdenoftheirconversationnowwastheexpressionofananxietytoreachthecircuswithoutdelay.Theyhurriedforward,withoutagainstoppingtoexhibit,andinduecourseoftime,wereachedNew-York,takinglodgingsatahouseonthe

westsideofthecity,inastreetrunningfromBroadwaytotheriver.Isupposedmyjourneywasatanend,andexpectedinadayortwoatleast,toreturntomyfriendsandfamilyatSaratoga.BrownandHamilton,however,begantoimportunemetocontinuewiththemtoWashington.Theyallegedthatimmediatelyontheirarrival,nowthatthesummerseasonwasapproaching,the

circuswouldsetoutforthenorth.TheypromisedmeasituationandhighwagesifIwouldaccompanythem.Largelydidtheyexpatiateontheadvantagesthatwouldresulttome,andsuchweretheflatteringrepresentationstheymade,thatIfinallyconcludedtoaccepttheoffer.

Thenextmorningtheysuggestedthat,inasmuchaswewereaboutenteringa

slaveState,itwouldbewell,beforeleavingNew-York,toprocurefreepapers.Theideastruckmeasaprudentone,thoughIthinkitwouldscarcelyhaveoccurredtome,hadtheynotproposedit.WeproceededatoncetowhatIunderstoodtobetheCustomHouse.TheymadeoathtocertainfactsshowingIwasafreeman.Apaperwasdrawnupandhandedus,withthedirectiontotakeittothe

clerk’soffice.Wedidso,andtheclerkhavingaddedsomethingtoit,forwhichhewaspaidsixshillings,wereturnedagaintotheCustomHouse.Somefurtherformalitiesweregonethroughwithbeforeitwascompleted,when,payingtheofficertwodollars,Iplacedthepapersinmypocket,andstartedwithmytwofriendstoourhotel.Ithoughtatthetime,Imustconfess,thatthepaperswere

scarcelyworththecostofobtainingthem—theapprehensionofdangertomypersonalsafetyneverhavingsuggesteditselftomeintheremotestmanner.Theclerk,towhomweweredirected,Iremember,madeamemoranduminalargebook,which,Ipresume,isintheofficeyet.AreferencetotheentriesduringthelatterpartofMarch,orfirstofApril,1841,Ihavenodoubtwill

satisfytheincredulous,atleastsofarasthisparticulartransactionisconcerned.

Withtheevidenceoffreedominmypossession,thenextdayafterourarrivalinNew-York,wecrossedtheferrytoJerseyCity,andtooktheroadtoPhiladelphia.Hereweremainedonenight,continuingourjourneytowardsBaltimoreearlyinthemorning.Induetime,we

arrivedinthelattercity,andstoppedatahotelneartherailroaddepot,eitherkeptbyaMr.Rathbone,orknownastheRathboneHouse.AllthewayfromNew-York,theiranxietytoreachthecircusseemedtogrowmoreandmoreintense.WeleftthecarriageatBaltimore,andenteringthecars,proceededtoWashington,atwhichplacewearrivedjustatnightfall,theevening

previoustothefuneralofGeneralHarrison,andstoppedatGadsby’sHotel,onPennsylvaniaAvenue.

Aftersuppertheycalledmetotheirapartments,andpaidmeforty-threedollars,asumgreaterthanmywagesamountedto,whichactofgenerositywasinconsequence,theysaid,oftheirnothavingexhibitedasoftenastheyhadgivenmeto

anticipate,duringourtripfromSaratoga.TheymoreoverinformedmethatithadbeentheintentionofthecircuscompanytoleaveWashingtonthenextmorning,butthatonaccountofthefuneral,theyhadconcludedtoremainanotherday.Theywerethen,astheyhadbeenfromthetimeofourfirstmeeting,extremelykind.Noopportunitywasomittedofaddressingmeinthe

languageofapprobation;while,ontheotherhand,Iwascertainlymuchprepossessedintheirfavor.Igavethemmyconfidencewithoutreserve,andwouldfreelyhavetrustedthemtoalmostanyextent.Theirconstantconversationandmannertowardsme—theirforesightinsuggestingtheideaoffreepapers,andahundredotherlittleacts,unnecessarytoberepeated—

allindicatedthattheywerefriendsindeed,sincerelysolicitousformywelfare.Iknownotbuttheywere.IknownotbuttheywereinnocentofthegreatwickednessofwhichInowbelievethemguilty.Whethertheywereaccessorytomymisfortunes—subtleandinhumanmonstersintheshapeofmen—designedlyluringmeawayfromhomeandfamily,andliberty,for

thesakeofgold—thosewhoreadthesepageswillhavethesamemeansofdeterminingasmyself.Iftheywereinnocent,mysuddendisappearancemusthavebeenunaccountableindeed;butrevolvinginmymindalltheattendingcircumstances,Ineveryetcouldindulge,towardsthem,socharitableasupposition.

Afterreceivingthemoney

fromthem,ofwhichtheyappearedtohaveanabundance,theyadvisedmenottogointothestreetsthatnight,inasmuchasIwasunacquaintedwiththecustomsofthecity.Promisingtoremembertheiradvice,Ileftthemtogether,andsoonafterwasshownbyacoloredservanttoasleepingroominthebackpartofthehotel,onthegroundfloor.Ilaiddownto

rest,thinkingofhomeandwife,andchildren,andthelongdistancethatstretchedbetweenus,untilIfellasleep.Butnogoodangelofpitycametomybedside,biddingmetofly—novoiceofmercyforewarnedmeinmydreamsofthetrialsthatwerejustathand.

ThenextdaytherewasagreatpageantinWashington.Theroarofcannonandthe

tollingofbellsfilledtheair,whilemanyhouseswereshroudedwithcrape,andthestreetswereblackwithpeople.Asthedayadvanced,theprocessionmadeitsappearance,comingslowlythroughtheAvenue,carriageaftercarriage,inlongsuccession,whilethousandsuponthousandsfollowedonfoot—allmovingtothesoundofmelancholymusic.Theywerebearingthedeadbody

ofHarrisontothegrave.

Fromearlyinthemorning,IwasconstantlyinthecompanyofHamiltonandBrown.TheyweretheonlypersonsIknewinWashington.Westoodtogetherasthefuneralpomppassedby.Irememberdistinctlyhowthewindowglasswouldbreakandrattletotheground,aftereachreportofthecannonthey

werefiringintheburialground.WewenttotheCapitol,andwalkedalongtimeaboutthegrounds.Intheafternoon,theystrolledtowardsthePresident’sHouse,allthetimekeepingmeneartothem,andpointingoutvariousplacesofinterest.Asyet,Ihadseennothingofthecircus.Infact,Ihadthoughtofitbutlittle,ifatall,amidsttheexcitementoftheday.

Myfriends,severaltimesduringtheafternoon,entereddrinkingsaloons,andcalledforliquor.Theywerebynomeansinthehabit,however,sofarasIknewthem,ofindulgingtoexcess.Ontheseoccasions,afterservingthemselves,theywouldpouroutaglassandhandittome.Ididnotbecomeintoxicated,asmaybeinferredfromwhatsubsequentlyoccurred.Towardsevening,andsoon

afterpartakingofoneofthesepotations,Ibegantoexperiencemostunpleasantsensations.Ifeltextremelyill.Myheadcommencedaching—adull,heavypain,inexpressiblydisagreeable.Atthesuppertable,Iwaswithoutappetite;thesightandflavoroffoodwasnauseous.AboutdarkthesameservantconductedmetotheroomIhadoccupiedthepreviousnight.Brownand

Hamiltonadvisedmetoretire,commiseratingmekindly,andexpressinghopesthatIwouldbebetterinthemorning.Divestingmyselfofcoatandbootsmerely,Ithrewmyselfuponthebed.Itwasimpossibletosleep.Thepaininmyheadcontinuedtoincrease,untilitbecamealmostunbearable.InashorttimeIbecamethirsty.Mylipswereparched.Icouldthinkofnothingbutwater—oflakes

andflowingrivers,ofbrookswhereIhadstoopedtodrink,andofthedrippingbucket,risingwithitscoolandoverflowingnectar,fromthebottomofthewell.Towardsmidnight,asnearasIcouldjudge,Iarose,unablelongertobearsuchintensityofthirst.Iwasastrangerinthehouse,andknewnothingofitsapartments.Therewasnooneup,asIcouldobserve.Gropingaboutatrandom,I

knewnotwhere,Ifoundthewayatlasttoakitcheninthebasement.Twoorthreecoloredservantsweremovingthroughit,oneofwhom,awoman,gavemetwoglassesofwater.Itaffordedmomentaryrelief,butbythetimeIhadreachedmyroomagain,thesameburningdesireofdrink,thesametormentingthirst,hadagainreturned.Itwasevenmoretorturingthanbefore,aswas

alsothewildpaininmyhead,ifsuchathingcouldbe.Iwasinsoredistress—inmostexcruciatingagony!Iseemedtostandonthebrinkofmadness!Thememoryofthatnightofhorriblesufferingwillfollowmetothegrave.

Inthecourseofanhourormoreaftermyreturnfromthekitchen,Iwasconsciousofsomeoneenteringmyroom.

Thereseemedtobeseveral—aminglingofvariousvoices,—buthowmany,orwhotheywere,Icannottell.WhetherBrownandHamiltonwereamongthem,isamerematterofconjecture.Ionlyremember,withanydegreeofdistinctness,thatIwastolditwasnecessarytogotoaphysicianandprocuremedicine,andthatpullingonmyboots,withoutcoatorhat,Ifollowedthemthrougha

longpassage-way,oralley,intotheopenstreet.ItranoutatrightanglesfromPennsylvaniaAvenue.Ontheoppositesidetherewasalightburninginawindow.Myimpressionistherewerethenthreepersonswithme,butitisaltogetherindefiniteandvague,andlikethememoryofapainfuldream.Goingtowardsthelight,whichIimaginedproceededfromaphysician’soffice,andwhich

seemedtorecedeasIadvanced,isthelastglimmeringrecollectionIcannowrecall.FromthatmomentIwasinsensible.HowlongIremainedinthatcondition—whetheronlythatnight,ormanydaysandnights—Idonotknow;butwhenconsciousnessreturned,Ifoundmyselfalone,inutterdarkness,andinchains.

Thepaininmyheadhad

subsidedinameasure,butIwasveryfaintandweak.Iwassittinguponalowbench,madeofroughboards,andwithoutcoatorhat.Iwashand-cuffed.Aroundmyanklesalsowereapairofheavyfetters.Oneendofachainwasfastenedtoalargeringinthefloor,theothertothefettersonmyankles.Itriedinvaintostanduponmyfeet.Wakingfromsuchapainfultrance,itwassome

timebeforeIcouldcollectmythoughts.WherewasI??Whatwasthemeaningofthesechains?WherewereBrownandHamilton?WhathadIdonetodeserveimprisonmentinsuchadungeon?Icouldnotcomprehend.Therewasablankofsomeindefiniteperiod,precedingmyawakeninginthatlonelyplace,theeventsofwhichtheutmoststretchofmemory

wasunabletorecall.Ilistenedintentlyforsomesignorsoundoflife,butnothingbroketheoppressivesilence,savetheclinkingofmychains,wheneverIchancedtomove.Ispokealoud,butthesoundofmyvoicestartledme.Ifeltofmypockets,sofarasthefetterswouldallow—farenough,indeed,toascertainthatIhadnotonlybeenrobbedofliberty,butthatmymoney

andfreepaperswerealsogone!Thendidtheideabegintobreakuponmymind,atfirstdimandconfused,thatIhadbeenkidnapped.ButthatIthoughtwasincredible.

Theremusthavebeensomemisapprehension—someunfortunatemistake.ItcouldnotbethatafreecitizenofNew-York,whohadwrongednoman,norviolatedanylaw,shouldbe

dealtwiththusinhumanly.ThemoreIcontemplatedmysituation,however,themoreIbecameconfirmedinmysuspicions.Itwasadesolatethought,indeed.Ifelttherewasnotrustormercyinunfeelingman;andcommendingmyselftotheGodoftheoppressed,bowedmyheaduponmyfetteredhands,andweptmostbitterly.

CHAPTERIII.PAINFULMEDITATIONS—JAMESILBURCH—WILLIAMS’SLAVEPENINWASHINGTON—THELACKEY,RADRUEN—ASSERTMYFREEDOM—THEANGEROFTHETRADER—THE

PADDLEANDCAT-O’-NINETAILS—THEWHIPFING—NEWACQUAINTANCES—RAY,WILLIAMS,ANDRANDALL—ARRIVALOFLITTLEEMILYANDHERMOTHERINTHEPEN—MATERNALSORROWS—THESTORYOFELIZA.

SOMEthreehourselapsed,

duringwhichtimeIremainedseatedonthelowbench,absorbedinpainfulmeditations.AtlengthIheardthecrowingofacock,andsoonadistantrumblingsound,asofcarriageshurryingthroughthestreets,cametomyears,andIknewthatitwasday.Norayoflight,however,penetratedmyprison.Finally,Iheardfootstepsimmediatelyoverhead,asofsomeone

walkingtoandfro.ItoccurredtomethenthatImustbeinanundergroundapartment,andthedamp,mouldyodorsoftheplaceconfirmedthesupposition.Thenoiseabovecontinuedforatleastanhour,when,atlast,Iheardfootstepsapproachingfromwithout.Akeyrattledinthelock—astrongdoorswungbackuponitshinges,admittingafloodoflight,andtwomenentered

andstoodbeforeme.Oneofthemwasalarge,powerfulman,fortyyearsofage,perhaps,withdark,chestnut-coloredhair,slightlyinterspersedwithgray.Hisfacewasfull,hiscomplexionflush,hisfeaturesgrosslycoarse,expressiveofnothingbutcrueltyandcunning.Hewasaboutfivefeettenincheshigh,offullhabit,and,withoutprejudice,Imustbeallowedtosay,wasaman

whosewholeappearancewassinisterandrepugnant.HisnamewasJamesH.Burch,asIlearnedafterwards—awell-knownslave-dealerinWashington;andthen,orlately,connectedinbusiness,asapartner,withTheophilusFreeman,ofNew-Orleans.Thepersonwhoaccompaniedhimwasasimplelackey,namedEbenezerRadburn,whoactedmerelyinthecapacityofturnkey.Bothof

thesemenstillliveinWashington,ordid,atthetimeofmyreturnthroughthatcityfromslaveryinJanuarylast.

ThelightadmittedthroughtheopendoorenabledmetoobservetheroominwhichIwasconfined.Itwasabouttwelvefeetsquare—thewallsofsolidmasonry.Thefloorwasofheavyplank.Therewasonesmallwindow,

crossedwithgreatironbars,withanoutsideshutter,securelyfastened.

Aniron-bounddoorledintoanadjoiningcell,orvault,whollydestituteofwindows,oranymeansofadmittinglight.ThefurnitureoftheroominwhichIwas,consistedofthewoodenbenchonwhichIsat,anold-fashioned,dirtyboxstove,andbesidesthese,ineither

cell,therewasneitherbed,norblanket,noranyotherthingwhatever.Thedoor,throughwhichBurchandRadburnentered,ledthroughasmallpassage,upaflightofstepsintoayard,surroundedbyabrickwalltenortwelvefeethigh,immediatelyinrearofabuildingofthesamewidthasitself.Theyardextendedrearwardfromthehouseaboutthirtyfeet.Inonepartofthewalltherewasa

stronglyironeddoor,openingintoanarrow,coveredpassage,leadingalongonesideofthehouseintothestreet.Thedoomofthecoloredman,uponwhomthedoorleadingoutofthatnarrowpassageclosed,wassealed.Thetopofthewallsupportedoneendofaroof,whichascendedinwards,formingakindofopenshed.Underneaththerooftherewasacrazyloftallround,

whereslaves,ifsodisposed,mightsleepatnight,orininclementweatherseekshelterfromthestorm.Itwaslikeafarmer’sbarnyardinmostrespects,saveitwassoconstructedthattheoutsideworldcouldneverseethehumancattlethatwereherdedthere.

Thebuildingtowhichtheyardwasattached,wastwostorieshigh,frontingonone

ofthepublicstreetsofWashington.Itsoutsidepresentedonlytheappearanceofaquietprivateresidence.Astrangerlookingatit,wouldneverhavedreamedofitsexecrableuses.Strangeasitmayseem,withinplainsightofthissamehouse,lookingdownfromitscommandingheightuponit,wastheCapitol.Thevoicesofpatrioticrepresentativesboastingoffreedomand

equality,andtherattlingofthepoorslave’schains.almostcommingled.AslavepenwithintheveryshadowoftheCapitol!

Suchisacorrectdescriptionasitwasin1841,ofWilliams’slavepeninWashington,inoneofthecellarsofwhichIfoundmyselfsounaccountablyconfined.

“Well,myboy,howdoyoufeelnow?”saidBurch,asheenteredthroughtheopendoor.IrepliedthatIwassick,andinquiredthecauseofmyimprisonment.HeansweredthatIwashisslave—thathehadboughtme,andthathewasabouttosendmetoNew-Orleans.Iasserted,aloudandboldly,thatIwasafreeman—aresidentofSaratoga,whereIhadawifeandchildren,whowerealso

free,andthatmynamewasNorthup.IcomplainedbitterlyofthestrangetreatmentIhadreceived,andthreatened,uponmyliberation,tohavesatisfactionforthewrong.HedeniedthatIwasfree,andwithanemphaticoath,declaredthatIcamefromGeorgia.AgainandagainIassertedIwasnoman’sslave,andinsisteduponhistakingoffmychainsatonce.Heendeavoredto

hushme,asifhefearedmyvoicewouldbeoverheard.ButIwouldnotbesilent,anddenouncedtheauthorsofmyimprisonment,whoevertheymightbe,asunmitigatedvillains.Findinghecouldnotquietme,heflewintoatoweringpassion.Withblasphemousoaths,hecalledmeablackliar,arunawayfromGeorgia,andeveryotherprofaneandvulgarepithetthatthemostindecent

fancycouldconceive.

DuringthistimeRadburnwasstandingsilentlyby.Hisbusinesswas,tooverseethishuman,orratherinhumanstable,receivingslaves,feedingandwhippingthem,attherateoftwoshillingsaheadperday.Turningtohim,Burchorderedthepaddleandcat-o’-ninetailstobebroughtin.Hedisappeared,andinafewmomentsreturnedwith

theseinstrumentsoftorture.Thepaddle,asitistermedinslave-beatingparlance,oratleasttheonewithwhichIfirstbecameacquainted,andofwhichInowspeak,wasapieceofhard-woodboard,eighteenortwentyincheslong,mouldedtotheshapeofanold-fashionedpuddingstick,orordinaryoar.Theflattenedportion,whichwasaboutthesizeincircumferenceoftwoopen

hands,wasboredwithasmallaugerinnumerousplaces.Thecatwasalargeropeofmanystrands—thestrandsunraveled,andaknottiedattheextremityofeach.

Assoonastheseformidablewhipsappeared,Iwasseizedbybothofthem,androughlydivestedofmyclothing.Myfeet,ashasbeenstated,werefastenedtothefloor.Drawingmeoverthe

bench,facedownwards,Radburnplacedhisheavyfootuponthefetters,betweenmywrists,holdingthempainfullytothefloor.Withthepaddle,Burchcommencedbeatingme.Blowafterblowwasinflicteduponmynakedbody.Whenhisunrelentingarmgrewtired,hestoppedandaskedifIstillinsistedIwasafreeman.Ididinsistuponit,andthentheblowswererenewed,

fasterandmoreenergetically,ifpossible,thanbefore.Whenagaintired,hewouldrepeatthesamequestion,andreceivingthesameanswer,continuehiscruellabor.Allthistime,theincarnatedevilwasutteringmostfiendishoaths.Atlengththepaddlebroke,leavingtheuselesshandleinhishand.StillIwouldnotyield.AllhisbrutalblowscouldnotforcefrommylipsthefoulliethatIwas

aslave.Castingmadlyonthefloorthehandleofthebrokenpaddle,heseizedtherope.Thiswasfarmorepainfulthantheother.Istruggledwithallmypower,butitwasinvain.Iprayedformercy,butmyprayerwasonlyansweredwithimprecationsandwithstripes.IthoughtImustdiebeneaththelashesoftheaccursedbrute.Evennowthefleshcrawlsuponmybones,asIrecallthescene.I

wasallonfire.MysufferingsIcancomparetonothingelsethantheburningagoniesofhell!

AtlastIbecamesilenttohisrepeatedquestions.Iwouldmakenoreply.Infact,Iwasbecomingalmostunabletospeak.Stillhepliedthelashwithoutstintuponmypoorbody,untilitseemedthatthelaceratedfleshwasstrippedfrommybonesat

everystroke.Amanwithaparticleofmercyinhissoulwouldnothavebeatenevenadogsocruelly.AtlengthRadburnsaidthatitwasuselesstowhipmeanymore—thatIwouldbesoreenough.Thereupon,Burchdesisted,saying,withanadmonitoryshakeofhisfistinmyface,andhissingthewordsthroughhisfirm-setteeth,thatifeverIdaredtoutteragainthatIwasentitled

tomyfreedom,thatIhadbeenkidnapped,oranythingwhateverofthekind,thecastigationIhadjustreceivedwasnothingincomparisonwithwhatwouldfollow.Hesworethathewouldeitherconquerorkillme.Withtheseconsolatorywords,thefettersweretakenfrommywrists,myfeetstillremainingfastenedtothering;theshutterofthelittlebarredwindow,whichhadbeen

opened,wasagainclosed,andgoingout,lockingthegreatdoorbehindthem,Iwasleftindarknessasbefore.

Inanhour,perhapstwo,myheartleapedtomythroat,asthekeyrattledinthedooragain.I,whohadbeensolonely,andwhohadlongedsoardentlytoseesomeone,Icarednotwho,nowshudderedatthethoughtofman’sapproach.Ahuman

facewasfearfultome,especiallyawhiteone.Radburnentered,bringingwithhim,onatinplate,apieceofshriveledfriedpork,asliceofbreadandacupofwater.HeaskedmehowIfelt,andremarkedthatIhadreceivedaprettysevereflogging.Heremonstratedwithmeagainsttheproprietyofassertingmyfreedom.Inratherapatronizingandconfidentialmanner,hegave

ittomeashisadvice,thatthelessIsaidonthatsubjectthebetteritwouldbeforme.Themanevidentlyendeavoredtoappearkind—whethertouchedatthesightofmysadcondition,orwiththeviewofsilencing,onmypart,anyfurtherexpressionofmyrights,itisnotnecessarynowtoconjecture.Heunlockedthefettersfrommyankles,openedtheshuttersofthelittlewindow,anddeparted,

leavingmeagainalone.

BythistimeIhadbecomestiffandsore;mybodywascoveredwithblisters,anditwaswithgreatpainanddifficultythatIcouldmove.FromthewindowIcouldobservenothingbuttheroofrestingontheadjacentwall.AtnightIlaiddownuponthedamp,hardfloor,withoutanypilloworcoveringwhatever.Punctually,twiceaday,

Radburncamein,withhispork,andbread,andwater.Ihadbutlittleappetite,thoughIwastormentedwithcontinualthirst.Mywoundswouldnotpermitmetoremainbutafewminutesinanyoneposition;so,sitting,orstanding,ormovingslowlyround,Ipassedthedaysandnights.Iwasheartsickanddiscouraged.Thoughtsofmyfamily,ofmywifeandchildren,continually

occupiedmymind.WhensleepoverpoweredmeIdreamedofthem—dreamedIwasagaininSaratoga—thatIcouldseetheirfaces,andheartheirvoicescallingme.Awakeningfromthepleasantphantasmsofsleeptothebitterrealitiesaroundme,Icouldbutgroanandweep.Stillmyspiritwasnotbroken.Iindulgedtheanticipationofescape,andthatspeedily.Itwas

impossible,Ireasoned,thatmencouldbesounjustastodetainmeasaslave,whenthetruthofmycasewasknown.Burch,ascertainingIwasnorunawayfromGeorgia,wouldcertainlyletmego.ThoughsuspicionsofBrownandHamiltonwerenotunfrequent,Icouldnotreconcilemyselftotheideathattheywereinstrumentaltomyimprisonment.Surelytheywouldseekmeout—

theywoulddelivermefromthraldom.Alas!Ihadnotthenlearnedthemeasureof“man’sinhumanitytoman,”nortowhatlimitlessextentofwickednesshewillgofortheloveofgain.

Inthecourseofseveraldaystheouterdoorwasthrownopen,allowingmethelibertyoftheyard.ThereIfoundthreeslaves—oneofthemaladoftenyears,the

othersyoungmenofabouttwentyandtwenty-five.Iwasnotlonginforminganacquaintance,andlearningtheirnamesandtheparticularsoftheirhistory.

TheeldestwasacoloredmannamedClemensRay.HehadlivedinWashington;haddrivenahack,andworkedinaliverystablethereforalongtime.Hewasveryintelligent,andfullycomprehendedhis

situation.Thethoughtofgoingsouthoverwhelmedhimwithgrief.Burchhadpurchasedhimafewdaysbefore,andhadplacedhimthereuntilsuchtimeashewasreadytosendhimtotheNew-Orleansmarket.FromhimIlearnedforthefirsttimethatIwasinWilliam’sSlavePen,aplaceIhadneverheardofpreviously.Hedescribedtometheusesforwhichitwasdesigned.I

repeatedtohimtheparticularsofmyunhappystory,buthecouldonlygivemetheconsolationofhissympathy.Healsoadvisedmetobesilenthenceforthonthesubjectofmyfreedom,for,knowingthecharacterofBurch,heassuredmethatitwouldonlybeattendedwithrenewedwhipping.ThenexteldestwasnamedJohnWilliams.HewasraisedinVirginia,notfarfrom

Washington.Burchhadtakenhiminpaymentofadebt,andheconstantlyentertainedthehopethathismasterwouldredeemhim—ahopethatwassubsequentlyrealized.Theladwasasprightlychild,thatansweredtothenameofRandall.Mostofthetimehewasplayingabouttheyard,butoccasionallywouldcry,callingforhismother,andwonderingwhenshewouldcome.Hismother’sabsence

seemedtobethegreatandonlygriefinhislittleheart.Hewastooyoungtorealizehiscondition,andwhenthememoryofhismotherwasnotinhismind,heamuseduswithhispleasantpranks.

Atnight,Ray,Williams,andtheboy,sleptintheloftoftheshed,whileIwaslockedinthecell.Finallywewereeachprovidedwithblankets,suchasareused

uponhorses—theonlybeddingIwasallowedtohavefortwelveyearsafterwards.RayandWilliamsaskedmemanyquestionsaboutNew-York—howcoloredpeopleweretreatedthere;howtheycouldhavehomesandfamiliesoftheirown,withnonetodisturbandoppressthem;andRay,especially,sighedcontinuallyforfreedom.Suchconversations,however,were

notinthehearingofBurch,orthekeeperRadburn.Aspirationssuchasthesewouldhavebroughtdownthelashuponourbacks.

Itisnecessaryinthisnarrative,inordertopresentafullandtruthfulstatementofalltheprincipaleventsinthehistoryofmylife,andtoportraytheinstitutionofSlaveryasIhaveseenandknownit,tospeakofwell-

knownplaces,andofmanypersonswhoareyetliving.Iam,andalwayswas,anentirestrangerinWashingtonanditsvicinity—asidefromBurchandRadburn,knowingnomanthere,exceptasIhaveheardofthemthroughmyenslavedcompanions.WhatIamabouttosay,iffalse,canbeeasilycontradicted.

IremainedinWilliams’

slavepenabouttwoweeks.Thenightprevioustomydepartureawomanwasbroughtin,weepingbitterly,andleadingbythehandalittlechild.TheywereRandall’smotherandhalf-sister.Onmeetingthemhewasoverjoyed,clingingtoherdress,kissingthechild,andexhibitingeverydemonstrationofdelight.Themotheralsoclaspedhiminherarms,embracedhim

tenderly,andgazedathimfondlythroughhertears,callinghimbymanyanendearingname.

Emily,thechild,wassevenoreightyearsold,oflightcomplexion,andwithafaceofadmirablebeauty.Herhairfellincurlsaroundherneck,whilethestyleandrichnessofherdress,andtheneatnessofherwholeappearanceindicatedshehadbeen

broughtupinthemidstofwealth.Shewasasweetchildindeed.Thewomanalsowasarrayedinsilk,withringsuponherfingers,andgoldenornamentssuspendedfromherears.Herairandmanners,thecorrectnessandproprietyofherlanguage—allshowed,evidently,thatshehadsometimestoodabovethecommonlevelofaslaves.Sheseemedtobeamazedatfindingherselfinsuchaplace

asthat.Itwasplainlyasuddenandunexpectedturnoffortunethathadbroughtherthere.Fillingtheairwithhercomplainings,shewashustled,withthechildrenandmyself,intothecell.Languagecanconveybutaninadequateimpressionofthelamentationstowhichshegaveincessantutterance.Throwingherselfuponthefloor,andencirclingthechildreninherarms,she

pouredforthsuchtouchingwordsasonlymaternalloveandkindnesscansuggest.Theynestledcloselytoher,asifthereonlywasthereanysafetyorprotection.Atlasttheyslept,theirheadsrestinguponherlap.Whiletheyslumbered,shesmoothedthehairbackfromtheirlittleforeheads,andtalkedtothemallnightlong.Shecalledthemherdarlings—hersweetbabes—poorinnocentthings,

thatknewnotthemiserytheyweredestinedtoendure.Soontheywouldhavenomothertocomfortthem—theywouldbetakenfromher.Whatwouldbecomeofthem?Oh!shecouldnotliveawayfromherlittleEmmyandherdearboy.Theyhadalwaysbeengoodchildren,andhadsuchlovingways.Itwouldbreakherheart,Godknew,shesaid,iftheyweretakenfromher;andyetsheknewtheymeantto

sellthem,and,maybe,theywouldbeseparated,andcouldneverseeeachotheranymore.Itwasenoughtomeltaheartofstonetolistentothepitifulexpressionsofthatdesolateanddistractedmother.HernamewasEliza;andthiswasthestoryofherlife,assheafterwardsrelatedit:

ShewastheslaveofElishaBerry,arichman,livingin

theneighborhoodofWashington.Shewasborn,Ithinkshesaid,onhisplantation.Yearsbefore,hehadfallenintodissipatedhabits,andquarreledwithhiswife.Infact,soonafterthebirthofRandall,theyseparated.Leavinghiswifeanddaughterinthehousetheyhadalwaysoccupied,heerectedanewonenearby,ontheestate.IntothishousehebroughtEliza;and,on

conditionofherlivingwithhim,sheandherchildrenweretobeemancipated.Sheresidedwithhimtherenineyears,withservantstoattenduponher,andprovidedwitheverycomfortandluxuryoflife.Emilywashischild!Finally,heryoungmistress,whohadalwaysremainedwithhermotheratthehomestead,marriedaMr.JacobBrooks.Atlength,forsomecause,(asIgathered

fromherrelation,)beyondBerry’scontrol,adivisionofhispropertywasmade.SheandherchildrenfelltotheshareofMr.Brooks.DuringthenineyearsshehadlivedwithBerry,inconsequenceofthepositionshewascompelledtooccupy,sheandEmilyhadbecometheobjectofMrs.Berryandherdaughter’shatredanddislike.Berryhimselfsherepresentedasamanofnaturallyakind

heart,whoalwayspromisedherthatsheshouldhaveherfreedom,andwho,shehadnodoubt,wouldgrantittoherthen,ifitwereonlyinhispower.Assoonastheythuscameintothepossessionandcontrolofthedaughter,itbecameverymanifesttheywouldnotlivelongtogether.ThesightofElizaseemedtobeodioustoMrs.Brooks;neithercouldshebeartolookuponthechild,half-sister,

andbeautifulasshewasI

Thedayshewasledintothepen,Brookshadbroughtherfromtheestateintothecity,underpretencethatthetimehadcomewhenherfreepapersweretobeexecuted,infulfillmentofhermaster’spromise.Elatedattheprospectofimmediateliberty,shedeckedherselfandlittleEmmyintheirbestapparel,andaccompaniedhimwitha

joyfulheart.Ontheirarrivalinthecity,insteadofbeingbaptizedintothefamilyoffreemen,shewasdeliveredtothetraderBurch.Thepaperthatwasexecutedwasabillofsale.Thehopeofyearswasblastedinamoment.Fromthehightofmostexultinghappinesstotheutmostdepthsofwretchedness,shehadthatdaydescended.Nowonderthatshewept,andfilledthe

penwithwailingsandexpressionsofheart-rendingwoe.

Elizaisnowdead.FaruptheRedRiver,whereitpoursitswaterssluggishlythroughtheunhealthylowlandsofLouisiana,sherestsinthegraveatlast—theonlyrestingplaceofthepoorslave!Howallherfearswererealized—howshemourneddayandnight,andneverwouldbe

comforted—how,asshepredicted,herheartdidindeedbreak,withtheburdenofmaternalsorrow,willbeseenasthenarrativeproceeds.

CHAPTERIV.ELIZA’SSORROWS—PREPARATIONTOEMBARK—DRIVENTHROUGHTHESTREETSOFWASHINGTON—HAIL,COLUMBIA—THETOMBOF

WASHINGTON—CLEMRAY—THEBREAKFASTONTHESTEAMER—THEHAPPYBIRDS—AQUIACREEK—FREDERICKSBURGH—ARRIVALINRICHMOND—GOODINANDHISSLAVEPEN—ROBERT,OFCINCINNATI—DAVIDANDHISWIFE—MARYANDLETHE—CLEM’S

RETURN—HISSUBSEQUENTESCAPETOCANADA—THEBRIGORLEANS—JAMESH.BURCH.

ATintervalsduringthefirstnightofEliza’sincarcerationinthepen,shecomplainedbitterlyofJacobBrooks,heryoungmistress’husband.Shedeclaredthathadshebeenawareofthe

deceptionheintendedtopracticeuponher,heneverwouldhavebroughthertherealive.TheyhadchosentheopportunityofgettingherawaywhenMasterBerrywasabsentfromtheplantation.Hehadalwaysbeenkindtoher.Shewishedthatshecouldseehim;butsheknewthatevenhewasunablenowtorescueher.Thenwouldshecommenceweepingagain—kissingthesleepingchildren

—talkingfirsttoone,thentotheother,astheylayintheirunconsciousslumbers,withtheirheadsuponherlap.Soworethelongnightaway;andwhenthemorningdawned,andnighthadcomeagain,stillshekeptmourningon,andwouldnotbeconsoled.

Aboutmidnightfollowing,thecelldooropened,andBurchandRadburnentered,

withlanternsintheirhands.Burch,withanoath,orderedustorollupourblanketswithoutdelay,andgetreadytogoonboardtheboat.Hesworewewouldbeleftunlesswehurriedfast.Hearousedthechildrenfromtheirslumberswitharoughshake,andsaidtheywered—dsleepy,itappeared.Goingoutintotheyard,hecalledClemRay,orderinghimtoleavetheloftandcomeintothe

cell,andbringhisblanketwithhim.WhenClemappeared,heplacedussidebyside,andfastenedustogetherwithhand-cuffs—mylefthandtohisright.JohnWilliamshadbeentakenoutadayortwobefore,hismasterhavingredeemedhim,greatlytohisdelight.ClemandIwereorderedtomarch,Elizaandthechildrenfollowing.Wewereconductedintotheyard,from

thenceintothecoveredpassage,andupaflightofstepsthroughasidedoorintotheupperroom,whereIhadheardthewalkingtoandfro.Itsfurniturewasastove,afewoldchairs,andalongtable,coveredwithpapers.Itwasawhite-washedroom,withoutanycarpetonthefloor,andseemedasortofoffice.Byoneofthewindows,Iremember,hungarustysword,whichattracted

myattention.Burch’strunkwasthere.Inobediencetohisorders,Itookholdofoneofitshandleswithmyunfetteredhand,whilehetakingholdoftheother,weproceededoutofthefrontdoorintothestreetinthesameorderaswehadleftthecell.

Itwasadarknight.Allwasquiet.Icouldseelights,orthereflectionofthem,over

towardsPennsylvaniaAvenue,buttherewasnoone,notevenastraggler,tobeseen.Iwasalmostresolvedtoattempttobreakaway.HadInotbeenhand-cuffedtheattemptwouldcertainlyhavebeenmade,whateverconsequencemighthavefollowed.Radburnwasintherear,carryingalargestick,andhurryingupthechildrenasfastasthelittleonescouldwalk.Sowe

passed,hand-cuffedandinsilence,throughthestreetsofWashington—throughtheCapitalofanation,whosetheoryofgovernment,wearetold,restsonthefoundationofman’sinalienablerighttolife,LIBERTY,andthepursuitofhappiness!Hail!Columbia,happyland,indeed!

Reachingthesteamboat,wewerequicklyhustledinto

thehold,amongbarrelsandboxesoffreight.Acoloredservantbroughtalight,thebellrung,andsoonthevesselstarteddownthePotomac,carryingusweknewnotwhere.ThebelltolledaswepassedthetombofWashington!Burch,nodoubt,withuncoveredhead,bowedreverentlybeforethesacredashesofthemanwhodevotedhisillustriouslifetothelibertyofhiscountry.

NoneofussleptthatnightbutRandallandlittleEmmy.ForthefirsttimeClemRaywaswhollyovercome.Tohimtheideaofgoingsouthwasterribleintheextreme.Hewasleavingthefriendsandassociationsofhisyouth—everythingthatwasdearandprecioustohisheart—inallprobabilitynevertoreturn.HeandElizamingledtheirtearstogether,bemoaningtheircruelfate.Formyown

part,difficultasitwas,Iendeavoredtokeepupmyspirits.Iresolvedinmymindahundredplansofescape,andfullydeterminedtomaketheattemptthefirstdesperatechancethatoffered.Ihadbythistimebecomesatisfied,however,thatmytruepolicywastosaynothingfurtheronthesubjectofmyhavingbeenbornafreeman.Itwouldbutexposemetomal-treatment,anddiminishthechancesof

liberation.

Aftersunriseinthemorningwewerecalledupondecktobreakfast.Burchtookourhand-cuffsoff,andwesatdowntotable.HeaskedElizaifshewouldtakeadram.Shedeclined,thankinghimpolitely.Duringthemealwewereallsilent—notawordpassedbetweenus.Amulattowomanwhoservedattableseemedtotake

aninterestinourbehalf—toldustocheerup,andnottobesocastdown.Breakfastover,thehand-cuffswererestored,andBurchorderedusoutonthesterndeck.Wesatdowntogetheronsomeboxes,stillsayingnothinginBurch’spresence.Occasionallyapassengerwouldwalkouttowherewewere,lookatusforawhile,thensilentlyreturn

Itwasaverypleasant

morning.Thefieldsalongtheriverwerecoveredwithverdure,farinadvanceofwhatIhadbeenaccustomedtoseeatthatseasonoftheyear.Thesunshoneoutwarmly;thebirdsweresinginginthetrees.Thehappybirds—Ienviedthem.Iwishedforwingslikethem,thatImightcleavetheairtowheremybirdlingswaitedvainlyfortheirfather’scoming,inthecoolerregion

oftheNorth.

IntheforenoonthesteamerreachedAquiaCreek.Therethepassengerstookstages—Burchandhisfiveslavesoccupyingoneexclusively.Helaughedwiththechildren,andatonestoppingplacewentsofarastopurchasethemapieceofgingerbread.Hetoldmetoholdupmyheadandlooksmart.ThatImight,perhaps,getagood

masterifIbehavedmyself.Imadehimnoreply.Hisfacewashatefultome,andIcouldnotbeartolookuponit.Isatinthecorner,cherishinginmyheartthehope,notyetextinct,ofsomedaymeetingthetyrantonthesoilofmynativeState.

AtFredericksburghweweretransferredfromthestagecoachtoacar,andbeforedarkarrivedin

Richmond,thechiefcityofVirginia.Atthiscityweweretakenfromthecars,anddriventhroughthestreettoaslavepen,betweentherailroaddepotandtheriver,keptbyaMr.Goodin.ThispenissimilartoWilliams’inWashington,exceptitissomewhatlarger;andbesides,thereweretwosmallhousesstandingatoppositecornerswithintheyard.Thesehousesareusuallyfoundwithinslave

yards,beingusedasroomsfortheexaminationofhumanchattelsbypurchasersbeforeconcludingabargain.Unsoundnessinaslave,aswellasinahorse,detractsmateriallyfromhisvalue.Ifnowarrantyisgiven,acloseexaminationisamatterofparticularimportancetothenegrojockey.

WeweremetatthedoorofGoodin’syardbythat

gentlemanhimself—ashort,fatman,witharound,plumpface,blackhairandwhiskers,andacomplexionalmostasdarkassomeofhisownnegroes.Hehadahard,sternlook,andwasperhapsaboutfiftyyearsofage.Burchandhemetwithgreatcordiality.Theywereevidentlyoldfriends.Shakingeachotherwarmlybythehand,Burchremarkedhehadbroughtsomecompany,inquiredat

whattimethebrigwouldleave,andwasansweredthatitwouldprobablyleavethenextdayatsuchanhour.Goodinthenturnedtome,tookholdofmyarm,turnedmepartlyround,lookedatmesharplywiththeairofonewhoconsideredhimselfagoodjudgeofproperty,andasifestimatinginhisownmindabouthowmuchIwasworth.

“Well,boy,wheredidyoucomefrom!”

Forgettingmyself,foramoment,Ianswered,“FromNew-York.”

“New-York!H—1!whathaveyoubeendoingupthere?”washisastonishedinterrogatory.

ObservingBurchatthismomentlookingatmewithanangryexpressionthat

conveyedameaningitwasnotdifficulttounderstand,Iimmediatelysaid,“O,Ihaveonlybeenupthatwayapiece,”inamannerintendedtoimplythatalthoughImighthavebeenasfarasNew-York,yetIwisheditdistinctlyunderstoodthatIdidnotbelongtothatfreeState,nortoanyother.

GoodinthenturnedtoClem,andthentoElizaand

thechildren,examiningthemseverally,andaskingvariousquestions.HewaspleasedwithEmily,aswaseveryonewhosawthechild’ssweetcountenance.ShewasnotastidyaswhenIfirstbeheldher;herhairwasnowsomewhatdisheveled;butthroughitsunkemptandsoftprofusiontherestillbeamedalittlefaceofmostsurpassingloveliness.“Altogetherwewereafairlot—adevilish

goodlot,”hesaid,enforcingthatopinionwithmorethanoneemphaticadjectivenotfoundintheChristianvocabulary.Thereuponwepassedintotheyard.Quiteanumberofslaves,asmanyasthirtyIshouldsay,weremovingabout,orsittingonbenchesundertheshed.Theywereallcleanlydressed—themenwithhats,thewomenwithhandkerchiefstiedabouttheirheads.

BurchandGoodin,afterseparatingfromus,walkedupthestepsatthebackpartofthemainbuilding,andsatdownuponthedoorsill.Theyenteredintoconversation,butthesubjectofitIcouldnothear.PresentlyBurchcamedownintotheyard,unfetteredme,andledmeintooneofthesmallhouses.

“YoutoldthatmanyoucamefromNew-York,”said

he.

Ireplied,“ItoldhimIhadbeenupasfarasNew-York,tobesure,butdidnottellhimIbelongedthere,northatIwasafreeman.Imeantnoharmatall,MasterBurch.IwouldnothavesaidithadIthought.”

Helookedatmeamomentasifhewasreadytodevourme,thenturningroundwentout.Inafewminuteshe

returned.“IfeverIhearyousayawordaboutNew-York,oraboutyourfreedom,Iwillbethedeathofyou—Iwillkillyou;youmayrelyonthat,”heejaculatedfiercely.

IdoubtnotheunderstoodthenbetterthanIdid,thedangerandthepenaltyofsellingafreemanintoslavery.Hefeltthenecessityofclosingmymouthagainstthecrimeheknewhewas

committing.Ofcourse,mylifewouldnothaveweighedafeather,inanyemergencyrequiringsuchasacrifice.Undoubtedly,hemeantpreciselywhathesaid.

Undertheshedononesideoftheyard,therewasconstructedaroughtable,whileoverheadweresleepinglofts—thesameasinthepenatWashington.Afterpartakingatthistableofour

supperofporkandbread,Iwashand-cuffedtoalargeyellowman,quitestoutandfleshy,withacountenanceexpressiveoftheutmostmelancholy.Hewasamanofintelligenceandinformation.Chainedtogether,itwasnotlongbeforewebecameacquaintedwitheachother’shistory.HisnamewasRobert.Likemyself,hehadbeenbornfree,andhadawifeandtwochildrenin

Cincinnati.Hesaidhehadcomesouthwithtwomen,whohadhiredhiminthecityofhisresidence.Withoutfreepapers,hehadbeenseizedatFredericksburgh,placedinconfinement,andbeatenuntilhehadlearned,asIhad,thenecessityandthepolicyofsilence.HehadbeeninGoodin’spenaboutthreeweeks.TothismanIbecamemuchattached.Wecouldsympathizewith,and

understandeachother.Itwaswithtearsandaheavyheart,,notmanydayssubsequently,thatIsawhimdie,andlookedforthelasttimeuponhislifelessformI

Robertandmyself,withClem,Elizaandherchildren,sleptthatnightuponourblankets,inoneofthesmallhousesintheyard.Therewerefourothers,allfromthesameplantation,whohad

beensold,andwerenowontheirwaysouth,whoalsooccupieditwithus.Davidandhiswife,Caroline,bothmulattoes,wereexceedinglyaffected.Theydreadedthethoughtofbeingputintothecaneandcottonfields;buttheirgreatestsourceofanxietywastheapprehensionofbeingseparated.Mary,atall,lithegirl,ofamostjettyblack,waslistlessandapparentlyindifferent.Like

manyoftheclass,shescarcelyknewtherewassuchawordasfreedom.Broughtupintheignoranceofabrute,shepossessedbutlittlemorethanabrute’sintelligence.Shewasoneofthose,andthereareverymany,whofearnothingbuttheirmaster’slash,andknownofurtherdutythantoobeyhisvoice.TheotherwasLethe.Shewasofanentirelydifferentcharacter.Shehadlong,

straighthair,andboremoretheappearanceofanIndianthananegrowoman.Shehadsharpandspitefuleyes,andcontinuallygaveutterancetothelanguageofhatredandrevenge.Herhusbandhadbeensold.Sheknewnotwhereshewas.Anexchangeofmasters,shewassure,couldnotbefortheworse.Shecarednotwhithertheymightcarryher.Pointingtothescarsuponherface,the

desperatecreaturewishedthatshemightseethedaywhenshecouldwipethemoffinsomeman’sbloodI

Whilewewerethuslearningthehistoryofeachother’swretchedness,Elizawasseatedinacornerbyherself,singinghymnsandprayingforherchildren.Weariedfromthelossofsomuchsleep,Icouldnolongerbearupagainsttheadvances

ofthat“sweetrestorer,”andlayingdownbythesideofRobert,onthefloor,soonforgotmytroubles,andsleptuntilthedawnofday.

Inthemorning,havingswepttheyard,andwashedourselves,underGoodin’ssuperintendence,wewereorderedtorollupourblankets,andmakereadyforthecontinuanceofourjourney.ClemRaywas

informedthathewouldgonofurther,Burch,forsomecause,havingconcludedtocarryhimbacktoWashington.Hewasmuchrejoiced.Shakinghands,wepartedintheslavepenatRichmond,andIhavenotseenhimsince.But,muchtomysurprise,sincemyreturn,Ilearnedthathehadescapedfrombondage,andonhiswaytothefreesoilofCanada,lodgedonenightat

thehouseofmybrother-in-lawinSaratoga,informingmyfamilyoftheplaceandtheconditioninwhichheleftme.

Intheafternoonweweredrawnup,twoabreast,Robertandmyselfinadvance,andinthisorder,drivenbyBurchandGoodinfromtheyard,throughthestreetsofRichmondtothebrigOrleans.Shewasavesselof

respectablesize,fullrigged,andfreightedprincipallywithtobacco.Wewereallonboardbyfiveo’clock.Burchbroughtuseachatincupandaspoon.Therewerefortyofusinthebrig,beingall,exceptClem,thatwereinthepen.

Withasmallpocketknifethathadnotbeentaken.fromme,Ibegancuttingtheinitialsofmynameuponthe

tincup.Theothersimmediatelyflockedroundme,requestingmetomarktheirsinasimilarmanner.Intime,Igratifiedthemall,ofwhichtheydidnotappeartobeforgetful.

Wewereallstowedawayintheholdatnight,andthehatchbarreddown.Welaidonboxes,orwhere-evertherewasroomenoughtostretchourblanketsonthefloor.

BurchaccompaniedusnofartherthanRichmond,returningfromthatpointtothecapitalwithClem.Notuntilthelapseofalmosttwelveyears,towit,inJanuarylast,intheWashingtonpoliceoffice,didIsetmyeyesuponhisfaceagain.

JamesH.Burchwasaslave-trader—buyingmen,womenandchildrenatlow

prices,andsellingthematanadvance.Hewasaspeculatorinhumanflesh—adisreputablecalling—andsoconsideredattheSouth.Forthepresenthedisappearsfromthescenesrecordedinthisnarrative,buthewillappearagainbeforeitsclose,notinthecharacterofaman-whippingtyrant,butasanarrested,cringingcriminalinacourtoflaw,thatfailedtodohimjustice.

CHAPTERV.ARRIVALATNORFOLK—FREDERICKANDMARIA—ARTHUR,THEFREEMAN—APPOINTEDSTEWARD—JIM,CUFFEE,ANDJENNY—THESTORM—BAHAMABANKS—THE

CALM—THECONSPIRACY—THELONGBOAT—THESMALL-POX—DEATHOFROBERT—MANNING,THESAILOR—THEMEETINGINTHEFORECASTLE—THELETTER—ARRIVALATNEW-ORLEANS—ARTHUR’SRESCUE—THEOPHILUSFREEMAN,THE

CONSIGNEE—PLATT—FIRSTNIGHTINTHENEW-0BLEANSSLAVEPEN.

AFTERwewereallonboard,thebrigOrleansproceededdownJamesRiver.PassingintoChesapeakeBay,wearrivednextdayoppositethecityofNorfolk.Whilelyingatanchor,alighterapproachedusfromthetown,

bringingfourmoreslaves.Frederick,aboyofeighteen,hadbeenbornaslave,asalsohadHenry,whowassomeyearsolder.Theyhadbothbeenhouseservantsinthecity.Mariawasarathergenteellookingcoloredgirl,withafaultlessform,butignorantandextremelyvain.TheideaofgoingtoNew-Orleanswaspleasingtoher.Sheentertainedanextravagantlyhighopinionof

herownattractions.Assumingahaughtymien,shedeclaredtohercompanions,thatimmediatelyonourarrivalinNew-Orleans,shehadnodoubt,somewealthysinglegentlemanofgoodtastewouldpurchaseheratonce!

Butthemostprominentofthefour,wasamannamedArthur.Asthelighterapproached,hestruggled

stoutlywithhiskeepers.Itwaswithmainforcethathewasdraggedaboardthebrig.Heprotested,inaloudvoice,againstthetreatmenthewasreceiving,anddemandedtobereleased.Hisfacewasswollen,andcoveredwithwoundsandbruises,and,indeed,onesideofitwasacompleterawsore.Hewasforced,withallhaste,downthehatchwayintothehold.Icaughtanoutlineofhisstory

ashewasbornestrugglingalong,ofwhichheafterwardsgavemeamorefullrelation,anditwasasfollows:HehadlongresidedinthecityofNorfolk,andwasafreeman.Hehadafamilylivingthere,andwasamasonbytrade.Havingbeenunusuallydetained,hewasreturninglateonenighttohishouseinthesuburbsofthecity,whenhewasattackedbyagangofpersonsinanunfrequented

street.Hefoughtuntilhisstrengthfailedhim.Overpoweredatlast,hewasgaggedandboundwithropes,andbeaten,untilhebecameinsensible.ForseveraldaystheysecretedhimintheslavepenatNorfolk—averycommonestablishment,itappears,inthecitiesoftheSouth.Thenightbefore,hehadbeentakenoutandputonboardthelighter,which,pushingoutfromshore,had

awaitedourarrival.Forsometimehecontinuedhisprotestations,andwasaltogetherirreconcilable.Atlength,however,hebecamesilent.Hesankintoagloomyandthoughtfulmood,andappearedtobecounselingwithhimself.Therewasintheman’sdeterminedface,somethingthatsuggestedthethoughtofdesperation.

AfterleavingNorfolkthe

hand-cuffsweretakenoff,andduringthedaywewereallowedtoremainondeck.ThecaptainselectedRobertashiswaiter,andIwasappointedtosuperintendthecookingdepartment,andthedistributionoffoodandwater.Ihadthreeassistants,Jim,CuffeeandJenny.Jenny’sbusinesswastopreparethecoffee,whichconsistedofcornmealscorchedinakettle,boiled

andsweetenedwithmolasses.JimandCoffeebakedthehoe-cakeandboiledthebacon.

Standingbyatable,formedofawideboardrestingontheheadsofthebarrels,Icutandhandedtoeachasliceofmeatanda“dodger”ofthebread,andfromJenny’skettlealsodippedoutforeachacupofthecoffee.Theuseofplateswasdispensedwith,andtheir

sablefingerstooktheplaceofknivesandforks.JimandCuffeewereverydemureandattentivetobusiness,somewhatinflatedwiththeirsituationassecondcooks,andwithoutdoubtfeelingthattherewasagreatresponsibilityrestingonthem.Iwascalledsteward—anamegivenmebythecaptain.

Theslaveswerefedtwicea

day,attenandfiveo’clock—alwaysreceivingthesamekindandquantityoffare,andinthesamemannerasabovedescribed.Atnightweweredrivenintothehold,andsecurelyfasteneddown.

Scarcelywereweoutofsightoflandbeforewewereovertakenbyaviolentstorm.Thebrigrolledandplungeduntilwefearedshewouldgodown.Someweresea-sick,

othersontheirkneespraying,whilesomewerefastholdingtoeachother,paralyzedwithfear.Thesea-sicknessrenderedtheplaceofourconfinementloathsomeanddisgusting.Itwouldhavebeenahappythingformostofus—itwouldhavesavedtheagonyofmanyhundredlashes,andmiserabledeathsatlast—hadthecompassionateseasnatchedusthatdayfromtheclutches

ofremorselessmen.ThethoughtofRandallandlittleEmmysinkingdownamongthemonstersofthedeep,isamorepleasantcontemplationthantothinkofthemastheyarenow,perhaps,draggingoutlivesofunrequitedtoil.

WheninsightoftheBahamaBanks,ataplacecalledOldPointCompass,ortheHoleintheWall,wewerebecalmedthreedays.There

wasscarcelyabreathofair.Thewatersofthegulfpresentedasingularlywhiteappearance,likelimewater.

Intheorderofevents,Icomenowtotherelationofanoccurrence,whichInevercalltomindbutwithsensationsofregret.IthankGod,whohassincepermittedmetoescapefromthethralldomofslavery,thatthroughhismerciful

interpositionIwaspreventedfromimbruingmyhandsinthebloodofhiscreatures.Letnotthosewhohaveneverbeenplacedinlikecircumstances,judgemeharshly.Untiltheyhavebeenchainedandbeaten—untiltheyfindthemselvesinthesituationIwas,borneawayfromhomeandfamilytowardsalandofbondage—letthemrefrainfromsayingwhattheywouldnotdofor

liberty.HowfarIshouldhavebeenjustifiedinthesightofGodandman,itisunnecessarynowtospeculateupon.ItisenoughtosaythatIamabletocongratulatemyselfupontheharmlessterminationofanaffairwhichthreatened,foratime,tobeattendedwithseriousresults.

Towardsevening,onthefirstdayofthecalm,Arthurandmyselfwereinthebow

ofthevessel,seatedonthewindlass.Wewereconversingtogetheroftheprobabledestinythatawaitedus,andmourningtogetheroverourmisfortunes.Arthursaid,andIagreedwithhim,thatdeathwasfarlessterriblethanthelivingprospectthatwasbeforeus.Foralongtimewetalkedofourchildren,ourpastlives,andoftheprobabilitiesofescape.Obtainingpossessionofthe

brigwassuggestedbyoneofus.Wediscussedthepossibilityofourbeingable,insuchanevent,tomakeourwaytotheharborofNew-York.Iknewlittleofthecompass;buttheideaofriskingtheexperimentwaseagerlyentertained.Thechances,foiandagainstus,inanencounterwiththecrew,wascanvassed.Whocouldbereliedupon,andwhocouldnot,thepropertimeand

manneroftheattack,werealltalkedoverandoveragain.FromthemomenttheplotsuggesteditselfIbegantohope.Irevolveditconstantlyinmymind.Asdifficultyafterdifficultyarose,somereadyconceitwasathand,demonstratinghowitcouldbeovercome.Whileothersslept,ArthurandIwerematuringourplans.Atlength,withmuchcaution,Robertwasgraduallymade

acquaintedwithourintentions.Heapprovedofthematonce,andenteredintotheconspiracywithazealousspirit.Therewasnotanotherslavewedaredtotrust.Broughtupinfearandignoranceastheyare,itcanscarcelybeconceivedhowservilelytheywillcringebeforeawhiteman’slook.Itwasnotsafetodepositsoboldasecretwithanyofthem,andfinallywethree

resolvedtotakeuponourselvesalonethefearfulresponsibilityoftheattempt.

Atnight,ashasbeensaid,weweredrivenintothehold,andthehatchbarreddown.Howtoreachthedeckwasthefirstdifficultythatpresenteditself.Onthebowofthebrig,however,Ihadobservedthesmallboatlyingbottomupwards.Itoccurredtomethatbysecreting

ourselvesunderneathit,wewouldnotbemissedfromthecrowd,astheywerehurrieddownintotheholdatnight.Iwasselectedtomaketheexperiment,inordertosatisfyourselvesofitsfeasibility.Thenextevening,accordingly,aftersupper,watchingmyopportunity,Ihastilyconcealedmyselfbeneathit.Lyingcloseuponthedeck,Icouldseewhatwasgoingonaroundme,

whilewhollyunperceivedmyself.Inthemorning,astheycameup,Islippedfrommyhidingplacewithoutbeingobserved.Theresultwasentirelysatisfactory.

Thecaptainandmatesleptinthecabinoftheformer.FromRobert,whohadfrequentoccasion,inhiscapacityofwaiter,tomakeobservationsinthatquarter,weascertainedtheexact

positionoftheirrespectiveberths.Hefurtherinformedusthattherewerealwaystwopistolsandacutlasslyingonthetable.Thecrew’scooksleptinthecookgalleyondeck,asortofvehicleonwheels,thatcouldbemovedaboutasconveniencerequired,whilethesailors,numberingonlysix,eithersleptintheforecastle,orinhammocksswungamongtherigging.

Finallyourarrangementswereallcompleted.ArthurandIweretostealsilentlytothecaptain’scabin,seizethepistolsandcutlass,andasquicklyaspossibledespatchhimandthemate.Robert,withaclub,wastostandbythedoorleadingfromthedeckdownintothecabin,and,incaseofnecessity,beatbackthesailors,untilwecouldhurrytohisassistance.Weweretoproceedthenas

circumstancesmightrequire.Shouldtheattackbesosuddenandsuccessfulastopreventresistance,thehatchwastoremainbarreddown;otherwisetheslavesweretobecalledup,andinthecrowd,andhurry,andconfusionofthetime,weresolvedtoregainourlibertyorloseourlives.Iwasthentoassumetheunaccustomedplaceofpilot,and,steeringnorthward,wetrustedthat

someluckywindmightbearustothesoiloffreedom.

Themate’snamewasBiddee,thecaptain’sIcannotnowrecall,thoughIrarelyeverforgetanameoncehard.Thecaptainwasasmall,genteelman,erectandprompt,withaproudbearing,andlookedthepersonificationofcourage.Ifheisstillliving,andthesepagesshouldchancetomeet

hiseye,hewilllearnafactconnectedwiththevoyageofthebrig,fromRichmondtoNew-Orleans,in1841,notenteredonhislog-book.

Wewereallprepared,andimpatientlywaitinganopportunityofputtingourdesignsintoexecution,whentheywerefrustratedbyasadandunforeseenevent.Robertwastakenill.Itwassoonannouncedthathehadthe

small-pox.Hecontinuedtogrowworse,andfourdaysprevioustoourarrivalinNew-Orleanshedied.Oneofthesailorssewedhiminhisblanket,withalargestonefromtheballastathisfeet,andthenlayinghimonahatchway,andelevatingitwithtacklesabovetherailing,theinanimatebodyofpoorRobertwasconsignedtothewhitewatersofthegulf.

Wewereallpanic-strickenbytheappearanceofthesmall-pox.Thecaptainorderedlimetobescatteredthroughthehold,andotherprudentprecautionstobetaken.ThedeathofRobert,however,andthepresenceofthemalady,oppressedmesadly,andIgazedoutoverthegreatwasteofwaterswithaspiritthatwasindeeddisconsolate.

AneveningortwoafterRobert’sburial,Iwasleaningonthehatchwayneartheforecastle,fullofdespondingthoughts,whenasailorinakindvoiceaskedmewhyIwassodown-hearted.Thetoneandmannerofthemanassuredme,andIanswered,becauseIwasafreeman,andhadbeenkidnapped.Heremarkedthatitwasenoughtomakeanyonedown-hearted,andcontinuedto

interrogatemeuntilhelearnedtheparticularsofmywholehistory.Hewasevidentlymuchinterestedinmybehalf,and,inthebluntspeechofasailor,sworehewouldaidmeallhecould,ifit“splithistimbers.”Irequestedhimtofurnishmepen,inkandpaper,inorderthatImightwritetosomeofmyfriends.Hepromisedtoobtainthem—buthowIcouldusethemundiscoveredwasa

difficulty.IfIcouldonlygetintotheforecastlewhilehiswatchwasoff,andtheothersailorsasleep,thethingcouldbeaccomplished.Thesmallboatinstantlyoccurredtome.HethoughtwewerenotfarfromtheBalize,atthemouthoftheMississippi,anditwasnecessarythattheletterbewrittensoon,ortheopportunitywouldbelost.Accordingly,byarrangement,Imanagedthenextnightto

secretmyselfagainunderthelong-boat.Hiswatchwasoffattwelve.Isawhimpassintotheforecastle,andinaboutanhourfollowedhim.Hewasnoddingoveratable,halfasleep,onwhichasicklylightwasflickering,andonwhichalsowasapenandsheetofpaper.AsIenteredhearoused,beckonedmetoaseatbesidehim,andpointedtothepaper.IdirectedthelettertoHenryB.Northup,of

SandyHill—statingthatIhadbeenkidnapped,wasthenonboardthebrigOrleans,boundforNew-Orleans;thatitwasthenimpossibleformetoconjecturemyultimatedestination,andrequestinghewouldtakemeasurestorescueme.Theletterwassealedanddirected,andManning,havingreadit,promisedtodeposititintheNew-Orleanspost-office.Ihastenedbacktomyplace

underthelong-boat,andinthemorning,astheslavescameupandwerewalkinground,creptoutunnoticedandmingledwiththem.

Mygoodfriend,whosenamewasJohnManning,wasanEnglishmanbybirth,andanoble-hearted,generoussailoraseverwalkedadeck.HehadlivedinBoston—wasatall,well-builtman,abouttwenty-fouryearsold,witha

facesomewhatpock-marked,butfullofbenevolentexpression.

Nothingtovarythemonotonyofourdailylifeoccurred,untilwereachedNew-Orleans.Oncomingtothelevee,andbeforethevesselwasmadefast,IsawManningleaponshoreandhurryawayintothecity.Ashestartedoffhelookedbackoverhisshoulder

significantly,givingmetounderstandtheobjectofhiserrand.Presentlyhereturned,andpassingclosebyme,hunchedmewithhiselbow,withapeculiarwink,asmuchastosay,“itisallright.”

Theletter,asIhavesincelearned,reachedSandyHill.Mr.NorthupvisitedAlbanyandlaiditbeforeGovernorSeward,butinasmuchasitgavenodefiniteinformation

astomyprobablelocality,itwasnot,atthattime,deemedadvisabletoinstitutemeasuresformyliberation.Itwasconcludedtodelay,trustingthataknowledgeofwhereIwasmighteventuallybeobtained.

Ahappyandtouchingscenewaswitnessedimmediatelyuponourreachingthelevee.JustasManningleftthebrig,onhis

waytothepost-office,twomencameupandcalledaloudforArthur.Thelatter,asherecognizedthem,wasalmostcrazywithdelight.Hecouldhardlyberestrainedfromleapingoverthebrig’sside;andwhentheymetsoonafter,hegraspedthembythehand,andclungtothemalong,longtime.TheyweremenfromNorfolk,whohadcomeontoNew-Orleanstorescuehim.Hiskidnappers,

theyinformedhim,hadbeenarrested,andwerethenconfinedintheNorfolkprison.Theyconversedafewmomentswiththecaptain,andthendepartedwiththerejoicingArthur.

Butinallthecrowdthatthrongedthewharf,therewasnoonewhokneworcaredforme.Notone.Nofamiliarvoicegreetedmyears,norwasthereasinglefacethatI

hadeverseen.SoonArthurwouldrejoinhisfamily,andhavethesatisfactionofseeinghiswrongsavenged:myfamily,alas,shouldIeverseethemmore?Therewasafeelingofutterdesolationinmyheart,fillingitwithadespairingandregretfulsense,thatIhadnotgonedownwithRoberttothebottomofthesea.

Verysoontradersand

consigneescameonboard.One,atall,thin-facedman,withlightcomplexionandalittlebent,madehisappearance,withapaperinhishand.Burch’sgang,consistingofmyself,Elizaandherchildren,Harry,Lethe,andsomeothers,whohadjoinedusatRichmond,wereconsignedtohim.ThisgentlemanwasMr.TheophilusFreeman.Readingfromhispaper,hecalled,

“Platt.”Nooneanswered.Thenamewascalledagainandagain,butstilltherewasnoreply.ThenLethewascalled,thenEliza,thenHarry,untilthelistwasfinished,eachonesteppingforwardashisorhernamewascalled.

“Captain,where’sPlatt?”demandedTheophilusFreeman.

Thecaptainwasunabletoinformhim,noonebeingon

boardansweringtothatname.

“Whoshippedthatnigger?”heagaininquiredofthecaptain,pointingtome.

“Burch,”repliedthecaptain.

“YournameisPlatt—youanswermydescription.Whydon’tyoucomeforward?”hedemandedofme,inanangrytone.

Iinformedhimthatwas

notmyname;thatIhadneverbeencalledbyit,butthatIhadnoobjectiontoitasIknewof.

“Well,Iwilllearnyouyourname,”saidhe;“andsoyouwon’tforgetiteither,by——,”headded.

Mr.TheophilusFreeman,bytheway,wasnotawhitbehindhispartner,Burch,inthematterofblasphemy.OnthevesselIhadgonebythe

nameof“Steward,”andthiswasthefirsttimeIhadeverbeendesignatedasPlatt—thenameforwardedbyBurchtohisconsignee.FromthevesselIobservedthechain-gangatworkonthelevee.WepassednearthemasweweredriventoFreeman’sslavepen.ThispenisverysimilartoGoodin’sinRichmond,excepttheyardwasenclosedbyplank,standingupright,withends

sharpened,insteadofbrickwalls.

Includingus,therewerenowatleastfiftyinthispen.Depositingourblanketsinoneofthesmallbuildingsintheyard,andhavingbeencalledupandfed,wewereallowedtosaunterabouttheenclosureuntilnight,whenwewrappedourblanketsroundusandlaiddownundertheshed,orintheloft,orin

theopenyard,justaseachonepreferred.

ItwasbutashorttimeIclosedmyeyesthatnight.Thoughtwasbusyinmybrain.CoulditbepossiblethatIwasthousandsofmilesfromhome—thatIhadbeendriventhroughthestreetslikeadumbbeast—thatIhadbeenchainedandbeatenwithoutmercy—thatIwaseventhenherdedwithadrove

ofslaves,aslavemyself?aWeretheeventsofthelastfewweeksrealitiesindeed?—orwasIpassingonlythroughthedismalphasesofalong,protracteddream?Itwasnoillusion.Mycupofsorrowwasfulltooverflowing.ThenIliftedupmyhandstoGod,andinthestillwatchesofthenight,surroundedbythesleepingformsofmycompanions,beggedformercyonthe

poor,forsakencaptive.TotheAlmightyFatherofusall—thefreemanandtheslave—Ipouredforththesupplicationsofabrokenspirit,imploringstrengthfromonhightobearupagainsttheburdenofmytroubles,untilthemorninglightarousedtheslumberers,usheringinanotherdayofbondage.

CHAPTERVI.FREEMAN’SINDUSTRY—CLEANLINESSANDCLOTHES-EXERCISINGINTHESHOWROOM—THEDANCE—BOB,THEFIDDLER—ARRIVALOFCUSTOMERS—BLAVES

EXAMINED-THEOLDGENTLEMANOFNEW-OBLEANS—SALEOFDAVID,CAROLINEANDLETHE—PARTINGOFRANDALLANDELIZA—SMALLPOX—THEHOSPITAL—RECOVERYANDRETURNTOFREEMAN’SSLAVEPEN—THEPURCHASEROFELIZA,HARRYANDPLATT—ELIZA’S

AGONYONPARTINGFROMLITTLEEMILY.

THEveryamiable,pious-heartedMr.TheophilusFreeman,partnerorconsigneeofJamesH.Burch,andkeeperoftheslavepeninNew-Orleans,wasoutamonghisanimalsearlyinthemorning.Withanoccasionalkickoftheoldermenandwomen,andmanyasharp

crackofthewhipabouttheearsoftheyoungerslaves,itwasnotlongbeforetheywereallastir,andwideawake.Mr.TheophilusFreemanbustledaboutinaveryindustriousmanner,gettinghispropertyreadyforthesales-room,intending,nodoubt,todothatdayarousingbusiness.

Inthefirstplacewewererequiredtowashthoroughly,andthosewithbeards,to

shave.Wewerethenfurnishedwithanewsuiteach,cheap,butclean.Themenhadhat,coat,shirt,pantsandshoes;thewomenfrocksofcalico,andhandkerchiefstobindabouttheirheads.Wewerenowconductedintoalargeroominthefrontpartofthebuildingtowhichtheyardwasattached,inordertobeproperlytrained,beforetheadmissionofcustomers.Themenwerearrangedonone

sideoftheroom,thewomenontheother.Thetallestwasplacedattheheadoftherow,thenthenexttallest,andsoonintheorderoftheirrespectiveheights.Emilywasatthefootofthelineofwomen.Freemanchargedustorememberourplaces;exhortedustoappearsmartandlively,—sometimesthreatening,andagain,holdingoutvariousinducements.Duringtheday

heexercisedusintheartof“lookingsmart,”andofmovingtoourplaceswithexactprecision.

Afterbeingfed,intheafternoon,wewereagainparadedandmadetodance.Bob,acoloredboy,whohadsometimebelongedtoFreeman,playedontheviolin.Standingnearhim,Imadeboldtoinquireifhecouldplaythe“Virginia

Reel.”Heansweredhecouldnot,andaskedmeifIcouldplay.Replyingintheaffirmative,hehandedmetheviolin.Istruckupatune,andfinishedit.Freemanorderedmetocontinueplaying,andseemedwellpleased,tellingBobthatIfarexcelledhim—aremarkthatseemedtogrievemymusicalcompanionverymuch.

Nextdaymanycustomers

calledtoexamineFreeman’s“newlot.”Thelattergentlemanwasveryloquacious,dwellingatmuchlengthuponourseveralgoodpointsandqualities.Hewouldmakeusholdupourheads,walkbrisklybackandforth,whilecustomerswouldfeelofourhandsandarmsandbodies,turnusabout,askuswhatwecoulddo,makeusopenourmouthsandshowourteeth,preciselyasa

jockeyexaminesahorsewhichheisabouttobarterfororpurchase.Sometimesamanorwomanwastakenbacktothesmallhouseintheyard,stripped,andinspectedmoreminutely.Scarsuponaslave’sbackwereconsideredevidenceofarebelliousorunrulyspirit,andhurthissale.

Oneoldgentleman,whosaidhewantedacoachman,

appearedtotakeafancytome.FromhisconversationwithFreeman,Ilearnedhewasaresidentinthecity.Iverymuchdesiredthathewouldbuyme,becauseIconceiveditwouldnotbedifficulttomakemyescapefromNew-Orleansonsomenorthernvessel.Freemanaskedhimfifteenhundreddollarsforme.Theoldgentlemaninsisteditwastoomuch,astimeswerevery

hard.Freeman,however,declaredthatIwassoundandhealthy,ofagoodconstitution,andintelligent.Hemadeitapointtoenlargeuponmymusicalattainments.Theoldgentlemanarguedquiteadroitlythattherewasnothingextraordinaryaboutthenigger,andfinally,tomyregret,wentout,sayinghewouldcallagain.Duringtheday,however,anumberofsalesweremade.Davidand

CarolinewerepurchasedtogetherbyaNatchezplanter.Theyleftus,grinningbroadly,andinthemosthappystateofmind,causedbythefactoftheirnotbeingseparated.LethewassoldtoaplanterofBatonRouge,hereyesflashingwithangerasshewasledaway.

ThesamemanalsopurchasedRandall.Thelittlefellowwasmadetojump,and

runacrossthefloor,andperformmanyotherfeats,exhibitinghisactivityandcondition.Allthetimethetradewasgoingon,Elizawascryingaloud,andwringingherhands.Shebesoughtthemannottobuyhim,unlesshealsoboughtherselfandEmily.Shepromised,inthatcase,tobethemostfaithfulslavethateverlived.Themanansweredthathecouldnotaffordit,andthenElizaburst

intoaparoxysmofgrief,weepingplaintively.Freemanturnedroundtoher,savagely,withhiswhipinhisupliftedhand,orderinghertostophernoise,orhewouldflogher.Hewouldnothavesuchwork—suchsnivelling;andunlesssheceasedthatminute,hewouldtakehertotheyardandgiveherahundredlashes.Yes,hewouldtakethenonsenseoutofherprettyquick—ifhedidn’t,mighthe

bed—d.Elizashrunkbeforehim,andtriedtowipeawayheitears,butitwasallinvain.Shewantedtobewithherchildren,shesaid,thelittletimeshehadtolive.AllthefrownsandthreatsofFreeman,couldnotwhollysilencetheafflictedmother.Shekeptonbeggingandbeseechingthem,mostpiteously,nottoseparatethethree.Overandoveragainshetoldthemhowsheloved

herboy.Agreatmanytimessherepeatedherformerpromises—howveryfaithfulandobedientshewouldbe;howhardshewouldlabordayandnight,tothelastmomentofherlife,ifhewouldonlybuythemalltogether.Butitwasofnoavail;themancouldnotaffordit.Thebargainwasagreedupon,andRandallmustgoalone.ThenElizarantohim;embracedhimpassionately;kissedhim

againandagain;toldhimtorememberher—allthewhilehertearsfallingintheboy’sfacelikerain.

Freemandamnedher,callingherablubbering,bawlingwench,andorderedhertogotoherplace,andbehaveherself,andbesomebody.Hesworehewouldn’tstandsuchstuffbutalittlelonger.Hewouldsoongivehersomethingtocry

about,ifshewasnotmightycareful,andthatshemightdependupon.

TheplanterfromBatonRouge,withhisnewpurchases,wasreadytodepart.

“Don’tcry,mama.Iwillbeagoodboy.Don’tcry,”saidRandall,lookingback,astheypassedoutofthedoor.

Whathasbecomeofthe

lad,Godknows.Itwasamournfulsceneindeed.IwouldhavecriedmyselfifIhaddared.

Thatnight,nearlyallwhocameinonthebrigOrleans,weretakenill.Theycomplainedofviolentpainintheheadandback.LittleEmily—athingunusualwithher—criedconstantly.Inthemorningaphysicianwascalledin,butwasunableto

determinethenatureofourcomplaint.Whileexaminingme,andaskingquestionstouchingmysymptoms,Igaveitasmyopinionthatitwasanattackofsmall-pox—mentioningthefactofRobert’sdeathasthereasonofmybelief.Itmightbesoindeed,hethought,andhewouldsendfortheheadphysicianofthehospital.Shortly,theheadphysiciancame—asmall,light-haired

man,whomtheycalledDr.Carr.Hepronounceditsmall-pox,whereupontherewasmuchalarmthroughouttheyard.SoonafterDr.Carrleft,Eliza,Emmy,Harryandmyselfwereputintoahackanddriventothehospital—alargewhitemarblebuilding,standingontheoutskirtsofthecity.HarryandIwereplacedinaroominoneoftheupperstories.Ibecameverysick.ForthreedaysIwas

entirelyblind.Whilelyinginthisstateoneday,Bobcamein,sayingtoDr.CarrthatFreemanhadsenthimovertoinquirehowweweregettingon.Tellhim,saidthedoctor,thatPlattisverybad,butthatifhesurvivesuntilnineo’clock,hemayrecover.

Iexpectedtodie.Thoughtherewaslittleintheprospectbeforemeworthlivingfor,thenearapproachofdeath

appalledme.IthoughtIcouldhavebeenresignedtoyieldupmylifeinthebosomofmyfamily,buttoexpireinthemidstofstrangers,undersuchcircumstances,wasabitterreflection.

Therewereagreatnumberinthehospital,ofbothsexes,andofallages.Intherearofthebuildingcoffinsweremanufactured.Whenonedied,thebelltolled—asignal

totheundertakertocomeandbearawaythebodytothepotter’sfield.Manytimes,eachdayandnight,thetollingbellsentforthitsmelancholyvoice,announcinganotherdeath.Butmytimehadnotyetcome.Thecrisishavingpassed,Ibegantorevive,andattheendoftwoweeksandtwodays,returnedwithHarrytothepen,bearinguponmyfacetheeffectsofthemalady,

whichtothisdaycontinuestodisfigureit.ElizaandEmilywerealsobroughtbacknextdayinahack,andagainwereweparadedinthesales-room,fortheinspectionandexaminationofpurchasers.Istillindulgedthehopethattheoldgentlemaninsearchofacoachmanwouldcallagain,ashehadpromised,andpurchaseme.InthateventIfeltanabidingconfidencethatIwouldsoonregainmy

liberty.Customeraftercustomerentered,buttheoldgentlemannevermadehisappearance.

Atlength,oneday,whilewewereintheyard,Freemancameoutandorderedustoourplaces,inthegreatroom.Agentlemanwaswaitingforusasweentered,andinasmuchashewillbeoftenmentionedintheprogressofthisnarrative,adescriptionof

hispersonalappearance,andmyestimationofhischaracter,atfirstsight,maynotbeoutofplace.

Hewasamanabovetheordinaryheight,somewhatbentandstoopingforward.Hewasagood-lookingman,andappearedtohavereachedaboutthemiddleageoflife.Therewasnothingrepulsiveinhispresence;butontheotherhand,therewas

somethingcheerfulandattractiveinhisface,andinhistoneofvoice.Thefinerelementswereallkindlymingledinhisbreast,asanyonecouldsee.Hemovedaboutamongus,askingmanyquestions,astowhatwecoulddo,andwhatlaborwehadbeenaccustomedto;ifwethoughtwewouldliketolivewithhim,andwouldbegoodboysifhewouldbuyus,andotherinterrogatoriesof

likecharacter.

Aftersomefurtherinspection,andconversationtouchingprices,hefinallyofferedFreemanonethousanddollarsforme,ninehundredforHarry,andsevenhundredforEliza.Whetherthesmall-poxhaddepreciatedourvalue,orfromwhatcauseFreemanhadconcludedtofallfivehundreddollarsfromthepriceIwasbeforeheldat,

Icannotsay.Atanyrate,afteralittleshrewdreflection,heannouncedhisacceptanceoftheoffer.

AssoonasElizaheardit,shewasinanagonyagain.Bythistimeshehadbecomehaggardandhollow-eyedwithsicknessandwithsorrow.ItwouldbeareliefifIcouldconsistentlypassoverinsilencethescenethatnowensued.Itrecallsmemories

moremournfulandaffectingthananylanguagecanportray.Ihaveseenmotherskissingforthelasttimethefacesoftheirdeadoffspring;Ihaveseenthemlookingdownintothegrave,astheearthfellwithadullsoundupontheircoffins,hidingthemfromtheireyesforever;butneverhaveIseensuchanexhibitionofintense,unmeasured,andunboundedgrief,aswhenElizawas

partedfromherchild.Shebrokefromherplaceinthelineofwomen,andrushingdownwhereEmilywasstanding,caughtherinherarms.Thechild,sensibleofsomeimpendingdanger,instinctivelyfastenedherhandsaroundhermother’sneck,andnestledherlittleheaduponherbosom.Freemansternlyorderedhertobequiet,butshedidnotheedhim.Hecaughtherby

thearmandpulledherrudely,butsheonlyclungtheclosertothechild.Then,withavolleyofgreatoaths,hestruckhersuchaheartlessblow,thatshestaggeredbackward,andwasliketofall.Oh!howpiteouslythendidshebeseechandbegandpraythattheymightnotbeseparated.Whycouldtheynotbepurchasedtogether?Whynotletherhaveoneofherdearchildren?“Mercy,

mercy,master!”shecried,fallingonherknees.“Please,master,buyEmily.Icanneverworkanyifsheistakenfromme:Iwilldie.”

Freemaninterferedagain,but,disregardinghim,shestillpleadmostearnestly,tellinghowRandallhadbeentakenfromher—howsheneverwouldseehimagain,andnowitwastoobad—oh,God!itwastoobad,too

cruel,totakeherawayfromEmily—herpride—heronlydarling,thatcouldnotlive,itwassoyoung,withoutitsmother!

Finally,aftermuchmoreofsupplication,thepurchaserofElizasteppedforward,evidentlyaffected,andsaidtoFreemanhewouldbuyEmily,andaskedhimwhatherpricewas.

“WhatisherPrice?Buy

her?”wastheresponsiveinterrogatoryofTheophilusFreeman.Andinstantlyansweringhisowninquiry,headded,“Iwon’tsellher.She’snotforsale.

Themanremarkedhewasnotinneedofonesoyoung—thatitwouldbeofnoprofittohim,butsincethemotherwassofondofher,ratherthanseethemseparated,hewouldpayareasonableprice.

ButtothishumaneproposalFreemanwasentirelydeaf.Hewouldnotsellherthenonanyaccountwhatever.Therewereheapsandpilesofmoneytobemadeofher,hesaid,whenshewasafewyearsolder.ThereweremenenoughinNew-Orleanswhowouldgivefivethousanddollarsforsuchanextra,handsome,fancypieceasEmilywouldbe,ratherthannotgether.No,no,hewould

notsellherthen.Shewasabeauty—apicture—adoll—oneoftheregularbloods—noneofyourthick-lipped,bullet-headed,cotton-pickingniggers—ifshewasmighthebed—d.

WhenElizaheardFreeman’sdeterminationnottopartwithEmily,shebecameabsolutelyfrantic.

“Iwillnotgowithouther.Theyshallnottakeherfrom

me,”shefairlyshrieked,hershriekscomminglingwiththeloudandangryvoiceofFreeman,commandinghertobesilent.

MeantimeHarryandmyselfhadbeentotheyardandreturnedwithourblankets,andwereatthefrontdoorreadytoleave.Ourpurchaserstoodnearus,gazingatElizawithanexpressionindicativeof

regretathavingboughtherattheexpenseofsomuchsorrow.Wewaitedsometime,when,finally,Freeman,outofpatience,toreEmilyfromhermotherbymainforce,thetwoclingingtoeachotherwithalltheirmight.

“Don’tleaveme,mama—don’tleaveme,”screamedthechild,asitsmotherwaspushedharshlyforward;

“Don’tleaveme—comeback,mama,”shestillcried,stretchingforthherlittlearmsimploringly.Butshecriedinvain.Outofthedoorandintothestreetwewerequicklyhurried.Stillwecouldhearhercallingtohermother,“Comeback—don’tleaveme—comeback,mama,”untilherinfantvoicegrewfaintandstillmorefaint,andgraduallydiedaway,asdistanceintervened,and

finallywaswhollylost.

ElizaneveraftersaworheardofEmilyorRandall.Daynornight,however,weretheyeverabsentfromhermemory.Inthecottonfield,inthecabin,alwaysandeverywhere,shewastalkingofthem—oftentothem,asiftheywereactuallypresent.Onlywhenabsorbedinthatillusion,orasleep,didsheeverhaveamoment’s

comfortafterwards.

Shewasnocommonslave,ashasbeensaid.Toalargeshareofnaturalintelligencewhichshepossessed,wasaddedageneralknowledgeandinformationonmostsubjects.Shehadenjoyedopportunitiessuchasareaffordedtoveryfewofheroppressedclass.Shehadbeenliftedupintotheregionsofahigherlife.Freedom—

freedomforherselfandforheroffspring,formanyyearshadbeenhercloudbyday,herpillaroffirebynight.Inherpilgrimagethroughthewildernessofbondage,witheyesfixeduponthathope-inspiringbeacon,shehadatlengthascendedto“thetopofPisgah,”andbeheld“thelandofpromise.”Inanunexpectedmomentshewasutterlyoverwhelmedwithdisappointmentanddespair.

Thegloriousvisionoflibertyfadedfromhersightastheyledherawayintocaptivity.Now“sheweepethsoreinthenight,andtearsareonhercheeks:allherfriendshavedealttreacherouslywithher:theyhavebecomeherenemies.”

SCENEINTHESLAVEPENATWASHINGTON.(seepage

44)

SEPARATIONOFELIZAANDHERLASTCHILD.

CHAPTERVII.THESTEAMBOATRODOLPH—DEPARTUREFROMNEW-ORLEANS-WILLIAMFORD—ARRIVALATALEXANDRIA,ONREDRIVER—RESOLUTtONS

—THEGREATPINEWOODS—WILDCATTLE—MARTIN’SSUMMERRESIDENCE—THETEXASROAD—ARRIVALATMASTERFORD’S-R0SE-MISTRESSFORD—SALLY,ANDHERCHILDREN—JOHN,THECOOK—WALTER,SAM,ANDANTONY—THEMILLSONINDIANCREEK—SABBATH

DAYS—SAM’SCONVERSION—THEPROFITOFKINDNESS—RAFTING—ADAMTAYDEM,THELITTLEWHITEMAN-CASCALLAANDHISTRIBE—THEINDIANBALL—JOHNM.TIBEATS—THESTORMAPPROACHING.

ONleavingtheNew-

Orleansslavepen,HarryandIfollowedournewmasterthroughthestreets,whileEliza,cryingandturningback,wasforcedalongbyFreemanandhisminions,untilwefoundourselvesonboardthesteamboatRodolph,thenlyingatthelevee.InthecourseofhalfanhourweweremovingbrisklyuptheMississippi,boundforsomepointonRedRiver.Therewerequiteanumberofslaves

onboardbesideourselves,justpurchasedintheNew-Orleansmarket.IrememberaMr.Kelsow,whowassaidtobeawellknownandextensiveplanter,hadinchargeagangofwomen.

Ourmaster’snamewasWilliamFord.Heresidedtheninthe“GreatPineWoods,”intheparishofAvoyelles,situatedontherightbankofRedRiver,in

theheartofLouisiana.HeisnowaBaptistpreacher.ThroughoutthewholeparishofAvoyelles,andespeciallyalongbothshoresofBayouBoeuf,whereheismoreintimatelyknown,heisaccountedbyhisfellow-citizensasaworthyministerofGod.Inmanynorthernminds,perhaps,theideaofamanholdinghisbrothermaninservitude,andthetrafficinhumanflesh,mayseem

altogetherincompatiblewiththeirconceptionsofamoralorreligiouslife.FromdescriptionsofsuchmenasBurchandFreeman,andothershereinaftermentioned,theyareledtodespiseandexecratethewholeclassofslaveholders,in,discriminately.ButIwassometimehisslave,andhadanopportunityoflearningwellhischaracteranddisposition,anditisbut

simplejusticetohimwhenIsay,inmyopinion,thereneverwasamorekind,noble,candid,ChristianmanthanWilliamFord.Theinfluencesandassociationsthathadalwayssurroundedhim,blindedhimtotheinherentwrongatthebottomofthesystemofSlavery.Heneverdoubtedthemoralrightofonemanholdinganotherinsubjection.Lookingthroughthesamemediumwithhis

fathersbeforehim,hesawthingsinthesamelight.Broughtupunderothercircumstancesandotherinfluences,hisnotionswouldundoubtedlyhavebeendifferent.Nevertheless,hewasamodelmaster,walkinguprightly,accordingtothelightofhisunderstanding,andfortunatewastheslavewhocametohispossession.Wereallmensuchashe,Slaverywouldbedeprivedof

morethanhalfitsbitterness.

WeweretwodaysandthreenightsonboardthesteamboatRodolph,duringwhichtimenothingofparticularinterestoccurred.IwasnowknownasPlatt,thenamegivenmebyBurch,andbywhichIwasdesignatedthroughthewholeperiodofmyservitude.Elizawassoldbythenameof“Dradey.”Shewassodistinguishedinthe

conveyancetoFord,nowonrecordintherecorder’sofficeinNew-Orleans.

OnourpassageIwasconstantlyreflectingonmysituation,andconsultingwithmyselfonthebestcoursetopursueinordertoeffectmyultimateescape.Sometimes,notonlythen,butafterwards,IwasalmostonthepointofdisclosingfullytoFordthefactsofmyhistory.Iam

inclinednowtotheopinionitwouldhaveresultedinmybenefit.Thiscoursewasoftenconsidered,butthroughfearofitsmiscarriage,neverputintoexecution,untileventuallymytransferandhispecuniaryembarrassmentsrendereditevidentlyunsafe.Afterwards,underothermasters,unlikeWilliamFord,Iknewwellenoughtheslightestknowledgeofmyrealcharacterwouldconsign

meatoncetotheremoterdepthsofSlavery.Iwastoocostlyachatteltobelost,andwaswellawarethatIwouldbetakenfartheron,intosomeby-place,overtheTexanborder,perhaps,andsold;thatIwouldbedisposedofasthethiefdisposesofhisstolenhorse,ifmyrighttofreedomwasevenwhispered.SoIresolvedtolockthesecretcloselyinmyheart—nevertoutteronewordorsyllableas

towhoorwhatIwas—trustinginProvidenceandmyownshrewdnessfordeliverance.

AtlengthweleftthesteamboatRodolphataplacecalledAlexandria,severalhundredmilesfromNew-Orleans.ItisasmalltownonthesouthernshoreofRedRiver.Havingremainedthereovernight,weenteredthemorningtrainofcars,and

weresoonatBayouLamourie,astillsmallerplace,distanteighteenmilesfromAlexandria.Atthattimeitwassheterminationoftherailroad.Ford’splantationwassituatedontheTexasroad,twelvemilesfromLamourie,intheGreatPineWoods.Thisdistance,itwasannouncedtous,mustbetraveledonfoot,therebeingpublicconveyancesnofarther.Accordinglyweall

setoutinthecompanyofFord.Itwasanexcessivelyhotday.Harry,Eliza,andmyselfwereyetweak,andthebottomsofourfeetwereverytenderfromtheeffectsofthesmall-pox.Weproceededslowly,Fordtellingustotakeourtimeandsitdownandrestwheneverwedesired—aprivilegethatwastakenadvantageofquitefrequently.AfterleavingLamourieandcrossingtwo

plantations,onebelongingtoMr.Carnell,theothertoaMr.Flint,wereachedthePineWoods,awildernessthatstretchestotheSabineRiver.

ThewholecountryaboutRedRiverislowandmarshy.ThePineWoods,astheyarecalled,iscomparativelyupland,withfrequentsmallintervals,however,runningthroughthem.Thisuplandiscoveredwithnumeroustrees

—thewhiteoak,thechincopin,resemblingchestnut,butprincipallytheyellowpine.Theyareofgreatsize,runningupsixtyfeet,andperfectlystraight.Thewoodswerefullofcattle,veryshyandwild,dashingawayinherds,withaloudsnuff,atourapproach.Someofthemweremarkedorbranded,therestappearedtobeintheirwildanduntamedstate.Theyaremuchsmaller

thannorthernbreeds,andthepeculiarityaboutthemthatmostattractedmyattentionwastheirhorns.Theystandoutfromthesidesoftheheadpreciselystraight,liketwoironspikes.

Atnoonwereachedaclearedpieceofgroundcontainingthreeorfouracres.Uponitwasasmall,unpainted,woodenhouse,acorncrib,or,aswewould

say,abarn,andalogkitchen,standingaboutarodfromthehouse.ItwasthesummerresidenceofMr.Martin.Richplanters,havinglargeestablishmentsonBayouBœuf,areaccustomedtospendthewarmerseasoninthesewoods.Heretheyfindclearwateranddelightfulshades.Infact,theseretreatsaretotheplantersofthatsectionofthecountrywhatNewportandSaratogaareto

thewealthierinhabitantsofnortherncities.

Weweresentaroundintothekitchen,andsuppliedwithsweetpotatoes,corn-bread,andbacon,whileMasterForddinedwithMartininthehouse.Therewereseveralslavesaboutthepremises.Martincameoutandtookalookatus,askingFordthepriceofeach,ifweweregreenhands,andsoforth,and

makinginquiriesinrelationtotheslavemarketgenerally.

Afteralongrestwesetforthagain,followingtheTexasroad,whichhadtheappearanceofbeingveryrarelytraveled.Forfivemileswepassedthroughcontinuouswoodswithoutobservingasinglehabitation.Atlength,justasthesunwassinkinginthewest,weenteredanotheropening,containingsome

twelveorfifteenacres.

InthisopeningstoodahousemuchlargerthanMrMartin’s.Itwastwostorieshigh,withapiazzainfront.Intherearofitwasalsoalogkitchen,poultryhouse,corncribs,andseveralnegrocabins.Nearthehousewasapeachorchard,andgardensoforangeandpomegranatetrees.Thespacewasentirelysurroundedbywoods,and

coveredwithacarpetofrich,rankverdure.Itwasaquiet,lonely,pleasantplace—literallyagreenspotinthewilderness.Itwastheresidenceofmymaster,WilliamFord.

Asweapproached,ayellowgirl—hernamewasRose—wasstandingonthepiazza.Goingtothedoor,shecalledhermistress,whopresentlycamerunningoutto

meetherlord.Shekissedhim,andlaughinglydemandedifhehadbought“thoseniggers.”Fordsaidhehad,andtoldustogoroundtoSally’scabinandrestourselves.Turningthecornerofthehouse,wediscoveredSallywashing-hertwobabychildrennearher,rollingonthegrass.Theyjumpedupandtoddledtowardsus,lookedatusamomentlikeabraceofrabbits,thenran

backtotheirmotherasifafraidofus.

Sallyconductedusintothecabin,toldustolaydownourbundlesandbeseated,forshewassurethatweweretired.JustthenJohn,thecook,aboysomesixteenyearsofage,andblackerthananycrow,camerunningin,lookedsteadilyinourfaces,thenturninground,withoutsayingasmuchas“howd’ye

do,”ranbacktothekitchen,laughingloudly,asifourcomingwasagreatjokeindeed.

Muchweariedwithourwalk,assoonasitwasdark,HarryandIwrappedourblanketsroundus,andlaiddownuponthecabinfloor.Mythoughts,asusual,wanderedbacktomywifeandchildren.Theconsciousnessofmyreal

situation;thehopelessnessofanyefforttoescapethroughthewideforestsofAvoyelles,pressedheavilyuponme,yetmyheartwasathomeinSaratoga.

IwasawakenedearlyinthemorningbythevoiceofMasterFord,callingRose.Shehastenedintothehousetodressthechildren,Sallytothefieldtomilkthecows,whileJohnwasbusyinthe

kitchenpreparingbreakfast.InthemeantimeHarryandIwerestrollingabouttheyard,lookingatournewquarters.Justafterbreakfastacoloredman,drivingthreeyokeofoxen,attachedtoawagonloadoflumber,droveintotheopening.HewasaslaveofFord’s,namedWalton,thehusbandofRose.Bytheway,RosewasanativeofWashington,andhadbeenbroughtfromthencefive

yearsbefore.ShehadneverseenEliza,butshehadheardofBerry,andtheyknewthesamestreets,andthesamepeople,eitherpersonally,orbyreputation.Theybecamefastfriendsimmediately,andtalkedagreatdealtogetherofoldtimes,andoffriendstheyhadleftbehind.

Fordwasatthattimeawealthyman.BesideshisseatinthePineWoods,heowned

alargelumberingestablishmentonIndianCreek,fourmilesdistant,andalso,inhiswife’sright,anextensiveplantationandmanyslavesonBayouBœuf.

WaltonhadcomewithhisloadoflumberfromthemillsonIndianCreek.Forddirectedustoreturnwithhim,sayinghewouldfollowusassoonaspossible.Beforeleaving,MistressFordcalled

meintothestore-room,andhandedme,asitistheretermed,atinbucketofmolassesforHarryandmyself.

Elizawasstillringingherhandsanddeploringthelossofherchildren.Fordtriedasmuchaspossibletoconsoleher—toldhersheneednotworkveryhard;thatshemightremainwithRose,andassistthemadaminthehouse

affairs.

RidingwithWaltoninthewagon,HarryandIbecamequitewellacquaintedwithhimlongbeforereachingIndianCreek.Hewasa“bornthrall”ofFord’s,andspokekindlyandaffectionatelyofhim,asachildwouldspeakofhisownfather.InanswertohisinquiriesfromwhenceIcame,ItoldhimfromWashington.Ofthatcity,he

hadheardmuchfromhiswife,Rose,andallthewaypliedmewithmanyextravagantandabsurdquestions.

OnreachingthemillsatIndianCreek,wefoundtwomoreofFord’sslaves,SamandAntony.Sam,also,wasaWashingtonian,havingbeenbroughtoutinthesamegangwithRose.HehadworkedonafarmnearGeorgetown.

Antonywasablacksmith,fromKentucky,whohadbeeninhispresentmaster’sserviceabouttenyears.SamknewBurch,andwheninformedthathewasthetraderwhohadsentmeonfromWashington,itwasremarkablehowwellweagreeduponthesubjectofhissuperlativerascality.HehadforwardedSam,also.

OnFord’sarrivalatthe

mill,wewereemployedinpilinglumber,andchoppinglogs,whichoccupationwecontinuedduringtheremainderofthesummer.

WeusuallyspentourSabbathsattheopening,onwhichdaysourmasterwouldgatherallhisslavesabouthim,andreadandexpoundtheScriptures.Hesoughttoinculcateinourmindsfeelingsofkindnesstowards

eachother,ofdependenceuponGod—settingforththerewardspromiseduntothosewholeadanuprightandprayerfullife.Seatedinthedoorwayofhishouse,surroundedbyhisman-servantsandhismaid-servants,wholookedearnestlyintothegoodman’sface,hespokeofthelovingkindnessoftheCreator,andofthelifethatistocome.Oftendidthevoiceofprayer

ascendfromhislipstoheaven,theonlysoundthatbrokethesolitudeoftheplace.

InthecourseofthesummerSambecamedeeplyconvicted,hisminddwellingintenselyonthesubjectofreligion.HismistressgavehimaBible,whichhecarriedwithhimtohiswork.Whateverleisuretimewasallowedhim,hespentin

perusingit,thoughitwasonlywithgreatdifficultythathecouldmasteranypartofit.Ioftenreadtohim,afavorwhichhewellrepaidmebymanyexpressionsofgratitude.Sam’spietywasfrequentlyobservedbywhitemenwhocametothemill,andtheremarkitmostgenerallyprovokedwas,thatamanlikeFord,whoallowedhisslavestohaveBibles,was“notfittoownanigger.”

He,however,lostnothingbyhiskindness.ItisafactIhavemorethanonceobserved,thatthosewhotreatedtheirslavesmostleniently,wererewardedbythegreatestamountoflabor.Iknowitfrommyownexperience.ItwasasourceofpleasuretosurpriseMasterFordwithagreaterday’sworkthanwasrequired,while,undersubsequentmasters,therewasno

promptertoextraeffortbuttheoverseer’slash.

ItwasthedesireofFord’sapprovingvoicethatsuggestedtomeanideathatresultedtohisprofit.ThelumberweweremanufacturingwascontractedtobedeliveredatLamourie.Ithadhithertobeentransportedbyland,andwasanimportantitemofexpense.IndianCreek,uponwhichthe

millsweresituated,wasanarrowbutdeepstreamemptyingintoBayouBœuf.Insomeplacesitwasnotmorethantwelvefeetwide,andmuchobstructedwithtrunksoftrees.BayouBœufwasconnectedwithBayouLamourie.Iascertainedthedistancefromthemillstothepointonthelatterbayou,whereourlumberwastobedelivered,wasbutafewmileslessbylandthanby

water.Providedthecreekcouldbemadenavigableforrafts,itoccurredtomethattheexpenseoftransportationwouldbemateriallydiminished.

AdamTaydem,alittlewhiteman,whohadbeenasoldierinFlorida,andhadstrolledintothatdistantregion,wasforemanandsuperintendentofthemills.Hescoutedtheidea;but

Ford,whenIlaiditbeforehim,receiveditfavorably,andpermittedmetotrytheexperiment.

Havingremovedtheobstructions,Imadeupanarrowraft,consistingoftwelvecribs.AtthisbusinessIthinkIwasquiteskillful,nothavingforgottenmyexperienceyearsbeforeontheChamplaincanal.Ilaboredhard,beingextremely

anxioustosucceed,bothfromadesiretopleasemymaster,andtoshowAdamTaydemthatmyschemewasnotsuchavisionaryoneasheincessantlypronouncedit.Onehandcouldmanagethreecribs.Itookchargeoftheforwardthree,andcommencedpolingdownthecreek.Induetimeweenteredthefirstbayou,andfinallyreachedourdestinationinashorterperiodoftimethanI

hadanticipated.

ThearrivaloftheraftatLamouriecreatedasensation,whileMr.Fordloadedmewithcommendations.OnallsidesIheardFord’sPlattpronouncedthe“smartestniggerinthePineWoods”—infactIwastheFultonofIndianCreek.Iwasnotinsensibletothepraisebestoweduponme,andenjoyed,especially,my

triumphoverTaydem,whosehalfmaliciousridiculehadstungmypride.FromthistimetheentirecontrolofbringingthelumbertoLamouriewasplacedinmyhandsuntilthecontractwasfulfilled.

IndianCreek,initswholelength,flowsthroughamagnificentforest.TheredwellsonitsshoreatribeofIndians,aremnantofthe

ChickasawsorChickopees,ifIrememberrightly.Theyliveinsimplehuts,tenortwelvefeetsquare,constructedofpinepolesandcoveredwithbark.Theysubsistprincipallyonthefleshofthedeer,thecoon,andopossum,allofwhichareplentyinthesewoods.Sometimestheyexchangevenisonforalittlecornandwhiskywiththeplantersonthebayous.Theirusualdressisbuckskin

breechesandcalicohuntingshirtsoffantasticcolors,buttonedfrombelttochin.Theywearbrassringsontheirwrists,andintheirearsandnoses.Thedressofthesquawsisverysimilar.Theyarefondofdogsandhorses—owningmanyofthelatter,ofasmall,toughbreed—andareskillfulriders.Theirbridles,girthsandsaddlesweremadeofrawskinsofanimals;theirstirrupsofacertainkindof

wood.Mountedastridetheirponies,menandwomen,Ihaveseenthemdashoutintothewoodsattheutmostoftheirspeed,followingnarrowwindingpaths,anddodgingtrees,inamannerthateclipsedthemostmiraculousfeatsofcivilizedequestrianism.Circlingawayinvariousdirections,theforestechoingandre-echoingwiththeirwhoops,theywouldpresentlyreturnatthe

samedashing,headlongspeedwithwhichtheystarted.TheirvillagewasonIndianCreek,knownasIndiaCastle,buttheirrangeextendedtotheSabineRiver.OccasionallyatribefromTexaswouldcomeoveronavisit,andthentherewasindeedacarnivalinthe“GreatPineWoods.”ChiefofthetribewasCascalla;secondinrank,JohnBaltese,hisson-in-law;withbothofwhom,as

withmanyothersofthetribe,Ibecameacquaintedduringmyfrequentvoyagesdownthecreekwithrafts.Samandmyselfwouldoftenvisitthemwhentheday’staskwasdone.Theywereobedienttothechief;thewordofCascallawastheirlaw.Theywerearudebutharmlesspeople,andenjoyedtheirwildmodeoflife.Theyhadlittlefancyfortheopencountry,theclearedlandson

theshoresofthebayous,butpreferredtohidethemselveswithintheshadowsoftheforest.TheyworshipedtheGreatSpirit,lovedwhisky,andwerehappy.

OnoneoccasionIwaspresentatadance,whenarovingherdfromTexashadencampedintheirvillage.Theentirecarcassofadeerwasroastingbeforealargefire,whichthrewitslighta

longdistanceamongthetreesunderwhichtheywereassembled.Whentheyhadformedinaring,menandsquawsalternately,asortofIndianfiddlesetupanindescribabletune.Itwasacontinuous,melancholykindofwavysound,withtheslightestpossiblevariation.Atthefirstnote,ifindeedtherewasmorethanonenoteinthewholetune,theycircledaround,trottingafter

eachother,andgivingutterancetoaguttural,sing-songnoise,equallyasnondescriptasthemusicofthefiddle.Attheendofthethirdcircuit,theywouldstopsuddenly,whoopasiftheirlungswouldcrack,thenbreakfromthering,formingincouples,manandsquaw,eachjumpingbackwardsasfaraspossiblefromtheother,thenforwards—whichgracefulfeathavingbeen

twiceorthriceaccomplished,theywouldforminaring,andgotrottingroundagain.Thebestdancerappearedtobeconsideredtheonewhocouldwhooptheloudest,jumpthefarthest,andutterthemostexcruciatingnoise.Atintervals,oneormorewouldleavethedancingcircle,andgoingtothefire,cutfromtheroastingcarcassasliceofvenison.

Inahole,shapedlikeamortar,cutinthetrunkofafallentree,theypoundedcornwithawoodenpestle,andofthemealmadecake.Alternatelytheydancedandate.ThuswerethevisitorsfromTexasentertainedbytheduskysonsanddaughtersoftheChicopees,andsuchisadescription,asIsawit,ofanIndianballinthePineWoodsofAvoyelles.

Intheautumn,Ileftthemills,andwasemployedattheopening.OnedaythemistresswasurgingFordtoprocurealoom,inorderthatSallymightcommenceweavingclothforthewintergarmentsoftheslaves.Hecouldnotimaginewhereonewastobefound,whenIsuggestedthattheeasiestwaytogetonewouldbetomakeit,informinghimatthesametime,thatIwasasortof

“Jackatalltrades,”andwouldattemptit,withhispermission.Itwasgrantedveryreadily,andIwasallowedtogotoaneighboringplanter’stoinspectonebeforecommencingtheundertaking.AtlengthitwasfinishedandpronouncedbySallytobeperfect.Shecouldeasilyweavehertaskoffourteenyards,milkthecows,andhaveleisuretimebesides

eachday.Itworkedsowell,Iwascontinuedintheemploymentofmakinglooms,whichweretakendowntotheplantationonthebayou.

AtthistimeoneJohnM.Tibeatsacarpenter,cametotheopeningtodosomeworkonmaster’shouse.Iwasdirectedtoquittheloomsandassisthim.FortwoweeksIwasinhiscompany,planing

andmatchingboardsforceiling,aplasteredroombeingararethingintheparishofAvoyelles,.

JohnM.TibeatswastheoppositeofFordinallrespects.Hewasasmall,crabbed,quick-tempered,spitefulman.HehadnofixedresidencethatIeverheardof,butpassedfromoneplantationtoanother,whereverhecouldfind

employment.Hewaswithoutstandinginthecommunity,notesteemedbywhitemen,norevenrespectedbyslaves.Hewasignorant,withal,andofarevengefuldisposition.HelefttheparishlongbeforeIdid,andIknownotwhetherheisatpresentaliveordead.Certainitis,itwasamostunluckydayformethatbroughtustogether.DuringmyresidencewithMasterFordIhadseenonlythe

brightsideofslavery.Hiswasnoheavyhandcrushingustotheearth.Hepointedupwards,andwithbenignandcheeringwordsaddressedusashisfellow-mortals,accountable,likehimself,totheMakerofusall.Ithinkofhimwithaffection,andhadmyfamilybeenwithme,couldhavebornehisgentleservitude,withoutmurmuring,allmydays.Butcloudsweregatheringinthe

horizon—forerunnersofapitilessstormthatwassoontobreakoverme.Iwasdoomedtoenduresuchbittertrialsasthepoorslaveonlyknows,andtoleadnomorethecomparativelyhappylifewhichIhadledinthe“GreatPineWoods.”

CHAPTERVIII.FORD’SEMBARRASSMENTS—THESALETOTIBEATS—THECHATTELMORTGAGE—MISTRESSFOED’SPLANTATIONONBAYOUBŒUF—

DESORIPTIONOFTHELATTER—FORD’SBROTHER-IN-LAW,PETERTANNER—MEETINQWITHELIZA—SHESTILLMOURNSFORHERCHILDREN—FORD’SOVERSEER,CHAPIN—TIBEAT’SABUSE—THEKEGOFNAILS—THEFIRSTFIGHTWITHTIBEATS—HISDISCOMFITUREANDOASTIGATION—

THEATTEMPTTOHANGME—CHAPIN’SINTERFERENCEANDSPEECH—UNHAPPYREFLECTIONS—ABRUPTDEPARTUREOFTIBEATS,COOKANDRAMSAY—LAWSONANDTHEBROWNMULE—MESSAGETOTHEPINEWOODS.

WILLIAMFORDunfortunatelybecameembarrassedinhispecuniaryaffairs.Aheavyjudgmentwasren-deredagainsthiminconsequenceofhishavingbecomesecurityforhisbrother,FranklinFord,residingonRedRiver,aboveAlexandria,andwhohadfailedtomeethisliabilities.HewasalsoindebtedtoJohnM.Tibeatstoaconsiderableamountinconsiderationof

hisservicesinbuildingthemillsonIndianCreek,andalsoaweaving-house,corn-millandothererectionsontheplantationatBayouBœuf,notyetcompleted.Itwasthereforenecessary,inordertomeetthesedemands,todisposeofeighteenslaves,myselfamongthenumber.Seventeenofthem,includingSamandHarry,werepurchasedbyPeterCompton,aplanteralsoresidingonRed

River.

IwassoldtoTibeats,inconsequence,undoubtedly,ofmyslightskillasacarpenter.Thiswasinthewinterof1842.ThedeedofmyselffromFreemantoFord,asIascertainedfromthepublicrecordsinNew-Orleansonmyreturn,wasdatedJune23d,1841.AtthetimeofmysaletoTibeats,thepriceagreedtobegivenforme

beingmorethanthedebt,Fordtookachattelmortgageoffourhundreddollars.Iamindebtedformylife,aswillhereafterbeseen,tothatmortgage.

Ibadefarewelltomygoodfriendsattheopening,anddepartedwithmynewmasterTibeats.WewentdowntotheplantationonBayouBœuf,distanttwenty-sevenmilesfromthePineWoods,to

completetheunfinishedcontract.BayouBœufisasluggish,windingstream—oneofthosestagnantbodiesofwatercommoninthatregion,settingbackfromRedRiver.ItstretchesfromapointnotfarfromAlexandria,inasouth-easterlydirection,andfollowingitstortuouscourse,ismorethanfiftymilesinlength.Largecottonandsugarplantationslineeachshore,extendingbackto

thebordersofinterminableswamps.Itisalivewithaligators,renderingitunsafeforswine,orunthinkingslavechildrentostrollalongitsbanks.Uponabendinthisbayou,ashortdistancefromCheneyville,wassituatedtheplantationofMadamFord—herbrother,PeterTanner,agreatlandholder,livingontheoppositeside.

OnmyarrivalatBayou

Bœuf,IhadthepleasureofmeetingEliza,whomIhadnotseenforseveralmonths.ShehadnotpleasedMrs.Ford,beingmoreoccupiedinbroodingoverhersorrowsthaninattendingtoherbusiness,andhad,inconsequence,beensentdowntoworkinthefieldontheplantation.Shehadgrownfeebleandemaciated,andwasstillmourningforherchildren.SheaskedmeifI

hadforgottenthem,andagreatmanytimesinquiredifIstillrememberedhowhandsomelittleEmilywas—howmuchRandall,lovedher—andwonderediftheywerelivingstill,andwherethedarlingscouldthenbe.Shehadsunkbeneaththeweightofanexcessivegrief.Herdroopingformandhollowcheekstooplainlyindicatedthatshehadwellnighreachedtheendofherweary

road.

Ford’soverseeronthisplantation,andwhohadtheexclusivechargeofit,wasaMr.Chapin,akindly-disposedman,andanativeofPennsylvania.Incommonwithothers,heheldTibeatsinlightestimation,whichfact,inconnectionwiththefourhundreddollarmortgage,wasfortunateforme.

Iwasnowcompelledto

laborveryhard.Fromearliestdawnuntillateatnight,Iwasnotallowedtobeamomentidle.Notwithstandingwhich,Tibeats,wasneversatisfied.Hewascontinuallycursingandcomplaining.Heneverspoketomeakindword.Iwashisfaithfulslave,andearnedhimlargewageseveryday,andyetIwenttomycabinnightly,loadedwithabuseandstingingepithets.

Wehadcompletedthecornmill,thekitchen,andsoforth,andwereatworkupontheweaving-house,whenIwasguiltyofanact,inthatStatepunishablewithdeath.ItwasmyfirstfightwithTibeats.Theweaving-housewewereerectingstoodintheorchardafewrodsfromtheresidenceofChapin,orthe“greathouse,”asitwascalled.Onenight,havingworkeduntilitwastoodarktosee,Iwas

orderedbyTibeatstoriseveryearlyinthemorning,procureakegofnailsfromChapin,andcommenceputtingontheclapboards.Iretiredtothecabinextremelytired,andhavingcookedasupperofbaconandcorncake,andconversedawhilewithEliza,whooccupiedthesamecabin,asalsodidLawsonandhiswifeMary,andaslavenamedBristol,laiddownupontheground

floor,littledreamingofthesufferingsthatawaitedmeonthemorrow.BeforedaylightIwasonthepiazzaofthe“greathouse,”awaitingtheappearanceofoverseerChapin.Tohavearousedhimfromhisslumbersandstatedmyerrand,wouldhavebeenanunpardonableboldness.Atlengthhecameout.Takingoffmyhat,IinformedhimMasterTibeatshaddirectedmetocalluponhimforakeg

ofnails.Goingintothestore-room,herolleditout,atthesametimesaying,ifTibeatspreferredadifferentsize,hewouldendeavortofurnishthem,butthatImightusethoseuntilfurtherdirected.Thenmountinghishorse,whichstoodsaddledandbridledatthedoor,herodeawayintothefield,whithertheslaveshadprecededhim,whileItookthekegonmyshoulder,andproceedingto

theweaving-house,brokeinthehead,andcommencednailingontheclapboards.

Asthedaybegantoopen,TibeatscameoutofthehousetowhoreIwas,hardatwork.Heseemedtobethatmorningevenmoremoroseanddisagreeablethanusual.Hewasmymaster,entitledbylawtomyfleshandblood,andtoexerciseovermesuchtyrannicalcontrolashismean

natureprompted;buttherewasnolawthatcouldpreventmylookinguponhimwithintensecontempt.Idespisedbothhisdispositionandhisintellect.Ihadjustcomeroundtothekegforafurthersupplyofnails,ashereachedtheweaving-house.

“IthoughtItoldyoutocommenceputtingonweather-boardsthismorning,”heremarked.

“Yes,master,andIamaboutit,”Ireplied.

“Where?”hedemanded.

“Ontheotherside,”wasmyanswer.

Hewalkedroundtotheotherside,examinedmyworkforawhile,mutteringtohimselfinafault-findingtone.

“Didn’tItellyoulastnighttogetakegofnailsof

Chapin?”hebrokeforthagain.

“Yes,master,andsoIdid;andoverseersaidhewouldgetanothersizeforyou,ifyouwantedthem,whenhecamebackfromthefield.”

Tibeatswalkedtothekeg,lookedamomentatthecontents,thenkickeditviolently.Comingtowardsmeinagreatpassion,heexclaimed,

“G—dd—nyou!Ithoughtyouknowedsomething.”

Imadeanswer:“Itriedtodoasyontoldme.master.Ididn’tmeananythingwrong.Overseersaid—”ButheinterruptedmewithsuchafloodofcursesthatIwasunabletofinishthesentence.Atlengthherantowardsthehouse,andgoingtothepiazza,tookdownoneofthe

overseer’swhips.Thewhiphadashortwoodenstock,braidedoverwithleather,andwasloadedatthebutt.Thelashwasthreefeetlong,orthereabouts,andmadeofraw-hidestrands.

AtfirstIwassomewhatfrightened,andmyimpulsewastorun.TherewasnooneaboutexceptRachel,thecook,andChapin’swife,andneitherofthemweretobe

seen.Therestwereinthefield.Iknewheintendedtowhipme,anditwasthefirsttimeanyonehadattempteditsincemyarrivalatAvoyelles.Ifelt,moreover,thatIhadbeenfaithful—thatIwasguiltyofnowrongwhatever,anddeservedcommendationratherthanpunishment.Myfearchangedtoanger,andbeforehereachedmeIhadmadeupmymindfullynottobewhipped,lettheresultbe

lifeordeath.

Windingthelasharoundhishand,andtakingholdofthesmallendofthestock,hewalkeduptome,andwithamalignantlook,orderedmetostrip.

“MasterTibeats,saidI,lookinghimboldlyintheface,”Iwillnot.“Iwasabouttosaysomethingfurtherinjustification,butwithconcentratedvengeance,he

spranguponme,seizingmebythethroatwithonehand,raisingthewhipwiththeother,intheactofstriking.Beforetheblowdescended,however,Ihadcaughthimbythecollarofthecoat,anddrawnhimcloselytome.Reachingdown,Iseizedhimbytheankle,andpushinghimbackwiththeotherhand,hefelloverontheground.Puttingonearmaroundhisleg,andholdingittomy

breast,sothathisheadandshouldersonlytouchedtheground,Iplacedmyfootuponhisneck.Hewascompletelyinmypower.Mybloodwasup.Itseemedtocoursethroughmyveinslikefire.InthefrenzyofmymadnessIsnatchedthewhipfromhishand.Hestruggledwithallhispower;sworethatIshouldnotlivetoseeanotherday;andthathewouldtearoutmyheart.But

hisstrugglesandhisthreatswerealikeinvain.IcannottellhowmanytimesIstruckhim.Blowafterblowfellfastandheavyuponhiswrigglingform.Atlengthhescreamed—criedmurder—andatlasttheblasphemoustyrantcalledonGodformercy.Buthewhohadnevershownmercydidnotreceiveit.Thestiffstockofthewhipwarpedroundhiscringingbodyuntilmyrightarmached.

UntilthistimeIhadbeentoobusytolookaboutme.Desistingforamoment,IsawMrs.Chapinlookingfromthewindow,andRachelstandinginthekitchendoor.Theirattitudesexpressedtheutmostexcitementandalarm.Hisscreamshadbeenheardinthefield.Chapinwascomingasfastashecouldride.Istruckhimablowortwomore,thenpushedhimfrommewithsuchawell-directedkickthat

hewentrollingoverontheground.

Risingtohisfeet,andbrushingthedirtfromhishair,hestoodlookingatme,palewithrage.Wegazedateachotherinsilence.NotawordwasuttereduntilChapingallopeduptous.

“Whatisthematter?”hecriedout.

“MasterTibeatswantsto

whipmeforusingthenailsyougaveme,”Ireplied.

“Whatisthematterwiththenails?”heinquired,turningtoTibeats.

Tibeatsansweredtotheeffectthattheyweretoolarge,payinglittleheed,however,toChapin’squestion,butstillkeepinghissnakisheyesfastenedmaliciouslyonme.

“Iamoverseerhere,”Chapinbegan.“ItoldPlatttotakethemandusethem,andiftheywerenotofthepropersizeIwouldgetothersonreturningfromthefield.Itisnothisfault.Besides,IshallfurnishsuchnailsasIplease.Ihopeyouwillunderstandthat,Mr.Tibeats.”

Tibeatsmadenoreply,but,grindinghisteethandshakinghisfist,sworehewouldhave

satisfaction,andthatitwasnothalfoveryet.Thereuponhewalkedaway,followedbytheoverseer,andenteredthehouse,thelattertalkingtohimallthewhileinasuppressedtone,andwithearnestgestures.

IremainedwhereIwas,doubtingwhetheritwasbettertoflyorabidetheresult,whateveritmightbe.PresentlyTibeatscameoutof

thehouse,and,saddlinghishorse,theonlypropertyhepossessedbesidesmyself,departedontheroadtoClienyville.

Whenhewasgone,Chapincameout,visiblyexcited,tellingmenottostir,nottoattempttoleavetheplantationonanyaccountwhatever.Hethenwenttothekitchen,andcallingRachelout,conversedwithhersome

time.Comingback,heagainchargedmewithgreatearnestnessnottorun,sayingmymasterwasarascal;thathehadleftonnogooderrand,andthattheremightbetroublebeforenight.Butatallevents,heinsisteduponit,Imustnotstir.

AsIstoodthere,feelingsofunutterableagonyoverwhelmedme.IwasconsciousthatIhadsubjected

myselftounimaginablepunishment.Thereactionthatfollowedmyextremeebullitionofangerproducedthemostpainfulsensationsofregret.Anunfriended,helplessslave—whatcouldIdo,whatcouldIsay,tojustify,intheremotestmanner,theheinousactIhadcommitted,ofresentingawhiteman’scontumelyandabuse.Itriedtopray—ItriedtobeseechmyHeavenly

Fathertosustainmeinmysoreextremity,butemotionchokedmyutterance,andIcouldonlybowmyheaduponmyhandsandweep.ForatleastanhourIremainedinthissituation,findingreliefonlyintears,when,lookingup,IbeheldTibeats,accompaniedbytwohorsemen,comingdownthebayou.Theyrodeintotheyard,jumpedfromtheirhorses,andapproachedme

withlargewhips,oneofthemalsocarryingacoilofrope.

“Crossyourhands,”commandedTibeats,withtheadditionofsuchashudderingexpressionofblasphemyasisnotdecoroustorepeat.

“Youneednotbindme,MasterTibeats,Iamreadytogowithyouanywhere,”saidI.

Oneofhiscompanions

thensteppedforward,swearingifImadetheleastresistancehewouldbreakmyhead—hewouldtearmelimbfromlimb—hewouldcutmyblackthroat—andgivingwidescopetoothersimilarexpressions.Perceivinganyimportunityaltogethervain,Icrossedmyhands,submittinghumblytowhateverdispositiontheymightpleasetomakeofme.ThereuponTibeatstiedmywrists,

drawingtheropearoundthemwithhisutmoststrength.Thenheboundmyanklesinthesamemanner.Inthemeantimetheothertwohadslippedacordwithinmyelbows,runningitacrossmyback,andtyingitfirmly.ItwasutterlyimpossibletomovehandorfootWitharemainingpieceofropeTibeatsmadeanawkwardnoose,andplaceditaboutmyneck.

“Now,then,”inquiredoneofTibeats’companions,“whereshallwehangthenigger?”

Oneproposedsuchalimb,extendingfromthebodyofapeachtree,nearthespotwherewewerestanding.Hiscomradeobjectedtoit,allegingitwouldbreak,andproposedanother.Finallytheyfixeduponthelatter.

Duringthisconversation,

andallthetimetheywerebindingme,Iutterednotaword.OverseerChapin,duringtheprogressofthescene,waswalkinghastilybackandforthonthepiazza.Rachelwascryingbythekitchendoor,andMrs.Chapinwasstilllookingfromthewindow.Hopediedwithinmyheart.Surelymytimehadcome.Ishouldneverbeholdthelightofanotherday—neverbehold

thefacesofmychildren—thesweetanticipationIhadcherishedwithsuchfondness.Ishouldthathourstrugglethroughthefearfulagoniesofdeath!Nonewouldmournforme—nonerevengeme.Soonmyformwouldbemoulderinginthatdistantsoil,or,perhaps,becasttotheslimyreptilesthatfilledthestagnantwatersofthebayou!Tearsfloweddownmycheeks,buttheyonly

affordedasubjectofinsultingcommentformyexecutioners.

Atlength,astheyweredraggingmetowardsthetree,Chapin,whohadmomentarilydisappearedfromthepiazza,cameoutofthehouseandwalkedtowardsus.Hehadapistolineachhand,andasnearasIcannowrecalltomind,spokeinafirm,determinedmanner,as

follows:

“Gentlemen,Ihaveafewwordstosay.Youhadbetterlistentothem.Whoevermovesthatslaveanotherfootfromwherehestandsisadeadman.Inthefirstplace,hedoesnotdeservethistreatment.Itisashametomurderhiminthismanner.IneverknewamorefaithfulboythanPlatt.You,Tibeats,areinthefaultyourself.You

areprettymuchofascoundrel,andIknowit,andyourichlydeservethefloggingyouhavereceived.Inthenextplace,Ihavebeenoverseeronthisplantationsevenyears,and,intheabsenceofWilliamFord,ammasterhere.Mydutyistoprotecthisinterests,andthatdutyIshallperform.Youarenotresponsible—youareaworthlessfellow.FordholdsamortgageonPlattoffour

hundreddollars.Ifyouhanghimheloseshisdebt.Untilthatiscanceledyouhavenorighttotakehislife.Youhavenorighttotakeitanyway.Thereisalawfortheslaveaswellasforthewhiteman.Youarenobetterthanamurderer.

“Asforyou,”addressingCookandRamsay,acoupleofoverseersfromneighboringplantations,“as

foryou—begone!Ifyouhaveanyregardforyourownsafety,Isay,begone.”

CookandRamsay,withoutafurtherword,mountedtheirhorsesandrodeaway.Tibeats,inafewminutes,evidentlyinfear,andoverawedbythedecidedtoneofChapin,sneakedofflikeacoward,ashewas,andmountinghishorse,followedhiscompanions.

IremainedstandingwhereIwas,stillbound,withtheropearoundmyneck.Assoonastheyweregone,ChapincalledRachel,orderinghertoruntothefield,andtellLawsontohurrytothehousewithoutdelay,andbringthebrownmulewithhim,ananimalmuchprizedforitsunusualfleetness.Presentlytheboyappeared.

“Lawson,”saidChapin,“youmustgotothePineWoods.TellyourmasterFordtocomehereatonce—thathemustnotdelayasinglemoment.TellhimtheyaretryingtomurderPlatt.Nowhurry,boy.BeatthePineWoodsbynoonifyoukillthemule.”

Chapinsteppedintothehouseandwroteapass.Whenhereturned,Lawson

wasatthedoor,mountedonhismule.Receivingthepass,hepliedthewhiprightsmartlytothebeast,dashedoutoftheyard,andturningupthebayouonahardgallop,inlesstimethanithastakenmetodescribethescene,wasoutofsight.

CHAPINRESCUESSOLOMONFROM

HANGING.

CHAPTERIX.THEHOTBUN—TETBOUND—THECORDSSINKINTOMYFLESH—CHAPIN’SUNEASINESS—SPECULATION—RACHEL,ANDHERCUPOFWATER—

SUFFERINGINCREASES—THEHAPPINESSOFSLAVERY—ARRIVALOFFORD—HECUTSTHECORDSWHICHBINDME,ANDTAKESTHEROPEFROMMYNECK—MISERY—THEGATHERINGOFTHESLAVESINELIZA’SCABIN—THEIRKINDNESS—RACHELREPEATSTHE

OCCURRENCESOFTHEDAY—LAWSONENTERTAINSHISCOMPANIONSWITHANACCOUNTOFHISRIDE—CHAPIN’SAPPREHENSIONSOFTIBEATS—HIREDTOPETERTANNER—PETEREXPOUNDSTHESCRIPTURES—DESCRIPTIONOFTHESTOCKS.

Asthesunapproachedthemeridianthatdayitbecameinsufferablywarm.Itshotraysscorchedtheground.Theearthalmostblisteredthefootthatstooduponit.Iwaswithoutcoatorhat,standingbareheaded,exposedtoitsburningblaze.Greatdropsofperspirationrolleddownmyface,drenchingthescantyapparelwherewithIwasclothed.Overthefence,averylittlewayoff,thepeach

treescasttheircool,deliciousshadowsonthegrass.Iwouldgladlyhavegivenalongyearofservicetohavebeenenabledtoexchangetheheatedoven,asitwere,whereinIstood,foraseatbeneaththeirbranches.ButIwasyetbound,theropestilldanglingfrommyneck,andstandinginthesametrackswhereTibeatsandhiscomradesleftme.Icouldnotmoveaninch,sofirmlyhadI

beenbound.Tohavebeenenabledtoleanagainsttheweavinghousewouldhavebeenaluxuryindeed.Butitwasfarbeyondmyreach,thoughdistantlessthantwentyfeet.Iwantedtoliedown,butknewIcouldnotriseagain.ThegroundwassoparchedandboilinghotIwasawareitwouldbutaddtothediscomfortofmysituation.IfIcouldhaveonlymovedmyposition,howeverslightly,it

wouldhavebeenreliefunspeakable.Butthehotraysofasouthernsun,beatingallthelongsummerdayonmybarehead,producednothalfthesufferingIexperiencedfrommyachinglimbs.Mywristsandankles,andthecordsofmylegsandarmsbegantoswell,buryingtheropethatboundthemintotheswollenflesh.

AlldayChapinwalked

backandforthuponthestoop,butnotonceapproachedme.Heappearedtobeinastateofgreatuneasiness,lookingfirsttowardsme,andthenuptheroad,asifexpectingsomearrivaleverymoment.Hedidnotgotothefield,aswashiscustom.ItwasevidentfromhismannerthathesupposedTibeatswouldreturnwithmoreandbetterarmedassistance,perhaps,torenew

thequarrel,anditwasequallyevidenthehadpreparedhismindtodefendmylifeatwhateverhazard.Whyhedidnotrelieveme—whyhesufferedmetoremaininagonythewholewearyday,Ineverknew.Itwasnotforwantofsympathy,Iamcertain.PerhapshewishedFordtoseetheropeaboutmyneck,andthebrutalmannerinwhichIhadbeenbound;perhapshisinterferencewith

another’spropertyinwhichhehadnolegalinterestmighthavebeenatrespass,whichwouldhavesubjectedhimtothepenaltyofthelaw.WhyTibeatswasalldayabsentwasanothermysteryInevercoulddivine.HeknewwellenoughthatChapinwouldnotharmhimunlesshepersistedinhisdesignagainstme.Lawsontoldmeafterwards,that,ashepassedtheplantationofJohnDavid

Cheney,hesawthethree,andthattheyturnedandlookedafterhimasheflewby.Ithinkhissuppositionwas,thatLawsonhadbeensentoutbyOverseerChapintoarousetheneighboringplanters,andtocallonthemtocometohisassistance.He,therefore,undoubtedly,actedontheprinciple,that“discretionisthebetterpartofvalor,”andkeptaway.

Butwhatevermotivemayhavegovernedthecowardlyandmalignanttyrant,itisofnoimportance.ThereIstillstoodinthenoon-tidesun,groaningwithpain.FromlongbeforedaylightIhadnoteatenamorsel.Iwasgrowingfaintfrompain,andthirst,andhunger.Onceonly,intheveryhottestportionoftheday,Rachel,halffearfulshewasactingcontrarytotheoverseer’swishes,ventured

tome,andheldacupofwatertomylips.Thehumblecreatureneverknew,norcouldshecomprehendifshehadheardthem,theblessingsIinvokeduponher,forthatbalmydraught.Shecouldonlysay,“Oh,Platt,howIdopityyou,”andthenhastenedbacktoherlaborsinthekitchen.

Neverdidthesunmovesoslowlythroughtheheavens—

neverdiditshowerdownsuchferventandfieryrays,asitdidthatday.Atleast,soitappearedtome.Whatmymeditationswere—theinnumerablethoughtsthatthrongedthroughmydistractedbrain—Iwillnotattempttogiveexpressionto.Sufficeittosay,duringthewholelongdayIcamenottotheconclusion,evenonce,thatthesouthernslave,fed,clothed,whippedand

protectedbyhismaster,ishappierthanthefreecoloredcitizenoftheNorth.TothatconclusionIhaveneversincearrived.Therearemany,however,evenintheNorthernStates,benevolentandwell-disposedmen,whowillpronouncemyopinionerroneous,andgravelyproceedtosubstantiatetheassertionwithanargument.Alastheyhaveneverdrunk,asIhave,fromthebittercup

ofslavery.Justatsunsetmyheartleapedwithunboundedjoy,asFordcameridingintotheyard,hishorsecoveredwithfoam.Chapinmethimatthedoor,andafterconversingashorttime,hewalkeddirectlytome.

“PoorPlatt,youareinabadstate,”wastheonlyexpressionthatescapedhislips.

“ThankGod!”saidI,

“thankGod,MasterFord,thatyouhavecomeatlast.”

Drawingaknifefromhispocket,heindignantlycutthecordfrommywrists,arms,andankles,andslippedthenoosefrommyneck.Iattemptedtowalk,butstaggeredlikeadrunkenman,andfellpartiallytotheground.

Fordreturnedimmediatelytothehouse,leavingme

aloneagain.Ashereachedthepiazza,Tibeatsandhistwofriendsrodeup.Alongdialoguefollowed.Icouldhearthesoundoftheirvoices,themildtonesofFordminglingwiththeangryaccentsofTibeats,butwasunabletodistinguishwhatwassaid.Finallythethreedepartedagain,apparentlynotwellpleased.

Iendeavoredtoraisethe

hammer,thinkingtoshowFordhowwillingIwastowork,byproceedingwithmylaborsontheweavinghouse,butitfellfrommynervelesshand.AtdarkIcrawledintothecabin,andlaiddown.Iwasingreatmisery—allsoreandswollen—theslightestmovementproducingexcruciatingsuffering.Soonthehandscameinfromthefield.Rachel,whenshewentafterLawson,hadtoldthem

whathadhappened.ElizaandMarybroiledmeapieceofbacon,butmyappetitewasgone.Thentheyscorchedsomecornmealandmadecoffee.ItwasallthatIcouldtake.Elizaconsoledmeandwasverykind.Itwasnotlongbeforethecabinwasfullofslaves.Theygatheredroundme,askingmanyquestionsaboutthedifficultywithTibeatsinthemorning—andtheparticularsofallthe

occurrencesoftheday.ThenRachelcamein,andinhersimplelanguage,repeateditoveragain—dwellingemphaticallyonthekickthatsentTibeatsrollingoverontheground—whereupontherewasageneraltitterthroughoutthecrowd.ThenshedescribedhowChapinwalkedoutwithhispistolsandrescuedme,andhowMasterFordcuttheropeswithhisknife,justasifhe

wasmad.

BythistimeLawsonhadreturned.HehadtoregalethemwithanaccountofhistriptothePineWoods—howthebrownmuleborehimfasterthana“streako’lightnin”—howheastonishedeverybodyasheflewalong—howMasterFordstartedrightaway—howhesaidPlattwasagoodnigger,andtheyshouldn’tkill

him,concludingwithprettystrongintimationsthattherewasnotanotherhumanbeinginthewideworld,whocouldhavecreatedsuchauniversalsensationontheroad,orperformedsuchamarvelousJohnGilpinfeat,ashehaddonethatdayonthebrownmule.

Thekindcreaturesloadedmewiththeexpressionoftheirsympathy—saying,

Tibeatswasahard,cruelman,andhoping“MassaFord”wouldgetmebackagain.Inthismannertheypassedthetime,discussing,chatting,talkingoverandoveragaintheexcitingaffair,untilsuddenlyChapinpresentedhimselfatthecabindoorandcalledme.

“Platt,”saidhe,“youwillsleeponthefloorinthegreathouseto-night;bringyour

blanketwithyou.”

IaroseasquicklyasIwasable,tookmyblanketinmyhand,andfollowedhim.OnthewayheinformedmethatheshouldnotwonderifTibeatswasbackagainbeforemorning—thatheintendedtokillme—andthathedidnotmeanheshoulddoitwithoutwitnesses.Hadhestabbedmetotheheartinthepresenceofahundredslaves,

notoneofthem,bythelawsofLouisiana,couldhavegivenevidenceagainsthim.Ilaiddownonthefloorinthegreathouse“—thefirstandthelasttimesuchasumptuousrestingplacewasgrantedmeduringmytwelveyearsofbondage—andtriedtosleep.Nearmidnightthedogbegantobark.Chapinarose,lookedfromthewindow,butcoulddiscovernothing.Atlengththedog

wasquiet.Ashereturnedtohisroom,hesaid,

“Ibelieve,Platt,thatscoundrelisskulkingaboutthepremisessomewhere.Ifthedogbarksagain,andIamsleeping,wakeme.”

Ipromisedtodoso.Afterthelapseofanhourormore,thedogre-commencedhisclamor,runningtowardsthegate,thenbackagain,allthewhilebarkingfuriously.

Chapinwasoutofbedwithoutwaitingtobecalled.Onthisoccasion,hesteppedforthuponthepiazza,andremainedstandingthereaconsiderablelengthoftime.Nothing,however,wastobeseen,andthedogreturnedtohiskennel.Wewerenotdisturbedagainduringthenight.TheexcessivepainthatIsuffered,andthedreadofsomeimpendingdanger,preventedanyrestwhatever.

WhetherornotTibeatsdidactuallyreturntotheplantationthatnight,seekinganopportunitytowreakhisvengeanceuponme,isasecretknownonlytohimself,perhaps.Ithoughtthen,however,andhavethestrongimpressionstill,thathewasthere.Atallevents,hehadthedispositionofanassassin—coweringbeforeabraveman’swords,butreadytostrikehishelplessor

unsuspectingvictimintheback,asIhadreasonafterwardstoknow.

Atdaylightinthemorning,Iarose,soreandweary,havingrestedlittle.Nevertheless,afterpartakingbreakfast,whichMaryandElizahadpreparedformeinthecabin,Iproceededtotheweaving-houseandcommencedthelaborsofanotherday.ItwasChapin’s

practice,asitisthepracticeofoverseersgenerally,immediatelyonarising,tobestridehishorse,alwayssaddledandbridledandreadyforhim—theparticularbusinessofsomeslave—andrideintothefield.Thismorning,onthecontrary,hecametotheweaving-house,askingifIhadseenanythingofTibeatsyet.Replyinginthenegative,heremarkedtherewassomethingnotright

aboutthefellow—therewasbadbloodinhim—thatImustkeepasharpwatchofhim,orhewoulddomewrongsomedaywhenIleastexpectedit.

Whilehewasyetspeaking,Tibeatsrodein,hitchedhishorse,andenteredthehouse.IhadlittlefearofhimwhileFordandChapinwereathand,buttheycouldnotbenearmealways.

Oh!howheavilythe

weightofslaverypresseduponmethen.Imusttoildayafterday,endureabuseandtauntsandscoffs,sleeponthehardground,liveonthecoarsestfare,andnotonlythis,butlivetheslaveofablood-seekingwretch,ofwhomImuststandhenceforthincontinuedfearanddread.WhyhadInotdiedinmyyoungyears—beforeGodhadgivenmechildrentoloveandlivefor?

Whatunhappinessandsufferingandsorrowitwouldhaveprevented.Isighedforliberty;butthebondman’schainwasroundme,andcouldnotbeshakenoff.IcouldonlygazewistfullytowardstheNorth,andthinkofthethousandsofmilesthatstretchedbetweenmeandthesoiloffreedom,overwhichablackfreemanmaynotpass.Tibeats,inthecourseof

halfanhour,walkedovertotheweaving-house,lookedatmesharply,thenreturnedwithoutsayinganything.Mostoftheforenoonhesatonthepiazza,readinganewspaperandconversingwithFord.Afterdinner,thelatterleftforthePineWoods,anditwasindeedwithregretthatIbeheldhimdepartfromtheplantation.

Oncemoreduringtheday

Tibeatscametome,gavemesomeorder,andreturned.

Duringtheweektheweaving-housewascompleted—Tibeatsinthemeantimemakingnoallusionwhatevertothedifficulty—whenIwasinformedhehadhiredmetoPeterTanner,toworkunderanothercarpenterbythenameofMyers.Thisannouncementwasreceivedwithgratification,asany

placewasdesirablethatwouldrelievemeofhishatefulpresence.

PeterTanner,asthereaderhasalreadybeeninformed,livedontheoppositeshore,andwasthebrotherofMistressFord.HeisoneofthemostextensiveplantersonBayouBœuf,andownsalargenumberofslaves.

OverIwenttoTanner’s,joyfullyenough.Hehad

heardofmylatedifficulties—infact,IascertainedthefloggingofTibeatswassoonblazonedfarandwide.Thisaffair,togetherwithmyraftingexperiment,hadrenderedmesomewhatnotorious.MorethanonceIhearditsaidthatPlattFord,nowPlattTibeats—aslave’snamechangeswithhischangeofmaster—was“adevilofanigger.”ButIwasdestinedtomakeastill

furthernoise,aswillpresentlybeseen,throughoutthelittleworldofBayouBœuf.

PeterTannerendeavoredtoimpressuponmetheideathathewasquitesevere,thoughIcouldperceivetherewasaveinofgoodhumorintheoldfellow,afterall.

“You’rethenigger,”hesaidtomeonmyarrival—“You’retheniggerthat

floggedyourmaster,eh?You’retheniggerthatkicks,andholdscarpenterTibeatsbytheleg,andwallopshim,areye?I’dliketoseeyouholdmebytheleg—Ishould.You’rea‘portantcharacter—you’reagreatnigger—veryremarkablenigger,ain’tye?I’dlashyou—I’dtakethetantrumsoutofye.Jesttakeholdofmyleg,ifyouplease.Noneofyourprankshere,myboy,rememberthat.Nowgo

towork,youkickin’rascal,”concludedPeterTanner,unabletosuppressahalf-comicalgrinathisownwitandsarcasm.

Afterlisteningtothissalutation,IwastakenchargeofbyMyers,andlaboredunderhisdirectionforamonth,tohisandmyownsatisfaction.

LikeWilliamFord,hisbrother-in-law,Tannerwasin

thehabitofreadingtheBibletohisslavesontheSabbath,butinasomewhatdifferentspirit.HewasanimpressivecommentatorontheNew-Testament.ThefirstSundayaftermycomingtotheplantation,hecalledthemtogether,andbegantoreadthetwelfthchapterofLuke.Whenhecametothe47thverse,helookeddeliberatelyaroundhim,andcontinued—“Andthatservantwhich

knewhislord’swill,”—herehepaused,lookingaroundmoredeliberatelythanbefore,andagainproceeded—“whichknewhislord’swill,andpreparednothimself”—herewasanotherpause—“preparednothimself,neitherdidaccordingtohiswill,shallbebeatenwithmanystripes?“D’yehearthat?”

demandedPeter,

emphatically.“Stripes,”herepeated,slowlyanddistinctly,takingoffhisspectacles,preparatorytomakingafewremarks.

“Thatniggerthatdon’ttakecare—thatdon’tobeyhislord—that’shismaster—d‘yesee?—that’ereniggershallbebeatenwithmanystripes.Now,‘many’signifiesagreatmany—forty,ahundred,ahundredandfiftylashes.

That’sScripter!”andsoPetercontinuedtoelucidatethesubjectforagreatlengthoftime,muchtotheedificationofhissableaudience.

Attheconclusionoftheexercises,callingupthreeofhisslaves,Warner,WillandMajor,hecriedouttome—

“Here,Platt,youheldTibeatsbythelegs;nowI’llseeifyoucanholdtheserascalsinthesameway,tillI

getbackfrommeetin’.”

Thereuponheorderedthemtothestocks—acommonthingonplantationsintheRedRivercountry.Thestocksareformedoftwoplanks,theloweronemadefastattheendstotwoshortposts,drivenfirmlyintotheground.Atregulardistanceshalfcirclesarecutintheupperedge.Theotherplankisfastenedtooneoftheposts

byahinge,sothatitcanbeopenedorshutdown,inthesamemannerasthebladeofapocket-knifeisshutoropened.Intheloweredgeoftheupperplankcorrespondinghalfcirclesarealsocut,sothatwhentheyclose,arowofholesisformedlargeenoughtoadmitanegro’slegabovetheankle,butnotlargeenoughtoenablehimtodrawouthisfoot.Theotherendofthe

upperplank,oppositethehinge,isfastenedtoitspostbylockandkey.Theslaveismadetositupontheground,whentheuppermostplankiselevated,hislegs,justabovetheankles,placedinthesub-halfcircles,andshuttingitdownagain,andlockingit,heisheldsecureandfast.Veryoftentheneckinsteadoftheankleisenclosed.Inthismannertheyareheldduringtheoperationofwhipping.

Warner,WillandMajor,accordingtoTanner’saccountofthem,weremelon-stealing,Sabbath-breakingniggers,andnotapprovingofsuchwickedness,hefeltithisdutytoputtheminthestocks.Handingmethekey,himself,Myers,MistressTannerandthechildrenenteredthecarriageanddroveawaytochurchatCheneyville.Whentheyweregone,theboysbeggedmetoletthemout.I

feltsorrytoseethemsittingonthehotground,andrememberedmyownsufferingsinthesun.Upontheirpromisetoreturntothestocksatanymomenttheywererequiredtodoso,Iconsentedtoreleasethem.Gratefulforthelenityshownthem,andinorderinsomemeasuretorepayit,theycoulddonoless,ofcourse,thanpilotmetothemelon-patch.Shortlybefore

Tanner’sreturn,theywereinthestocksagain.Finallyhedroveup,andlookingattheboys,said,withachuckle,—

“Aha!yehavn’tbeenstrollingaboutmuchto-day,anyway.I’llteachyouwhat’swhat.I’lltireyeofeatingwater-melonsontheLord’sday,yeSabbath-breakingniggers.”

PeterTannerpridedhimselfuponhisstrict

religiousobservances:hewasadeaconinthechurch.

ButIhavenowreachedapointintheprogressofmynarrative,whenitbecomesnecessarytoturnawayfromtheselightdescriptions,tothemoregraveandweightymatterofthesecondbattlewithMasterTibeats,andtheflightthroughthegreatPacoudrieSwamp.

CHAPTERX.RETURNTOTIBEATS—IMPOSSIBILITYOFPLEASINGHIM—HEATTACKSMEWITHAHATCHET—THESTRUGGLEOVERTHEBROADAXE—THETEMPTATIONTO

MURDERHIM—ESCAPEACROSSTHEPLANTATION—OBSERVATIONSFROMTHEFENCE—TIBEATSAPPROACHES,FOLLOWEDBYTHEHOUNDS—THEYTAKEMYTRACK—THEIRLOUDYELIS—THEYALMOSTOVERTAKEME—IREACHTHEWATER—THEHOUNDSCONFUSED—

MOCCASINSNAKESALLIGATORS—NIGHTINTHE“GEREATPACOUDRIESWAMP”—THESOUNDSOFLIFE—NORTH-WESTCOURSE—EMERGEINTOTHEPINEWOODS—THESLAVEANDHISYOUNGMASTER—ARRIVALATFORD’S—FOODANDBEST.

ATtheendofamonth,myservicesbeingnolongerrequiredatTanner’sIwassentoverthebayouagaintomymaster,whomIfoundengagedinbuildingthecottonpress.Thiswassituatedatsomedistancefromthegreathouse,inaratherretiredplace.IcommencedworkingoncemoreincompanywithTibeats,beingentirelyalonewithhimmostpartofthe

time.IrememberedthewordsofChapin,hisprecautions,hisadvicetobeware,lestinsomeunsuspectingmomenthemightinjureme.Theywerealwaysinmymind,sothatIlivedinamostuneasystateofapprehensionandfear.Oneeyewasonmywork,theotheronmymaster.Ideterminedtogivehimnocauseofoffence,toworkstillmorediligently.ifpossible,thanIhaddone,tobear

whateverabusehemightheapuponme,savebodilyinjury,humblyandpatiently,hopingtherebytosofteninsomedegreehismannertowardsme,untiltheblessedtimemightcomewhenIshouldbedeliveredfromhisclutches.

Thethirdmorningaftermyreturn,ChapinlefttheplantationforCheneyville,tobeabsentuntilnight.Tibeats,

onthatmorning,wasattackedwithoneofthoseperiodicalfitsofspleenandill-humortowhichhewasfrequentlysubject,renderinghimstillmoredisagreeableandvenomousthanusual.

Itwasaboutnineo’clockintheforenoon,whenIwasbusilyemployedwiththejack-planeononeofthesweeps.Tibeatswasstandingbythework-bench,fittinga

handleintothechisel,withwhichhehadbeenengagedpreviouslyincuttingthethreadofthescrew.

“Youarenotplaningthatdownenough,”saidhe.

“Itisjustevenwiththeline,”Ireplied.

“You’read—dliar,”heexclaimedpassionately.

“Oh,well,master,”Isaid,mildly,“Iwillplaneitdown

moreifyousayso,”atthesametimeproceedingtodoasIsupposedhedesired.Beforeoneshavinghadbeenremoved,however,hecriedout,sayingIhadnowplanedittoodeep—itwastoosmall—Ihadspoiledthesweepentirely.Thenfollowedcursesandimprecations.Ihadendeavoredtodoexactlyashedirected,butnothingwouldsatisfytheunreasonableman.Insilence

andindreadIstoodbythesweep,holdingthejack-planeinmyhand,notknowingwhattodo,andnotdaringtobeidle.Hisangergrewmoreandmoreviolent,until,finally,withanoath,suchabitter,frightfuloathasonlyTibeatscouldutter,heseizedahatchetfromthework-benchanddartedtowardsme,swearinghewouldcutmyheadopen.

Itwasamomentoflifeordeath.Thesharp,brightbladeofthehatchetglitteredinthesun.Inanotherinstantitwouldbeburiedinmybrain,andyetinthatinstant—soquickwillaman’sthoughtscometohiminsuchafearfulstrait—Ireasonedwithmyself.IfIstoodstill,mydoomwascertain;ifIfled,tenchancestoonethehatchet,flyingfromhishandwithatoo-deadlyand

unerringaim,wouldstrikemeintheback.Therewasbutonecoursetotake.Springingtowardshimwithallmypower,andmeetinghimfullhalf-way,beforehecouldbringdowntheblow,withonehandIcaughthisupliftedarm,withtheotherseizedhimbythethroat.Westoodlookingeachotherintheeyes.InhisIcouldseemurder.IfeltasifIhadaserpentbytheneck,watching

theslightestrelaxationofmygripe,tocoilitselfroundmybody,crushingandstingingittodeath.Ithoughttoscreamaloud,trustingthatsomeearmightcatchthesound—butChapinwasaway;thehandswereinthefield;therewasnolivingsoulinsightorhearing.

Thegoodgenius,whichthusfarthroughlifehassavedmefromthehandsof

violence,atthatmomentsuggestedaluckythought.Withavigorousandsuddenkick,thatbroughthimononeknee,withagroan,Ireleasedmyholduponhisthroat,snatchedthehatchet,andcastitbeyondreach.

Franticwithrage,maddenedbeyondcontrol,heseizedawhiteoakstick,fivefeetlong,perhaps,andaslargeincircumferenceashis

handcouldgrasp,whichwaslyingontheground.Againherushedtowardsme,andagainImethim,seizedhimaboutthewaist,andbeingthestrongerofthetwo,borehimtotheearth.WhileinthatpositionIobtainedpossessionofthestick,andrising,castitfromme,also.

Helikewisearoseandranforthebroad-axe,onthework-bench.Fortunately,

therewasaheavyplanklyinguponitsbroadblade,insuchamannerthathecouldnotextricateit,beforeIhadsprunguponhisback.Pressinghimdowncloselyandheavilyontheplank,sothattheaxewasheldmorefirmlytoitsplace,Iendeavored,butinvain,tobreakhisgraspuponthehandle.Inthatpositionweremainedsomeminutes.

Therehavebeenhoursinmyunhappylife,manyofthem,whenthecontemplationofdeathastheendofearthlysorrow—ofthegraveasarestingplaceforthetiredandwornoutbody—hasbeenpleasanttodwellupon.Butsuchcontemplationsvanishinthehourofperil.Noman,inhisfullstrength,canstandundismayed,inthepresenceofthe“kingofterrors.”Life

isdeartoeverylivingthing;thewormthatcrawlsuponthegroundwillstruggleforit.Atthatmomentitwasdeartome,enslavedandtreatedasIwas.

Notabletounloosehishand,oncemoreIseizedhimbythethroat,andthistime,withavice-likegripethatsoonrelaxedhishold.Hebecamepliantandunstrung.Hisface,thathadbeenwhite

withpassion,wasnowblackfromsuffocation.Thosesmallserpenteyesthatspatsuchvenom,werenowfullofhorror—twogreatwhiteorbsstartingfromtheirsockets!

Therewas“alurkingdevil”inmyheartthatpromptedmetokillthehumanblood-houndonthespot—toretainthegripeonhisaccursedthroattillthebreathoflifewasgone!I

darednotmurderhim,andIdarednotlethimlive.IfIkilledhim,mylifemustpaytheforfeit—ifhelived,mylifeonlywouldsatisfyhisvengeance.Avoicewithinwhisperedmetofly.Tobeawandereramongtheswamps,afugitiveandavagabondonthefaceoftheearth,waspreferabletothelifethatIwasleading.

Myresolutionwassoon

formed,andswinginghimfromthework-benchtotheground,Ileapedafencenearby,andhurriedacrosstheplantation,passingtheslavesatworkinthecottonfield.AttheendofaquarterofamileIreachedthewood-pasture,anditwasashorttimeindeedthatIhadbeenrunningit.Climbingontoahighfence,Icouldseethecottonpress,thegreathouse,andthespacebetween.Itwasa

conspicuousposition,fromwhencethewholeplantationwasinview.IsawTibeatscrossthefieldtowardsthehouse,andenterit—thenhecameout,carryinghissaddle,andpresentlymountedhishorseandgallopedaway.

Iwasdesolate,butthankful.Thankfulthatmylifewasspared,—desolateanddiscouragedwiththeprospectbeforeme.What

wouldbecomeofme?Whowouldbefriendme?WhithershouldIfly?Oh,God!IThouwhogavestmelife,andimplantedinmybosomtheloveoflife—whofilleditwithemotionssuchasothermen,thycreatures,have,donotforsakeme.Havepityonthepoorslave—letmenotperish.Ifthoudostnotprotectme,Iamlost—lost!Suchsupplications,silentlyandunuttered,ascendedfrom

myinmosthearttoHeaven.Buttherewasnoansweringvoice—nosweet,lowtone,comingdownfromonhigh,whisperingtomysoul,“ItisI,benotafraid.”IwastheforsakenofGod,itseemed—thedespisedandhatedofmen!

Inaboutthree-fourthsofanhourseveraloftheslavesshoutedandmadesignsformetorun.Presently,looking

upthebayou,IsawTibeatsandtwoothersonhorse-back,comingatafastgait,followedbyatroopofdogs.Therewereasmanyaseightorten.DistantasIwas,Iknewthem.Theybelongedontheadjoiningplantation.ThedogsusedonBayouBœufforhuntingslavesareakindofblood-hound,butafarmoresavagebreedthanisfoundintheNorthernStates.Theywillattackanegro,at

theirmaster’sbidding,andclingtohimasthecommonbull-dogwillclingtoafourfootedanimal.Frequentlytheirloudbayisheardintheswamps,andthenthereisspeculationastowhatpointtherunawaywillbeoverhauled—thesameasaNew-Yorkhunterstopstolistentothehoundscoursingalongthehillsides,andsuggeststohiscompanionthatthefoxwillbetakenat

suchaplace.IneverknewaslaveescapingwithhislifefromBayouBœuf.Onereasonis,theyarenotallowedtolearntheartofswimming,andareincapableofcrossingthemostinconsiderablestream.Intheirflighttheycangoinnodirectionbutalittlewaywithoutcomingtoabayou,whentheinevitablealternativeispresented,ofbeingdrownedorovertaken

bythedogs.InyouthIhadpractisedintheclearstreamsthatflowthroughmynativedistrict,untilIhadbecomeanexpertswimmer,andfeltathomeinthewateryelement.

Istooduponthefenceuntilthedogshadreachedthecottonpress.Inaninstantmore,theirlong,savageyellsannouncedtheywereonmytrack.Leapingdownfrommyposition,Irantowardsthe

swamp.Feargavemestrength,andIexertedittotheutmost.EveryfewmomentsIcouldheartheyelpingsofthedogs.Theyweregaininguponme.Everyhowlwasnearerandnearer.EachmomentIexpectedtheywouldspringuponmyback—expectedtofeeltheirlongteethsinkingintomyflesh.Thereweresomanyofthem,Iknewtheywouldtearmetopieces,thattheywouldworry

me,atonce,todeath.Igaspedforbreath—gaspedforthahalf-uttered,chokingprayertotheAlmightytosaveme—togivemestrengthtoreachsomewide,deepbayouwhereIcouldthrowthemoffthetrack,orsinkintoitswaters.PresentlyIreachedathickpalmettobottom.AsIfledthroughthemtheymadealoudrustlingnoise,notloudenough,however,todrown

thevoicesofthedogs.

Continuingmycourseduesouth,asnearlyasIcanjudge,Icameatlengthtowaterjustovershoe.Thehoundsatthatmomentcouldnothavebeenfiverodsbehindme.Icouldhearthemcrashingandplungingthroughthepalmettoes,theirloud,eageryellsmakingthewholeswampclamorouswiththesound.Hopereviveda

littleasIreachedthewater.Ifitwereonlydeeper,theymightloosethescent,andthusdisconcerted,affordmetheopportunityofevadingthem.Luckily,itgrewdeeperthefartherIproceeded—nowovermyankles—nowhalf-waytomyknees—nowsinkingamomenttomywaist,andthenemergingpresentlyintomoreshallowplaces.ThedogshadnotgaineduponmesinceIstruck

thewater.Evidentlytheywereconfused.Nowtheirsavageintonationsgrewmoreandmoredistant,assuringmethatIwasleavingthem.FinallyIstoppedtolisten,butthelonghowlcameboomingontheairagain,tellingmeIwasnotyetsafe.Frombogtobog,whereIhadstepped,theycouldstillkeepuponthetrack,thoughimpededbythewater.Atlength,tomygreatjoy,Icametoawidebayou,

andplungingin,hadsoonstemmeditssluggishcurrenttotheotherside.There,certainly,thedogswouldbeconfounded—thecurrentcarryingdownthestreamalltracesofthatslight,mysteriousscent,whichenablesthequick-smellinghoundtofollowinthetrackofthefugitive.

AftercrossingthisbayouthewaterbecamesodeepI

couldnotrun.IwasnowinwhatIafterwardslearnedwasthe“GreatPacoudrieSwamp.”Itwasfilledwithimmensetrees—thesycamore,thegum,thecottonwoodandcypress,andextends,Iaminformed,totheshoreoftheCalcasieuriver.Forthirtyorfortymilesitiswithoutinhabitants,savewildbeasts—thebear,thewild-cat,thetiger,andgreatslimyreptiles,thatarecrawling

throughiteverywhere.LongbeforeIreachedthebayou,infact,fromthetimeIstruckthewateruntilIemergedfromtheswamponmyreturn,thesereptilessurroundedme.Isawhundredsofmoccasinsnakes.Everylogandbog—everytrunkofafallentree,overwhichIwascompelledtosteporclimb,wasalivewiththem.Theycrawledawayatmyapproach,butsometimes

inmyhaste,Ialmostplacedmyhandorfootuponthem.Theyarepoisonousserpents—theirbitemorefatalthantherattlesnake’s.Besides,Ihadlostoneshoe,thesolehavingcomeentirelyoff,leavingtheupperonlydanglingtomyankle.

Isawalsomanyalligators,greatandsmall,lyinginthewater,oronpiecesoffloodwood.ThenoiseImade

usuallystartledthem,whentheymovedoffandplungedintothedeepestplaces.Sometimes,however,Iwouldcomedirectlyuponamonsterbeforeobservingit.Insuchcases,Iwouldstartback,runashortwayround,andinthatmannershunthem.Straightforward,theywillrunashortdistancerapidly,butdonotpossessthepowerofturning.Inacrookedrace,thereisnodifficultyinevadingthem.

Abouttwoo’clockintheafternoon,Iheardthelastofthehounds.Probablytheydidnotcrossthebayou.Wetandweary,butrelievedfromthesenseofinstantperil,Icontinuedon,morecautiousandafraid,however,ofthesnakesandalligatorsthanIhadbeenintheearlierportionofmyflight.Now,beforesteppingintoamuddypool,Iwouldstrikethewaterwithastick.Ifthewatersmoved,I

wouldgoaroundit,ifnot,wouldventurethrough.

Atlengththesunwentdown,andgraduallynight’strailingmantleshroudedthegreatswampindarkness.StillIstaggeredon,fearingeveryinstantIshouldfeelthedreadfulstingofthemoccasin,orbecrushedwithinthejawsofsomedisturbedalligator.Thedreadofthemnowalmostequaled

thefearofthepursuinghounds.Themoonaroseafteratime,itsmildlightcreepingthroughtheoverspreadingbranches,loadedwithlong,pendentmoss.Ikepttravelingforwardsuntilaftermidnight,hopingallthewhilethatIwouldsoonemergeintosomelessdesolateanddangerousregion.Butthewatergrewdeeperandthewalkingmoredifficultthanever.Iperceiveditwouldbe

impossibletoproceedmuchfarther,andknewnot,moreover,whathandsImightfallinto,shouldIsucceedinreachingahumanhabitation.Notprovidedwithapass,anywhitemanwouldbeatlibertytoarrestme,andplacemeinprisonuntilsuchtimeasmymastershould“proveproperty,paycharges,andtakemeaway.”Iwasanestray,andifsounfortunateastomeetalaw-abiding

citizenofLouisiana,hewoulddeemithisdutytohisneighbor,perhaps,toputmeforthwithinthepound.Really,itwasdifficulttodeterminewhichIhadmostreasontofear—dogs,alligatorsormen!

Aftermidnight,however,Icametoahalt.Imaginationcannotpicturethedrearinessofthescene.Theswampwasresonantwiththequackingof

innumerableducks!Sincethefoundationoftheearth,inallprobability,ahumanfootstephadneverbeforesofarpenetratedtherecessesoftheswamp.Itwasnotsilentnow—silenttoadegreethatrendereditoppressive,—asitwaswhenthesunwasshiningintheheavens.Mymidnightintrusionhadawakenedthefeatheredtribes,whichseemedtothrongthemorassinhundredsofthousands,and

theirgarrulousthroatspouredforthsuchmultitudinoussounds—therewassuchaflutteringofwings—suchsullenplungesinthewaterallaroundme—thatIwasaffrightedandappalled.Allthefowlsoftheair,andallthecreepingthingsoftheearthappearedtohaveassembledtogetherinthatparticularplace,forthepurposeoffillingitwithclamorandconfusion.Notby

humandwellings—notincrowdedcitiesalone,arethesightsandsoundsoflife.Thewildestplacesoftheeartharefullofthem.Evenintheheartofthatdismalswamp,Godhadprovidedarefugeandadwellingplaceformillionsoflivingthings.

Themoonhadnowrisenabovethetrees,whenIresolveduponanewproject.ThusfarIhadendeavoredto

travelasnearlysouthaspossible.TurningaboutIproceededinanorth-westdirection,myobjectbeingtostrikethePineWoodsinthevicinityofMasterFord’s.Oncewithintheshadowofhisprotection,IfeltIwouldbecomparativelysafe.

Myclotheswereintatters,myhands,face,andbodycoveredwithscratches,receivedfromthesharpknots

offallentrees,andinclimbingoverpilesofbrushandfloodwood.Mybarefootwasfullofthorns.Iwasbesmearedwithmuckandmud,andthegreenslimethathadcollectedonthesurfaceofthedeadwater,inwhichIhadbeenimmersedtotheneckmanytimesduringthedayandnight.Hourafterhour,andtiresomeindeedhadtheybecome,Icontinuedtoplodalongonmynorth-west

course.Thewaterbegantogrowlessdeep,andthegroundmorefirmundermyfeet.AtlastIreachedthePacoudrie,thesamewidebayouIhadswamwhile“outwardbound.”Iswamitagain,andshortlyafterthoughtIheardacockcrow,butthesoundwasfaint,anditmighthavebeenamockeryoftheear.Thewaterrecededfrommyadvancingfootsteps—nowIhadleftthebogs

behindme—nowIwasondrylandthatgraduallyascendedtotheplain,andIknewIwassomewhereinthe“GreatPineWoods.”

Justatday-breakIcametoanopening—asortofsmallplantation—butoneIhadneverseenbefore.IntheedgeofthewoodsIcameupontwomen,aslaveandhisyoungmaster,engagedincatchingwildhogs.Thewhite

manIknewwoulddemandmypass,andnotabletogivehimone,wouldtakemeintopossession.Iwastooweariedtorunagain,andtoodesperatetobetaken,andthereforeadoptedarusethatprovedentirelysuccessful.Assumingafierceexpression,Iwalkeddirectlytowardshim,lookinghimsteadilyintheface.AsIapproached,hemovedbackwardswithanairofalarm.Itwasplainhewas

muchaffrighted—thathelookeduponmeassomeinfernalgoblin,justarisenfromthebowelsoftheswamp!

“WheredoesWilliamFordlive?”Idemanded,innogentletone.

“Helivessevenmilesfromhere,”wasthereply.

“Whichisthewaytohisplace?”Iagaindemanded,

tryingtolookmorefiercelythanever.

“Doyouseethosepinetreesyonder?”heasked,pointingtotwo,amiledistant,thatrosefarabovetheirfellows,likeacoupleoftallsentinels,overlookingthebroadexpanseofforest.

“Iseethem,”wastheanswer.

“Atthefeetofthosepine

trees,”hecontinued,“runstheTexasroad.Turntotheleft,anditwillleadyoutoWilliamFord’s.”

Withoutfurtherparley,Ihastenedforward,happyashewas,nodoubt,toplacethewidestpossibledistancebetweenus.StrikingtheTexasroad,Iturnedtothelefthand,asdirected,andsoonpassedagreatfire,whereapileoflogswere

burning.Iwenttoit,thinkingIwoulddrymyclothes;butthegraylightofthemorningwasfastbreakingaway,—somepassingwhitemanmightobserveme;besides,theheatoverpoweredmewiththedesireofsleep:so,lingeringnolonger,Icontinuedmytravels,andfinally,abouteighto’clock,reachedthehouseofMasterFord.

Theslaveswereallabsentfromthequarters,attheirwork.Steppingontothepiazza,Iknockedatthedoor,whichwassoonopenedbyMistressFord.Myappearancewassochanged—Iwasinsuchawobegoneandforlorncondition,shedidnotknowme.InquiringifMasterFordwasathome,thatgoodmanmadehisappearance,beforethequestioncouldbeanswered.Itoldhimofmy

flight,andalltheparticularsconnectedwithit.Helistenedattentively,andwhenIhadconcluded,spoketomekindlyandsympathetically,andtakingmetothekitchen,calledJohn,andorderedhimtopreparemefood.Ihadtastednothingsincedaylightthepreviousmorning.

WhenJohnhadsetthemealbeforeme,themadamcameoutwithabowlofmilk,

andmanylittledeliciousdainties,suchasrarelypleasethepalateofaslave.Iwashungry,andIwasweary,butneitherfoodnorrestaffordedhalfthepleasureasdidtheblessedvoicesspeakingkindnessandconsolation.ItwastheoilandthewinewhichtheGoodSamaritaninthe“GreatPineWoods”wasreadytopourintothewoundedspiritoftheslave,whocametohim,strippedof

hisraimentandhalf-dead.

Theyleftmeinthecabin,thatImightrest.Blessedbesleep!Itvisitethallalike,descendingasthedewsofheavenonthebondandfree.Soonitnestledtomybosom,drivingawaythetroublesthatoppressedit,andbearingmetothatshadowyregion,whereIsawagainthefaces,andlistenedtothevoicesofmychildren,who,alas,foraught

Iknewinmywakinghours,hadfallenintothearmsofthatothersleep,fromwhichtheyneverwouldarouse.

CHAPTERXI.THEMISTRESS’GARDEN—THECRIMSONANDGOLDENFRUIT—ORANGEANDPOMEGRANATETREES—RETURNTOBAYOUBŒUF—MASTERFORD’SREMARK’SON

THEWAY—THEMEETINGWITHTIBEATS—HISACCOUNTOFTHECHASE—FORDCENSURESHISBRUTALITY—ARRIVALATTHEPLANTATION—ASTONISHMENTOFTHESLAVESONSEEINGME—THEANTICIPATEDFLOGGING—

KENTUCKYJOHN—MR.ELDRET,THEPLANTER—ELDRET’SSAM—TRIPTOTHE“BIGCANEBRAKE”—THETRADITIONOF“SUTTON’SFIELD”—FORESTTREES—GNATSANDMOSQUITOS—THEARRIVALOFBLACKWOMENINTHEBIGCANE—LUMBERWOMEN—SUDDEN

APPEARANCEOFTIBEATS—HISPROVOKINGTREATMENT—VISITTOBAYOUBŒUF—THESLAVEPASS—SOUTHERNHOSPITALITY—THELASTOFELIZA—SALETOEDWINEPPS.

AFTERalongsleep,sometimeintheafternoonI

awoke,refreshed,butverysoreandstiff.Sallycameinandtalkedwithme,whileJohncookedmesomedinner.Sallywasingreattrouble,aswellasmyself,oneofherchildrenbeingill,andshefeareditcouldnotsurvive.Dinnerover,afterwalkingaboutthequartersforawhile,visitingSally’scabinandlookingatthesickchild,Istrolledintothemadam’sgarden.Thoughitwasa

seasonoftheyearwhenthevoicesofthebirdsaresilent,andthetreesarestrippedoftheirsummergloriesinmorefrigidclimes,yetthewholevarietyofroseswerethenbloomingthere,andthelong,luxuriantvinescreepingovertheframes.Thecrimsonandgoldenfruithunghalfhiddenamidsttheyoungerandolderblossomsofthepeach,theorange,theplum,andthepomegranate;for,inthat

regionofalmostperpetualwarmth,theleavesarefallingandthebudsburstingintobloomthewholeyearlong.

IindulgedthemostgratefulfeelingstowardsMasterandMistressFord,andwishinginsomemannertorepaytheirkindness,commencedtrimmingthevines,andafterwardsweedingoutthegrassfromamongtheorangeand

pomegranatetrees.Thelattergrowseightortenfeethigh,anditsfruit,thoughlarger,issimilarinappearancetothejelly-flower.Ithasthelusciousflavorofthestrawberry.Oranges,peaches,plums,andmostotherfruitsareindigenoustotherich,warmsoilofAvoyelles;buttheapple,themostcommonofthemallincolderlatitudes,israrelytobeseen.

MistressFordcameoutpresently,sayingitwaspraise-worthyinme,butIwasnotinaconditiontolabor,andmightrestmyselfatthequartersuntilmastershouldgodowntoBayouBœuf,whichwouldnotbethatday,anditmightnotbethenext.Isaidtoher—tobesure,Ifeltbad,andwasstiff,andthatmyfootpainedme,thestubsandthornshavingsotornit,butthoughtsuch

exercisewouldnothurtme,andthatitwasagreatpleasuretoworkforsogoodamistress.Thereuponshereturnedtothegreathouse,andforthreedaysIwasdiligentinthegarden,cleaningthewalks,weedingtheflowerbeds,andpullinguptherankgrassbeneaththejessaminevines,whichthegentleandgeneroushandofmyprotectresshadtaughttoclamberalongthewalls.

Thefourthmorning,havingbecomerecruitedandrefreshed,MasterFordorderedmetomakereadytoaccompanyhimtothebayou.Therewasbutonesaddlehorseattheopening,alltheotherswiththemuleshavingbeensentdowntotheplantation.IsaidIcouldwalk,andbiddingSallyandJohngood-bye,lefttheopening,trottingalongbythehorse’sside.

ThatlittleparadiseintheGreatPineWoodswastheoasisinthedesert,towardswhichmyheartturnedlovingly,duringmanyyearsofbondage.Iwentforthfromitnowwithregretandsorrow,notsooverwhelming,however,asifithadthenbeengivenmetoknowthatIshouldneverreturntoitagain.

MasterFordurgedmeto

takehisplaceoccasionallyonthehorse,torestme;butIsaidno,Iwasnottired,anditwasbetterformetowalkthanhim.Hesaidmanykindandcheeringthingstomeontheway,ridingslowly,inorderthatImightkeeppacewithhim.ThegoodnessofGodwasmanifest,hedeclared,inmymiraculousescapefromtheswamp.AsDanielcameforthunharmedfromthedenoflions,andas

Jonahhadbeenpreservedinthewhale’sbelly,evensohadIbeendeliveredfromevilbytheAlmighty.HeinterrogatedmeinregardtothevariousfearsandemotionsIhadexperiencedduringthedayandnight,andifIhadfelt,atanytime,adesiretopray.Ifeltforsakenofthewholeworld,Iansweredhim,andwasprayingmentallyallthewhile.Atsuchtimes,saidhe,theheartofmanturns

instinctivelytowardshisMaker.Inprosperity,andwhenthereisnothingtoinjureormakehimafraid,heremembersHimnot,andisreadytodefyHim;butplacehiminthemidstofdangers,cuthimofffromhumanaid,letthegraveopenbeforehim—thenitis,inthetimeofhistribulation,thatthescofferandunbelievingmanturnstoGodforhelp,feelingthereisnootherhope,orrefuge,or

safety,saveinhisprotectingarm.

Sodidthatbenignantmanspeaktomeofthislifeandofthelifehereafter;ofthegoodnessandpowerofGod,andofthevanityofearthlythings,aswejourneyedalongthesolitaryroadtowardsBayouBœuf.

Whenwithinsomefivemilesoftheplantation,wediscoveredahorsemanata

distance,gallopingtowardsus.AshecamenearIsawthatitwasTibeats!Helookedatmeamoment,butdidnotaddressme,andturningabout,rodealongsidebysidewithFord.Itrottedsilentlyattheirhorses’heels,listingtotheirconversation.FordinformedhimofmyarrivalinthePineWoodsthreedaysbefore,ofthesadplightIwasin,andofthedifficultiesanddangersIhadencountered.

“Well,”exclaimedTibeats,omittinghisusualoathsinthepresenceofFord,“Ineversawsuchrunningbefore.I’llbethimagainstahundreddollars,he’llbeatanyniggerinLouisiana.IofferedJohnDavidCheneytwenty-fivedollarstocatchhim,deadoralive,butheoutranhisdogsinafairrace.ThemCheneydogsain’tmuch,afterall.Dunwoodie’shoundswouldhavehadhimdownbeforehe

touchedthepalmettoes.Somehowthedogsgotoffthetrack,andwehadtogiveupthehunt.Werodethehorsesasfaraswecould,andthenkeptonfoottillthewaterwasthreefeetdeep.Theboyssaidhewasdrowned,sure.IallowIwantedashotathimmightily.Eversince,Ihavebeenridingupanddownthebayou,buthad’ntmuchhopeofcatchinghim—thoughthewasdead,sartin.Oh,he’sa

cusstorun—thatniggeris!”

InthiswayTibeatsranon,describinghissearchintheswamp,thewonderfulspeedwithwhichIhadfledbeforethehounds,andwhenhehadfinished,MasterFordrespondedbysaying,Ihadalwaysbeenawillingandfaithfulboywithhim;thathewassorrywehadsuchtrouble;that,accordingtoPlatt’sstory,hehadbeen

inhumanlytreated,andthathe,Tibeats,washimselfinfault.Usinghatchetsandbroad-axesuponslaveswasshameful,andshouldnotbeallowed,heremarked.“Thisisnowayofdealingwiththem,whenfirstbroughtintothecountry.Itwillhaveaperniciousinfluence,andsetthemallrunningaway.Theswampswillbefullofthem.Alittlekindnesswouldbefarmoreeffectualinrestraining

them,andrenderingthemobedient,thantheuseofsuchdeadlyweapons.Everyplanteronthebayoushouldfrownuponsuchinhumanity.Itisfortheinterestofalltodoso.Itisevidentenough,Mr.Tibeats,thatyouandPlattcannotlivetogether.Youdislikehim,andwouldnothesitatetokillhim,andknowingit,hewillrunfromyouagainthroughfearofhislife.Now,Tibeats,youmust

sellhim,orhirehimout,atleast.Unlessyoudoso,Ishalltakemeasurestogethimoutofyourpossession.”

InthisspiritFordaddressedhimtheremainderofthedistance.Iopenednotmymouth.Onreachingtheplantationtheyenteredthegreathouse,whileIrepairedtoEliza’scabin.Theslaveswereastonishedtofindmethere,onreturningfromthe

field,supposingIwasdrowned.Thatnight,again,theygatheredaboutthecabintolistentothestoryofmyadventure.TheytookitforgrantedIwouldbewhipped,andthatitwouldbesevere,thewell-knownpenaltyofrunningawaybeingfivehundredlashes.

“Poorfellow,”saidEliza,takingmebythehand,“itwouldhavebeenbetterfor

youifyouhaddrowned.Youhaveacruelmaster,andhewillkillyouyet,Iamafraid.”

Lawsonsuggestedthatitmightbe,overseerChapinwouldbeappointedtoinflictthepunishment,inwhichcaseitwouldnotbesevere,whereuponMary,Rachel,Bristol,andothershopeditwouldbeMasterFord,andthenitwouldbenowhippingatall.Theyallpitiedmeand

triedtoconsoleme,andweresadinviewofthecastigationthatawaitedme,exceptKentuckyJohn.Therewerenoboundstohislaughter;hefilledthecabinwithcachinnations,holdinghissidestopreventanexplosion,andthecauseofhisnoisymirthwastheideaofmyoutstrippingthehounds.Somehow,helookedatthesubjectinacomicallight.“Iknow’ddeywould‘ntcotch

him,whenheruncrossdeplantation.O,delor’,did‘ntPlattpickhisfeetrightup,tho’,hey?Whendemdogsgotwharhewas,hewas‘ntdar—haw,haw,haw!O,delor’a’mity!”—andthenKentuckyJohnrelapsedintoanotherofhisboisterousfits.

Earlythenextmorning,Tibeatslefttheplantation.Inthecourseoftheforenoon,whilesaunteringaboutthe

gin-house,atall,good-lookingmancametome,andinquiredifIwasTibeats’boy,thatyouthfulappellationbeingappliedindiscriminatelytoslaveseventhoughtheymayhavepassedthenumberofthreescoreyearsandten.Itookoffmyhat,andansweredthatIwas.

“Howwouldyouliketoworkforme?”heinquired.

“Oh,Iwouldliketo,verymuch,”saidI,inspiredwithasuddenhopeofgettingawayfromTibeats.

“YouworkedunderMyersatPeterTanner’s,didn’tyou?”

IrepliedIhad,addingsomecomplimentaryremarksthatMyershadmadeconcerningme.

“Well,boy,”saidhe,“I

havehiredyouofyourmastertoworkformeinthe”BigCaneBrake,“thirty-eightmilesfromhere,downonRedRiver.”

ThismanwasMr.Eldret,wholivedbelowFord’s,onthesamesideofthebayou.Iaccompaniedhimtohisplantation,andinthemorningstartedwithhisslaveSam,andawagon-loadofprovisions,drawnbyfour

mules,fortheBigCane,EldretandMyershavingprecededusonhorseback.ThisSamwasanativeofCharleston,wherehehadamother,brotherandsisters.He“allowed”—acommonwordamongbothblackandwhite—thatTibeatswasameanman,andhoped,asImostearnestlydidalso,thathismasterwouldbuyme.

Weproceededdownthe

southshoreofthebayou,crossingitatCarey’splantation;fromthencetoHuffPower,passingwhich,wecameupontheBayouRougeroad,whichrunstowardsRedRiver.AfterpassingthroughBayouRougeSwamp,andjustatsunset,turningfromthehighway,westruckoffintothe“BigCaneBrake.”Wefollowedanunbeatentrack,scarcelywideenoughtoadmitthewagon.

Thecane,suchasareusedforfishing-rods,wereasthickastheycouldstand.Apersoncouldnotbeseenthroughthemthedistanceofarod.Thepathsofwildbeastsrunthroughtheminvariousdirections—thebearandtheAmericantigeraboundinginthesebrakes,andwhereverthereisabasinofstagnantwater,itisfullofalligators.

Wekeptonourlonely

coursethroughthe“BigCane”severalmiles,whenweenteredaclearing,knownas“Sutton’sField.”Manyyearsbefore,amanbythenameofSuttonhadpenetratedthewildernessofcanetothissolitaryplace.Traditionhasit,thathefledthither,afugitive,notfromservice,butfromjustice.Herehelivedalone—recluseandhermitoftheswamp—withhisownhandsplantingtheseedand

gatheringintheharvest.OnedayabandofIndiansstoleuponhissolitude,andafterabloodybattle,overpoweredandmassacredhim.Formilesthecountryround,intheslaves’quarters,andonthepiazzasof“greathouses,”wherewhitechildrenlistentosuperstitioustales,thestorygoes,thatthatspot,intheheartofthe“BigCane,”isahauntedplace.Formorethanaquarterofacentury,human

voiceshadrarely,ifever,disturbedthesilenceoftheclearing.Rankandnoxiousweedshadoverspreadtheoncecultivatedfield—serpentssunnedthemselvesonthedoorwayofthecrumblingcabin.Itwasindeedadrearypictureofdesolation.

Passing“Sutton’sField,”wefollowedanew-cutroadtwomilesfarther,which

broughtustoitstermination.WehadnowreachedthewildlandsofMr.Eldret,wherehecontemplatedclearingupanextensiveplantation.Wewenttoworknextmorningwithourcane-knives,andclearedasufficientspacetoallowtheerectionoftwocabins—oneforMyersandEldret,theotherforSam,myself,andtheslavesthatweretojoinus.Wewerenowinthemidstoftreesof

enormousgrowth,whosewide-spreadingbranchesalmostshutoutthelightofthesun,whilethespacebetweenthetrunkswasanimperviousmassofcane,withhereandthereanoccasionalpalmetto.

Thebayandthesycamore,theoakandthecypress,reachagrowthunparalleled,inthosefertilelowlandsborderingtheRedRiver.

Fromeverytree,moreover,hanglong,largemassesofmoss,presentingtotheeyeunaccustomedtothem,astrikingandsingularappearance.Thismoss,inlargequantities,issentnorth,andthereusedformanufacturingpurposes.

Wecutdownoaks,splitthemintorails,andwiththeseerectedtemporarycabins.Wecoveredtheroofswiththe

broadpalmettoleaf,anexcellentsubstituteforshingles,aslongastheylast.

ThegreatestannoyanceImetwithhereweresmallflies,gnatsandmosquitoes.Theyswarmedtheair.Theypenetratedtheporchesoftheear,thenose,theeyes,themouth.Theysuckedthemselvesbeneaththeskin.Itwasimpossibletobrushorbeatthemoff.Itseemed,

indeed,asiftheywoulddevourus—carryusawaypiecemeal,intheirsmalltormentingmouths.

Alonelierspot,oronemoredisagreeable,thanthecentreofthe“BigCaneBrake,”itwouldbedifficulttoconceive;yettomeitwasaparadise,incomparisonwithanyotherplaceinthecompanyofMasterTibeats.Ilaboredhard,andoft-times

waswearyandfatigued,yetIcouldliedownatnightinpeace,andariseinthemorningwithoutfear.

Inthecourseofafortnight,fourblackgirlscamedownfromEldret’splantation—Charlotte,Fanny,CresiaandNelly.Theywerealllargeandstout.Axeswereputintotheirhands,andtheyweresentoutwithSamandmyselftocuttrees.Theywere

excellentchoppers,thelargestoakorsycamorestandingbutabriefseasonbeforetheirheavyandwell-directedblows.Atpilinglogs,theywereequaltoanyman.TherearelumberwomenaswellaslumbermenintheforestsoftheSouth.Infact,intheregionoftheBayouBœuftheyperformtheirshareofallthelaborrequiredontheplantation.Theyplough,drag,driveteam,

clearwildlands,workonthehighway,andsoforth.Someplanters,owninglargecottonandsugarplantations,havenoneotherthanthelaborofslavewomen.SuchanoneisJimBurns,wholivesonthenorthshoreofthebayou,oppositetheplantationofJohnFogaman.

Onourarrivalinthebrake,Eldretpromisedme,ifIworkedwell,Imightgoupto

visitmyfriendsatFord’sinfourweeks.OnSaturdaynightofthefifthweek,Iremindedhimofhispromise,whenhetoldmeIhaddonesowell,thatImightgo.Ihadsetmyheartuponit,andEldret’sannouncementthrilledmewithpleasure.IwastoreturnintimetocommencethelaborsofthedayonTuesdaymorning.

Whileindulgingthe

pleasantanticipationofsosoonmeetingmyoldfriendsagain,suddenlythehatefulformofTibeatsappearedamongus.HeinquiredhowMyersandPlattgotalongtogether,andwastold,verywell,andthatPlattwasgoinguptoFord’splantationinthemorningonavisit.

“Poh,poh!”sneeredTibeats;“itisn’tworthwhile—theniggerwillget

unsteady.Hecan’tgo.”

ButEldretinsistedIhadworkedfaithfully—thathehadgivenmehispromise,andthat,underthecircumstances,Ioughtnottobedisappointed.Theythen,itbeingaboutdark,enteredonecabinandItheother.Icouldnotgiveuptheideaofgoing;itwasasoredisappointment.BeforemorningIresolved,ifEldretmadenoobjection,to

leaveatallhazards.AtdaylightIwasathisdoor,withmyblanketrolledupintoabundle,andhangingonastickovermyshoulder,waitingforapass.Tibeatscameoutpresentlyinoneofhisdisagreeablemoods,washedhisface,andgoingtoastumpnearby,satdownuponit,apparentlybusilythinkingwithhimself.Afterstandingtherealongtime,impelledbyasuddenimpulse

ofimpatience,Istartedoff.

“Areyougoingwithoutapass?”hecriedouttome.

“Yes,master,IthoughtIwould,”Ianswered.

“Howdoyouthinkyou’llgetthere?”demandedhe.

“Don’tknow,”wasallthereplyImadehim.

“You’dbetakenandsenttojail,whereyououghttobe,

beforeyougothalf-waythere,”headded,passingintothecabinashesaidit.Hecameoutsoonwiththepassinhishand,andcallingmea“d—dniggerthatdeservedahundredlashes,”threwitontheground.Ipickeditup,andhurriedawayrightspeedily.

Aslavecaughtoffhismaster’splantationwithoutapass,maybeseizedandwhippedbyanywhiteman

whomhemeets.TheoneInowreceivedwasdated,andreadasfollows:

“PlatthaspermissiontogotoFord’splantation,onBayouBœuf,andreturnbyTuesdaymorning.

JOHNM.TIBEATS.”

Thisistheusualform.Ontheway,agreatmanydemandedit,readit,andpassedon.Thosehavingthe

airandappearanceofgentlemen,whosedressindicatedthepossessionofwealth,frequentlytooknonoticeofmewhatever;butashabbyfellow,anunmistakableloafer,neverfailedtohailme,andtoscrutinizeandexaminemeinthemostthoroughmanner.Catchingrunawaysissometimesamoney-makingbusiness.If,afteradvertising,noownerappears,theymay

besoldtothehighestbidder;andcertainfeesareallowedthefinderforhisservices,atallevents,evenifreclaimed.“Ameanwhite,”therefore,—anameappliedtothespeciesloafer—considersitagod-sendtomeetanunknownnegrowithoutapass.

TherearenoinnsalongthehighwaysinthatportionoftheStatewhereIsojourned.Iwaswhollydestituteof

money,neitherdidIcarryanyprovisions,onmyjourneyfromtheBigCanetoBayouBœuf;nevertheless,withhispassinhishand,aslaveneedneversufferfromhungerorfromthirst.Itisonlynecessarytopresentittothemasteroroverseerofaplantation,andstatehiswants,whenhewillbesentroundtothekitchenandprovidedwithfoodorshelter,asthecasemayrequire.The

travelerstopsatanyhouseandcallsforamealwithasmuchfreedomasifitwasapublictavern.Itisthegeneralcustomofthecountry.Whatevertheirfaultsmaybe,itiscertaintheinhabitantsalongRedRiver,andaroundthebayousintheinteriorofLouisianaarenotwantinginhospitality.

IarrivedatFord’splantationtowardstheclose

oftheafternoon,passingtheeveninginEliza’scabin,withLawson,Rachel,andothersofmyacquaintance.WhenweleftWashingtonEliza’sformwasroundandplump.Shestooderect,andinhersilksandjewels,presentedapictureofgracefulstrengthandelegance.Nowshewasbutathinshadowofherformerself.Herfacehadbecomeghastlyhaggard,andtheoncestraightandactive

formwasboweddown,asifbearingtheweightofahundredyears.Crouchingonhercabinfloor,andcladinthecoarsegarmentsofaslave,oldElishaBerrywouldnothaverecognizedthemotherofhischild.Ineversawherafterwards.Havingbecomeuselessinthecotton-field,shewasbarteredforatrifle,tosomemanresidinginthevicinityofPeterCompton’s.Griefhad

gnawedremorselesslyatherheart,untilherstrengthwasgone;andforthat,herlastmaster,itissaid,lashedandabusedhermostunmercifully.Buthecouldnotwhipbackthedepartedvigorofheryouth,norstraightenupthatbendedbodytoitsfullheight,suchasitwaswhenherchildrenwerearoundher,andthelightoffreedomwasshiningonherpath.

Ilearnedtheparticularsrelativetoherdeparturefromthisworld,fromsomeofCompton’sslaves,whohadcomeoverRedRivertothebayou,toassistyoungMadamTannerduringthe“busyseason.”Shebecameatlength,theysaid,utterlyhelpless,forseveralweekslyingonthegroundfloorinadilapidatedcabin,dependentuponthemercyofherfellow-thrallsforanoccasionaldrop

ofwater,andamorseloffood.Hermasterdidnot“knockheronthehead,”asissometimesdonetoputasufferinganimaloutofmisery,butleftherunprovidedfor,andunprotected,tolingerthroughalifeofpainandwretchednesstoitsnaturalclose.Whenthehandsreturnedfromthefieldonenighttheyfoundherdead!Duringtheday,theAngelof

theLord,whomovethinvisiblyoveralltheearth,gatheringinhisharvestofdepartingsouls,hadsilentlyenteredthecabinofthedyingwoman,andtakenherfromthence.Shewasfreeatlast!Nextday,rollingupmy

blanket,IstartedonmyreturntotheBigCane.Aftertravelingfivemiles,ataplacecalledHuffPower,theever-presentTibe-atametmein

theroad.HeinquiredwhyIwasgoingbacksosoon,andwheninformedIwasanxioustoreturnbythetimeIwasdirected,hesaidIneedgonofartherthanthenextplantation,ashehadthatdaysoldmetoEdwinEpps.Wewalkeddownintotheyard,wherewemetthelattergentleman,whoexaminedme,andaskedmetheusualquestionspropoundedbypurchasers.Havingbeenduly

deliveredover,Iwasorderedtothequarters,andatthesametimedirectedtomakeahoeandaxehandleformyself.

IwasnownolongerthepropertyofTibeats—hisdog,hisbrute,dreadinghiswrathandcrueltydayandnight;andwhoeverorwhatevermynewmastermightprovetobe,Icouldnot,certainly,regretthechange.Soitwas

goodnewswhenthesalewasannounced,andwithasighofreliefIsatdownforthefirsttimeinmynewabode.

Tibeatssoonafterdisappearedfromthatsectionofthecountry.Onceafterwards,andonlyonce,Icaughtaglimpseofhim.ItwasmanymilesfromBayouBœuf.Hewasseatedinthedoorwayofalowgroggery.Iwaspassing,inadroveof

slaves,throughSt.Mary’sparish.

CHAPTERXII.PERSONALAPPEARANCEOFEPPS—EPPS,DRUNKANDSOBER—AGLIMPSEOFHISHISTORY—COTTONGROWING—THEMODEOFPLOUGHINGANDPREPARINGGROUND—

OFPLANTING—OFHOEING,OFPICKING,OFTREATINGRAWHANDS—THEDIFFERENCEINCOTTONPICKERS—PATSEYAREMARKABLEONE—TASKEDACCORDINGTOABILITY—BEAUTYOFACOTTONFIELD—THESLAVE’SLABORS—FEARONAPPROACHINGTHE

GIN-HOUSE—WEIGHING—“CHORES”—CABINLIFE—THECORNMILL—THEUSESOFTHEGOURD—FEAROFOVERSLEEPING—FEARCONTINUALLY—MODEOFCULTIVATINGCORN—SWEETPOTATOES—FERTILITYOFTHESOIL—FATTENINGHOGS—PRESERVING

BACON—RAISINGCATTLE—SHOOTING-MATCHES—GARDENPRODUCTS—FLOWERSANDVERDURE.

EDWINEPPS,ofwhommuchwillbesaidduringtheremainderofthishistory,isalarge,portly,heavy-bodiedmanwithlighthair,highcheekbones,andaRomannoseofextraordinary

dimensions.Hehasblueeyes,afaircomplexion,andis,asIshouldsay,fullsixfeethigh.Hehasthesharp,inquisitiveexpressionofajockey.Hismannersarerepulsiveandcoarse,andhislanguagegivesspeedyandunequivocalevidencethathehasneverenjoyedtheadvantagesofaneducation.Hehasthefacultyofsayingmostprovokingthings,inthatrespectevenexcellingoldPeterTanner.At

thetimeIcameintohispossession,EdwinEppswasfondofthebottle,his“sprees”sometimesextendingoverthespaceoftwowholeweeks.Latterly,however,hehadreformedhishabits,andwhenIlefthim,wasasstrictaspecimenoftemperanceascouldbefoundonBayouBœuf.When“inhiscups,”MasterEppswasaroystering,blustering,noisyfellow,whosechiefdelight

wasindancingwithhis“niggers,”orlashingthemabouttheyardwithhislongwhip,justforthepleasureofhearingthemscreechandscream,asthegreatweltswereplantedontheirbacks.Whensober,hewassilent,reservedandcunning,notbeatingusindiscriminately,asinhisdrunkenmoments,butsendingtheendofhisrawhidetosometenderspotofalaggingslave,withasly

dexteritypeculiartohimself.

Hehadbeenadriverandoverseerinhisyoungeryears,butatthistimewasinpossessionofaplantationonBayouHuffPower,twoandahalfmilesfromHolmesville,eighteenfromMarksville,andtwelvefromCheneyville.ItbelongedtoJosephB.Roberts,hiswife’suncle,andwasleasedbyEpps.Hisprincipalbusinesswasraising

cotton,andinasmuchassomemayreadthisbookwhohaveneverseenacottonfield,adescriptionofthemannerofitsculturemaynotbeoutofplace.

Thegroundispreparedbythrowingupbedsorridges,withtheplough—back-furrowing,itiscalled.Oxenandmules,thelatteralmostexclusively,areusedinploughing.Thewomenas

frequentlyasthemenperformthislabor,feeding,currying,andtakingcareoftheirteams,andinallrespectsdoingthefieldandstablework,preciselyasdotheploughboysoftheNorth.

Thebeds,orridges,aresixfeetwide,thatis,fromwaterfurrowtowaterfurrow.Aploughdrawnbyonemuleisthenrunalongthetopoftheridgeorcenterofthebed,

makingthedrill,intowhichagirlusuallydropstheseed,whichshecarriesinabaghungroundherneck.Behindhercomesamuleandharrow,coveringuptheseed,sothattwomules,threeslaves,aploughandharrow,areemployedinplantingarowofcotton.ThisisdoneinthemonthsofMarchandApril.CornisplantedinFebruary.Whentherearenocoldrains,thecottonusuallymakesits

appearanceinaweek.Inthecourseofeightortendaysafterwardsthefirsthoeingiscommenced.Thisisperformedinpart,also,bytheaidoftheploughandmule.Theploughpassesasnearaspossibletothecottononbothsides,throwingthefurrowfromit.Slavesfollowwiththeirhoes,cuttingupthegrassandcotton,leavinghillstwofeetandahalfapart.Thisiscalledscrapingcotton.In

twoweeksmorecommencesthesecondhoeing.Thistimethefurrowisthrowntowardsthecotton.Onlyonestalk,thelargest,isnowleftstandingineachhill.Inanotherfortnightitishoedthethirdtime,throwingthefurrowtowardsthecottoninthesamemannerasbefore,andkillingallthegrassbetweentherows.AboutthefirstofJuly,whenitisafoothighorthereabouts,itishoedthe

fourthandlasttime.Nowthewholespacebetweentherowsisploughed,leavingadeepwaterfurrowinthecenter.Duringallthesehoeingstheoverseerordriverfollowstheslavesonhorsebackwithawhip,suchashasbeendescribed.Thefastesthoertakestheleadrow.Heisusuallyaboutarodinadvanceofhiscompanions.Ifoneofthempasseshim,heiswhipped.If

onefallsbehindorisamomentidle,heiswhipped.Infact,thelashisflyingfrommorninguntilnight,thewholedaylong.ThehoeingseasonthuscontinuesfromApriluntilJuly,afieldhavingnosoonerbeenfinishedonce,thanitiscommencedagain.

InthelatterpartofAugustbeginsthecottonpickingseason.Atthistimeeach

slaveispresentedwithasack.Astrapisfastenedtoit,whichgoesovertheneck,holdingthemouthofthesackbreasthigh,whilethebottomreachesnearlytotheground.Eachoneisalsopresentedwithalargebasketthatwillholdabouttwobarrels.Thisistoputthecottoninwhenthesackisfilled.Thebasketsarecarriedtothefieldandplacedatthebeginningoftherows.

Whenanewhand,oneunaccustomedtothebusiness,issentforthefirsttimeintothefield,heiswhippedupsmartly,andmadeforthatdaytopickasfastashecanpossibly.Atnightitisweighed,sothathiscapabilityincottonpickingisknown.Hemustbringinthesameweighteachnightfollowing.Ifitfallsshort,itisconsideredevidencethathehasbeenlaggard,anda

greaterorlessnumberoflashesisthepenalty.

Anordinaryday’sworkistwohundredpounds.Aslavewhoisaccustomedtopicking,ispunished,ifheorshebringsinalessquantitythanthat.Thereisagreatdifferenceamongthemasregardsthiskindoflabor.Someofthemseemtohaveanaturalknack,orquickness,whichenablesthemtopick

withgreatcelerity,andwithbothhands,whileothers,withwhateverpracticeorindustry,areutterlyunabletocomeuptotheordinarystandard.Suchhandsaretakenfromthecottonfieldandemployedinotherbusiness.Patsey,ofwhomIshallhavemoretosay,wasknownasthemostremarkablecottonpickeronBayouBœuf.Shepickedwithbothhandsandwithsuchsurprisingrapidity,thatfive

hundredpoundsadaywasnotunusualforher.

Eachoneistasked,therefore,accordingtohispickingabilities,none,however,tocomeshortoftwohundredweight.I,beingunskillfulalwaysinthatbusiness,wouldhavesatisfiedmymasterbybringinginthelatterquantity,whileontheotherhand,Patseywouldsurelyhave

beenbeatenifshefailedtoproducetwiceasmuch.

Thecottongrowsfromfivetosevenfeethigh,eachstalkhavingagreatmanybranches,shootingoutinalldirections,andlappingeachotherabovethewaterfurrow.

Therearefewsightsmorepleasanttotheeye,thanawidecottonfieldwhenitisinthebloom.Itpresentsanappearanceofpurity,likean

immaculateexpanseoflight,new-fallensnow.

Sometimestheslavepicksdownonesideofarow,andbackupontheother,butmoreusually,thereisoneoneitherside,gatheringallthathasblossomed,leavingtheunopenedbollsforasucceedingpicking.Whenthesackisfilled,itisemptiedintothebasketandtroddendown.Itisnecessarytobe

extremelycarefulthefirsttimegoingthroughthefield,inordernottobreakthebranchesoffthestalks.Thecottonwillnotbloomuponabrokenbranch.Eppsneverfailedtoinflicttheseverestchastisementontheunluckyservantwho,eithercarelesslyorunavoidably,wasguiltyintheleastdegreeinthisrespect.

Thehandsarerequiredto

beinthecottonfieldassoonasitislightinthemorning,and,withtheexceptionoftenorfifteenminutes,whichisgiventhematnoontoswallowtheirallowanceofcoldbacon,theyarenotpermittedtobeamomentidleuntilitistoodarktosee,andwhenthemoonisfull,theyoftentimeslabortillthemiddleofthenight.Theydonotdaretostopevenatdinnertime,norreturntothe

quarters,howeverlateitbe,untiltheordertohaltisgivenbythedriver.

Theday’sworkoverinthefield,thebasketsare“toted,”orinotherwords,carriedtothegin-house,wherethecottonisweighed.Nomatterhowfatiguedandwearyhemaybe—nomatterhowmuchhelongsforsleepandrest—aslaveneverapproachesthegin-house

withhisbasketofcottonbutwithfear.Ifitfallsshortinweight—ifhehasnotperformedthefulltaskappointedhim,heknowsthathemustsuffer.Andifhehasexceededitbytenortwentypounds,inallprobabilityhismasterwillmeasurethenextday’staskaccordingly.So,whetherhehastoolittleortoomuch,hisapproachtothegin-houseisalwayswithfearandtrembling.Most

frequentlytheyhavetoolittle,andthereforeitistheyarenotanxioustoleavethefield.Afterweighing,followthewhippings;andthenthebasketsarecarriedtothecottonhouse,andtheircontentsstoredawaylikehay,allhandsbeingsentintotrampitdown.Ifthecottonisnotdry,insteadoftakingittothegin-houseatonce,itislaiduponplatforms,twofeethigh,andsomethreetimesas

wide,coveredwithboardsorplank,withnarrowwalksrunningbetweenthem.

Thisdone,thelaborofthedayisnotyetended,byanymeans.Eachonemustthenattendtohisrespectivechores.Onefeedsthemules,anothertheswine—anothercutsthewood,andsoforth;besides,thepackingisalldonebycandlelight.Finally,atalatehour,theyreachthe

quarters,sleepyandovercomewiththelongday’stoil.Thenafiremustbekindledinthecabin,thecorngroundinthesmallhand-mill,andsupper,anddinnerforthenextdayinthefield,prepared.Allthatisallowedthemiscornandbacon,whichisgivenoutatthecorncribandsmoke-houseeverySundaymorning.Eachonereceives,ashisweeklyallowance,threeandahalf

poundsofbacon,andcornenoughtomakeapeckofmeal.Thatisall—notea,coffee,sugar,andwiththeexceptionofaveryscantysprinklingnowandthen,nosalt.Icansay,fromatenyears’residencewithMasterEpps,thatnoslaveofhisiseverlikelytosufferfromthegout,superinducedbyexcessivehighliving.MasterEpps’hogswerefedonshelledcorn—itwasthrown

outtohis“niggers”intheear.Theformer,hethought,wouldfattenfasterbyshelling,andsoakingitinthewater—thelatter,perhaps,iftreatedinthesamemanner,mightgrowtoofattolabor.MasterEppswasashrewdcalculator,andknewhowtomanagehisownanimals,drunkorsober.

Thecornmillstandsintheyardbeneathashelter.Itis

likeacommoncoffeemill,thehopperholdingaboutsixquarts.TherewasoneprivilegewhichMasterEppsgrantedfreelytoeveryslavehehad.Theymightgrindtheircornnightly,insuchsmallquantitiesastheirdailywantsrequired,ortheymightgrindthewholeweek’sallowanceatonetime,onSundays,justastheypreferred.AverygenerousmanwasMasterEpps!

Ikeptmycorninasmallwoodenbox,themealinagourd;and,bytheway,thegourdisoneofthemostconvenientandnecessaryutensilsonaplantation.Besidessupplyingtheplaceofallkindsofcrockeryinaslavecabin,itisusedforcarryingwatertothefields.Another,also,containsthedinner.Itdispenseswiththenecessityofpails,dippers,basins,andsuchtinand

woodensuperfluitiesaltogether.

Whenthecornisground,andfireismade,thebaconistakendownfromthenailonwhichithangs,aslicecutoffandthrownuponthecoalstobroil.Themajorityofslaveshavenoknife,muchlessafork.Theycuttheirbaconwiththeaxeatthewoodpile.Thecornmealismixedwithalittlewater,placedinthe

fire,andbaked.Whenitis“donebrown,”theashesarescrapedoff,andbeingplaceduponachip,whichanswersforatable,thetenantoftheslavehutisreadytositdownuponthegroundtosupper.Bythistimeitisusuallymidnight.Thesamefearofpunishmentwithwhichtheyapproachthegin-house,possessesthemagainonlyingdowntogetasnatchofrest.Itisthefearofoversleeping

inthemorning.Suchanoffencewouldcertainlybeattendedwithnotlessthantwentylashes.Withaprayerthathemaybeonhisfeetandwideawakeatthefirstsoundofthehorn,hesinkstohisslumbersnightly.

Thesoftestcouchesintheworldarenottobefoundinthelogmansionoftheslave.TheonewhereonIreclinedyearafteryear,wasaplank

twelveincheswideandtenfeetlong.Mypillowwasastickofwood.Thebeddingwasacoarseblanket,andnotaragorshredbeside.Mossmightbeused,wereitnotthatitdirectlybreedsaswarmoffleas.

Thecabinisconstructedoflogs,withoutfloororwindow.Thelatterisaltogetherunnecessary,thecrevicesbetweenthelogs

admittingsufficientlight.Instormyweathertheraindrivesthroughthem,renderingitcomfortlessandextremelydisagreeable.Therudedoorhangsongreatwoodenhinges.Inoneendisconstructedanawkwardfire-place.

Anhourbeforedaylightthehornisblown.Thentheslavesarouse,preparetheirbreakfast,fillagourdwith

water,inanotherdeposittheirdinnerofcoldbaconandcorncake,andhurrytothefieldagain.Itisanoffenceinvariablyfollowedbyaflogging,tobefoundatthequartersafterdaybreak.Thenthefearsandlaborsofanotherdaybegin;anduntilitsclosethereisnosuchthingasrest.Hefearshewillbecaughtlaggingthroughtheday;hefearstoapproachthegin-housewithhisbasket-

loadofcottonatnight;hefears,whenheliesdown,thathewilloversleephimselfinthemorning.Suchisatrue,faithful,unexaggeratedpictureanddescriptionoftheslave’sdailylife,duringthetimeofcotton-picking,ontheshoresofBayouBœuf.

InthemonthofJanuary,generally,thefourthandlastpickingiscompleted.Thencommencestheharvestingof

corn.Thisisconsideredasecondarycrop,andreceivesfarlessattentionthanthecotton.Itisplanted,asalreadymentioned,inFebruary.Cornisgrowninthatregionforthepurposeoffatteninghogsandfeedingslaves;verylittle,ifany,beingsenttomarket.Itisthewhitevariety,theearofgreatsize,andthestalkgrowingtotheheightofeight,andoftentimestenfeet.InAugustthe

leavesarestrippedoff,driedinthesun,boundinsmallbundles,andstoredawayasprovenderforthemulesandoxen.Afterthistheslavesgothroughthefield,turningdowntheear,forthepurposeofkeepingtherainsfrompenetratingtothegrain.Itisleftinthisconditionuntilaftercotton-pickingisover,whetherearlierorlater.Thentheearsareseparatedfromthestalks,anddepositedin

thecorncribwiththehuskson;otherwise,strippedofthehusks,theweevilwoulddestroyit.Thestalksareleftstandinginthefield.

TheCarolina,orsweetpotato,isalsogrowninthatregiontosomeextent.Theyarenotfed,however,tohogsorcattle,andareconsideredbutofsmallimportance.Theyarepreservedbyplacingthemuponthesurfaceofthe

ground,withaslightcoveringofearthorcornstalks.ThereisnotacellaronBayouBœuf.Thegroundissolowitwouldfillwithwater.Potatoesareworthfromtwotothree“bits,”orshillingsabarrel;corn,exceptwhenthereisanunusualscarcity,canbepurchasedatthesamerate.

Assoonasthecottonandcorncropsaresecured,the

stalksarepulledup,thrownintopilesandburned.Theploughsarestartedatthesametime,throwingupthebedsagain,preparatorytoanotherplanting.Thesoil,intheparishesofRapidesandAvoyelles,andthroughoutthewholecountry,sofarasmyobservationextended,isofexceedingrichnessandfertility.Itisakindofmarl,ofabrownorreddishcolor.Itdoesnotrequirethose

invigoratingcompostsnecessarytomorebarrenlands,andonthesamefieldthesamecropisgrownformanysuccessiveyears.

Ploughing,planting,pickingcotton,gatheringthecorn,andpullingandburningstalks,occupiesthewholeofthefourseasonsoftheyear.Drawingandcuttingwood,pressingcotton,fatteningandkillinghogs,arebut

incidentallabors.

InthemonthofSeptemberorOctober,thohogsarerunoutoftheswampsbydogs,andconfinedinpens.Onacoldmorning,generallyaboutNewYear’sday,theyareslaughtered.Eachcarcassiscutintosixparts,andpiledoneabovetheotherinsalt,uponlargetablesinthesmoke-house.Inthisconditionitremainsa

fortnight,whenitishungup,andafirebuilt,andcontinuedmorethanhalfthetimeduringtheremainderoftheyear.Thisthoroughsmokingisnecessarytopreventthebaconfrombecominginfestedwithworms.Insowarmaclimateitisdifficulttopreserveit,andverymanytimesmyselfandmycompanionshavereceivedourweeklyallowanceofthreepoundsandahalf,when

itwasfullofthesedisgustingvermin.

Althoughtheswampsareoverrunwithcattle,theyarenevermadethesourceofprofit,toanyconsiderableextent.Theplantercutshismarkupontheear,orbrandshisinitialsupontheside,andturnsthemintotheswamps,toroamunrestrictedwithintheiralmostlimitlessconfines.Theyarethe

Spanishbreed,smallandspike-horned.IhaveknownofdrovesbeingtakenfromBayouBœuf,butitisofveryrareoccurrence.Thevalueofthebestcowsisaboutfivedollarseach.Twoquartsatonemilking,wouldbeconsideredanunusuallargequantity.Theyfurnishlittletallow,andthatofasoft,inferiorquality.Notwithstandingthegreatnumberofcowsthatthrong

theswamps,theplantersareindebtedtotheNorthfortheircheeseandbutter,whichispurchasedintheNew-Orleansmarket.Saltedbeefisnotanarticleoffoodeitherinthegreathouse,orinthecabin.

MasterEppswasaccustomedtoattendshootingmatchesforthepurposeofobtainingwhatfreshbeefherequired.These

sportsoccurredweeklyattheneighboringvillageofHolmesville.Fatbeevesaredriventhitherandshotat,astipulatedpricebeingdemandedfortheprivilege.Theluckymarksmandividesthefleshamonghisfellows,andinthismannertheattendingplantersaresupplied.

Thegreatnumberoftameanduntamedcattlewhich

swarmthewoodsandswampsofBayouBœuf,mostprobablysuggestedthatappellationtotheFrench,inasmuchastheterm,translated,signifiesthecreekorriverofthewildox.

Gardenproducts,suchascabbages,turnipsandthelike,arecultivatedfortheuseofthemasterandhisfamily.Theyhavegreensandvegetablesatalltimesand

seasonsoftheyear.“Thegrasswitherethandtheflowerfadeth”beforethedesolatingwindsofautumninthechillnorthernlatitudes,butperpetualverdureoverspreadsthehotlowlands,andflowersbloomintheheartofwinter,intheregionofBayouBœuf.

Therearenomeadowsappropriatedtothecultivationofthegrasses.Theleavesof

thecornsupplyasufficiencyoffoodforthelaboringcattle,whiletherestprovideforthemselvesalltheyearintheever-growingpasture.

Therearemanyotherpeculiaritiesofclimate,habit,custom,andofthemanneroflivingandlaboringattheSouth,buttheforegoing,itissupposed,willgivethereaderaninsightandgeneralideaoflifeonacottonplantationin

Louisiana.Themodeofcultivatingcane,andtheprocessofsugarmanufacturing,willbementionedinanotherplace.

CHAPTERXIIITHECURIOUSAXE-HEIVE—SYMPTOMSOFAPPROACHINGILLNESS—CONTINUESTODECLINE—THEWHIPINEFFECTUAL—CONFINEDTOTHECABIN—VISITBYDR.

WINES—PARTIALRECOVERY—FAILUREATCOTTONPICKING—WHATMAYBEHEARDONEPPS’PLANTATION—LASHESGRADUATED—EPPSINAWHIPPINGMOOD—EPPSINADANCINGMOODDESCRIPTIONOFTHEDANCE—LOSSOFRESTNOEXCUSE—EPPS’CHARACTERISTICS—

JIMBURNSREMOVALFROMHUFFPOWERTOBAYOUBŒUF—DESCRIPTIONOFUNCLEABRAM;OFWILEY;OFAUNTPHEBE;OFBOB,HENRY,ANDEDWARD;OFPATSEY;WITHAGENEALOGICALACCOUNTOFEACH—SOMETHINGOFTHEIRPASTHISTORY,ANDPECULIAR

CHARACTERISTICS—JEALOUSYANDLUST—PATSY,THEVICTIM.

ONmyarrivalatMasterEpps’,inobediencetohisorder,thefirstbusinessuponwhichIenteredwasthemakingofanaxe-helve.Thehandlesinusetherearesimplyaround,straightstick.Imadeacrookedone,shapedlikethosetowhichIhadbeen

accustomedattheNorth.Whenfinished,andpresentedtoEpps,helookedatitwithastonishment,unabletodetermineexactlywhatitwas.Hehadneverbeforeseensuchahandle,andwhenIexplaineditsconveniences,hewasforciblystruckwiththenoveltyoftheidea.Hekeptitinthehousealongtime,andwhenhisfriendscalled,waswonttoexhibititasacuriosity.

Itwasnowtheseasonofhoeing.Iwasfirstsentintothecorn-field,andafterwardssettoscrapingcotton.InthisemploymentIremaineduntilhoeingtimewasnearlypassed,whenIbegantoexperiencethesymptomsofapproachingillness.Iwasattackedwithchills,whichweresucceededbyaburningfever.Ibecameweakandemaciated,andfrequentlysodizzythatitcausedmetoreel

andstaggerlikeadrunk-onman.Nevertheless,Iwascompelledtokeepupmyrow.WheninhealthIfoundlittledifficultyinkeepingpacewithmyfellow-laborers,butnowitseemedtobeanutterimpossibility.OftenIfellbehind,whenthedriver’slashwassuretogreetmyback,infusingintomysickanddroopingbodyalittletemporaryenergy.Icontinuedtodeclineuntilat

lengththewhipbecameentirelyineffectual.Thesharpeststingoftherawhidecouldnotarouseme.Finally,inSeptember,whenthebusyseasonofcottonpickingwasathand,Iwasunabletoleavemycabin.UptothistimeIhadreceivednomedicine,noranyattentionfrommymasterormistress.Theoldcookvisitedmeoccasionally,preparingmecorn-coffee,andsometimesboilingabit

ofbacon,whenIhadgrowntoofeebletoaccomplishitmyself.

WhenitwassaidthatIwoulddie,MasterEpps,unwillingtobeartheloss,whichthedeathofananimalworthathousanddollarswouldbringuponhim,concludedtoincurtheexpenseofsendingtoHolmesvilleforDr.Wines.HeannouncedtoEppsthatit

wastheeffectoftheclimate,andtherewasaprobabilityofhislosingme.Hedirectedmetoeatnomeat,andtopartakeofnomorefoodthanwasabsolutelynecessarytosustainlife.Severalweekselapsed,duringwhichtime,underthescantydiettowhichIwassubjected,Ihadpartiallyrecovered.Onemorning,longbeforeIwasinaproperconditiontolabor,Eppsappearedatthecabin

door,and,presentingmeasack,orderedmetothecottonfield.AtthistimeIhadhadnoexperiencewhateverincottonpicking.Itwasanawkwardbusinessindeed.Whileothersusedbothhands,snatchingthecottonanddepositingitinthemouthofthesack,withaprecisionanddexteritythatwasincomprehensibletome,Ihadtoseizethebollwithonehand,anddeliberatelydraw

outthewhite,gushingblossomwiththeother.

Depositingthecottoninthesack,moreover,wasadifficultythatdemandedtheexerciseofbothhandsandeyes.Iwascompelledtopickitfromthegroundwhereitwouldfall,nearlyasoftenasfromthestalkwhereithadgrown.Imadehavocalsowiththebranches,loadedwiththeyetunbrokenbolls,

thelong,cumbersomesackswingingfromsidetosideinamannernotallowableinthecottonfield.AfteramostlaboriousdayIarrivedatthegin-housewithmyload.Whenthescaledetermineditsweighttobeonlyninety-fivepounds,nothalfthequantityrequiredofthepoorestpicker,Eppsthreatenedtheseverestflogging,butinconsiderationofmybeinga“rawhand,”concludedtopardonmeon

thatoccasionThefollowingday,andmanydayssucceeding,Ireturnedatnightwithnobettersuccess—Iwasevidentlynotdesignedforthatkindoflabor.Ihadnotthegift—thedexterousfingersandquickmotionofPatsey,whocouldflyalongonesideofarowofcotton,strippingitofitsundefiledandfleecywhitenessmiraculouslyfast.Practiceandwhippingwere

alikeunavailing,andEpps,satisfiedofitatlast,sworeIwasadisgrace—thatIwasnotfittoassociatewithacotton-picking“nigger”—thatIcouldnotpickenoughinadaytopaythetroubleofweighingit,andthatIshouldgointothecottonfieldnomore.Iwasnowemployedincuttingandhaulingwood,drawingcottonfromthefieldtothegin-house,andperformedwhateverother

servicewasrequired.SufficetosayIwasneverpermittedtobeidle.

Itwasrarelythatadaypassedbywithoutoneormorewhippings.Thisoccurredatthetimethecottonwasweighed.Thedelinquent,whoseweighthadfallenshort,wastakenout,stripped,madetolieupontheground,facedownwards,whenhereceiveda

punishmentproportionedtohisoffence.Itistheliteral,unvarnishedtruth,thatthecrackofthelash,andtheshriekingoftheslaves,canbeheardfromdarktillbedtime,onEpps’plantation,anydayalmostduringtheentireperiodofthecotton-pickingseason.

Thenumberoflashesisgraduatedaccordingtothenatureofthecase.Twenty-

fivearedeemedamerebrush,inflicted,forinstance,whenadryleaforpieceofbollisfoundinthecotton,orwhenabranchisbrokeninthefield;fiftyistheordinarypenaltyfollowingalldelinquenciesofthenexthighergrade;onehundrediscalledsevere:itisthepunishmentinflictedfortheseriousoffenceofstandingidleinthefield;fromonehundredandfiftytotwohundredisbestowed

uponhimwhoquarrelswithhiscabin-mates,andfivehundred,welllaidon,besidesthemanglingofthedogs,perhaps,iscertaintoconsignthepoor,unpitiedrunawaytoweeksofpainandagony.

DuringthetwoyearsEppsremainedontheplantationatBayouHuffPower,hewasinthehabit,asoftenasonceinafortnightatleast,ofcominghomeintoxicatedfrom

Holmesville.Theshooting-matchesalmostinvariablyconcludedwithadebauch.Atsuchtimeshewasboisterousandhalf-crazy.Oftenhewouldbreakthedishes,chairs,andwhateverfurniturehecouldlayhishandson.Whensatisfiedwithhisamusementinthehouse,hewouldseizethewhipandwalkforthintotheyard.Thenitbehoovedtheslavestobewatchfulandexceedingwary.

Thefirstonewhocamewithinreachfeltthesmartofhislash.Sometimesforhourshewouldkeepthemrunninginalldirections,dodgingaroundthecornersofthecabins.Occasionallyhewouldcomeupononeunawares,andifhesucceededininflictingafair,roundblow,itwasafeatthatmuchdelightedhim.Theyoungerchildren,andtheaged,whohadbecome

inactive,sufferedthen.Inthemidstoftheconfusionhewouldslilytakehisstandbehindacabin,waitingwithraisedwhip,todashitintothefirstblackfacethatpeepedcautiouslyaroundthecorner.

Atothertimeshewouldcomehomeinalessbrutalhumor.Thentheremustbeamerry-making.Thenallmustmovetothemeasureofatune.ThenMasterEppsmust

needsregalehismelodiousearswiththemusicofafiddle.Thendidhebecomebuoyant,elastic,gaily“trippingthelightfantastictoe”aroundthepiazzaandallthroughthehouse.

Tibeats,atthetimeofmysale,hadinformedhimIcouldplayontheviolin.HehadreceivedhisinformationfromFord.ThroughtheimportunitiesofMistress

Epps,herhusbandhadbeeninducedtopurchasemeoneduringavisittoNew-Orleans.FrequentlyIwascalledintothehousetoplaybeforethefamily,mistressbeingpassionatelyfondofmusic.

Allofuswouldbeassembledinthelargeroomofthegreathouse,wheneverEppscamehomeinoneofhisdancingmoods.Nomatterhowwornoutandtiredwe

were,theremustbeageneraldance.Whenproperlystationedonthefloor,Iwouldstrikeupatune.

“Dance,youd—dniggers,dance,”Eppswouldshout.

Thentheremustbenohaltingordelay,nosloworlanguidmovements;allmustbebrisk,andlively,andalert.“Upanddown,heelandtoe,andawaywego,”wastheorderofthehour.Epps’

portlyformmingledwiththoseofhisduskyslaves,movingrapidlythroughallthemazesofthedance.

Usuallyhiswhipwasinhishand,readytofallabouttheearsofthepresumptuousthrall,whodaredtorestamoment,orevenstoptocatchhisbreath.Whenhewashimselfexhausted,therewouldbeabriefcessation,butitwouldbeverybrief.

Withaslash,andcrack,andflourishofthewhip,hewouldshoutagain,“Dance,niggers,dance,”andawaytheywouldgooncemore,pell-mell,whileI,spurredbyanoccasionalsharptouchofthelash,satinacorner,extractingfrommyviolinamarvelousquick-steppingtune.Themistressoftenupbraidedhim,declaringshewouldreturntoherfather’shouseatCheneyville;

nevertheless,thereweretimesshecouldnotrestrainaburstoflaughter,onwitnessinghisuproariouspranks.Frequently,wewerethusdetaineduntilalmostmorning.Bentwithexcessivetoil—actuallysufferingforalittlerefreshingrest,andfeelingratherasifwecouldcastourselvesupontheearthandweep,manyanightinthehouseofEdwinEppshavehisunhappyslavesbeenmadeto

danceandlaugh.

Notwithstandingthesedeprivationsinordertogratifythewhimofanunreasonablemaster,wehadtobeinthefieldassoonasitwaslight,andduringthedayperformtheordinaryandaccustomedtask.Suchdeprivationscouldnotbeurgedatthescalesinextenuationofanylackofweight,orinthecornfieldfor

nothoeingwiththeusualrapidity.Thewhippingswerejustassevereasifwehadgoneforthinthemorning,strengthenedandinvigoratedbyanight’srepose.Indeed,aftersuchfranticrevels,hewasalwaysmoresourandsavagethanbefore,punishingforslightercauses,andusingthewhipwithincreasedandmorevindictiveenergy.

TenyearsItoiledforthat

manwithoutreward.Tenyearsofmyincessantlaborhascontributedtoincreasethebulkofhispossessions.TenyearsIwascompelledtoaddresshimwithdown-casteyesanduncoveredhead—intheattitudeandlanguageofaslave.Iamindebtedtohimfornothing,saveundeservedabuseandstripes.

Beyondthereachofhisinhumanthong,andstanding

onthesoilofthefreeStatewhereIwasborn,thanksbetoHeaven,Icanraisemyheadoncemoreamongmen.IcanspeakofthewrongsIhavesuffered,andofthosewhoinflictedthem,withupraisedeyes.ButIhavenodesiretospeakofhimoranyotheroneotherwisethantruthfully.YettospeaktruthfullyofEdwinEppswouldbetosay—heisamaninwhoseheartthequalityof

kindnessorofjusticeisnotfound.Arough,rudeenergy,unitedwithanuncultivatedmindandanavariciousspirit,arehisprominentcharacteristics.Heisknownasa“niggerbreaker,”distinguishedforhisfacultyofsubduingthespiritoftheslave,andpridinghimselfuponhisreputationinthisrespect,asajockeyboastsofhisskillinmanagingarefractoryhorse.Helooked

uponacoloredman,notasahumanbeing,responsibletohisCreatorforthesmalltalententrustedtohim,butasa“chattelpersonal,”asmereliveproperty,nobetter,exceptinvalue,thanhismuleordog.Whentheevidence,clearandindisputable,waslaidbeforehimthatIwasafreeman,andasmuchentitledtomylibertyashe—when,onthedayIleft,hewasinformedthatIhada

wifeandchildren,asdeartomeashisownbabestohim,heonlyravedandswore,denouncingthelawthattoremefromhim,anddeclaringhewouldfindoutthemanwhohadforwardedtheletterthatdisclosedtheplaceofmycaptivity,iftherewasanyvirtueorpowerinmoney,andwouldtakehislife.Hethoughtofnothingbuthisloss,andcursedmeforhavingbeenbornfree.He

couldhavestoodunmovedandseenthetonguesofhispoorslavestornoutbytheroots—hecouldhaveseenthemburnedtoashesoveraslowfire,orgnawedtodeathbydogs,ifitonlybroughthimprofit.Suchahard,cruel,unjustmanisEdwinEpps.

TherewasbutonegreatersavageonBayouBœufthanhe.JimBurns’plantationwascultivated,asalready

mentioned,exclusivelybywomen.Thatbarbariankepttheirbackssosoreandraw,thattheycouldnotperformthecustomarylabordemandeddailyoftheslave.Heboastedofhiscruelty,andthroughallthecountryroundwasaccountedamorethorough-going,energeticmanthanevenEpps.Abrutehimself,JimBurnshadnotaparticleofmercyforhissubjectbrutes,andlikeafool,

whippedandscourgedawaytheverystrengthuponwhichdependedhisamountofgain.

EppsremainedonHuffPowertwoyears,when,havingaccumulatedaconsiderablesumofmoney,heexpendeditinthepurchaseoftheplantationontheeastbankofBayouBœuf,wherehestillcontinuestoreside.Hetookpossessionofitin1845,aftertheholidays

werepassed.Hecarriedthitherwithhimnineslaves,allofwhom,exceptmyself,andSusan,whohassincedied,remainthereyet.Hemadenoadditiontothisforce,andforeightyearsthefollowingweremycompanionsinhisquarters,viz:Abram,Wiley,Phebe,Bob,Henry,Edward,andPatsey.Allthese,exceptEdward,bornsince,werepurchasedoutofadroveby

EppsduringthetimehewasoverseerforArchyB.Williams,whoseplantationissituatedontheshoreofRedRiver,notfarfromAlexandria.

Abramwastall,standingafullheadaboveanycommonman.Heissixtyyearsofage,andwasborninTennessee.Twentyyearsago,hewaspurchasedbyatrader,carriedintoSouthCarolina,andsold

toJamesBuford,ofWilliamsburghcounty,inthatState.Inhisyouthhewasrenownedforhisgreatstrength,butageandunremittingtoilhavesomewhatshatteredhispowerfulframeandenfeebledhismentalfaculties.

Wileyisforty-eight.HewasbornontheestateofWilliamTassle,andformanyyearstookchargeofthat

gentleman’sferryovertheBigBlackRiver,inSouthCarolina.

PhebewasaslaveofBuford,Tassle’sneighbor,andhavingmarriedWiley,heboughtthelatter,atherinstigation.Bufordwasakindmaster,sheriffofthecounty,andinthosedaysamanofwealth.

BobandHenryarePhebe’schildren,byaformer

husband,theirfatherhavingbeenabandonedtogiveplacetoWiley.ThatseductiveyouthhadinsinuatedhimselfintoPhebe’saffections,andthereforethefaithlessspousehadgentlykickedherfirsthusbandoutofhercabindoor.EdwardhadbeenborntothemonBayouHuffPower.

Patseyistwenty-three—alsofromBuford’s

plantation.Sheisinnowiseconnectedwiththeothers,butgloriesinthefactthatsheistheoffspringofa“Guineanigger,”broughtovertoCubainaslaveship,andinthecourseoftradetransferredtoBuford,whowashermother’sowner.

This,asIlearnedfromthem,isagenealogicalaccountofmymaster’sslaves.Foryearstheyhad

beentogether.Oftentheyrecalledthememoriesofotherdays,andsighedtoretracetheirstepstotheoldhomeinCarolina.TroublescameupontheirmasterBuford,whichbroughtfargreatertroublesuponthem.Hebecameinvolvedindebt,andunabletobearupagainsthisfailingfortunes,wascompelledtosellthese,andothersofhisslaves.Inachaingangtheyhadbeendriven

frombeyondtheMississippitotheplantationofArchyB.Williams.EdwinEpps,who,foralongwhilehadbeenhisdriverandoverseer,wasaboutestablishinghimselfinbusinessonhisownaccount,atthetimeoftheirarrival,andacceptedtheminpaymentofhiswages.

OldAbramwasakind-heartedbeing—asortofpatriarchamongus,fondof

entertaininghisyoungerbrethrenwithgraveandseriousdiscourse.Hewasdeeplyversedinsuchphilosophyasistaughtinthecabinoftheslave;butthegreatabsorbinghobbyofUncleAbramwasGeneralJackson,whomhisyoungmasterinTennesseehadfollowedtothewars.Helovedtowanderback,inimagination,totheplacewherehewasborn,andto

recountthescenesofhisyouthduringthosestirringtimeswhenthenationwasinarms.Hehadbeenathletic,andmorekeenandpowerfulthanthegeneralityofhisrace,butnowhiseyehadbecomedim,andhisnaturalforceabated.Veryoften,indeed,whilediscussingthebestmethodofbakingthehoe-cake,orexpatiatingatlargeuponthegloryofJackson,hewouldforget

wherehelefthishat,orhishoe,orhisbasket;andthenwouldtheoldmanbelaughedat,ifEppswasabsent,andwhippedifhewaspresent.Sowasheperplexedcontinually,andsighedtothinkthathewasgrowingagedandgoingtodecay.PhilosophyandJacksonandforgetfulnesshadplayedthemischiefwithhim,anditwasevidentthatallofthemcombinedwerefastbringingdownthegrayhairs

ofUncleAbramtothegrave.

AuntPhebehadbeenanexcellentfieldhand,butlatterlywasputintothekitchen,wheresheremained,exceptoccasionally,inatimeofuncommonhurry.Shewasaslyoldcreature,andwhennotinthepresenceofhermistressorhermaster,wasgarrulousintheextreme.

Wiley,onthecontrary,wassilent.Heperformedhistask

withoutmurmurorcomplaint,seldomindulgingintheluxuryofspeech,excepttoutterawishthathewasawayfromEpps,andbackoncemoreinSouthCarolina.

BobandHenryhadreachedtheagesoftwentyandtwenty-three,andweredistinguishedfornothingextraordinaryorunusual,whileEdward,aladof

thirteen,notyetabletomaintainhisrowinthecornorthecottonfield,waskeptinthegreathouse,towaitonthelittleEppses.

Patseywasslimandstraight.Shestooderectasthehumanformiscapableofstanding.Therewasanairofloftinessinhermovement,thatneitherlabor,norweariness,norpunishmentcoulddestroy.Truly,Patsey

wasasplendidanimal,andwereitnotthatbondagehadenshroudedherintellectinutterandeverlastingdarkness,wouldhavebeenchiefamongtenthousandofherpeople.Shecouldleapthehighestfences,andafleethounditwasindeed,thatcouldoutstripherinarace.Nohorsecouldflingherfromhisback.Shewasaskillfulteamster.Sheturnedastrueafurrowasthebest,andat

splittingrailstherewerenonewhocouldexcelher.Whentheordertohaltwasheardatnight,shewouldhavehermulesatthecrib,unharnessed,fedandcurried,beforeuncleAbramhadfoundhishat.Not,however,foralloranyofthese,wasshechieflyfamous.Suchlightning-likemotionwasinherfingersasnootherfingerseverpossessed,andthereforeitwas,thatincottonpicking

time,Patseywasqueenofthefield.

Shehadagenialandpleasanttemper,andwasfaithfulandobedient.Naturally,shewasajoyouscreature,alaughing,light-heartedgirl,rejoicinginthemeresenseofexistence.YetPatseyweptoftener,andsufferedmore,thananyofhercompanions.Shehadbeenliterallyexcoriated.Her

backborethescarsofathousandstripes;notbecauseshewasbackwardinherwork,norbecauseshewasofanunmindfulandrebelliousspirit,butbecauseithadfallentoherlottobetheslaveofalicentiousmasterandajealousmistress.Sheshrankbeforethelustfuleyeoftheone,andwasindangerevenofherlifeatthehandsoftheother,andbetweenthetwo,shewasindeedaccursed.

Inthegreathouse,fordaystogether,therewerehighandangrywords,poutingsandestrangement,whereofshewastheinnocentcause.Nothingdelightedthemistresssomuchastoseehersuffer,andmorethanonce,whenEppshadrefusedtosellher,hasshetemptedmewithbribestoputhersecretlytodeath,andburyherbodyinsomelonelyplaceinthemarginoftheswamp.Gladly

wouldPatseyhaveappeasedthisunforgivingspirit,ifithadbeeninherpower,butnotlikeJoseph,daredsheescapefromMasterEpps,leavinghergarmentinhishand.Patseywalkedunderacloud.Ifsheutteredawordinoppositiontohermaster’swill,thelashwasresortedtoatonce,tobringhertosubjection;ifshewasnotwatchfulwhenabouthercabin,orwhenwalkinginthe

yard,abilletofwood,orabrokenbottleperhaps,hurledfromhermistress’hand,wouldsmiteherunexpectedlyintheface.Theenslavedvictimoflustandhate,Patseyhadnocomfortofherlife.

Theseweremycompanionsandfellow-slaves,withwhomIwasaccustomedtobedriventothefield,andwithwhomithasbeenmylottodwellfor

tenyearsinthelogcabinsofEdwinEpps.They,ifliving,areyettoilingonthebanksofBayouBœuf,neverdestinedtobreathe,asInowdo,theblessedairofliberty,nortoshakeofftheheavyshacklesthatenthrallthem,untiltheyshallliedownforeverinthedust.

CHAPTERXIV.DESTRUCTIONOFTHECOTTONCROPIN1846—DEMANDFORLABORERSINST.MARY’SPARISH—SENTTHITHERINADROVE—THEORDEROFTHEMARCH—THE

GRANDCOTEAU—HIREDTOJUDGETURNERONBAYOUSALLE—APPOINTEDDRIVERINHISSUGARHOUSE—SUNDAYSERVICESSLAVEFURNITURE,HOWOBTAINED—THEPARTYATYARNEY’SINCENTREVILLE—GOODFORTUNE—THECAPTAINOFTHESTEAMER—HIS

REFUSALTOSECRETEME—RETURNTOBAYOUBŒUF—SIGHTOFTIBEATS—PATSEY’SSORROWS—TUMULTANDCONTENTION—HUNTINGTHECOONANDOPOSSUM—THECUNNINGOFTHELATTER—THELEANCONDITIONOFTHESLAVE—DESCRIPTIONOFTHEFISHTRAP—

THEMURDEROFTHEMANFROMNATCHEZ—EPPSCHALLENGEDBYMARSHALL—THEINFLUENCEOFSLAVERY—THELOVEOFFREEDOM.

THEfirstyearofEpps’residenceonthebayou,1845,thecaterpillarsalmosttotallydestroyedthecottoncropthroughoutthatregion.There

waslittletobedone,sothattheslaveswerenecessarilyidlehalfthetime.However,therecamearumortoBayouBœufthatwageswerehigh,andlaborersingreatdemandonthesugarplantationsinSt.Mary’sparish.ThisparishissituatedonthecoastoftheGulfofMexico,aboutonehundredandfortymilesfromAvoyelles.TheRioTeche,aconsiderablestream,flowsthroughSt.Mary’stothe

gulf.

Itwasdeterminedbytheplanters,onthereceiptofthisintelligence,tomakeupadroveofslavestobesentdowntoTuckapawinSt.Mary’s,forthepurposeofhiringthemoutinthecanefields.Accordingly,inthemonthofSeptember,therewereonehundredandforty-sevencollectedatHolmesville,Abram,Boband

myselfamongthenumber.Oftheseaboutone-halfwerewomen.Epps,AlonsonPierce,HenryToler,andAddisonRoberts,werethewhitemen,selectedtoaccompany,andtakechargeofthedrove.Theyhadatwo-horsecarriageandtwosaddlehorsesfortheiruse.Alargewagon,drawnbyfourhorses,anddrivenbyJohn,aboybelongingtoMr.Roberts,carriedtheblanketsand

provisions.

About2o’clockintheafternoon,havingbeenfed,preparationsweremadetodepart.Thedutyassignedmewas,totakechargeoftheblanketsandprovisions,andseethatnonewerelostbytheway.Thecarriageproceededinadvance,thewagonfollowing;behindthistheslaveswerearranged,whilethetwohorsemenbroughtup

therear,andinthisordertheprocessionmovedoutofHolmesville.

ThatnightwereachedaMr.McCrow’splantation,adistanceoftenorfifteenmiles,whenwewereorderedtohalt.Largefireswerebuilt,andeachonespreadinghisblanketontheground,laiddownuponit.Thewhitemenlodgedinthegreathouse.Anhourbeforedaywewere

arousedbythedriverscomingamongus,crackingtheirwhipsandorderingustoarise.Thentheblanketswererolledup,andbeingseverallydeliveredtomeanddepositedinthewagon,theprocessionsetforthagain.

Thefollowingnightitrainedviolently.Wewerealldrenched,ourclothessaturatedwithmudandwater.Reachinganopenshed,

formerlyagin-house,wefoundbeneathitsuchshelterasitafforded.Therewasnotroomforallofustolaydown.Thereweremained,huddledtogether,throughthenight,continuingourmarch,asusual,inthemorning.Duringthejourneywewerefedtwiceaday,boilingourbaconandbakingourcorn-cakeatthefiresinthesamemannerasinourhuts.WepassedthroughLafayetteville,

Mountsville,New-Town,toCentreville,whereBobandUncleAbramwerehired.Ournumberdecreasedasweadvanced—nearlyeverysugarplantationrequiringtheservicesofoneormore.

OnourroutewepassedtheGrandCoteauorprairie,avastspaceoflevel,monotonouscountry,withoutatree,exceptanoccasionalonewhichhadbeen

transplantednearsomedilapidateddwelling.Itwasoncethicklypopulated,andundercultivation,butforsomecausehadbeenabandoned.Thebusinessofthescatteredinhabitantsthatnowdwelluponitisprincipallyraisingcattle.Immenseherdswerefeedingnponitaswepassed.InthecentreoftheGrandCoteauonefeelsasifhewereontheocean,outofsightofland.As

farastheeyecansee,inalldirections,itisbutaruinedanddesertedwaste.

IwashiredtoJudgeTurner,adistinguishedmanandextensiveplanter,whoselargeestateissituatedonBayouSalle,withinafewmilesofthegulf.BayouSalleisasmallstreamflowingintothebayofAtchafalaya.ForsomedaysIwasemployedatTurner’sin

repairinghissugarhouse,whenacaneknifewasputintomyhand,andwiththirtyorfortyothers,Iwassentintothefield.IfoundnosuchdifficultyinlearningtheartofcuttingcanethatIhadinpickingcotton.Itcametomenaturallyandintuitively,andinashorttimeIwasabletokeepupwiththefastestknife.Beforethecuttingwasover,however,JudgeTannertransferredmefromthefield

tothesugarhouse,toactthereinthecapacityofdriver.Fromthetimeofthecommencementofsugarmakingtotheclose,thegrindingandboilingdoesnotceasedayornight.Thewhipwasgivenmewithdirectionstouseituponanyonewhowascaughtstandingidle.IfIfailedtoobeythemtotheletter,therewasanotheroneformyownback.Inadditiontothismydutywastocallon

andoffthedifferentgangsatthepropertime.Ihadnoregularperiodsofrest,andcouldneversnatchbutafewmomentsofsleepatatime.

ItisthecustominLouisiana,asIpresumeitisinotherslaveStates,toallowtheslavetoretainwhatevercompensationhemayobtainforservicesperformedonSundays.Inthisway,only,aretheyabletoprovide

themselveswithanyluxuryorconveniencewhatever.Whenaslave,purchased,orkidnappedintheNorth,istransportedtoacabinonBayouBœuf,heisfurnishedwithneitherknife,norforknordish,norkettle,noranyotherthingintheshapeofcrockery,orfurnitureofanynatureordescription.Heisfurnishedwithablanketbeforehereachesthere,andwrappingthataroundhim,he

caneitherstandup,orliedownupontheground,oronaboard,ifhismasterhasnouseforit.Heisatlibertytofindagourdinwhichtokeephismeal,orhecaneathiscornfromthecob,justashepleases.Toaskthemasterforaknife,orskillet,oranysmallconvenienceofthekind,wouldbeansweredwithakick,orlaughedatasajoke.Whatevernecessaryarticleofthisnatureisfound

inacabinhasbeenpurchasedwithSundaymoney.Howeverinjurioustothemorals,itiscertainlyablessingtothephysicalconditionoftheslave,tobepermittedtobreaktheSabbath.Otherwisetherewouldbenowaytoprovidehimselfwithanyutensils,whichseemtobeindispensabletohimwhoiscompelledtobehisowncook.

Oncaneplantationsinsugartime,thereisnodistinctionastothedaysoftheweek.ItiswellunderstoodthatallhandsmustlaborontheSabbath,anditisequallywellunderstoodthatthoseespeciallywhoarehired,asIwastoJudgeTurner,andothersinsucceedingyears,shallreceiveremunerationforit.Itisusual,also,inthemosthurryingtimeofcotton-

picking,torequirethesameextraservice.Fromthissource,slavesgenerallyareaffordedanopportunityofearningsufficienttopurchaseaknife,akettle,tobaccoandsoforth.Thefemales,discardingthelatterluxury,areapttoexpendtheirlittlerevenueinthepurchaseofgaudyribbons,wherewithaltodecktheirhairinthemerryseasonoftheholidays.

IremainedinSt.Mary’suntilthefirstofJanuary,duringwhichtimemySundaymoneyamountedtotendollars.Imetwithothergoodfortune,forwhichIwasindebtedtomyviolin,myconstantcompanion,thesourceofprofit,andsootherofmysorrowsduringyearsofservitude.TherewasagrandpartyofwhitesassembledatMr.Yarney’s,inCentreville,ahamletinthevicinityof

Turner’splantation.Iwasemployedtoplayforthem,andsowellpleasedwerethemerry-makerswithmyperformance,thatacontributionwastakenformybenefit,whichamountedtoseventeendollars.

Withthissuminpossession,Iwaslookeduponbymyfellowsasamillionaire.Itaffordedmegreatpleasuretolookatit—

tocountitoverandoveragain,dayafterday.Visionsofcabinfurniture,ofwaterpails,ofpocketknives,newshoesandcoatsandhats,floatedthroughmyfancy,andupthroughallrosethetriumphantcontemplation,thatIwasthewealthiest“nigger”onBayouBœuf.

VesselsrunuptheRioTechetoCentreville.Whilethere,Iwasboldenoughone

daytopresentmyselfbeforethecaptainofasteamer,andbegpermissiontohidemyselfamongthefreight.Iwasemboldenedtoriskthehazardofsuchastep,fromoverhearingaconversation,inthecourseofwhichIascertainedhewasanativeoftheNorth.Ididnotrelatetohimtheparticularsofmyhistory,butonlyexpressedanardentdesiretoescapefromslaverytoafreeState.He

pitiedme,butsaiditwouldbeimpossibletoavoidthevigilantcustomhouseofficersinNew-Orleans,andthatdetectionwouldsubjecthimtopunishment,andhisvesseltoconfiscation.Myearnestentreatiesevidentlyexcitedhissympathies,anddoubtlesshewouldhaveyieldedtothem,couldhehavedonesowithanykindofsafety.Iwascompelledtosmotherthesuddenflamethatlightedup

mybosomwithsweethopesofliberation,andturnmystepsoncemoretowardstheincreasingdarknessofdespair.

ImmediatelyafterthiseventthedroveassembledatCentreville,andseveraloftheownershavingarrivedandcollectedthemoniesdueforourservices,weweredrivenbacktoBayouBœuf.Itwasonourreturn,whilepassing

throughasmallvillage,thatIcaughtsightofTibeats,seatedinthedoorofadirtygrocery,lookingsomewhatseedyandoutofrepair.Passionandpoorwhisky,Idoubtnot,haveerethislaidhimontheshelf.

Duringourabsence,IlearnedfromAuntPhebeandPatsey,thatthelatterhadbeengettingdeeperanddeeperintotrouble.Thepoor

girlwastrulyanobjectofpity.“OldHogjaw,”thenamebywhichEppswascalled,whentheslaveswerebythemselves,hadbeatenhermoreseverelyandfrequentlythanever.AssurelyashecamefromHolmesville,elatedwithliquor—anditwasofteninthosedays—hewouldwhipher,merelytogratifythemistress;wouldpunishhertoanextentalmostbeyondendurance,foran

offenceofwhichhehimselfwasthesoleandirresistiblecause.Inhissobermomentshecouldnotalwaysbeprevailedupontoindulgehiswife’sinsatiablethirstforvengeance.

ToberidofPatsey—toplaceherbeyondsightorreach,bysale,ordeath,orinanyothermanner,oflateyears,seemedtobetherulingthoughtandpassionofmy

mistress.Patseyhadbeenafavoritewhenachild,eveninthegreathouse.Shehadbeenpettedandadmiredforheruncommonsprightlinessandpleasantdisposition.Shehadbeenfedmanyatime,soUncleAbramsaid,evenonbiscuitandmilk,whenthemadam,inheryoungerdays,waswonttocallhertothepiazza,andfondleherasshewouldaplayfulkitten.Butasadchangehadcomeoverthe

spiritofthewoman.Now,onlyblackandangryfiendsministeredinthetempleofherheart,untilshecouldlookonPatseybutwithconcentratedvenom.

MistressEppswasnotnaturallysuchanevilwoman,afterall.Shewaspossessedofthedevil,jealousy,itistrue,butasidefromthat,therewasmuchinhercharactertoadmire.Herfather,Mr.

Roberts,residedinCheneyville,aninfluentialandhonorableman,andasmuchrespectedthroughouttheparishasanyothercitizen.ShehadbeenwelleducatedatsomeinstitutionthissidetheMississippi;wasbeautiful,accomplished,andusuallygood-humored.ShewaskindtoallofusbutPatsey—frequently,intheabsenceofherhusband,sendingouttoussomelittle

daintyfromherowntable.Inothersituations—inadifferentsocietyfromthatwhichexistsontheshoresofBayouBœuf,shewouldhavebeenpronouncedanelegantandfascinatingwoman.AnillwinditwasthatblewherintothearmsofEpps.

Herespectedandlovedhiswifeasmuchasacoarsenaturelikehisiscapableofloving,butsupremesel

fishnessalwaysovermasteredconjugalaffection.

“Helovedaswellasbasernaturescan,Butameanheartandsoulwereinthatman.”

Hewasreadytogratifyanywhim—tograntanyrequestshemade,provideditdidnotcosttoomuch.Patseywas

equaltoanytwoofhisslavesinthecottonfield.Hecouldnotreplaceherwiththesamemoneyshewouldbring.Theideaofdisposingofher,therefore,couldnotbeentertained.Themistressdidnotregardheratallinthatlight.Theprideofthehaughtywomanwasaroused;thebloodofthefierysouthernboiledatthesightofPatsey,andnothinglessthantramplingoutthelifeofthe

helplessbondwomanwouldsatisfyher.

Sometimesthecurrentofherwrathturneduponhimwhomshehadjustcausetohate.Butthestormofangrywordswouldpassoveratlength,andtherewouldbeaseasonofcalmagain.AtsuchtimesPatseytrembledwithfear,andcriedasifherheartwouldbreak,forsheknewfrompainfulexperience,that

ifmistressshouldworkherselftothered-hotpitchofrage,EppswouldquietheratlastwithapromisethatPatseyshouldbeflogged—apromisehewassuretokeep.Thusdidpride,andjealousy,andvengeancewarwithavariceandbrute-passioninthemansionofmymaster,fillingitwithdailytumultandcontention.Thus,upontheheadofPatsey—thesimple-mindedslave,inwhoseheart

Godhadimplantedtheseedsofvirtue—theforceofallthesedomestictempestsspentitselfatlast.

DuringthesummersucceedingmyreturnfromSt.Mary’sparish,Iconceivedaplanofprovidingmyselfwithfood,which,thoughsimple,succeededbeyondexpectation.Ithasbeenfollowedbymanyothersinmycondition,upanddown

thebayou,andofsuchbenefithasitbecomethatIamalmostpersuadedtolookuponmyselfasabenefactor.Thatsummerthewormsgotintothebacon.Nothingbutravenoushungercouldinduceustoswallowit.Theweeklyallowanceofmealscarcelysufficedtosatisfyus.Itwascustomarywithus,asitiswithallinthatregion,wheretheallowanceisexhaustedbeforeSaturdaynight,orisin

suchastateastorenderitnauseousanddisgusting,tohuntintheswampsforcoonandopossum.This,however,mustbedoneatnight,aftertheday’sworkisaccomplished.Thereareplanterswhoseslaves,formonthsatatime,havenoothermeatthansuchasisobtainedinthismanner.Noobjectionsaremadetohunting,inasmuchasitdispenseswithdraftsupon

thesmoke-house,andbecauseeverymaraudingcoonthatiskilledissomuchsavedfromthestandingcorn.Theyarehuntedwithdogsandclubs,slavesnotbeingallowedtheuseoffire-arms.

Thefleshofthecoonispalatable,butverilythereisnothinginallbutcherdomsodeliciousasaroasted‘possum.Theyarearound,ratherlong-bodied,little

animal,ofawhitishcolor,withnoselikeapig,andcaudalextremitylikearat.Theyburrowamongtherootsandinthehollowsofthegumtree,andareclumsyandslowofmotion.Theyaredeceitfulandcunningcreatures.Onreceivingtheslightesttapofastick,theywillrolloveronthegroundandfeigndeath.Ifthehunterleaveshim,inpursuitofanother,withoutfirsttakingparticularpainsto

breakhisneck,thechancesare,onhisreturn,heisnottobefound.Thelittleanimalhasoutwittedtheenemy—has“played’possum”—andisoff.Butafteralongandhardday’swork,thewearyslavefeelslittlelikegoingtotheswampforhissupper,andhalfthetimeprefersthrowinghimselfonthecabinfloorwithoutit.Itisfortheinterestofthemasterthattheservantshouldnotsufferinhealth

fromstarvation,anditisalsoforhisinterestthatheshouldnotbecomegrossfromover-feeding.Intheestimationoftheowner,aslaveisthemostserviceablewheninratheraleanandlankcondition,suchaconditionastherace-horseisin,whenfittedforthecourse,andinthatconditiontheyaregenerallytobefoundonthesugarandcottonplantationsalongRedRiver.

Mycabinwaswithinafewrodsofthebayoubank,andnecessitybeingindeedthemotherofinvention,Iresolveduponamodeofobtainingtherequisiteamountoffood,withoutthetroubleofresortingnightlytothewoods.Thiswastoconstructafishtrap.Having,inmymind,conceivedthemannerinwhichitcouldbedone,thenextSundayIsetaboutputtingitintopractical

execution.Itmaybeimpossibleformetoconveytothereaderafullandcorrectideaofitsconstruction,butthefollowingwillserveasageneraldescription:

Aframebetweentwoandthreefeetsquareismade,andofagreaterorlessheight,accordingtothedepthofwater.Boardsorslatsarenailedonthreesidesofthisframe,notsoclosely,

however,astopreventthewatercirculatingfreelythroughit.Adoorisfittedintothefourthside,insuchmannerthatitwillslideeasilyupanddowninthegroovescutinthetwoposts.Amovablebottomisthensofittedthatitcanberaisedtothetopoftheframewithoutdifficulty.Inthecentreofthemovablebottomanaugerholeisbored,andintothisoneendofahandleorround

stickisfastenedontheundersidesolooselythatitwillturn.Thehandleascendsfromthecentreofthemovablebottomtothetopoftheframe,orasmuchhigherasisdesirable.Upanddownthishandle,inagreatmanyplaces,aregimletholes,throughwhichsmallsticksareinserted,extendingtooppositesidesoftheframe.Somanyofthesesmallsticksarerunningoutfromthe

handleinalldirections,thatafishofanyconsiderabledimensionscannotpassthroughwithouthittingoneofthem.Theframeisthenplacedinthewaterandmadestationary.

Thetrapis“set”byslidingordrawingupthedoor,andkeptinthatpositionbyanotherstick,oneendofwhichrestsinanotchontheinnerside,theotherendina

notchmadeinthehandle,runningupfromthecentreofthemovablebottom.Thetrapisbaitedbyrollingahandfulofwetmealandcottontogetheruntilitbecomeshard,anddepositingitinthebackpartoftheframe.Afishswimmingthroughtheupraiseddoortowardsthebait,necessarilystrikesoneofthesmallsticksturningthehandle,whichdisplacingthesticksupportingthedoor,the

latterfalls,securingthefishwithintheframe.Takingholdofthetopofthehandle,themovablebottomisthendrawnuptothesurfaceofthewater,andthefishtakenout.Theremayhavebeenothersuchtrapsinusebeforeminewasconstructed,butiftherewereIhadneverhappenedtoseeone.BayouBœufaboundsinfishoflargesizeandexcellentquality,andafterthistimeIwasvery

rarelyinwantofoneformyself,orformycomrades.Thusaminewasopened—anewresourcewasdeveloped,hithertounthoughtofbytheenslavedchildrenofAfrica,whotoilandhungeralongtheshoresofthatsluggish,butprolificstream.

AboutthetimeofwhichIamnowwriting,aneventoccurredinourimmediateneighborhood,whichmadea

deepimpressionuponme,andwhichshowsthestateofsocietyexistingthere,andthemannerinwhichaffrontsareoftentimesavenged.Directlyoppositeourquarters,ontheothersideofthebayou,wassituatedtheplantationofMr.Marshall.Hebelongedtoafamilyamongthemostwealthyandaristocraticinthecountry.AgentlemanfromthevicinityofNatchezhadbeennegotiatingwithhimfor

thepurchaseoftheestate.Onedayamessengercameingreathastetoourplantation,sayingthatabloodyandfearfulbattlewasgoingonatMarshall’s—thatbloodhadbeenspilled—andunlessthecombatantswereforthwithseparated,theresultwouldbedisastrous.

OnrepairingtoMarshall’shouse,ascenepresenteditselfthatbeggarsdescription.On

thefloorofoneoftheroomslaytheghastlycorpseofthemanfromNatchez,whileMarshall,enragedandcoveredwithwoundsandblood,wasstalkingbackandforth,“breathingoutthreateningsandslaughter.”Adifficultyhadariseninthecourseoftheirnegotiation,highwordsensued,whendrawingtheirweapons,thedeadlystrifebeganthatendedsounfortunately.Marshall

wasneverplacedinconfinement.AsortoftrialorinvestigationwashadatMarksville,whenhewasacquitted,andreturnedtohisplantation,rathermorerespected,asIthought,thanever,fromthefactthatthebloodofafellowbeingwasonhissoul.

Eppsinterestedhimselfinhisbehalf,accompanyinghimtoMarksville,andonall

occasionsloudlyjustifyinghim,buthisservicesinthisrespectdidnotafterwardsdeterakinsmanofthissameMarshallfromseekinghislifealso.Abrawloccurredbetweenthemoveragambling-table,whichterminatedinadeadlyfeud.Ridinguponhorsebackinfrontofthehouseoneday,armedwithpistolsandbowieknife,Marshallchallengedhimtocomeforthandmakea

finalsettlementofthequarrel,orhewouldbrandhimasacoward,andshoothimlikeadogthefirstopportunity.Notthroughcowardice,norfromanyconscientiousscruples,inmyopinion,butthroughtheinfluenceofhiswife,hewasrestrainedfromacceptingthechallengeofhisenemy.Areconciliation,however,waseffectedafterward,sincewhichtimetheyhavebeenontermsoftheclosestintimacy.

Suchoccurrences,whichwouldbringuponthepartiesconcernedinthemmeritedandcondignpunishmentintheNorthernStates,arefrequentonthebayou,andpasswithoutnotice,andalmostwithoutcomment.Everymancarrieshisbowieknife,andwhentwofallout,theysettoworkhackingandthrustingateachother,morelikesavagesthancivilizedandenlightenedbeings.

TheexistenceofSlaveryinitsmostcruelformamongthemhasatendencytobrutalizethehumaneandfinerfeelingsoftheirnature.Dailywitnessesofhumansuffering—listeningtotheagonizingscreechesoftheslave—beholdinghimwrithingbeneaththemercilesslash—bittenandtornbydogs—dyingwithoutattention,andburiedwithoutshroudorcoffin—itcannot

otherwisebeexpected,thanthattheyshouldbecomebrutifiedandrecklessofhumanlife.Itistruetherearemanykind-heartedandgoodmenintheparishofAvoyelles—suchmenasWilliamFord—whocanlookwithpityuponthesufferingsofaslave,justasthereare,overalltheworld,sensitiveandsympatheticspirits,whocannotlookwithindifferenceuponthesufferingsofany

creaturewhichtheAlmightyhasendowedwithlife.Itisnotthefaultoftheslaveholderthatheiscruel,somuchasitisthefaultofthesystemunderwhichhelives.Hecannotwithstandtheinfluenceofhabitandassociationsthatsurroundhim.Taughtfromearliestchildhood,byallthatheseesandhears,thattherodisfortheslave’sback,hewillnotbeapttochangehisopinions

inmatureryears.

Theremaybehumanemasters,astherecertainlyareinhumanones—theremaybeslaveswell-clothed,well-fed,andhappy,astheresurelyarethosehalf-clad,half-starvedandmiserable;nevertheless,theinstitutionthattoleratessuchwrongandinhumanityasIhavewitnessed,isacruel,unjust,andbarbarousone.Menmaywritefictions

portrayinglowlylifeasitis,orasitisnot—mayexpatiatewithowlishgravityupontheblissofignorance—discourseflippantlyfromarmchairsofthepleasuresofslavelife;butletthemtoilwithhiminthefield—sleepwithhiminthecabin—feedwithhimonhusks;letthembeholdhimscourged,hunted,trampledon,andtheywillcomebackwithanotherstoryintheirmouths.Letthemknowthe

heartofthepoorslave—learnhissecretthoughts—thoughtshedarenotutterinthehearingofthewhiteman;letthemsitbyhiminthesilentwatchesofthenight—conversewithhimintrustfulconfidence,of“life,liberty,andthepursuitofhappiness,”andtheywillfindthatninety-nineoutofeveryhundredareintelligentenoughtounderstandtheirsituation,andtocherishintheirbosoms

theloveoffreedom,aspassionatelyasthemselves.

CHAPTERXVLABORSONSUGARPLANTATIONS—THEMODEorPLANTINGCANE—OFHOEINGCANE—CANERICKS—CUTTINGCANE—DESCRIPTIONOFTHECANEKNIFE—

WINROWINGPREPARINGFORSUCCEEDINGCROPS—DESCRIPTIONOF—WINROWING—PREPARINGFORSUCCEEDINGCROPS—DESCRIPTIONOFHAWKINS’SUGARMILLONBAYOUBŒUF—THECHRISTMASHOLIDAYS—THECARNIVALSEASONOFTHECHILDRENOF

BONDAGE—THECHRISTMASSUPPER—RED,THEFAVORITECOLOR—THEVIOLIN,ANDTHECONSOLATIONITAFFORDED—THECHRISTMASDANCE—LIVELY,THECOQUETTE—BAMROBERTS,ANDHISRIVALS—SLAVESONGS—SOUTHERNLIEEASITIS—THREE

DAYSINTHEYEAR—THESYSTEMOFMARRIAGE—UNCLEABRAN’SCONTEMPTOFMATRIMONY.

Inconsequenceofmyinabilityincotton-picking,Eppswasinthehabitofhiringmeoutonsugarplantationsduringtheseasonofcane-cuttingandsugar-making.Hereceivedformy

servicesadollaraday,withthemoneysupplyingmyplaceonhiscottonplantation.Cuttingcanewasanemploymentthatsuitedme,andforthreesuccessiveyearsIheldtheleadrowatHawkins’,leadingagangoffromfiftytoanhundredhands.

Inapreviouschapterthemodeofcultivatingcottonisdescribed.Thismaybethe

properplacetospeakofthemannerofcultivatingcane.

Thegroundispreparedinbeds,thesameasitispreparedforthereceptionofthecottonseed,exceptitisplougheddeeper.Drillsaremadeinthesamemanner.PlantingcommencesinJanuary,andcontinuesuntilApril.Itisnecessarytoplantasugarfieldonlyonceinthreeyears.Threecropsare

takenbeforetheseedorplantisexhausted.

Threegangsareemployedintheoperation.Onedrawsthecanefromtherick,orstack,cuttingthetopandflagsfromthestalk,leavingonlythatpartwhichissoundandhealthy.Eachjointofthecanehasaneye,liketheeyeofapotato,whichsendsforthasproutwhenburiedinthesoil.Anotherganglaysthe

caneinthedrill,placingtwostalkssidebysideinsuchmannerthatjointswilloccuronceinfourorsixinches.Thethirdgangfollowswithhoes,drawingearthuponthestalks,andcoveringthemtothedepthofthreeinches.

Infourweeks,atthefarthest,thesproutsappearabovetheground,andfromthistimeforwardgrowwithgreatrapidity.Asugarfieldis

hoedthreetimes,thesameascotton,savethatagreaterquantityofearthisdrawntotheroots.BythefirstofAugusthoeingisusuallyover.AboutthemiddleofSeptember,whateverisrequiredforseediscutandstackedinricks,astheyaretermed.InOctoberitisreadyforthemillorsugar-house,andthenthegeneralcuttingbegins.Thebladeofacane-knifeisfifteenincheslong,

threeincheswideinthemiddle,andtaperingtowardsthepointandhandle.Thebladeisthin,andinordertobeatallserviceablemustbekeptverysharp.Everythirdhandtakestheleadoftwoothers,oneofwhomisoneachsideofhim.Theleadhand,inthefirstplace,withablowofhisknifeshearstheflagsfromthestalk.Henextcutsoffthetopdownasfarasitisgreen.Hemustbecareful

toseverallthegreenfromtheripepart,inasmuchasthejuiceoftheformersoursthemolasses,andrendersitunsalable.Thenheseversthestalkattheroot,andlaysitdirectlybehindhim.Hisrightandlefthandcompanionslaytheirstalks,whencutinthesamemanner,uponhis.Toeverythreehandsthereisacart,whichfollows,andthestalksarethrownintoitbytheyoungerslaves,whenitis

drawntothesugar-houseandground.

Iftheplanterapprehendsafrost,thecaneiswin-rowed.Winrowingisthecuttingthestalksatanearlyperiodandthrowingthemlengthwiseinthewaterfurrowinsuchamannerthatthetopswillcoverthebuttsofthestalks.Theywillremaininthisconditionthreeweeksoramonthwithoutsouring,and

securefromfrost.Whenthepropertimearrives,theyaretakenup,trimmedandcartedtothesugar-house.

InthemonthofJanuarytheslavesenterthefieldagaintoprepareforanothercrop.Thegroundisnowstrewnwiththetops,andflagscutfromthepastyear’scane.Onadrydayfireissettothiscombustiblerefuse,whichsweepsoverthefield,leaving

itbareandclean,andreadyforthehoes.Theearthisloosenedabouttherootsoftheoldstubble,andinprocessoftimeanothercropspringsupfromthelastyear’sseed.Itisthesametheyearfollowing;butthethirdyeartheseedhasexhausteditsstrength,andthefieldmustbeploughedandplantedagain.Thesecondyearthecaneissweeterandyieldsmorethanthefirst,andthe

thirdyearmorethanthesecond.

DuringthethreeseasonsIlaboredonHawkins’plantation,Iwasemployedaconsiderableportionofthetimeinthesugar-house.Heiscelebratedastheproducerofthefinestvarietyofwhitesugar.Thefollowingisageneraldescriptionofhissugar-houseandtheprocessofmanufacture:

Themillisanimmensebrickbuilding,standingontheshoreofthebayou.Runningoutfromthebuildingisanopenshed,atleastanhundredfeetinlengthandfortyorfiftyfeetinwidth.Theboilerinwhichthesteamisgeneratedissituatedoutsidethemainbuilding;themachineryandenginerestonabrickpier,fifteenfeetabovethefloor,withinthebodyofthe

building.Themachineryturnstwogreatironrollers,betweentwoandthreefeetindiameterandsixoreightfeetinlength.Theyareelevatedabovethebrickpier,androllintowardseachother.Anendlesscarrier,madeofchainandwood,likeleathernbeltsusedinsmallmills,extendsfromtheironrollersoutofthemainbuildingandthroughtheentirelengthoftheopenshed.Thecartsin

whichthecaneisbroughtfromthefieldasfastasitiscut,areunloadedatthesidesoftheshed.Allalongtheendlesscarrierarerangedslavechildren,whosebusinessitistoplacethecaneuponit,whenitisconveyedthroughtheshedintothemainbuilding,whereitfallsbetweentherollers,iscrushed,anddropsuponanothercarrierthatconveysitoutofthemainbuildinginan

oppositedirection,depositingitinthetopofachimneyuponafirebeneath,whichconsumesit.Itisnecessarytoburnitinthismanner,becauseotherwiseitwouldsoonfillthebuilding,andmoreespeciallybecauseitwouldsoonsourandengenderdisease.Thejuiceofthecanefallsintoaconductorunderneaththeironrollers,andiscarriedintoareservoir.Pipesconveyit

fromthenceintofivefilterers,holdingseveralhogsheadseach.Thesefilterersarefilledwithbone-black,asubstanceresemblingpulverizedcharcoal.Itismadeofbonescalcinatedinclosevessels,andisusedforthepurposeofdecolorizing,byfiltration,thecanejuicebeforeboiling.Throughthesefivefilterersitpassesinsuccession,andthenrunsintoalargereservoirunderneaththegroundfloor,

fromwhenceitiscarriedup,bymeansofasteampump,intoaclarifiermadeofsheetiron,whereitisheatedbysteamuntilitboils.Fromthefirstclarifieritiscarriedinpipestoasecondandathird,andthenceintocloseironpans,throughwhichtubespass,filledwithsteam.Whileinaboilingstateitflowsthroughthreepansinsuccession,andisthencarriedinotherpipesdownto

thecoolersonthegroundfloor.Coolersarewoodenboxeswithsievebottomsmadeofthefinestwire.Assoonasthesyruppassesintothecoolers,andismetbytheair,itgrains,andthemolassesatonceescapesthroughthesievesintoacisternbelow.Itisthenwhiteorloafsugarofthefinestkind—clear,clean,andaswhiteassnow.Whencool,itistakenout,packedinhogsheads,andisreadyfor

market.Themolassesisthencarriedfromthecisternintotheupperstoryagain,andbyanotherprocessconvertedintobrownsugar.

Therearelargermills,andthoseconstructeddifferentlyfromtheonethusimperfectlydescribed,butnone,perhaps,morecelebratedthanthisanywhereonBayouBœuf.Lambert,ofNew-Orleans,isapartnerofHawkins.Heisa

manofvastwealth,holding,asIhavebeentold,aninterestinoverfortydifferentsugarplantationsinLouisiana.

Theonlyrespitefromconstantlabortheslavehasthroughthewholeyear,isduringtheChristmasholidays.Eppsallowedus

three—othersallowfour,fiveandsixdays,accordingtothemeasureoftheirgenerosity.Itistheonlytimetowhichtheylookforwardwithanyinterestorpleasure.Theyaregladwhennightcomes,notonlybecauseitbringsthemafewhoursrepose,butbecauseitbringsthemonedaynearerChristmas.Itishailedwithequaldelightbytheoldandtheyoung;evenUncleAbramceasestoglorify

AndrewJackson,andPatseyforgetshermanysorrows,amidthegeneralhilarityoftheholidays.Itisthetimeoffeasting,andfrolicking,andfiddling—thecarnivalseasonwiththechildrenofbondage.Theyaretheonlydayswhentheyareallowedalittlerestrictedliberty,andheartilyindeeddotheyenjoyit.

Itisthecustomforoneplantertogivea“Christmas

supper,”invitingtheslavesfromneighboringplantationstojoinhisownontheoccasion;forinstance,oneyearitisgivenbyEpps,thenextbyMarshall,thenextbyHawkins,andsoon.Usuallyfromthreetofivehundredareassembled,comingtogetheronfoot,incarts,onhorseback,onmules,ridingdoubleandtriple,sometimesaboyandgirl,atothersagirlandtwoboys,andatothers

againaboy,agirlandanoldwoman.UncleAbramastrideamule,withAuntPhebeandPatseybehindhim,trottingtowardsaChristmassupper,wouldbenouncommonsightonBayouBœuf.

Then,too,“ofalldaysi’theyear,”theyarraythemselvesintheirbestattire.Thecottoncoathasbeenwashedclean,thestumpofatallowcandlehasbeen

appliedtotheshoes,andifsofortunateastopossessarimlessoracrownlesshat,itisplacedjauntilyonthehead.Theyarewelcomedwithequalcordiality,however,iftheycomebare-headedandbarefootedtothefeast.Asageneralthing,thewomenwearhandkerchiefstiedabouttheirheads,butifchancehasthrownintheirwayafieryredribbon,oracast-offbonnetoftheirmistress’

grandmother,itissuretobewornonsuchoccasions.Red—thedeepbloodred—isdecidedlythefavoritecoloramongtheenslaveddamselsofmyacquaintance.Ifaredribbondoesnotencircletheneck,youwillbecertaintofindallthehairoftheirwoollyheadstiedupwithredstringsofonesortoranother.

Thetableisspreadintheopenair,andloadedwith

varietiesofmeatandpilesofvegetables.Baconandcornmealatsuchtimesaredispensedwith.Sometimesthecookingisperformedinthekitchenontheplantation,atothersintheshadeofwidebranchingtrees.Inthelattercase,aditchisdugintheground,andwoodlaidinandburneduntilitisfilledwithglowingcoals,overwhichchickens,ducks,turkeys,pigs,andnotunfrequentlythe

entirebodyofawildox,areroasted.Theyarefurnishedalsowithflour,ofwhichbiscuitsaremade,andoftenwithpeachandotherpreserves,withtarts,andeverymanneranddescriptionofpies,exceptthemince,thatbeinganarticleofpastryasyetunknownamongthem.Onlytheslavewhohaslivedalltheyearsonhisscantyallowanceofmealandbacon,canappreciatesuchsuppers.

Whitepeopleingreatnumbersassembletowitnessthegastronomicalenjoyments.

Theyseatthemselvesattherustictable—themalesononeside,thefemalesontheother.Thetwobetweenwhomtheremayhavebeenanexchangeoftenderness,invariablymanagetositopposite;fortheomnipresentCupiddisdainsnottohurlhis

arrowsintothesimpleheartsofslaves.Unalloyedandexultinghappinesslightsupthedarkfacesofthemall.Theivoryteeth,contrastingwiththeirblackcomplexions,exhibittwolong,whitestreaksthewholeextentofthetable.Allroundthebountifulboardamultitudeofeyesrollinecstacy.Gigglingandlaughterandtheclatteringofcutleryandcrockerysucceed.Cuf.fee’s

elbowhuncheshisneighbor’sside,impelledbyaninvoluntaryimpulseofdelight;NellyshakesherfingeratSamboandlaughs,sheknowsnotwhy,andsothefunandmerrimentflowson.

Whentheviandshavedisappeared,andthehungrymawsofthechildrenoftoilaresatisfied,then,nextintheorderofamusement,isthe

Christmasdance.Mybusinessonthesegaladaysalwayswastoplayontheviolin.TheAfricanraceisamusic-lovingone,proverbially;andmanytherewereamongmyfellow-bondsmenwhoseorgansoftunewerestrikinglydeveloped,andwhocouldthumbthebanjowithdexterity;butattheexpenseofappearingegotistical,Imust,nevertheless,declare,

thatIwasconsideredtheOleBullofBayouBœuf.Mymasteroftenreceivedletters,sometimesfromadistanceoftenmiles,requestinghimtosendmetoplayataballorfestivalofthewhites.Hereceivedhiscompensation,andusuallyIalsoreturnedwithmanypicayunesjinglinginmypockets—theextracontributionsofthosetowhosedelightIhadadministered.InthismannerI

becamemoreacquaintedthanIotherwisewould,upanddownthebayou.TheyoungmenandmaidensofHolmesvillealwaysknewtherewastobeajollificationsomewhere,wheneverPlattEppswasseenpassingthroughthetownwithhisfiddleinhishand.“Whereareyougoingnow,Platt?”and“Whatiscomingofftonight,Platt?”wouldbeinterrogatoriesissuingfrom

everydoorandwindow,andmanyatimewhentherewasnospecialhurry,yieldingtopressingimportunitics,Plattwoulddrawhisbow,andsittingastridehismule,perhaps,discoursemusicallytoacrowdofdelightedchildren,gatheredaroundhiminthestreet.

Alas!haditnotbeenformybelovedviolin,IscarcelycanconceivehowIcould

haveenduredthelongyearsofbondage.Itintroducedmetogreathouses—relievedmeofmanydays’laborinthefield—suppliedmewithconveniencesformycabin—withpipesandtobacco,andextrapairsofshoes,andoftentimesledmeawayfromthepresenceofahardmaster,towitnessscenesofjollityandmirth.Itwasmycompanion—thefriendofmybosom—triumphingloudly

whenIwasjoyful,andutteringitssoft,melodiousconsolationswhenIwassad.Often,atmidnight,whensleephadfledaffrightedfromthecabin,andmysoulwasdisturbedandtroubledwiththecontemplationofmyfate,itwouldsingmeasongofpeace.OnholySabbathdays,whenanhourortwoofleisurewasallowed,itwouldaccompanymetosomequietplaceonthebayoubank,and,

liftingupitsvoice,discoursekindlyandpleasantlyindeed.Itheraldedmynameroundthecountry—mademefriends,who,otherwisewouldnothavenoticedme—gavemeanhonoredseatattheyearlyfeasts,andsecuredtheloudestandheartiestwelcomeofthemallattheChristmasdance.TheChristmasdance!Oh,yepleasure-seekingsonsanddaughtersofidleness,who

movewithmeasuredstep,listlessandsnail-like,throughtheslow-windingcotillon,ifyewishtolookuponthecelerity,ifnotthe“poetryofmotion”—upongenuinehappiness,rampantandunrestrained—godowntoLouisiana,andseetheslavesdancinginthestarlightofaChristmasnight.

OnthatparticularChristmasIhavenowinmy

mind,adescriptionwhereofwillserveasadescriptionofthedaygenerally,MissLivelyandMr.Sam,thefirstbelongingtoStewart,thelattertoRoberts,startedtheball.ItwaswellknownthatSamcherishedanardentpassionforLively,asalsodidoneofMarshall’sandanotherofCarey’sboys;forLivelywaslivelyindeed,andaheart-breakingcoquettewithal.Itwasavictoryfor

SamRoberts,when,risingfromtherepast,shegavehimherhandforthefirst“figure”inpreferencetoeitherofhisrivals.Theyweresomewhatcrest-fallen,and,shakingtheirheadsangrily,ratherintimatedtheywouldliketopitchintoMr.Samandhurthimbadly.ButnotanemotionofwrathruffledtheplacidbosomofSamuel,ashislegsflewlikedrum-sticksdowntheoutsideandupthe

middle,bythesideofhisbewitchingpartner.Thewholecompanycheeredthemvociferously,and,excitedwiththeapplause,theycontinued“tearingdown”afteralltheothershadbecomeexhaustedandhaltedamomenttorecoverbreath.ButSam’ssuperhumanexertionsovercamehimfinally,leavingLivelyalone,yetwhirlinglikeatop.ThereupononeofSam’s

rivals,PeteMarshall,dashedin,and,withmightandmain,leapedandshuffledandthrewhimselfintoeveryconceivableshape,asifdeterminedtoshowMissLivelyandalltheworldthatSamRobertswasofnoaccount.

Pete’saffection,however,wasgreaterthanhisdiscretion.Suchviolentexercisetookthebreathout

ofhimdirectly,andhedroppedlikeanemptybag.ThenwasthetimeforHarryCareytotryhishand;butLivelyalsosoonout-windedhim,amidsthurrahsandshouts,fullysustainingherwell-earnedreputationofbeingthe“fastestgal”onthebayou.

One“set”off,anothertakesitsplace,heorsheremaininglongestonthe

floorreceivingthemostuproariouscommendation,andsothedancingcontinuesuntilbroaddaylight.Itdoesnotceasewiththesoundofthefiddle,butinthatcasetheysetupamusicpeculiartothemselves.Thisiscalled“patting”accompaniedwithoneofthoseunmeaningsongs,composedratherforitsadaptationtoacertaintuneormeasure,thanforthepurposeofexpressinganydistinct

idea.Thepattingisperformedbystrikingthehandsontheknees,thenstrikingthehandstogether,thenstrikingtherightshoulderwithonehand,theleftwiththeother—allthewhilekeepingtimewiththefeet,andsinging,perhaps,thissong:

“Harper’screekandroarin’ribber,

Thar,mydear,we’llliveforebber;Denwe’llgotodeInginnation,AllIwantindiscreation,Isprettylittlewifeandbigplantation.

Chorus.Updatoakanddowndatribber,Twooverseersandonelittlenigger”

Or,ifthesewordsarenotadaptedtothetunecalledfor,itmaybethat“OldHogEye”is—arathersolemnandstartlingspecimenofversification,not,however,tobeappreciatedunlessheardattheSouth.Itrunnethasfollows:

“Who’sbeenheresinceI’vebeengone?Pretty

littlegalwidajoseyon.

HogEye!OldHogEye,

AndHoseytoo!

NeverseedolikesinceIwasborn,Herecomealittlegalwidajoseyon.

HogEye!OldHogEye!

AndHoseytoo!”

Or,maybethefollowing,perhaps,equallynonsensical,butfullofmelody,nevertheless,asitflowsfromthenegro’smouth:

“EboDickandJurdan’sJo,Themtwoniggersstolemyyo’.

Chorus.HopJimalong,WalkJimalong,

TalkJimalong,”&c.

OldblackDan,asblackastar,Hedamgladhewasnotdar.

HopJimalong,”&c.

DuringtheremainingholidayssucceedingChristmas,theyareprovidedwithpasses,andpermittedtogowheretheypleasewithinalimiteddistance,ortheymay

remainandlaborontheplantation,inwhichcasetheyarepaidforit.Itisveryrarely,however,thatthelatteralternativeisaccepted.Theymaybeseenatthesetimeshurryinginalldirections,ashappylookingmortalsascanbefoundonthefaceoftheearth.Theyaredifferentbeingsfromwhattheyareinthefield;thetemporaryrelaxation,thebriefdeliverancefromfear,and

fromthelash,producinganentiremetamorphosisintheirappearanceanddemeanor.Invisiting,riding,renewingoldfriendships,or,perchance,revivingsomeoldattachment,orpursuingwhateverpleasuremaysuggestitself,thetimeisoccupied.Suchis“southernlifeasitis,”threedaysintheyear,asIfoundit—theotherthreehundredandsixty-twobeingdaysofweariness,and

fear,andsuffering,andunremittinglabor.

Marriageisfrequentlycontractedduringtheholidays,ifsuchaninstitutionmaybesaidtoexistamongthem.Theonlyceremonyrequiredbeforeenteringintothat“holyestate,”istoobtaintheconsentoftherespectiveowners.Itisusuallyencouragedbythemastersoffemaleslaves.Eitherparty

canhaveasmanyhusbandsorwivesastheownerwillpermit,andeitherisatlibertytodiscardtheotheratpleasure.Thelawinrelationtodivorce,ortobigamy,andsoforth,isnotapplicabletoproperty,ofcourse.Ifthewifedoesnotbelongonthesameplantationwiththehusband,thelatterispermittedtovisitheronSaturdaynights,ifthedistanceisnottoofar.Uncle

Abram’swifelivedsevenmilesfromEpps’,onBayouHuffPower.Hehadpermissiontovisitheronceafortnight,buthewasgrowingold,ashasbeensaid,andtruthtosay,hadlatterlywellnighforgottenher.UncleAbramhadnotimetosparefromhismeditationsonGeneralJackson—connubialdalliancebeingwellenoughfortheyoungandthoughtless,butunbecoming

agraveandsolemnphilosopherlikehimself.

CHAPTERXVI.OVERSEERS—HOWTHEYAREARMEDANDACCOMPANIED—THEHOMICIDE—HISEXECUTIONATMARKSVILLE—SLAVE-DRIVERS—APPOINTEDDRIVERONREMOVING

TOBAYOUBŒUF—PRACTICEMAKESPERFECT—EPPS’ATTEMPTTOOUTPLATT’STHROAT—THEESCAPEFROMHIM—PROTECTEDBYTHEMISTRESS—FORBIDEREADINGANDWRITING—OBTAINASHEETOFPAPERAFTERNINEYEARS’EFFORT—THELETTER—ARMSBY,

THEMEANWHITE—PARTIALLYCONFIDEINHIM—HISTREACHERY—EPPS’SUSPICIONS—HOWTHEYWEREQUIETED—BURNINGTHELETTER—ARMSBYLEAVESTHEBAYOU—DISAPPOINTMENTANDDESPAIR.

WITHtheexceptionofmy

triptoSt.Mary’sparish,andmyabsenceduringthecane-cuttingseasons,IwasconstantlyemployedontheplantationofMasterEpps.Hewasconsideredbutasmallplanter,nothavingasufficientnumberofhandstorequiretheservicesofanoverseer,actinginthelattercapacityhimself.Notabletoincreasehisforce,itwashiscustomtohireduringthehurryofcotton-picking.

Onlargerestates,employingfiftyorahundred,orperhapstwohundredhands,anoverseerisdeemedindispensable.Thesegentlemenrideintothefieldonhorseback,withoutanexception,tomyknowledge,armedwithpistols,bowieknife,whip,andaccompaniedbyseveraldogs.Theyfollow,equippedinthisfashion,inrearoftheslaves,keepingasharplookoutuponthemall.

Therequisitequalificationsinanoverseerareutterheartlessness,brutalityandcruelty.Itishisbusinesstoproducelargecrops,andifthatisaccomplished,nomatterwhatamountofsufferingitmayhavecost.Thepresenceofthedogsarenecessarytooverhaulafugitivewhomaytaketohisheels,asissometimesthecase,whenfaintorsick,heisunabletomaintinhisrow,

andunable,also,toendurethewhip.Thepistolsarereservedforanydangerousemergency,therehavingbeeninstanceswhensuchweaponswerenecessary.Goadedintouncontrollablemadness,eventheslavewillsometimesturnuponhisoppressor.ThegallowswerestandingatMarksvillelastJanuary,uponwhichonewasexecutedayearagoforkillinghisoverseer.Itoccurrednot

manymilesfromEpps’plantationonRedRiver.Theslavewasgivenhistaskatsplittingrails.Inthecourseofthedaytheoverseersenthimonanerrand,whichoccupiedsomuchtimethatitwasnotpossibleforhimtoperformthetask.Thenextdayhewascalledtoanaccount,butthelossoftimeoccasionedbytheerrandwasnoexcuse,andhewasorderedtokneelandbarehisbackforthereceptionof

thelash.Theywereinthewoodsalone—beyondthereachofsightorhearing.Theboysubmitteduntilmaddenedatsuchinjustice,andinsanewithpain,hesprangtohisfeet,andseizinganaxe,literallychoppedtheoverseerinpieces.Hemadenoattemptwhateveratconcealment,buthasteningtohismaster,relatedthewholeaffair,anddeclaredhimselfreadytoexpiatethewrongby

thesacrificeofhislife.Hewasledtothescaffold,andwhiletheropewasaroundhisneck,maintainedanundismayedandfearlessbearing,andwithhislastwordsjustifiedtheact.

Besidestheoverseer,therearedriversunderhimthenumberbeinginproportiontothenumberofhandsinthefield.Thedriversareblack,who,inadditiontothe

performanceoftheirequalshareofwork,arecompelledtodothewhippingoftheirseveralgangs.Whipshangaroundtheirnecks,andiftheyfailtousethemthoroughly,arewhippedthemselves.Theyhaveafewprivileges,however;forexample,incane-cuttingthehandsarenotallowedtositdownlongenoughtoeattheirdinners.Cartsfilledwithcorncake,cookedatthekitchen,

aredrivenintothefieldatnoon.Thecakeisdistributedbythedrivers,andmustbeeatenwiththeleastpossibledelay.

Whentheslaveceasestoperspire,asheoftendoeswhentaxedbeyondhisstrength,hefallstothegroundandbecomesentirelyhelpless.Itisthenthedutyofthedrivertodraghimintotheshadeofthestandingcotton

orcane,orofaneighboringtree,wherehedashesbucketsofwateruponhim,andusesothermeansofbringingoutperspirationagain,whenheisorderedtohisplace,andcompelledtocontinuehislabor.

AtHuffPower,whenIfirstcametoEpps’,Tom,oneofRoberts’negroes,wasdriver.Hewasaburlyfellow,andsevereintheextreme.After

Epps’removaltoBayouBœuf,thatdistinguishedhonorwasconferreduponmyself.UptothetimeofmydepartureIhadtowearawhipaboutmyneckinthefield.IfEppswaspresent,Idarednotshowanylenity,nothavingtheChristianfortitudeofacertainwell-knownUncleTomsufficientlytobravehiswrath,byrefusingtoperformtheoffice.Inthatway,only,I

escapedtheimmediatemartyrdomhesuffered,and,withal,savedmycompanionsmuchsuffering,asitprovedintheend.Epps,Isoonfound,whetheractuallyinthefieldornot,hadhiseyesprettygenerallyuponus.Fromthepiazza,frombehindsomeadjacenttree,orotherconcealedpointofobservation,hewasperpetuallyonthewatch.Ifoneofushadbeenbackward

oridlethroughtheday,wewereapttobetoldallaboutitonreturningtothequarters,andasitwasamatterofprinciplewithhimtoreproveeveryoffenceofthatkindthatcamewithinhisknowledge,theoffendernotonlywascertainofreceivingacastigationforhistardiness,butIlikewisewaspunishedforpermittingit.

If,ontheotherhand,he

hadseenmeusethelashfreely,themanwassatisfied.“Practicemakesperfect,”truly;andduringmyeightyears’experienceasadriver,Ilearnedtohandlethewhipwithmarvelousdexterityandprecision,throwingthelashwithinahair’sbreadthoftheback,theear,thenose,without,however,touchingeitherofthem.IfEppswasobservedatadistanceorwehadreasontoan-prehendhe

wassneakingsomewhereinthevicinity,Iwouldcommenceplyingthelashvigorously,when,accordingtoarrangement,theywouldsquirmandscreechasifinagony,althoughnotoneofthemhadinfactbeenevengrazed.Patseywouldtakeoccasion,ifhemadehisappearancepresently,tomumbleinhishearingsomecomplaintsthatPlattwaslashingthemthewholetime,

andUncleAbram,withanappearanceofhonestypeculiartohimself,woulddeclareroundlyIhadjustwhippedthemworsethanGeneralJacksonwhippedtheenemyatNew-Orleans.IfEppswasnotdrunk,andinoneofhisbeastlyhumors,thiswas,ingeneral,satisfactory.Ifhewas,someoneormoreofusmustsuffer,asamatterofcourse.Sometimeshisviolence

assumedadangerousform,placingthelivesofhishumanstockinjeopardy.Ononeoccasionthedrunkenmadmanthoughttoamusehimselfbycuttingmythroat.

HehadbeenabsentatHolmesville,inattendanceatashooting-match,andnoneofuswereawareofhisreturn.WhilehoeingbythesideofPatsey,sheexclaimed,inalowvoice,suddenly,

“Platt,d’yeseeoldHog-Jawbeckoningmetocometohim?”

Glancingsideways,Idiscoveredhimintheedgeofthefield,motioningandgrimacing,aswashishabitwhenhalf-intoxicated.Awareofhislewdintentions,Patseybegantocry.Iwhisperedhernottolookup,andtocontinueatherwork,asifshehadnotobservedhim.

Suspectingthetruthofthematter,however,hesoonstaggereduptomeinagreatrage.

“WhatdidyousaytoPats?”hedemanded,withanoath.Imadehimsomeevasiveanswer,whichonlyhadtheeffectofincreasinghisviolence.

“Howlonghaveyouownedthisplantation,say,youd——dnigger?”he

inquired,withamalicioussneer,atthesametimetakingholdofmyshirtcollarwithonehand,andthrustingtheotherintohispocket.“NowI’llcutyourblackthroat;that’swhatI’lldo,”drawinghisknifefromhispocketashesaidit.Butwithonehandhewasunabletoopenit,untilfinallyseizingthebladeinhisteeth,Isawhewasabouttosucceed,andfeltthenecessityofescapingfromhim,forin

hispresentrecklessstate,itwasevidenthewasnotjoking,byanymeans.Myshirtwasopeninfront,andasIturnedroundquicklyandsprangfromhim,whilehestillretainedhisgripe,itwasstrippedentirelyfrommyback.Therewasnodifficultynowineludinghim.Hewouldchasemeuntiloutofbreath,thenstopuntilitwasrecovered,swear,andrenewthechaseagain.Nowhe

wouldcommandmetocometohim,nowendeavortocoaxme,butIwascarefultokeepatarespectfuldistance.Inthismannerwemadethecircuitofthefieldseveraltimes,hemakingdesperateplunges,andIalwaysdodgingthem,moreamusedthanfrightened,wellknowingthatwhenhissobersensesreturned,hewouldlaughathisowndrunkenfolly.AtlengthIobservedthemistress

standingbytheyardfence,watchingourhalt-serious,half-comicalmanoeuvres.Shootingpasthim,Irandirectlytoher.Epps,ondiscoveringher,didnotfollow.Heremainedaboutthefieldanhourormore,duringwhichtimeIstoodbythemistress,havingrelatedtheparticularsofwhathadtakenplace.Now,shewasarousedagain,denouncingherhusbandandPatseyabout

equally.Finally,Eppscametowardsthehouse,bythistimenearlysober,walkingdemurely,withhishandsbo-hindhisback,andattemptingtolookasinnocentasachild.

Asheapproached,nevertheless,MistressEppsbegantoberatehimroundly,heapinguponhimmanyratherdisrespectfulepithets,anddemandingforwhatreasonhehadattemptedto

cutmythroat.Eppsmadewondrousstrangeofitall,andtomysurprise,sworebyallthesaintsinthecalendarhehadnotspokentomethatday.

“Platt,youlyingnigger,haveI?”washisbrazenappealtome.

Itisnotsafetocontradictamaster,evenbytheassertionofatruth.SoIwassilent,andwhenheenteredthehouseI

returnedtothefield,andtheaffairwasneverafteralludedto.

Shortlyafterthistimeacircumstanceoccurredthatcamenighdivulgingthesecretofmyrealnameandhistory,whichIhadsolongandcarefullyconcealed,anduponwhichIwasconvinceddependedmyfinalescape.Soonafterhepurchasedme,EppsaskedmeifIcould

writeandread,andonbeinginformedthatIhadreceivedsomeinstructioninthosebranchesofeducation,heassuredme,withemphasis,ifheevercaughtmewithabook,orwithpenandink,hewouldgivemeahundredlashes.Hesaidhewantedmetounderstandthathebought“niggers”toworkandnottoeducate.Heneverinquiredawordofmypastlife,orfromwhenceIcame.Themistress,

however,cross-examinedmefrequentlyaboutWashington,whichshesupposedwasmynativecity,andmorethanonceremarkedthatIdidnottalknoractliketheother“niggers,”andshewassureIhadseenmoreoftheworldthanIadmitted.

Mygreatobjectalwayswastoinventmeansofgettingalettersecretlyintothepost-office,directedto

someofmyfriendsorfamilyattheNorth.Thedifficultyofsuchanachievementcannotbecomprehendedbyoneunacquaintedwiththesevererestrictionsimposeduponme.Inthefirstplace,Iwasdeprivedofpen,ink,andpaper.Inthesecondplace,aslavecannotleavehisplantationwithoutapass,norwillapost-mastermailaletterforonewithoutwritteninstructionsfromhisowner.I

wasinslaverynineyears,andalwayswatchfulandonthealert,beforeImetwiththegoodfortuneofobtainingasheetofpaper.WhileEppswasinNew-Orleans,onewinter,disposingofhiscotton,themistresssentmetoHolmesville,withanorderforseveralarticles,andamongtherestaquantityoffoolscap.Iappropriatedasheetconcealingitinthecabin,undertheboardon

whichIslept.

AftervariousexperimentsIsucceededinmakingink,byboilingwhitemaplebark,andwithafeatherpluckedfromthewingofaduck,manufacturedapen.Whenallwereasleepinthecabin,bythelightofthecoals,lyinguponmyplankcouch,Imanagedtocompleteasomewhatlengthyepistle.Itwasdirectedtoanold

acquaintanceatSandyHill,statingmycondition,andurginghimtotakemeasurestorestoremetoliberty.ThisletterIkeptalongtime,contrivingmeasuresbywhichitcouldbesafelydepositedinthepost-office.Atlength,alowfellow,bythenameofArmsby,hithertoastranger,cameintotheneighborhood,seekingasituationasoverseer.HeappliedtoEpps,andwasabouttheplantation

forseveraldays.HenextwentovertoShaw’s,nearby,andremainedwithhimseveralweeks.Shawwasgenerallysurroundedbysuchworthlesscharacters,beinghimselfnotedasagamblerandunprincipledman.HehadmadeawifeofhisslaveCharlotte,andabroodofyoungmulattoesweregrowingupinhishouse.Armsbybecamesomuchreducedatlast,thathewas

compelledtolaborwiththeslaves.AwhitemanworkinginthefieldisarareandunusualspectacleonBayouBœuf.Iimprovedeveryopportunityofcultivatinghisacquaintanceprivately,desiringtoobtainhisconfidencesofarastobewillingtointrustthelettertohiskeeping.HevisitedMarksvillerepeatedly,heinformedme,atownsometwentymilesdistant,and

there,Iproposedtomyself,thelettershouldbemailed.

Carefullydeliberatingonthemostpropermannerofapproachinghimonthesubject,IconcludedfinallytoaskhimsimplyifhewoulddepositaletterformeintheMarksvillepost-officethenexttimehevisitedthatplace,withoutdisclosingtohimthattheletterwaswritten,oranyofthe

particularsitcontained;forIhadfearsthathemightbetrayme,andknewthatsomeinducementmustbeheldouttohimofapecuniarynature,beforeitwouldbesafetoconfideinhim.Aslateasoneo’clockonenightIstolenoiselesslyfrommycabin,and,crossingthefieldtoShaw’s,foundhimsleepingonthepiazza.Ihadbutafewpicayunes—theproceedsofmyfiddlingperformances,

butallIhadintheworldIpromisedhimifhewoulddomethefavorrequired.Ibeggedhimnottoexposemeifhecouldnotgranttherequest.Heassuredme,uponhishonor,hewoulddeposititintheMarksvillepost-office,andthathewouldkeepitaninviolablesecretforever.Thoughtheletterwasinmypocketatthetime,Idarednotthendeliverittohim,butstatingIwouldhaveitwritten

inadayortwo,badehimgoodnight,andreturnedtomycabin.ItwasimpossibleformetoexpelthesuspicionsIentertained,andallnightIlayawake,revolvinginmymindthesafestcoursetopursue.Iwaswillingtoriskagreatdealtoaccomplishmypurpose,butshouldtheletterbyanymeansfallintothehandsofEpps,itwouldbeadeath-blowtomyaspirations.Iwas“perplexedinthe

extreme.”

Mysuspicionswerewell-founded,asthesequeldemonstrated.Thenextdaybutone,whilescrapingcottoninthefield,EppsseatedhimselfonthelinefencebetweenShaw’splantationandhisown,insuchapositionastooverlookthesceneofourlabors.PresentlyArmsbymadehisappearance,and,mountingthefence,took

aseatbesidehim.Theyremainedtwoorthreehours,allofwhichtimeIwasinanagonyofapprehension.

Thatnight,whilebroilingmybacon,Eppsenteredthecabinwithhisrawhideinhishand.

“Well,boy,”saidhe,“IunderstandI’vegotalarnednigger,thatwritesletters,andtriestogetwhitefellowstomail’em.Wonderifyou

knowwhoheis?”

Myworstfearswererealized,andalthoughitmaynotbeconsideredentirelycreditable,evenunderthecircumstances,yetaresorttoduplicityanddownrightfalsehoodwastheonlyrefugethatpresenteditself.

“Don’tknownothingaboutit,MasterEpps,”Iansweredhim,assuminganairofignoranceandsurprise;

“Don’tknownothingatallaboutit,sir.”

“Wan’tyouovertoShaw’snightbeforelast?”heinquired.

“No,master,”wasthereply.

“Hav’ntyouaskedthatfellow,Armsby,tomailaletterforyouatMarksville?”

“Why,Lord,master,Ineverspokethreewordsto

himinallmylife.Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”

“Well,”hecontinued,“Armsbytoldmeto-daythedevilwasamongmyniggers;thatIhadonethatneededclosewatchingorhewouldrunaway;andwhenIaxedhimwhy,hesaidyoucomeovertoShaw’s,andwakedhimupinthenight,andwantedhimtocarryalettertoMarksville.Whathaveyou

gottosaytothat,ha?”

“AllI’vegottosay,master,”Ireplied,“is,thereisnotruthinit.HowcouldIwritealetterwithoutanyinkorpaper?ThereisnobodyIwanttowriteto,‘causeIhaintgotnofriendslivingasIknowof.ThatArmsbyisalying,drunkenfellow,theysay,andnobodybelieveshimanyway.YouknowIalwaystellthetruth,andthatInever

goofftheplantationwithoutapass.Now,master,IcanseewhatthatArmsbyisafter,plainenough.Did’nthewantyoutohirehimforanoverseer?”

“Yes,hewantedmetohirehim,”answeredEpps.

“That’sit,”saidI,“hewantstomakeyoubelievewe’reallgoingtorunaway,andthenhethinksyou’llhireanoverseertowatchus.He

justmadethatstoryoutofwholecloth,’causehewantstogetasituation.It’sallalie,master,youmaydependon’t.”

Eppsmusedawhile,evidentlyimpressedwiththeplausibilityofmytheory,andexclaimed,

“I’md—d,Platt,ifIdon’tbelieveyoutellthetruth.Hemusttakemeforasoft,tothinkhecancomeitoverme

withthemkindofyarns,musn’the?Maybehethinkshecanfoolme;maybehethinksIdon’tknownothing—can’ttakecareofmyownniggers,eh!SoftsoapoldEpps,eh!Ha,ha,ha!D—nArmsby!Setthedogsonhim,Platt,”andwithmanyothercommentsdescriptiveofArmsby’sgeneralcharacter,andhiscapabilityoftakingcareofhisownbusiness,andattendingtohisown

“niggers,”MasterEppsleftthecabin.AssoonashewasgoneIthrewtheletterinthefire,and,withadespondinganddespairingheart,beheldtheepistlewhichhadcostmesomuchanxietyandthought,andwhichIfondlyhopedwouldhavebeenmyforerunnertothelandoffreedom,writheandshrivelonitsbedofcoals,anddissolveintosmokeandashes.Armsby,the

treacherouswretch,wasdrivenfromShaw’splantationnotlongsubsequently,muchtomyrelief,forIfearedhemightrenewhisconversation,andperhapsinduceEppstocredithim.

Iknewnotnowwhithertolookfordeliverance.Hopessprangupinmyheartonlytobecrushedandblighted.Thesummerofmylifewas

passingaway;IfeltIwasgrowingprematurelyold;thatafewyearsmore,andtoil,andgrief,andthepoisonousmiasmasoftheswampswouldaccomplishtheirworkuponme—wouldconsignmetothegrave’sembrace,tomoulderandbeforgotten.Repelled,betrayed,cutofffromthehopeofsuccor,Icouldonlyprostratemyselfupontheearthandgroaninunutterableanguish.The

hopeofrescuewastheonlylightthatcastarayofcomfortonmyheart.Thatwasnowflickering,faintandlow;anotherbreathofdisappointmentwouldextinguishitaltogether,leavingmetogropeinmidnightdarknesstotheendoflife.

CHAPTERXVII.WILEYDISREGARDSTHECOUNSELSOFAUNTPHEBEANDUNCLEABRAM,ANDISCAUGHTBYTHEPATROLLERS—THEORGANIZATIONANDDUTIESOFTHE

LATTER—WILEYRUNSAWAY—SPECULATIONSINREGARDTOHIM—HISUNEXPECTEDRETURN—HISCAPTUREONREDRIVER,ANDCONFINEMENTINALEXANDRIAJAIL—DISCOVEREDBYJOSEPHB.ROBKETS—SUBDUINGDOGSINANTICIPATIONOFESCAPE—THE

FUGITIVESINTHEGREATPINEWOODS—CAPTUREDBYADAMTAYDEMANDTHEINDIANS—AUGUSTUSKILLEDBYDOGS—NELLY,ELDRET’SSLAVEWOMAN—THESTORYOFCELESTE—THECONCERTEDMOVEMENT—LEWCHEENEY,THETRAITOR—THEIDEAOFINSURRECTION.

THEyear1850,downtowhichtimeIhavenowarrived,omittingmanyoccurrencesuninterestingtothereader,wasanunluckyyearformycompanionWiley,thehusbandofPhebe,whosetaciturnandretiringnaturehasthusfarkepthiminthebackground.NotwithstandingWileyseldomopenedhismouth,

andrevolvedinhisobscureandunpretendingorbitwithoutagrumble,neverthelessthewarmelementsofsocialitywerestronginthebosomofthatsilent“nigger.”Intheexuberanceofhisself-reliance,disregardingthephilosophyofUncleAbram,andsettingthecounselsofAuntPhebeutterlyatnaught,hehadthefool-hardinesstoessayanocturnalvisittoa

neighboringcabinwithoutapass.

Soattractivewasthesocietyinwhichhefoundhimself,thatWileytooklittlenoteofthepassinghours,andthelightbegantobreakintheeastbeforehewasaware.Speedinghomewardasfastashecouldrun,hehopedtoreachthequartersbeforethehornwouldsound;but,unhappily,hewasspiedon

thewaybyacompanyofpatrollers.

Howitisinotherdarkplacesofslavery,Idonotknow,butonBayouBœufthereisanorganizationofpatrollers,astheyarestyled,whosebusinessitistoseizeandwhipanyslavetheymayfindwanderingfromtheplantation.Theyrideonhorseback,headedbyacaptain,armed,and

accompaniedbydogs.Theyhavetheright,eitherbylaw,orbygeneralconsent,toinflictdiscretionarychastisementuponablackmancaughtbeyondtheboundariesofhismaster’sestatewithoutapass,andeventoshoothim,ifheattemptstoescape.Eachcompanyhasacertaindistancetorideupanddownthebayou.Theyarecompensatedbytheplanters,

whocontributeinproportiontothenumberofslavestheyown.Theclatteroftheirhorses’hoofsdashingbycanbeheardatallhoursofthenight,andfrequentlytheymaybeseendrivingaslavebeforethem,orleadinghimbyaropefastenedaroundhisneck,tohisowner’splantation.

Wileyfledbeforeoneofthesecompanies,thinkinghe

couldreachhiscabinbeforetheycouldovertakehim;butoneoftheirdogs,agreatravenoushound,gripedhimbytheleg,andheldhimfast.Thepatrollerswhippedhimseverely,andbroughthim,aprisoner,toEpps.Fromhimhereceivedanotherflagellationstillmoresevere,sothatthecutsofthelashandthebitesofthedogrenderedhimsore,stiffandmiserable,insomuchhewasscarcely

abletomove.ItwasimpossibleinsuchastatetokeepuphisrowandconsequentlytherewasnotanhourinthedaybutWileyfeltthestingofhismaster’srawhideonhisrawandbleedingback.Hissufferingsbecameintolerable,andfinallyheresolvedtorunaway.WithoutdisclosinghisintentionstorunawayeventohiswifePhebe,heproceededtomakearrangementsfor

carryinghisplanintoexecution.Havingcookedhiswholeweek’sallowance,hecautiouslyleftthecabinonaSundaynight,aftertheinmatesofthequarterswereasleep.Whenthehornsoundedinthemorning,Wileydidnotmakehisappearance.Searchwasmadeforhiminthecabins,inthecorn-crib,inthecotton-house,andineverynookandcornerofthepremises.Eachofus

wasexamined,touchinganyknowledgewemighthavethatcouldthrowlightuponhissuddendisappearanceorpresentwhereabouts.Eppsravedandstormed,andmountinghishorse,gallopedtoneighboringplantations,makinginquiriesinalldirections.Thesearchwasfruitless.Nothingwhateverwaselicited,goingtoshowwhathadbecomeofthemissingman.Thedogswere

ledtotheswamp,butwereunabletostrikehistrail.Theywouldcircleawaythroughtheforest,theirnosestotheground,butinvariablyreturnedinashorttimetothespotfromwhencetheystarted.

Wileyhadescaped,andsosecretlyandcautiouslyastoeludeandbaffleallpursuit.Daysandevenweekspassedaway,andnothingcouldbe

heardofhim.Eppsdidnothingbutcurseandswear.Itwastheonlytopicofconversationamonguswhenalone.Weindulgedinagreatdealofspeculationinregardtohim,onesuggestinghemighthavebeendrownedinsomebayou,inasmuchashewasapoorswimmer;another,thatperhapshemighthavebeendevouredbyalligators,orstungbythevenomousmoccasin,whosebiteis

certainandsuddendeath.Thewarmandheartysympathiesofusall,however,werewithpoorWiley,whereverhemightbe.ManyanearnestprayerascendedfromthelipsofUncleAbram,beseechingsafetyforthewanderer.

Inaboutthreeweeks,whenallhopeofeverseeinghimagainwasdismissed,tooursurprise,heonedayappearedamongus.Onleavingthe

plantation,heinformedus,itwashisintentiontomakehiswaybacktoSouthCarolina—totheoldquartersofMasterBuford.Duringthedayheremainedsecreted,sometimesinthebranchesofatree,andatnightpressedforwardthroughtheswamps.Finally,onemorning,justatdawn,hereachedtheshoreofRedRiver.Whilestandingonthebank,consideringhowhecouldcrossit,awhiteman

accostedhim,anddemandedapass.Withoutone,andevidentlyarunaway,hewastakentoAlexandria,theshiretownoftheparishofRapides,andconfinedinprison.IthappenedseveraldaysafterthatJosephB.Roberts,uncleofMistressEpps,wasinAlexandria,andgoingintothejail,recognizedhim.Wileyhadworkedonhisplantation,whenEppsresidedatHuffPower.Payingthejail

fee,andwritinghimapass,underneathwhichwasanotetoEpps,requestinghimnottowhiphimonhisreturn,WileywassentbacktoBayouBœuf.Itwasthehopethathunguponthisrequest,andwhichRobertsassuredhimwouldberespectedbyhismaster,thatsustainedhimasheapproachedthehouse.Therequest,however,asmaybereadilysupposed,wasentirelydisregarded.After

beingkeptinsuspensethreedays,Wileywasstripped,andcompelledtoendureoneofthoseinhumanfloggingstowhichthepoorslaveissooftensubjected.ItwasthefirstandlastattemptofWileytorunaway.Thelongscarsuponhisback,whichhewillcarrywithhimtothegrave,perpetuallyremindhimofthedangersofsuchastep.

Therewasnotaday

throughoutthetenyearsIbelongedtoEppsthatIdidnotconsultwithmyselfupontheprospectofescape.Ilaidmanyplans,whichatthetimeIconsideredexcellentones,butoneaftertheothertheywereallabandoned.Nomanwhohasneverbeenplacedinsuchasituation,cancomprehendthethousandobstaclesthrowninthewayoftheflyingslave.Everywhiteman’shandisraised

againsthim—thepatrollersarewatchingforhim—thehoundsarereadytofollowonhistrack,andthenatureofthecountryissuchasrendersitimpossibletopassthroughitwithanysafety.Ithought,however,thatthetimemightcome,perhaps,whenIshouldberunningthroughtheswampsagain.Iconcluded,inthatcase,tobepreparedforEpps’dogs,shouldtheypursueme.Hepossessed

several,oneofwhichwasanotoriousslave-hunter,andthemostfierceandsavageofhisbreed.Whileouthuntingthecoonortheopossum,Ineverallowedanopportunitytoescape,whenalone,ofwhippingthemseverely.InthismannerIsucceededatlengthinsubduingthemcompletely.Theyfearedme,obeyingmyvoiceatoncewhenothershadnocontroloverthemwhatever.Hadthey

followedandovertakenme,Idoubtnottheywouldhaveshrankfromattackingme.

Notwithstandingthecertaintyofbeingcaptured,thewoodsandswampsare,nevertheless,continuallyfilledwithrunaways.Manyofthem,whensick,orsowornoutastobeunabletoperformtheirtasks,escapeintotheswamps,willingtosufferthepunishment

inflictedforsuchoffences,inordertoobtainadayortwoofrest.

WhileIbelongedtoFord,Iwasunwittinglythemeansofdisclosingthehiding-placeofsixoreight,whohadtakenuptheirresidenceinthe“GreatPineWoods.”AdamTaydemfrequentlysentmefromthemillsovertotheopeningafterprovisions.Thewholedistancewasthenathickpine

forest.Aboutteno’clockofabeautifulmoonlightnight,whilewalkingalongtheTexasroad,returningtothemills,carryingadressedpiginabagswungovermyshoulder,Iheardfootstepsbehindme,andturninground,beheldtwoblackmeninthedressofslavesapproachingatarapidpace.Whenwithinashortdistance,oneofthemraisedaclub,asifintendingtostrikeme;the

othersnatchedatthebag.Imanagedtododgethemboth,andseizingapineknot,hurleditwithsuchforceagainsttheheadofoneofthemthathewasprostratedapparentlysenselesstotheground.Justthentwomoremadetheirappearancefromonesideoftheroad.Beforetheycouldgrappleme,however,Isucceededinpassingthem,andtakingtomyheels,fled,much

affrighted,towardsthemills.WhenAdamwasinformedoftheadventure,hehastenedstraightwaytotheIndianvillage,andarousingCascallaandseveralofhistribe,startedinpursuitofthehighwaymen.Iaccompaniedthemtothesceneofattack,whenwediscoveredapuddleofbloodintheroad,wherethemanwhomIhadsmittenwiththepineknothadfallen.Aftersearchingcarefully

throughthewoodsalongtime,oneofCascalla’smendiscoveredasmokecurlingupthroughthebranchesofseveralprostratepines,whosetopshadfallentogether.Therendezvouswascautiouslysurrounded,andallofthemtakenprisoners.TheyhadescapedfromaplantationinthevicinityofLamourie,andhadbeensecretedtherethreeweeks.Theyhadnoevildesignuponme,exceptto

frightenmeoutofmypig.HavingobservedmepassingtowardsFord’sjustatnight-fall,andsuspectingthenatureofmyerrand,theyhadfollowedme,seenmebutcheranddresstheporker,andstartonmyreturn.Theyhadbeenpinchedforfood,andweredriventothisextremitybynecessity.Adamconveyedthemtotheparishjail,andwasliberallyrewarded.

Notunfrequentlytherunawayloseshislifeintheattempttoescape.Epps’premiseswereboundedononesidebyCarey’s,averyextensivesugarplantation.Hecultivatesannuallyatleastfifteenhundredacresofcane,manufacturingtwenty-twoortwenty-threehundredhogsheadsofsugar;anhogsheadandahalfbeingtheusualyieldofanacre.Besidesthishealsocultivates

fiveorsixhundredacresofcornandcotton.Heownedlastyearonehundredandfiftythreefieldhands,besidesnearlyasmanychildren,andyearlyhiresadroveduringthebusyseasonfromthissidetheMississippi.

Oneofhisnegrodrivers,apleasant,intelligentboy,wasnamedAugustus.Duringtheholidays,andoccasionallywhileatworkinadjoining

fields,Ihadanopportunityofmakinghisacquaintance,whicheventuallyripenedintoawarmandmutualattachment.Summerbeforelasthewassounfortunateastoincurthedispleasureoftheoverseer,acoarse,heartlessbrute,whowhippedhimmostcruelly.Augustusranaway.ReachingacanerickonHawkins’plantation,hesecretedhimselfinthetopofit.AllCarey’sdogswereput

uponhistrack—somefifteenofthem—andsoonscentedhisfootstepstothehidingplace.Theysurroundedtherick,bayingandscratching,butcouldnotreachhim.Presently,guidedbytheclamorofthehounds,thepursuersrodeup,whentheoverseer,mountingontotherick,drewhimforth.Asherolleddowntothegroundthewholepackplungeduponhim,andbeforetheycouldbe

beatenoff,hadgnawedandmutilatedhisbodyinthemostshockingmanner,theirteethhavingpenetratedtotheboneinanhundredplaces.Hewastakenup,tieduponamule,andcarriedhome.ButthiswasAugustus’lasttrouble.Helingereduntilthenextday,whendeathsoughttheunhappyboy,andkindlyrelievedhimfromhisagony.

Itwasnotunusualforslave

womenaswellasslavementoendeavortoescape.Nelly,Eldret’sgirl,withwhomIlumberedforatimeinthe“BigCaneBrake,”layconcealedinEpps’corncribthreedays.Atnight,whenhisfamilywereasleep,shewouldstealintothequartersforfood,andreturntothecribagain.Weconcludeditwouldnolongerbesafeforustoallowhertoremain,andaccordinglysheretracedher

stepstoherowncabin.

Butthemostremarkableinstanceofasuccessfulevasionofdogsandhunterswasthefollowing:AmongCarey’sgirlswasonebythenameofCeleste.Shewasnineteenortwenty,andfarwhiterthanherowner,oranyofhisoffspring.ItrequiredacloseinspectiontodistinguishinherfeaturestheslightesttraceofAfricanblood.A

strangerwouldneverhavedreamedthatshewasthedescendantofslaves.Iwassittinginmycabinlateatnight,playingalowaironmyviolin,whenthedooropenedcarefully,andCelestestoodbeforeme.Shewaspaleandhaggard.Hadanapparitionarisenfromtheearth,Icouldnothavebeenmorestartled.

“Whoareyou?”Idemanded,aftergazingather

amoment.

“I’mhungry;givemesomebacon,”washerreply.

Myfirstimpressionwasthatshewassomederangedyoungmistress,who,escapingfromhome,waswandering,sheknewnotwhither,andhadbeenattractedtomycabinbythesoundoftheviolin.Thecoarsecottonslavedressshewore,however,soon

dispelledsuchasupposition.

“Whatisyourname?”Iagaininterrogated.

“MynameisCeleste,”sheanswered.“IbelongtoCarey,andhavebeentwodaysamongthepalmettoes.Iamsickandcan’twork,andwouldratherdieintheswampthanbewhippedtodeathbytheoverseer.Carey’sdogswon’tfollowme.Theyhavetriedtoset

themon.There’sasecretbetweenthemandCeleste,andtheywontmindthedevilishordersoftheoverseer.Givemesomemeat—I’mstarving.”

Idividedmyscantyallowancewithher,andwhilepartakingofit,sherelatedhowshehadmanagedtoescape,anddescribedtheplaceofherconcealment.Intheedgeoftheswamp,not

halfamilefromEpps’house,wasalargespace,thousandsofacresinextent,thicklycoveredwithpalmetto.Talltrees,whoselongarmsinterlockedeachother,formedacanopyabovethem,sodenseastoexcludethebeamsofthesun.Itwasliketwilightalways,eveninthemiddleofthebrightestday.Inthecentreofthisgreatspace,whichnothingbutserpentsveryoftenexplore—

asombreandsolitaryspot—Celestehaderectedarudehutofdeadbranchesthathadfallentotheground,andcovereditwiththeleavesofthepalmetto.Thiswastheabodeshehadselected.ShehadnofearofCarey’sdogs,anymorethanIhadofEpps’.Itisafact,whichIhaveneverbeenabletoexplain,thattherearethosewhosetracksthehoundswillabsolutelyrefusetofollow.

Celestewasoneofthem.

Forseveralnightsshecametomycabinforfood.Ononeoccasionourdogsbarkedassheapproached,whicharousedEpps,andinducedhimtoreconnoitrethepremises.Hedidnotdiscoverher,butafterthatitwasnotdeemedprudentforhertocometotheyard.WhenallwassilentIcarriedprovisionstoacertainspot

agreedupon,whereshewouldfindthem.

InthismannerCelestepassedthegreaterpartofthesummer.Sheregainedherhealth,andbecamestrongandhearty.Atallseasonsoftheyearthehowlingsofwildanimalscanbeheardatnightalongthebordersoftheswamps.Severaltimestheyhadmadeheramidnightcall,awakeningherfromslumber

withagrowl.Terrifiedbysuchunpleasantsalutations,shefinallyconcludedtoabandonherlonelydwelling;and,accordingly,returningtohermaster,wasscourged,herneckmeanwhilebeingfastenedinthestocks,andsentintothefieldagain.

TheyearbeforemyarrivalinthecountrytherewasaconcertedmovementamonganumberofslavesonBayou

Bœuf,thatterminatedtragicallyindeed.Itwas,Ipresume,amatterofnewspapernotorietyatthetime,butalltheknowledgeIhaveofit,hasbeenderivedfromtherelationofthoselivingatthatperiodintheimmediatevicinityoftheexcitement.Ithasbecomeasubjectofgeneralandunfailinginterestineveryslave-hutonthebayou,andwilldoubtlessgodownto

succeedinggenerationsastheirchieftradition.LewCheney,withwhomIbecameacquainted—ashrewd,cunningnegro,moreintelligentthanthegeneralityofhisrace,butunscrupulousandfulloftreachery—conceivedtheprojectoforganizingacompanysufficientlystrongtofighttheirwayagainstallopposition,totheneighboringterritoryofMexico.

Aremotespot,farwithinthedepthsoftheswampbackofHawkins’plantation,wasselectedastherallyingpoint.Lewflittedfromoneplantationtoanother,inthedeadofnight,preachingacrusadetoMexico,and,likePetertheHermit,creatingafurorofexcitementwhereverheappeared.Atlengthalargenumberofrunawayswereassembled;stolenmules,andcorngatheredfromthefields,

andbaconfilchedfromsmoke-houses,hadbeenconveyedintothewoods.Theexpeditionwasaboutreadytoproceed,whentheirhidingplacewasdiscovered.LewCheney,becomingconvincedoftheultimatefailureofhisproject,inordertocurryfavorwithhismaster,andavoidtheconsequenceswhichheforesawwouldfollow,deliberatelydeterminedtosacrificeallhis

companions.Departingsecretlyfromtheencampment,heproclaimedamongtheplantersthenumbercollectedintheswamp,and,insteadofstatingtrulytheobjecttheyhadinview,assertedtheirintentionwastoemergefromtheirseclusionthefirstfavorableopportunity,andmurdereverywhitepersonalongthebayou.

Suchanannouncement,exaggeratedasitpassedfrommouthtomouth,filledthewholecountrywithterror.Thefugitivesweresurroundedandtakenprisoners,carriedinchainstoAlexandria,andhungbythepopulace.Notonlythose,butmanywhoweresuspected,thoughentirelyinnocent,weretakenfromthefieldandfromthecabin,andwithouttheshadowofprocessor

formoftrial,hurriedtothescaffold.TheplantersonBayouBœuffinallyrebelledagainstsuchrecklessdestructionofproperty,butitwasnotuntilaregimentofsoldiershadarrivedfromsomefortontheTexanfrontier,demolishedthegallows,andopenedthedoorsoftheAlexandriaprison,thattheindiscriminateslaughterwasstayed.LewCheneyescaped,andwas

evenrewardedforhistreachery.Heisstillliving,buthisnameisdespisedandexecratedbyallhisracethroughouttheparishesofRapidesandAvoyelles.

Suchanideaasinsurrection,however,isnotnewamongtheenslavedpopulationofBayouBœuf.MorethanonceIhavejoinedinseriousconsultation,whenthesubjecthasbeen

discussed,andtherehavebeentimeswhenawordfrommewouldhaveplacedhundredsofmyfellow-bondsmeninanattitudeofdefiance.Withoutarmsorammunition,orevenwiththem,Isawsuchastepwouldresultincertaindefeat,disasteranddeath,andalwaysraisedmyvoiceagainstit.

DuringtheMexicanwarI

wellremembertheextravaganthopesthatwereexcited.Thenewsofvictoryfilledthegreathousewithrejoicing,butproducedonlysorrowanddisappointmentinthecabin.Inmyopinion—andIhavehadopportunitytoknowsomethingofthefeelingofwhichIspeak—therearenotfiftyslavesontheshoresofBayouBœuf,butwouldhailwithunmeasureddelightthe

approachofaninvadingarmy.

Theyaredeceivedwhoflatterthemselvesthattheignorantanddebasedslavehasnoconceptionofthemagnitudeofhiswrongs.Theyaredeceivedwhoimaginethathearisesfromhisknees,withbacklaceratedandbleeding,cherishingonlyaspiritofmeeknessandforgiveness.Adaymaycome

—itwillcome,ifhisprayerisheard—aterribledayofvengeance,whenthemasterinhisturnwillcryinvainformercy.

CHAPTERXVIII.O‘NIEL,THETANNER—CONVERSATIONWITHAUNTPHEBEOVERHEARD—EPPSINTHETANNINGBUSINESS—STABBINGOFUNCLEABRAM—THEUGLYWOUND—

EPPSISJEALOUS—PATSEYISMISSING—HERRETURNFROMSHAW’S—HARRIET,SHAW’SBLACKWIFE—EPPSENRAGED—PATSEYDENIESHISCHARGES—SHEISTIEDDOWNNAKEDTOFOURSTAKES—THEINHUMANFLOGGING—FLAYINGOFPATSEY—THEBEAUTYOFTHEDAY—THEBUCKETOF

SALTWATER—THEDRESSSTIFFWITHBLOOD—PATSEYGROWSMELANCHOLY—HERIDEAOFGODANDETERNITY—OFHEAVENANDFREEDOM—THEEFFECTOFSLAVE-WHIPPING—EPPS’OLDESTSON—“THECHILDISFATHERTOTHEMAN.”

WILEYsufferedseverelyatthehandsofMasterEpps,ashasbeenrelatedintheprecedingchapter,butinthisrespecthefarednoworsethanhisunfortunatecompanions.“Sparetherod,”wasanideascoutedbyourmaster.Hewasconstitutionallysubjecttoperiodsofill-humor,andatsuchtimes,howeverlittleprovocationtheremightbe,acertainamountofpunishment

wasinflected.ThecircumstancesattendingthelastfloggingbutonethatIreceived,willshowhowtrivialacausewassufficientwithhimforresortingtothewhip.

AMr.O‘Niel,residinginthevicinityoftheBigPineWoods,calleduponEppsforthepurposeofpurchasingme.Hewasatannerandcurrierbyoccupation,transactingan

extensivebusiness,andintendedtoplacemeatserviceinsomedepartmentofhisestablishment,providedheboughtme.AuntPhebe,whilepreparingthedinner-tableinthegreathouse,overheardtheirconversation.Onreturningtotheyardatnight,theoldwomanrantomeetme,designing,ofcourse,tooverwhelmmewiththenews.Sheenteredintoaminuterepetitionofall

shehadheard,andAuntPhebewasonewhoseearsneverfailedtodrinkineverywordofconversationutteredinherhearing.Sheenlargeduponthefactthat“MassaEppswasg’winetosellmetoatanneroberindePineWoods,”solongandloudlyastoattracttheattentionofthemistress,who,standingunobservedonthepiazzaatthetime,waslisteningtoourconversation.

“Well,AuntPhebe,”saidI,“I’mgladofit.I’mtiredofscrapingcotton,andwouldratherbeatanner.Ihopehe’llbuyme.”

O’Nieldidnoteffectapurchase,however,thepartiesdifferingastoprice,andthemorningfollowinghisarrival,departedhomewards.Hehadbeengonebutashorttime,whenEppsmadehisappearancein

thefield.Nownothingwillmoreviolentlyenrageamaster,especiallyEpps,thantheintimationofoneofhisservantsthathewouldliketoleavehim.MistressEppshadrepeatedtohimmyexpressionstoAuntPhebetheeveningprevious,asIlearnedfromthelatterafterwards,themistresshavingmentionedtoherthatshehadoverheardus.Onenteringthefield,Epps

walkeddirectlytome.

“So,Platt,you’retiredofscrapingcotton,areyou?Youwouldliketochangeyourmaster,eh?You’refondofmovinground—traveler—ain’tye?Ah,yes—liketotravelforyourhealth,maybe?Feelabovecotton-scraping,I‘spose.Soyou’regoingintothetanningbusiness?Goodbusiness—devilishfinebusiness.

Enterprisingnigger!B’lieveI’llgointothatbusinessmyself.Downonyourknees,andstripthatragoffyourback!I’lltrymyhandattanning.”

Ibeggedearnestly,andendeavoredtosoftenhimwithexcuses,butinvain.Therewasnootheralternative;sokneelingdown,Ipresentedmybarebackfortheapplicationofthe

lash.

“Howdoyouliketanning?”heexclaimed,astherawhidedescendeduponmyflesh.“Howdoyouliketanning?”herepeatedateveryblow.Inthismannerhegavemetwentyorthirtylashes,incessantlygivingutterancetotheword“tanning,”inoneformofexpressionoranother.Whensufficiently“tanned,”he

allowedmetoarise;andwithahalf-maliciouslaughassuredme,ifIstillfanciedthebusiness,hewouldgivemefurtherinstructioninitwheneverIdesired.Thistime,heremarked,hehadonlygivenmeashortlessonin“tanning”—thenexttimehewould“currymedown.”

UncleAbram,also,wasfrequentlytreatedwithgreatbrutality,althoughhewasone

ofthekindestandmostfaithfulcreaturesintheworld.Hewasmycabin-mateforyears.Therewasabenevolentexpressionintheoldman’sface,pleasanttobehold.Heregardeduswithakindofparentalfeeling,alwayscounselinguswithremarkablegravityanddeliberation.

ReturningfromMarshall’splantationoneafternoon,

whitherIhadbeensentonsomeerrandofthemistress,Ifoundhimlyingonthecabinfloor,hisclothessaturatedwithblood.HeinformedmethathehadbeenstabbedIWhilespreadingcottononthescaffold,EppscamehomeintoxicatedfromHolmesville.Hefoundfaultwitheverything,givingmanyorderssodirectlycontrarythatitwasimpossibletoexecuteanyofthem.UncleAbram,whose

facultiesweregrowingdull,becameconfused,andcommittedsomeblunderofnoparticularconsequence.Eppswassoenragedthereat,that,withdrunkenrecklessness,heflewupontheoldman,andstabbedhimintheback.Itwasalong,uglywound,butdidnothappentopenetratefarenoughtoresultfatally.Itwassewedupbythemistress,whocensuredherhusband

withextremeseverity,notonlydenouncinghisinhumanity,butdeclaringthatsheexpectednothingelsethanthathewouldbringthefamilytopoverty—thathewouldkillalltheslavesontheplantationinsomeofhisdrunkenfits.

ItwasnouncommonthingwithhimtoprostrateAuntPhebewithachairorstickofwood;butthemostcruel

whippingthateverIwasdoomedtowitness—oneIcanneverrecallwithanyotheremotionthanthatofhorror—wasinflictedontheunfortunatePatsey.

IthasbeenseenthatthejealousyandhatredofMistressEppsmadethedailylifeofheryoungandagileslavecompletelymiserable.IamhappyinthebeliefthatonnumerousoccasionsIwasthe

meansofavertingpunishmentfromtheinoffensivegirl.InEpps’absencethemistressoftenorderedmetowhipherwithouttheremotestprovocation.Iwouldrefuse,sayingthatIfearedmymaster’sdispleasure,andseveraltimesventuredtoremonstratewithheragainstthetreatmentPatseyreceived.Iendeavoredtoimpressherwiththetruththatthelatterwasnotresponsibleforthe

actsofwhichshecomplained,butthatshebeingaslave,andsubjectentirelytohermaster’swill,healonewasanswerable.

Atlength“thegreen-eyedmonster”creptintothesoulofEppsalso,andthenitwasthathejoinedwithhiswrathfulwifeinaninfernaljubileeoverthegirl’smiseries.

OnaSabbathdayinhoeing

time,notlongago,wewereonthebayoubank,washingourclothes,aswasourusualcustom.PresentlyPatseywasmissingEppscalledaloud,buttherewasnoanswer.Noonehadobservedherleavingtheyard,anditwasawonderwithuswhithershehadgone.InthecourseofacoupleofhoursshewasseenapproachingfromthedirectionofShaw’s.Thisman,ashasbeenintimated,

wasanotoriousprofligate,andwithalnotonthemostfriendlytermswithEpps.Harriet,hisblackwife,knowingPatsey’stroubles,waskindtoher,inconsequenceofwhichthelatterwasinthehabitofgoingovertoseehereveryopportunity.Hervisitswerepromptedbyfriendshipmerely,butthesuspiciongraduallyenteredthebrainofEpps,thatanotherandabaser

passionledherthither—thatitwasnotHarrietshedesiredtomeet,butrathertheunblushinglibertine,hisneighbor.Patseyfoundhermasterinafearfulrageonherreturn.Hisviolencesoalarmedherthatatfirstsheattemptedtoevadedirectanswerstohisquestions,whichonlyservedtoincreasehissuspicions.Shefinally,however,drewherselfupproudly,andinaspiritof

indignationboldlydeniedhischarges.

“Missusdon’tgivemesoaptowashwith,asshedoestherest,”saidPatsey,“andyouknowwhy.IwentovertoHarriet’stogetapiece,”andsayingthis,shedrewitforthfromapocketinherdressandexhibitedittohim.“That’swhatIwenttoShaw’sfor,MassaEpps,”continuedshe;“theLord

knowsthatwasall.”

“Youlie,youblackwench!”shoutedEpps.

“Idon’tlie,massa.Ifyoukillme,I’llsticktothat.”

“Oh!I’llfetchyoudown.I’lllearnyoutogotoShaw’s.I’lltakethestarchoutofye,”hemutteredfiercelythroughhisshutteeth.

Thenturningtome,heorderedfourstakestobe

drivenintotheground,pointingwiththetoeofhisboottotheplaceswherehewantedthem.Whenthestakesweredrivendown,heorderedhertobestrippedofeveryarticleofdress.Ropeswerethenbrought,andthenakedgirlwaslaiduponherface,herwristsandfeeteachtiedfirmlytoastake.Steppingtothepiazza,hetookdownaheavywhip,andplacingitinmyhands,

commandedmetolashher.Unpleasantasitwas,Iwascompelledtoobeyhim.Nowherethatday,onthefaceofthewholeearth,Iventuretosay,wastheresuchademoniacexhibitionwitnessedasthenensued.

MistressEppsstoodonthepiazzaamongherchildren,gazingonthescenewithanairofheartlesssatisfaction.Theslaveswerehuddled

togetheratalittledistance,theircountenancesindicatingthesorrowoftheirhearts.PoorPatseyprayedpiteouslyformercy,butherprayerswerevain.Eppsgroundhisteeth,andstampedupontheground,screamingatme,likeamadfiend,tostrikeharder.“Strikeharder,oryourturn

willcomenext,youscoundrel,”heyelled.

“Oh,mercy,massa!—oh!

havemercy,do.Oh,God!pityme,”Patseyexclaimedcontinually,strugglingfruitlessly,andthefleshquiveringateverystroke.

WhenIhadstruckherasmanyasthirtytimes,Istopped,andturnedroundtowardEpps,hopinghewassatisfied;butwithbitteroathsandthreats,heorderedmetocontinue.Iinflictedtenorfifteenblowsmore.Bythis

timeherbackwascoveredwithlongwelts,intersectingeachotherlikenetwork.Eppswasyetfuriousandsavageasever,demandingifshewouldliketogotoShaw’sagain,andswearinghewouldflogheruntilshewishedshewasinh—l.Throwingdownthewhip,IdeclaredIcouldpunishhernomore.Heorderedmetogoon,threateningmewithasevererfloggingthanshehad

received,incaseofrefusal.Myheartrevoltedattheinhumanscene,andriskingtheconsequences,Iabsolutelyrefusedtoraisethewhip.Hethenseizedithimself,andapplieditwithten-foldgreaterforcethanIhad.ThepainfulcriesandshrieksofthetorturedPatsey,minglingwiththeloudandangrycursesofEpps,loadedtheair.Shewasterriblylacerated—Imaysay,without

exaggeration,literallyflayed.Thelashwaswetwithblood,whichfloweddownhersidesanddroppedupontheground.Atlengthsheceasedstruggling.Herheadsanklistlesslyontheground.Herscreamsandsupplicationsgraduallydecreasedanddiedawayintoalowmoan.Shenolongerwrithedandshrankbeneaththelashwhenitbitoutsmallpiecesofherflesh.Ithoughtthatshewasdying!

ItwastheSabbathoftheLord.Thefieldssmiledinthewarmsunlight—thebirdschirpedmerrilyamidstthefoliageofthetrees—peaceandhappinessseemedtoreigneverywhere,saveinthebosomsofEppsandhispantingvictimandthesilentwitnessesaroundhim.Thetempestuousemotionsthatwereragingtherewerelittleinharmonywiththecalmandquietbeautyoftheday.I

couldlookonEppsonlywithunutterableloathingandabhorrence,andthoughtwithinmyself—“Thoudevil,soonerorlater,somewhereinthecourseofeternaljustice,thoushaltanswerforthissin!”

Finally,heceasedwhippingfrommereexhaustion,andorderedPhebetobringabucketofsaltandwater.Afterwashing

herthoroughlywiththis,Iwastoldtotakehertohercabin.Untyingtheropes,Iraisedherinmyarms.Shewasunabletostand,andasherheadrestedonmyshoulder,sherepeatedmanytimes,inafaintvoicescarcelyperceptible,“Oh,Platt—oh,Platt!”butnothingfurther.Herdresswasreplaced,butitclungtoherback,andwassoonstiffwithblood.Welaidheronsome

boardsinthehut,wheresheremainedalongtime,witheyesclosedandgroaninginagony.AtnightPhebeappliedmeltedtallowtoherwounds,andsofaraswewereable,allendeavoredtoassistandconsoleher.Dayafterdayshelayinhercabinuponherface,thesorespreventingherrestinginanyotherposition.

Ablessedthingitwould

havebeenforher—daysandweeksandmonthsofmiseryitwouldhavesavedher—hadsheneverliftedupherheadinlifeagain.Indeed,fromthattimeforwardshewasnotwhatshehadbeen.Theburdenofadeepmelancholyweighedheavilyonherspirits.Shenolongermovedwiththatbuoyantandelasticstep—therewasnotthatmirthfulsparkleinhereyesthatformerlydistinguished

her.Theboundingvigor—thesprightly,laughter-lovingspiritofheryouth,weregone.Shefellintoamournfulanddespondingmood,andoftentimeswouldstartupinhersleep,andwithraisedhands,pleadformercy.Shebecamemoresilentthanshewas,toilingalldayinourmidst,notutteringaword.Acare-worn,pitifulexpressionsettledonherface,anditwasherhumornowtoweep,

ratherthanrejoice.Ifevertherewasabrokenheart—onecrushedandblightedbytherudegraspofsufferingandmisfortune—itwasPatsey’s.

Shehadbeenrearednobetterthanhermaster’sbeast—lookeduponmerelyasavaluableandhandsomeanimal—andconsequentlypossessedbutalimitedamountofknowledge.And

yetafaintlightcastitsraysoverherintellect,sothatitwasnotwhollydark.ShehadadimperceptionofGodandofeternity,andastillmoredimperceptionofaSaviourwhohaddiedevenforsuchasher.Sheentertainedbutconfusednotionsofafuturelife—notcomprehendingthedistinctionbetweenthecorporealandspiritualexistence.Happiness,inhermind,wasexemptionfrom

stripes—fromlabor—fromthecrueltyofmastersandoverseers.Herideaofthejoyofheavenwassimplyrest,andisfullyexpressedintheselinesofamelancholybard:

“Iasknoparadiseonhigh,Withcaresonearthoppressed,

TheonlyheavenforwhichIsigh,Isrest,

eternalrest.”

Itisamistakenopinionthatprevailsinsomequarters,thattheslavedoesnotunderstandtheterm—doesnotcomprehendtheideaoffreedom.EvenonBayouBœuf,whereIconceiveslaveryexistsinitsmostabjectandcruelform—whereitexhibitsfeaturesaltogetherunknowninmorenorthern

States—themostignorantofthemgenerallyknowfullwellitsmeaning.Theyunderstandtheprivilegesandexemptionsthatbelongtoit—thatitwouldbestowuponthemthefruitsoftheirownlabors,andthatitwouldsecuretothemtheenjoymentofdomestichappiness.Theydonotfailtoobservethedifferencebetweentheirownconditionandthemeanestwhiteman’s,andtorealizetheinjusticeof

thelawswhichplaceitinhispowernotonlytoappropriatetheprofitsoftheirindustry,buttosubjectthemtounmeritedandunprovokedpunishment,withoutremedy,ortherighttoresist,ortoremonstrate.

Patsey’slife,especiallyafterherwhipping,wasonelongdreamofliberty.Faraway,toherfancyanimmeasurabledistance,she

knewtherewasalandoffreedom.AthousandtimesshehadheardthatsomewhereinthedistantNorththerewerenoslaves—nomasters.Inherimaginationitwasanenchantedregion,theParadiseoftheearth.Todwellwheretheblackmanmayworkforhimself—liveinhisowncabin—tillhisownsoil,wasablissfuldreamofPatsey’s—adream,alas!thefulfillmentofwhichshecan

neverrealize.

Theeffectoftheseexhibitionsofbrutalityonthehouseholdoftheslave-holder,isapparent.Epps’oldestsonisanintelligentladoftenortwelveyearsofage.Itispitiable,sometimes,toseehimchastising,forinstance,thevenerableUncleAbram.Hewillcalltheoldmantoaccount,andifinhischildishjudgmentitis

necessary,sentencehimtoacertainnumberoflashes,whichheproceedstoinflictwithmuchgravityanddeliberation.Mountedonhispony,heoftenridesintothefieldwithhiswhip,playingtheoverseer,greatlytohisfather’sdelight.Withoutdiscrimination,atsuchtimes,heappliestherawhide,urgingtheslavesforwardwithshouts,andoccasionalexpressionsofprofanity,

whiletheoldmanlaughs,andcommendshimasathorough-goingboy.

“Thechildisfathertotheman,”andwithsuchtraining,whatevermaybehisnaturaldisposition,itcannotwellbeotherwisethanthat,onarrivingatmaturity,thesufferingsandmiseriesoftheslavewillbelookeduponwithentireindifference.Theinfluenceoftheiniquitous

systemnecessarilyfostersanunfeelingandcruelspirit,eveninthebosomsofthosewho,amongtheirequals,areregardedashumaneandgenerous.

YoungMasterEppspossessedsomenoblequalities,yetnoprocessofreasoningcouldleadhimtocomprehend,thatintheeyeoftheAlmightythereisnodistinctionofcolor.He

lookedupontheblackmansimplyasananimal,differinginnorespectfromanyotheranimal,saveinthegiftofspeechandthepossessionofsomewhathigherinstincts,and,therefore,themorevaluable.Toworklikehisfather’smules—tobewhippedandkickedandscourgedthroughlife—toaddressthewhitemanwithhatinhand,andeyesbentservilelyontheearth,inhis

mind,wasthenaturalandproperdestinyoftheslave.Broughtupwithsuchideas—inthenotionthatwestandwithoutthepaleofhumanity—nowondertheoppressorsofmypeopleareapitilessandunrelentingrace.

THESTAKINGOUTANDFLOGGINGOFTHEGIRL

PATSEY.

CHAPTERXIX.AVERY,OFBAYOUROUGE—PECULIARITYOFDWELLINGS—EPPSBUILDSANEWHOUSE-BASS,THECARPENTER—HISNOBLEQUALITIES—HISPERSONAL

APPEARANCEANDECCENTRICITIES—BASSANDEPPSDISCUSSTHEQUESTIONOFSLAVERY—EPPS’OPINIONOFBASS—IMAKEMYSELFKNOWNTOHIM—OURCONVERSATION—HISSURPRISE—THEMIDNIGHTMEETINGONTHEBAYOUBANK—BASS’ASSURANCES

—DECLARESWARAGAINSTSLAVERY—WHYIDIDNOTDISCLOSEMYHISTORY—BASSWRITESLETTERS—COPYOFHISLETTERTOMESSRS.PARKERANDPERRY—THEFEVEROFSUSPENSE—DISAPPOINTMENTS—BASSENDEAVORSTOCHEERME—MYFAITHINHIM.

INthemonthofJune,1852,inpursuanceofapreviouscontract,Mr.Avery,acarpenterofBayouRouge,commencedtheerectionofahouseforMasterEpps.IthaspreviouslybeenstatedthattherearenocellarsonBayouBœuf;ontheotherhand,suchisthelowandswampynatureoftheground,thegreathousesareusuallybuiltupon

spiles.Anotherpeculiarityis,theroomsarenotplastered,buttheceilingandsidesarecoveredwithmatchedcypressboards,paintedsuchcolorasmostpleasestheowner’staste.Generallytheplankandboardsaresawedbyslaveswithwhip-saws,therebeingnowaterpoweruponwhichmillsmightbebuiltwithinmanymiles.Whentheplantererectsforhimselfadwelling,therefore,thereisplentyof

extraworkforhisslaves.HavinghadsomeexperienceunderTibeatsasacarpenter,Iwastakenfromthefieldaltogether,onthearrivalofAveryandhishands.

AmongthemwasonetowhomIoweanimmeasurabledebtofgratitude.Onlyforhim,inallprobability,Ishouldhaveendedmydaysinslavery.Hewasmydeliverer—amanwhosetrueheart

overflowedwithnobleandgenerousemotions.TothelastmomentofmyexistenceIshallrememberhimwithfeelingsofthankfulness.HisnamewasBass,andatthattimeheresidedinMarksville.Itwillbedifficulttoconveyacorrectimpressionofhisappearanceorcharacter.Hewasalargeman,betweenfortyandfiftyyearsold,oflightcomplexionandlighthair.Hewasverycooland

self-possessed,fondofargument,butalwaysspeakingwithextremedeliberation.Hewasthatkindofpersonwhosepeculiarityofmannerwassuchthatnothingheutteredevergaveoffence.Whatwouldbeintolerable,comingfromthelipsofanother,couldbesaidbyhimwithimpunity.TherewasnotamanonRedRiver,perhaps,thatagreedwithhimonthesubjectofpoliticsor

religion,andnotaman,Iventuretosay,whodiscussedeitherofthosesubjectshalfasmuch.Itseemedtobetakenforgrantedthathewouldespousetheunpopularsideofeverylocalquestion,anditalwayscreatedamusementratherthandispleasureamonghisauditors,tolistentotheingeniousandoriginalmannerinwhichhemaintainedthecontroversy.Hewasabachelor—an“old

bachelor,”accordingtothetrueacceptationoftheterm—havingnokindredliving,asheknewof,intheworld.Neitherhadheanypermanentabidingplace—wanderingfromoneStatetoanother,ashisfancydictated.HehadlivedinMarksvillethreeorfouryears,andintheprosecutionofhisbusinessasacarpenter;andinconsequence,likewise,ofhispeculiarities,wasquite

extensivelyknownthroughouttheparishofAvoyelles.Hewasliberaltoafault;andhismanyactsofkindnessandtransparentgoodnessofheartrenderedhimpopularinthecommunity,thesentimentofwhichheunceasinglycombated.

HewasanativeofCanada,fromwhencehehadwanderedinearlylife,and

aftervisitingalltheprincipallocalitiesinthenorthernandwesternStates,inthecourseofhisperegrinations,arrivedintheunhealthyregionoftheRedRiver.HislastremovalwasfromIllinois.Whitherhehasnowgone,Iregrettobeobligedtosay,isunknowntome.HegathereduphiseffectsanddepartedquietlyfromMarksvillethedaybeforeIdid,thesuspicionsofhisinstrumentalityin

procuringmyliberationrenderingsuchastepnecessary.Forthecommissionofajustandrighteousacthewouldundoubtedlyhavesuffereddeath,hadheremainedwithinreachoftheslave-whippingtribeonBayouBœuf.

Oneday,whileworkingonthenewhouse,BassandEppsbecameengagedinacontroversy,towhich,aswill

bereadilysupposed,Ilistenedwithabsorbinginterest.TheywerediscussingthesubjectofSlavery.

“ItellyouwhatitisEpps,”saidBass,“it’sallwrong—allwrong,sir—there’snojusticenorrighteousnessinit.Iwouldn’townaslaveifIwasrichasCrœsus,whichIamnot,asisperfectlywellunderstood,moreparticularly

amongmycreditors.There’sanotherhumbug—thecreditsystem—humbug,sir;nocredit—nodebt.Creditleadsamanintotemptation.Cashdownistheonlythingthatwilldeliverhimfromevil.ButthisquestionofSlavery;whatrighthaveyoutoyourniggerswhenyoucomedowntothepoint?”

“Whatright!”saidEpps,laughing;“why,Ibought

‘em,andpaidfor’em.”

Ofcourseyoudid;thelawsaysyouhavetherighttoholdanigger,butbeggingthelaw’spardon,itlies.Yes,Epps,whenthelawsaysthatit’saliar,andthetruthisnotinit.Iseverythingrightbecausethelawallowsit?Supposethey’dpassalawtakingawayyourlibertyandmakingyouaslave?”

“Oh,thatain’ta

supposablecase,”saidEpps,stilllaughing;“hopeyoudon’tcomparemetoanigger,Bass.”

“Well,”Bassansweredgravely,“no,notexactly.ButIhaveseenniggersbeforenowasgoodasIam,andIhavenoacquaintancewithanywhitemaninthesepartsthatIconsiderawhitbetterthanmyself.Now,inthesightofGod,whatisthe

difference,Epps,betweenawhitemanandablackone?”

“Allthedifferenceintheworld,”repliedEpps.“Youmightaswellaskwhatthedifferenceisbetweenawhitemanandababoon.Now,I’veseenoneofthemcrittersinOrleansthatknowedjustasmuchasanyniggerI’vegot.You’dcallthemfellercitizens,Is’pose?”—andEppsindulgedinaloudlaugh

athisownwit.

“Lookhere,Epps,”continuedhiscompanion;“youcan’tlaughmedowninthatway.Somemenarewitty,andsomeain’tsowittyastheythinktheyare.Nowletmeaskyouaquestion.AreallmencreatedfreeandequalastheDeclarationofIndependenceholdstheyare?”

“Yes,”respondedEpps,

“butallmen,niggers,andmonkeysain’t;”andhereuponhebrokeforthintoamoreboisterouslaughthanbefore.

“Therearemonkeysamongwhitepeopleaswellasblack,whenyoucometothat,”coollyremarkedBass.“Iknowsomewhitementhatuseargumentsnosensiblemonkeywould.Butletthatpass.Theseniggersare

humanbeings.Iftheydon’tknowasmuchastheirmasters,whosefaultisit?Theyarenotallowedtoknowanything.Youhavebooksandpapers,andcangowhereyouplease,andgatherintelligenceinathousandways.Butyourslaveshavenoprivileges.You’dwhiponeofthemifcaughtreadingabook.Theyareheldinbondage,generationaftergeneration,deprivedof

mentalimprovement,andwhocanexpectthemtopossessmuchknowledge?Iftheyarenotbroughtdowntoalevelwiththebrutecreation,youslaveholderswillneverbeblamedforit.Iftheyarebaboons,orstandnohigherinthescaleofintelligencethansuchanimals,youandmenlikeyouwillhavetoanswerforit.There’sasin,afearfulsin,restingonthisnation,that

willnotgounpunishedforever.Therewillbeareckoningyet—yes,Epps,there’sadaycomingthatwillburnasanoven.Itmaybesooneroritmaybelater,butit’sacomingassureastheLordisjust.”

“IfyoulivedupamongtheYankeesinNew-England,”saidEpps,“Iexpectyou’dbeoneofthemcursedfanaticsthatknowmorethanthe

constitution,andgoaboutpeddlingclocksandcoaxingniggerstorunaway.”

“IfIwasinNew-England,”returnedBass,“IwouldbejustwhatIamhere.IwouldsaythatSlaverywasaniniquity,andoughttobeabolished.Iwouldsaytherewasnoreasonnorjusticeinthelaw,ortheconstitutionthatallowsonemantoholdanothermaninbondage.It

wouldbehardforyoutoloseyourproperty,tobesure,butitwouldn’tbehalfashardasitwouldbetoloseyourliberty.Youhavenomorerighttoyourfreedom,inexactjustice,thanUncleAbramyonder.Talkaboutblackskin,andblackblood;why,howmanyslavesarethereonthisbayouaswhiteaseitherofus?Andwhatdifferenceisthereinthecolorofthesoul?Pshaw!thewhole

systemisasabsurdasitiscruel.Youmayownniggersandbehanged,butIwouldn’townoneforthebestplantationinLouisiana.”

“Youliketohearyourselftalk,Bass,betterthananymanIknowof.Youwouldarguethatblackwaswhite,orwhiteblack,ifanybodywouldcontradictyou.Nothingsuitsyouinthisworld,andIdon’tbelieve

youwillbesatisfiedwiththenext,ifyoushouldhaveyourchoiceinthem.”

Conversationssubstantiallyliketheforegoingwerenotunusualbetweenthetwoafterthis;Eppsdrawinghimoutmoreforthepurposeofcreatingalaughathisexpense,thanwithaviewoffairlydiscussingthemeritsofthequestion.HelookeduponBass,asamanreadytosay

anythingmerelyforthepleasureofhearinghisownvoice;assomewhatself-conceited,perhaps,contendingagainsthisfaithandjudgment,inorder,simply,toexhibithisdexterityinargumentation.

HeremainedatEpps’throughthesummer,visitingMarksvillegenerallyonceafortnight.ThemoreIsawofhim,themoreIbecame

convincedhewasamaninwhomIcouldconfide.Nevertheless,mypreviousill-fortunehadtaughtmetobeextremelycautious.Itwasnotmyplacetospeaktoawhitemanexceptwhenspokento,butIomittednoopportunityofthrowingmyselfinhisway,andendeavoredconstantlyineverypossiblemannertoattracthisattention.IntheearlypartofAugustheandmyselfwereat

workaloneinthehouse,theothercarpentershavingleft,andEppsbeingabsentinthefield.Nowwasthetime,ifever,tobroachthesubject,andIresolvedtodoit,andsubmittowhateverconsequencesmightensue.Wewerebusilyatworkintheafternoon,whenIstoppedsuddenlyandsaid—

“MasterBass,Iwanttoaskyouwhatpartofthecountry

youcamefrom?”

“Why,Platt,whatputthatintoyourheal?”heanswered.“Youwouldn’tknowifIshouldtellyou.”Afteramomentortwoheadded—“IwasborninCanada;nowguesswherethatis.”

“Oh,IknowwhereCanadais,”saidI,“Ihavebeentheremyself.”

“Yes,Iexpectyouarewellacquaintedallthroughthatcountry,”heremarked,laughingincredulously.

“AssureasIlive,MasterBass,”Ireplied,“Ihavebeenthere.IhavebeeninMontrealandKingston,andQueenston,andagreatmanyplacesinCanada,andIhavebeeninYorkState,too—inBuffalo,andRochester,andAlbany,andcantellyouthenamesof

thevillagesontheEriecanalandtheChamplaincanal.”

Bassturnedroundandgazedatmealongtimewithoututteringasyllable.

“Howcameyouhere?”heinquired,atlength,“MasterBass,”Ianswered,“ifjusticehadbeendone,Ineverwouldhavebeenhere.”

“Well,how’sthis?”saidhe.“Whoareyou?Youhave

beeninCanadasureenough;Iknowalltheplacesyoumention.Howdidyouhappentogethere?Come,tellmeallaboutit.”

“Ihavenofriendshere,”wasmyreply,“thatIcanputconfidencein.Iamafraidtotellyou,thoughIdon’tbelieveyouwouldtellMasterEppsifIshould.”

HeassuredmeearnestlyhewouldkeepeverywordI

mightspeaktohimaprofoundsecret,andhiscuriositywasevidentlystronglyexcited.Itwasalongstory,Iinformedhim,andwouldtakesometimetorelateit.MasterEppswouldbebacksoon,butifhewouldseemethatnightafterallwereasleep,Iwouldrepeatittohim.Heconsentedreadilytothearrangement,anddirectedmetocomeintothebuildingwherewewerethen

atwork,andIwouldfindhimthere.Aboutmidnight,whenallwasstillandquiet,Icreptcautiouslyfrommycabin,andsilentlyenteringtheunfinishedbuilding,foundhimawaitingme.

AfterfurtherassurancesonhispartthatIshouldnotbebetrayed,Ibeganarelationofthehistoryofmylifeandmisfortunes.Hewasdeeplyinterested,askingnumerous

questionsinreferencetolocalitiesandevents.HavingendedmystoryIbesoughthimtowritetosomeofmyfriendsattheNorth,acquaintingthemwithmysituation,andbeggingthemtoforwardfreepapers,ortakesuchstepsastheymightconsiderpropertosecuremyrelease.Hepromisedtodoso,butdweltuponthedangerofsuchanactincaseofdetection,andnowimpressed

uponmethegreatnecessityofstrictsilenceandsecresy.Beforewepartedourplanofoperationwasarranged.

Weagreedtomeetthenextnightataspecifiedplaceamongthehighweedsonthebankofthebayou,somedistancefrommaster’sdwelling.Therehewastowritedownonpaperthenamesandaddressofseveralpersons,oldfriendsinthe

North,towhomhewoulddirectlettersduringhisnextvisittoMarksville.Itwasnotdeemedprudenttomeetinthenewhouse,inasmuchasthelightitwouldbenecessarytousemightpossiblybediscovered.InthecourseofthedayImanagedtoobtainafewmatchesandapieceofcandle,unperceived,fromthekitchen,duringatemporaryabsenceofAuntPhebe.Basshadpenciland

paperinhistoolchest.

Attheappointedhourwemetonthebayoubank,andcreepingamongthehighweeds,Ilightedthecandle,whilehedrewforthpencilandpaperandpreparedforbusiness.IgavehimthenamesofWilliamPerry,CephasParkerandJudgeMarvin,allofSaratogaSprings,Saratogacounty,New-York.Ihadbeen

employedbythelatterintheUnitedStatesHotel,andhadtransactedbusinesswiththeformertoaconsiderableextent,andtrustedthatatleastoneofthemwouldbestilllivingatthatplace.Hecarefullywrotethenames,andthenremarked,thoughtfully-

“ItissomanyyearssinceyouleftSaratoga,alithesemenmaybedead,ormay

haveremoved.YousayyouobtainedpapersatthecustomhouseinNew-York.Probablythereisarecordofthemthere,andIthinkitwouldbewelltowriteandascertain.”

Iagreedwithhim,andagainrepeatedthecircumstancesrelatedheretofore,connectedwithmyvisittothecustomhousewithBrownandHamilton.Welingeredonthebankof

thebayouanhourormore,conversinguponthesubjectwhichnowengrossedourthoughts.Icouldnolongerdoubthisfidelity,andfreelyspoketohimofthemanysorrowsIhadborneinsilence,andsolong.Ispokeofmywifeandchildren,mentioningtheirnamesandages,anddwellingupontheunspeakablehappinessitwouldbetoclaspthemtomyheartoncemorebeforeIdied.

Icaughthimbythehand,andwithtearsandpassionateentreatiesimploredhimtobefriendme—torestoremetomykindredandtoliberty—promisingIwouldwearyHeaventheremainderofmylifewithprayersthatitwouldblessandprosperhim.Intheenjoymentoffreedom—surroundedbytheassociationsofyouth,andrestoredtothebosomofmyfamily—thatpromiseisnot

yetforgotten,norshalliteverbesolongasIhavestrengthtoraisemyimploringeyesonhigh.

“Oh,blessingsonhiskindlyvoiceandonhissilverhair,Andblessingsonhiswholelifelong,untilhemeetmethere.”

Heoverwhelmedmewithassurancesoffriendshipandfaithfulness,sayinghehadneverbeforetakensodeepaninterestinthefateofanyone.Hespokeofhimselfinasomewhatmournfultone,asalonelyman,awandererabouttheworld—thathewasgrowingold,andmustsoonreachtheendofhisearthlyjourney,andliedowntohisfinalrestwithoutkithorkintomournforhim,orto

rememberhim—thathislifewasoflittlevaluetohimself,andhenceforthshouldbedevotedtotheaccomplishmentofmyliberty,andtoanunceasingwarfareagainsttheaccursedshameofSlavery.

Afterthistimeweseldomspoketo,orrecognizedeachother.Hewas,moreover,lessfreeinhisconversationwithEppsonthesubjectof

Slavery.Theremotestsuspicionthattherewasanyunusualintimacy—anysecretunderstandingbetweenus—neveronceenteredthemindofEpps,oranyotherperson,whiteorblack,ontheplantation.

Iamoftenasked,withanairofincredulity,howIsucceededsomanyyearsinkeepingfrommydailyandconstantcompanionsthe

knowledgeofmytruenameandhistory.TheterriblelessonBurchtaughtme,impressedindeliblyuponmymindthedangeranduselessnessofassertingIwasafreeman.Therewasnopossibilityofanyslavebeingabletoassistme,while,ontheotherhand,therewasapossibilityofhisexposingme.Whenitisrecollectedthewholecurrentofmythoughts,fortwelveyears,turnedtothe

contemplationofescape,itwillnotbewonderedat,thatIwasalwayscautiousandonmyguard.Itwouldhavebeenanactoffollytohaveproclaimedmyrighttofreedom;itwouldonlyhavesubjectedmetosevererscrutiny—probablyhaveconsignedmetosomemoredistantandinaccessibleregionthanevenBayouBœuf.EdwinEppswasapersonutterlyregardlessofa

blackman’srightsorwrongs—utterlydestituteofanynaturalsenseofjustice,asIwellknew.Itwasimportant,therefore,notonlyasregardedmyhopeofdeliverance,butalsoasregardedthefewpersonalpriviligesIwaspermittedtoenjoy,tokeepfromhimthehistoryofmylife.

TheSaturdaynightsubsequenttoourinterviewat

thewater’sedge,BasswenthometoMarksville.Thenextday,beingSunday,heemployedhimselfinhisownroomwritingletters.OnehedirectedtotheCollectorofCustomsatNew-York,anothertoJudgeMarvin,andanothertoMessrs.ParkerandPerryjointly.Thelatterwastheonewhichledtomyrecovery.Hesubscribedmytruename,butinthepostscriptintimatedIwasnot

thewriter.Theletteritselfshowsthatheconsideredhimselfengagedinadangerousundertaking—nolessthanrunning“theriskofhislife,ifdetected.”Ididnotseetheletterbeforeitwasmailed,buthavesinceobtainedacopy,whichishereinserted:

“BayouBœuf,August15,1852.

“Mr.WILLIAMPERRYorMr.CEPHASPARKER:

“Gentlemen—IthavingbeenalongtimesinceIhaveseenorheardfromyou,andnotknowingthatyouareliving,itiswithuncertaintythatIwritetoyou,butthenecessityofthecasemustbemyexcuse.

“Havingbeenbornfree,justacrosstheriverfromyou,Iamcertainyoumustknow

me,andIamherenowaslave.Iwishyoutoobtainfreepapersforme,andforwardthemtomeatMarksville,Louisiana,ParishofAvoyelles,andoblige

“Yours,SOLOMONNORTHUP.

“ThewayIcametobeaslave,IwastakensickinWashingtonCity,andwasinsensibleforsometime.WhenIrecoveredmyreason,

Iwasrobbedofmyfree-papers,andinironsonmywaytothisState,andhaveneverbeenabletogetanyonetowriteformeuntilnow;andhethatiswritingformerunstheriskofhislifeifdetected.”

Theallusiontomyselfintheworkrecentlyissued,entitled“AKeytoUncleTom’sCabin,”containsthefirstpartofthisletter,

omittingthepostscript.Neitherarethefullnamesofthegentlementowhomitisdirectedcorrectlystated,therebeingaslightdiscrepancy,probablyatypographicalerror.TothepostscriptmorethantothebodyofthecommunicationamIindebtedformyliberation,aswillpresentlybeseen.

WhenBassreturnedfromMarksvilleheinformedmeof

whathehaddone.Wecontinuedourmidnightconsultations,neverspeakingtoeachotherthroughtheday,exceptingasitwasnecessaryaboutthework.Asnearlyashewasabletoascertain,itwouldrequiretwoweeksforthelettertoreachSaratogainduecourseofmail,andthesamelengthoftimeforananswertoreturn.Withinsixweeks,atthefarthest,weconcluded,ananswerwould

arrive,ifitarrivedatall.Agreatmanysuggestionswerenowmade,andagreatdealofconversationtookplacebetweenus,astothemostsafeandpropercoursetopursueonreceiptofthefreepapers.Theywouldstandbetweenhimandharm,incasewewereovertakenandarrestedleavingthecountryaltogether.Itwouldbenoinfiringementoflaw,howevermuchitmight

provokeindividualhostility,toassistafreemantoregainhisfreedom.

AttheendoffourweekshewasagainatMarksville,butnoanswerhadarrived.Iwassorelydisappointed,butstillreconciledmyselfwiththereflectionthatsufficientlengthoftimehadnotyetelapsed—thattheremighthavebeendelays—andthatIcouldnotreasonablyexpect

onesosoon.Six,seven,eight,andtenweekspassedby,however,andnothingcame.IwasinafeverofsuspensewheneverBassvisitedMarksville,andcouldscarcelyclosemyeyesuntilhisreturn.Finallymymaster’shousewasfinished,andthetimecamewhenBassmustleaveme.ThenightbeforehisdepartureIwaswhollygivenuptodespair.Ihadclungtohimasa

drowningmanclingstothefloatingspar,knowingifitslipsfromhisgrasphemustforeversinkbeneaththewaves.Theall-glorioushope,uponwhichIhadlaidsucheagerhold,wascrumblingtoashesinmyhands.Ifeltasifsinkingdown,down,amidstthebitterwatersofSlavery,fromtheunfathomabledepthsofwhichIshouldneverriseagain.

Thegenerousheartofmyfriendandbenefactorwastouchedwithpityatthesightofmydistress.Heendeavoredtocheermeup,promisingtoreturnthedaybeforeChristmas,andifnointelligencewasreceivedinthemeantime,somefurtherstepwouldbeundertakentoeffectourdesign.Heexhortedmetokeepupmyspirits—torelyuponhiscontinuedeffortsinmy

behalf,assuringme,inmostearnestandimpressivelanguage,thatmyliberationshould,fromthenceforth,bethechiefobjectofhisthoughts.

Inhisabsencethetimepassedslowlyindeed.IlookedforwardtoChristmaswithintenseanxietyandimpatience.Ihadaboutgivenuptheexpectationofreceivinganyanswertothe

letters.Theymighthavemiscarried,ormighthavebeenmisdirected.PerhapsthoseatSaratoga,towhomtheyhadbeenaddressed,werealldead;perhaps,engagedintheirpursuits,theydidnotconsiderthefateofanobscure,unhappyblackmanofsufficientimportancetobenoticed.MywholereliancewasinBass.ThefaithIhadinhimwascontinuallyre-assuringme,andenabledme

tostandupagainstthetideofdisappointmentthathadoverwhelmedme.

SowhollywasIabsorbedinreflectinguponmysituationandprospects,thatthehandswithwhomIlaboredinthefieldoftenobservedit.PatseywouldaskmeifIwassick,andUncleAbram,andBob,andWileyfrequentlyexpressedacuriositytoknowwhatI

couldbethinkingaboutsosteadily.ButIevadedtheirinquirieswithsomelightremark,andkeptmythoughtslockedcloselyinmybreast.

CHAPTERXX.BASSFAITHFULTOHISWORD—HISARRIVALONCHRISTMASEVE—THEDIFFICULTYOFOBTAININGANINTERVIEW—THEMEETINGINTHECABIN—NON-ARRIVAL

OFTHELETTER—BASSANNOUNCESHISINTENTIONTOPROCEEDNORTH—CHRISTMAS—CONVERSATIONBETWEENEPPSANDBASS—YOUNGMISTRESSM‘COY,THEBEAUTYOFBAYOUBŒUF—THE“NEPLUBULTRA”OFDINNERS—MUSICANDDANCING—PRESENCEOFTHE

MISTRESS—HEREXCEEDINGBEAUTY—THELASTSLAVEDANCE—WILLIAMPIERCE—OVERSLEEPMYSELF—THELASTWHIPPING—DESPONDENCY—THECOLDMORNING—EPPS’THREATS—THEPASSINGCARRIAGE—STRANGERSAPPROACHINGTHROUGHTHECOTTON-FIELD—

LASTHOURONBAYOUBŒUF.

FAITHFULtohisword,thedaybeforeChristmas,justatnight-fall,Basscameridingintotheyard.

“Howareyou,”saidEpps,shakinghimbythehand,“gladtoseeyou.”

Hewouldnothavebeenverygladhadheknownthe

objectofhiserrand.

“Quitewell,quitewell,”answeredBass.“Hadsomebusinessoutonthebayou,andconcludedtocallandseeyou,andstayovernight.”

Eppsorderedoneoftheslavestotakechargeofhishorse,andwithmuchtalkandlaughtertheypassedintothehousetogether;not,however,untilBasshadlookedatmesignificantly,asmuchasto

say,“Keepdark,weunderstandeachother.”Itwasteno’clockatnightbeforethelaborsofthedaywereperformed,whenIenteredthecabin.AtthattimeUncleAbramandBoboccupieditwithme.IlaiddownuponmyboardandfeignedIwasasleep.Whenmycompanionshadfallenintoaprofoundslumber,Imovedstealthilyoutofthedoor,andwatched,and

listenedattentivelyforsomesignorsoundfromBass.ThereIstooduntillongaftermidnight,butnothingcouldbeseenorheard.AsIsuspected,hedarednotleavethehouse,throughfearofexcitingthesuspicionofsomeofthefamily.Ijudged,correctly,hewouldriseearlierthanwashiscustom,andtaketheopportunityofseeingmebeforeEppswasup.AccordinglyIaroused

UncleAbramanhoursoonerthanusual,andsenthimintothehousetobuildafire,which,atthatseasonof-theyear,isapartofUncleAbram’sduties.

IalsogaveBobaviolentshake,andaskedhimifheintendedtosleeptillnoon,sayingmasterwouldbeupbeforethemuleswerefed.Heknewrightwelltheconsequencethatwould

followsuchanevent,and,jumpingtohisfeet,wasatthehorse-pastureinatwinkling.

Presently,whenbothweregone,Bassslippedintothecabin.

“Noletteryet,Platt,”saidhe.Theannouncementfelluponmyheartlikelead.

“Oh,dowriteagain,MasterBass,”Icried;“Iwillgiveyouthenamesofagreat

manyIknow.Surelytheyarenotalldead.Surelysomeonewillpityme.”

“Nouse,”Bassreplied,“nouse.Ihavemadeupmymindtothat.IfeartheMarksvillepost-masterwillmistrustsomething,Ihaveinquiredsooftenathisoffice.Toouncertain—toodangerous.”

“Thenitisallover,”Iexclaimed.“Oh,myGod,howcanIendmydayshere!”

“You’renotgoingtoendthemhere,”hesaid,“unlessyoudieverysoon.I’vethoughtthismatterallover,andhavecometoadetermination.Therearemorewaysthanonetomanagethisbusiness,andabetterandsurerwaythanwritingletters.IhaveajobortwoonhandwhichcanbecompletedbyMarchorApril.BythattimeIshallhaveaconsiderablesumofmoney,

andthen,Platt,IamgoingtoSaratogamyself.”

Icouldscarcelycreditmyownsensesasthewordsfellfromhislips.Butheassuredme,inamannerthatleftnodoubtofthesincerityofhisintention,thatifhislifewasspareduntilspring,heshouldcertainlyundertakethejourney.

“Ihavelivedinthisregionlongenough,”hecontinued;

“Imayaswellbeinoneplaceasanother.ForalongtimeIhavebeenthinkingofgoingbackoncemoretotheplacewhereIwasborn.I’mtiredofSlaveryaswellasyou.IfIcansucceedingettingyouawayfromhere,itwillbeagoodactthatIshallliketothinkofallmylife.AndIshallsucceed,Platt;I’mboundtodoit.NowletmetellyouwhatIwant.Eppswillbeupsoon,anditwon’t

dotobecaughthere.ThinkofagreatmanymenatSaratogaandSandyHill,andinthatneighborhood,whoonceknewyou.Ishallmakeexcusetocomeheroagaininthecourseofthewinter,whenIwillwritedowntheirnames.IwillthenknowwhotocallonwhenIgonorth.Thinkofallyoucan.CheerupIDon’tbediscouraged.I’mwithyou,lifeordeath.Good-bye.Godblessyou,”

andsayingthisheleftthecabinquickly,andenteredthegreathouse.

ItwasChristmasmorning—thehappiestdayinthewholeyearfortheslave.Thatmorningheneednothurrytothefield,withhisgourdandcotton-bag.Happinesssparkledintheeyesandoverspreadthecountenancesofall.Thetimeoffeastinganddancinghadcome.The

caneandcottonfieldsweredeserted.Thatdaythecleandresswastobedonned—theredribbondisplayed;thereweretobere-unions,andjoyandlaughter,andhurryingtoandfro.ItwastobeadayoflibertyamongthechildrenofSlavery.Whereforetheywerehappy,andrejoiced.

AfterbreakfastEppsandBasssaunteredabouttheyard,conversinguponthe

priceofcotton,andvariousothertopics.

“WheredoyourniggersholdChristmas!”Bassinquired.

“PlattisgoingtoTannersto-day.Hisfiddleisingreatdemand.TheywanthimatMarshall’sMonday,andMissMaryMcCoy,ontheoldNorwoodplantation,writesmeanotethatshewantshimtoplayforherniggers

Tuesday.”

“Heisratherasmartboy,ain’the?”saidBass.“Comehere,Platt,”headded,lookingatmeasIwalkeduptothem,asifhehadneverthoughtbeforetotakeanyspecialnoticeofme.

“Yes,”repliedEpps,takingholdofmyarmandfeelingit,“thereisn’tabadjointinhim.Thereain’taboyonthebayouworthmorethanheis

—perfectlysound,andnobadtricks.D—nhim,heisn’tlikeotherniggers;doesn’tlooklike‘em—don’tactlike’em.Iwasofferedseventeenhundreddollarsforhimlastweek.”

“Anddidn’ttakeit?”Bassinquired,withanairofsurprise.

“Takeit—no;devilishclearofit.Why,he’sareg’largenius;canmakeaplough

beam,wagontongue—anything,aswellasyoucan.Marshallwantedtoputuponeofhisniggersaginhimandraffleforthem,butItoldhimIwouldseethedevilhavehimfirst.”

“Idon’tseeanythingremarkableabouthim,”Bassobserved.

“Why,justfeelofhim,now,”Eppsrejoined.“Youdon’tseeaboyveryoftenput

togetheranycloserthanheis.He’sathin-skin’dcuss,andwon’tbearasmuchwhippingassome;buthe’sgotthemuscleinhim,andnomistake.

Bassfeltofme,turnedmeround,andmadeathoroughexamination,Eppsallthewhiledwellingonmygoodpoints.Buthisvisitorseemedtotakebutlittleinterestfinallyinthesubject,and

consequentlyitwasdropped.Basssoondeparted,givingmeanotherslylookofrecognitionandsignificance,ashetrottedoutoftheyard.

WhenhewasgoneIobtainedapass,andstartedforTanner’s—notPeterTanner’s,ofwhommentionhaspreviouslybeenmade,butarelativeofhis.Iplayedduringthedayandmostofthenight,spendingthenext

day,Sunday,inmycabin.MondayIcrossedthebayoutoDouglasMarshall’s,allEpps’slavesaccompanyingme,andonTuesdaywenttotheoldNorwoodplace,whichisthethirdplantationaboveMarshall’s,onthesamesideofthewater.

ThisestateisnowownedbyMissMaryMcCoy,alovelygirl,sometwentyyearsofage.Sheisthebeautyand

thegloryofBayouBœuf.Sheownsaboutahundredworkinghands,besidesagreatmanyhouseservants,yardboys,andyoungchildren.Herbrother-in-law,whoresidesontheadjoiningestate,ishergeneralagent.Sheisbelovedbyallherslaves,andgoodreasonindeedhavetheytobethankfulthattheyhavefallenintosuchgentlehands.Nowhereonthebayouare

theresuchfeasts,suchmerrymaking,asatyoungMadamMcCoy’s.Thither,morethantoanyotherplace,dotheoldandtheyoungformilesaroundlovetorepairinthetimeoftheChristmasholidays;fornowhereelsecantheyfindsuchdeliciousrepasts;nowhereelsecantheyhearavoicespeakingtothemsopleasantly.Nooneissowellbeloved—noonefillssolargeaspaceinthehearts

ofathousandslaves,asyoungMadamMcCoy,theorphanmistressoftheoldNorwoodestate.

Onmyarrivalatherplace,Ifoundtwoorthreehundredhadassembled.Thetablewaspreparedinalongbuilding,whichshehaderectedexpresslyforherslavestodancein.Itwascoveredwitheveryvarietyoffoodthecountryafforded,andwas

pronouncedbygeneralacclamationtobetherarestofdinners.Roastturkey,pig,chicken,duck,andallkindsofmeat,baked,boiled,andbroiled,formedalinethewholelengthoftheextendedtable,whilethevacantspaceswerefilledwithtarts,jellies,andfrostedcake,andpastryofmanykinds.Theyoungmistresswalkedaroundthetable,smilingandsayingakindwordtoeachone,and

seemedtoenjoythesceneexceedingly.

Whenthedinnerwasoverthetableswereremovedtomakeroomforthedancers.Itunedmyviolinandstruckupalivelyair;whilesomejoinedinanimblereel,otherspattedandsangtheirsimplebutmelodioussongs,fillingthegreatroomwithmusicmingledwiththesoundofhumanvoicesandtheclatter

ofmanyfeet.

Intheeveningthemistressreturned,andstoodinthedooralongtime,lookingatus.Shewasmagnificentlyarrayed.Herdarkhairandeyescontrastedstronglywithherclearanddelicatecomplexion.Herformwasslenderbutcommanding,andhermovementwasacombinationofunaffecteddignityandgrace.Asshe

stoodthere,cladinherrichapparel,herfaceanimatedwithpleasure,IthoughtIhadneverlookeduponahumanbeinghalfsobeautiful.Idwellwithdelightuponthedescriptionofthisfairandgentlelady,notonlybecausesheinspiredmewithemotionsofgratitudeandadmiration,butbecauseIwouldhavethereaderunderstandthatallslave-ownersonBayouBœufare

notlikeEpps,01Tibeats,orJimBurns.Occasionallycanbefound,rarelyitmaybe,indeed,agoodmanlikeWilliamFord,oranangelofkindnesslikeyoungMistressMcCoy.

TuesdayconcludedthethreeholidaysEppsyearlyallowedus.Onmywayhome,Wednesdaymorning,whilepassingtheplantationofWilliamPierce,that

gentlemanhailedme,sayinghehadreceivedalinefromEpps,broughtdownbyWilliamVarnell,permittinghimtodetainmeforthepurposeofplayingforhisslavesthatnight.ItwasthelasttimeIwasdestinedtowitnessaslavedanceontheshoresofBayouBœuf.ThepartyatPierce’scontinuedtheirjollificationuntilbroaddaylight,whenIreturnedtomymaster’shouse,somewhat

weariedwiththelossofrest,butrejoicinginthepossessionofnumerousbitsandpicayunes,whichthewhites,whowerepleasedwithmymusicalperformances,hadcontributed.

OnSaturdaymorning,forthefirsttimeinyears,Ioversleptmyself.Iwasfrightenedoncomingoutofthecabintofindtheslaves

werealreadyinthefield.Theyhadprecededmesomefifteenminutes.Leavingmydinnerandwater-gourd,IhurriedafterthemasfastasIcouldmove.Itwasnotyetsunrise,butEppswasonthepiazzaasIleftthehut,andcriedouttomethatitwasaprettytimeofdaytobegettingup.Byextraexertionmyrowwasupwhenhecameoutafterbreakfast.This,however,wasnoexcuse

fortheoffenceofoversleeping.Biddingmestripandliedown,hegavemetenorfifteenlashes,attheconclusionofwhichheinquiredifIthought,afterthat,Icouldgetupsometimeinthemorning.IexpressedmyselfquitepositivelythatIcould,and,withbackstingingwithpain,wentaboutmywork.

Thefollowingday,

Sunday,mythoughtswereuponBass,andtheprobabilitiesandhopeswhichhunguponhisactionanddetermination.Iconsideredtheuncertaintyoflife;thatifitshouldbethewillofGodthatheshoulddie,myprospectofdeliverance,andallexpectationofhappinessinthisworld,wouldbewhollyendedanddestroyed.Mysoreback,perhaps,didnothaveatendencytorender

meunusuallycheerful.Ifeltdown-heartedandunhappyalldaylong,andwhenIlaiddownuponthehardboardatnight,myheartwasoppressedwithsuchaloadofgrief,itseemedthatitmustbreak.

Mondaymorning,thethirdofJanuary,1853,wewereinthefieldbetimes.Itwasaraw,coldmorning,suchasisunusualinthatregion.Iwas

inadvance,UncleAbramnexttome,behindhimBob,PatseyandWiley,withourcotton-bagsaboutournecks.Eppshappened(ararething,indeed,)tocomeoutthatmorningwithouthiswhip.Heswore,inamannerthatwouldshameapirate,thatweweredoingnothing.Bobventuredtosaythathisfingersweresonumbwithcoldhecouldn’tpickfast.Eppscursedhimselffornot

havingbroughthisrawhide,anddeclaredthatwhenhecameoutagainhewouldwarmuswell;yes,hewouldmakeusallhotterthanthatfieryrealminwhichIamsometimescompelledtobelievehewillhimselfeventuallyreside.

Withtheseferventexpressions,heleftus.Whenoutofhearing,wecommencedtalkingtoeach

other,sayinghowharditwastobecompelledtokeepupourtaskswithnumbfingers;howunreasonablemasterwas,andspeakingofhimgenerallyinnoflatteringterms.Ourconversationwasinterruptedbyacarriagepassingrapidlytowardsthehouse.Lookingup,wesawtwomenapproachingusthroughthecotton-field.

HavingnowbroughtdownthisnarrativetothelasthourIwastospendonBayouBœuf—havinggottenthroughmylastcottonpicking,andabouttobidMasterEppsfarewell—ImustbegthereadertogobackwithmetothemonthofAugust;tofollowBass’letteronitslongjourneytoSaratoga;tolearntheeffectitproduced—andthat,whileIwasrepininganddespairingintheslavehutofEdwin

Epps,throughthefriendshipofBassandthegoodnessofProvidence,allthingswereworkingtogetherformydeliverance.

CHAPTERXXI.THELETTERREACHESBABATOGA—ISFORWARDEDTOANNE—ISLAIDBEFOREHENRYB.NORTHUP—THESTATUTEOFMAY14,1840—ITSPROVISIONS—ANNE’S

MEMORIALTOTHEGOVERNOR—THEAFFIDAVITSACCOMPANYINGIT—SENATORSOULE’SLETTER—DEPARTUREOFTHEAGENTAPPOINTEDBYTHEGOVERNOR—ARRIVALATMARKSVILLE—THEHON.JOHNP.WADDILL—THECONVERSATIONONNEW-YORKPOLITICS—

ITSUGGESTSAFORTUNATEIDEA—THEMEETINGWITHBASS—THESECRETOUT—LEGALPROCEEDINGSINSTlTUTED—DEPARTUREOFNORTHUPANDTHESHERIFFFROMMARKSVILLEFORBAYOUBŒUF—ARRANGEMENTONTHEWAY—REACH

EPPS’PLANTATION—DISCOVERHISSLAVESINTHECOTTONFIELD—THEMEETING—THEFAREWELL.

IAMindebtedtoMr.HenryB.Northupandothersformanyoftheparticularscontainedinthischapter.

TheletterwrittenbyBass,directedtoParkerandPerry,andwhichwasdepositedin

thepost-officeinMarksvilleonthe15thdayofAugust,1852,arrivedatSaratogaintheearlypartofSeptember.Sometimeprevioustothis,AnnehadremovedtoGlensFalls,Warrencounty,whereshehadchargeofthekitcheninCarpenter’sHotel.Shekepthouse,however,lodgingwithourchildren,andwasonlyabsentfromthemduringsuchtimeasthedischargeofherdutiesinthehotel

required.

Messrs.ParkerandPerry,onreceiptoftheletter,forwardeditimmediatelytoAnne.Onreadingitthechildrenwereallexcitement,andwithoutdelayhastenedtotheneighboringvillageofSandyHill,toconsultHenryB.Northup,andobtainhisadviceandassistanceinthematter.

Uponexamination,that

gentlemanfoundamongthestatutesoftheStateanactprovidingfortherecoveryoffreecitizensfromslavery.ItwaspassedMay14,1840,andisentitled“AnactmoreeffectuallytoprotectthefreecitizensofthisStatefrombeingkidnappedorreducedtoslavery.”ItprovidesthatitshallbethedutyoftheGovernor,uponthereceiptofsatisfactoryinformationthatanyfreecitizenorinhabitant

ofthisState,iswrongfullyheldinanotherStateorTerritoryoftheUnitedStates,upontheallegationorpretencethatsuchpersonisaslave,orbycolorofanyusageorruleoflawisdeemedortakentobeaslave,totakesuchmeasurestoprocuretherestorationofsuchpersontoliberty,asheshalldeemnecessary.Andtothatend,heisauthorizedtoappointandemployanagent,

anddirectedtofurnishhimwithsuchcredentialsandinstructionsaswillbelikelytoaccomplishtheobjectofhisappointment.Itrequirestheagentsoappointedtoproceedtocollecttheproperprooftoestablishtherightofsuchpersontohisfreedom;toperformsuchjourneys,takesuchmeasures,institutesuchlegalproceedings,&c.,asmaybenecessarytoreturnsuchpersontothisState,and

chargesallexpensesincurredincarryingtheactintoeffect,uponmoneysnototherwiseappropriatedinthetreasury.1

ItwasnecessarytoestablishtwofactstothesatisfactionoftheGovernor:First,thatIwasafreecitizenofNew-York;andsecondly,thatIwaswrongfullyheldinbondage.Astothefirstpoint,therewasnodifficulty,alltheolderinhabitantsinthe

vicinitybeingreadytotestifytoit.ThesecondpointrestedentirelyuponthelettertoParkerandPerry,writteninanunknownhand,andupontheletterpennedonboardthebrigOrleans,which,unfortunately,hadbeenmislaidorlost.

Amemorialwasprepared,directedtohisexcellency,GovernorHunt,settingforthhermarriage,mydepartureto

Washingtoncity;thereceiptoftheletters;thatIwasafreecitizen,andsuchotherfactsasweredeemedimportant,andwassignedandverifiedbyAnne.AccompanyingthismemorialwereseveralaffidavitsofprominentcitizensofSandyHillandFortEdward,corroboratingfullythestatementsitcontained,andalsoarequestofseveralwellknowngentlementothe

Governor,thatHenryB.Northupbeappointedagentunderthelegislativeact.

Onreadingthememorialandaffidavits,hisexcellencytookalivelyinterestinthematter,andonthe23ddayofNovember,1852,underthesealoftheState,“constituted,appointedandemployedHenryB.Northup,Esq.,anagent,withfullpowertoeffect”myrestoration,andto

takesuchmeasuresaswouldbemostlikelytoaccomplishit,andinstructinghimtoproceedtoLouisianawithallconvenientdispatch.2

ThepressingnatureofMr.Northup’sprofessionalandpoliticalengagementsdelayedhisdepartureuntilDecember.OnthefourteenthdayofthatmonthheleftSandyHill,andproceededtoWashington.TheHon.Pierre

Soule,SenatorinCongressfromLouisiana,Hon.Mr.Conrad,SecretaryofWar,andJudgeNelson,oftheSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates,uponhearingastatementofthefacts,andexamininghiscommission,andcertifiedcopiesofthememorialandaffidavits,furnishedhimwithopenletterstogentlemeninLouisiana,stronglyurgingtheirassistancein

accomplishingtheobjectofhisappointment.

SenatorSouleespeciallyinterestedhimselfinthematter,insisting,inforciblelanguage,thatitwasthedutyandinterestofeveryplanterinhisStatetoaidinrestoringmetofreedom,andtrustedthesentimentsofhonorandjusticeinthebosomofeverycitizenofthecommonwealthwouldenlisthimatoncein

mybehalf.Havingobtainedthesevaluableletters,Mr.NorthupreturnedtoBaltimore,andproceededfromthencetoPittsburgh.Itwashisoriginalintention,underadviceoffriendsatWashington,togodirectlytoNewOrleans,andconsulttheauthoritiesofthatcity.Providentially,however,onarrivingatthemouthofRedRiver,hechangedhismind.Hadhecontinuedon,he

wouldnothavemetwithBass,inwhichcasethesearchformewouldprobablyhavebeenfruitless.

Takingpassageonthefirststeamerthatarrived,hepursuedhisjourneyupRedRiver,asluggish,windingstream,flowingthroughavastregionofprimitiveforestsandimpenetrableswamps,almostwhollydestituteofinhabitants.

Aboutnineo’clockintheforenoon,January1st,1853,heleftthesteamboatatMarksville,andproceededdirectlytoMarksvilleCourtHouse,asmallvillagefourmilesintheinterior.

FromthefactthatthelettertoMessrs.ParkerandPerrywaspost-markedatMarksville,itwassupposedbyhimthatIwasinthatplaceoritsimmediatevicinity.On

reachingthistown,heatoncelaidhisbusinessbeforetheHon.JohnP.Waddill,alegalgentlemanofdistinction,andamanoffinegeniusandmostnobleimpulses.Afterreadingthelettersanddocumentspresentedhim,andlisteningtoarepresentationofthecircumstancesunderwhichIhadbeencarriedawayintocaptivity,Mr.Waddillatonceprofferedhisservices,andenteredintotheaffairwith

greatzealandearnestness.He,incommonwithothersoflikeelevatedcharacter,lookeduponthekidnapperwithabhorrence.Thetitleofhisfellowparishionersandclientstothepropertywhichconstitutedthelargerproportionoftheirwealth,notonlydependeduponthegoodfaithinwhichslavesalesweretransacted,buthewasamaninwhosehonorableheartemotionsofindignationwere

arousedbysuchaninstanceofinjustice.

Marksville,althoughoccupyingaprominentposition,andstandingoutinimpressiveitalicsonthemapofLouisiana,is,infact,butasmallandinsignificanthamlet.Asidefromthetavern,keptbyajollyandgenerousboniface,thecourthouse,inhabitedbylawlesscowsandswineinthe

seasonsofvacation,andahighgallows,withitsdisseveredropedanglingintheair,thereislittletoattracttheattentionofthestranger.

SolomonNorthupwasanameMr.Waddillhadneverheard,buthewasconfidentthatiftherewasaslavebearingthatappellationinMarksvilleorvicinity,hisblackboyTomwouldknowhim.Tomwasaccordingly

called,butinallhisextensivecircleofacquaintancestherewasnosuchpersonage.

ThelettertoParkerandPerrywasdatedatBayouBœuf.Atthisplace,therefore,theconclusionwas,Imustbesought.Buthereadifficultysuggesteditself,ofaverygravecharacterindeed.BayouBœuf,atitsnearestpoint,wastwenty-threemilesdistant,andwasthename

appliedtothesectionofcountryextendingbetweenfiftyandahundredmiles,onbothsidesofthatstream.Thousandsandthousandsofslavesresideduponitsshores,theremarkablerichnessandfertilityofthesoilhavingattractedthitheragreatnumberofplanters.Theinformationintheletterwassovagueandindefiniteastorenderitdifficulttoconcludeuponanyspecificcourseof

proceeding.Itwasfinallydetermined,however,astheonlyplanthatpresentedanyprospectofsuccess,thatNorthupandthebrotherofWaddill,astudentintheofficeofthelatter,shouldrepairtotheBayou,andtravelinguponesideanddowntheotheritswholelength,inquireateachplantationforme.Mr.Waddilltenderedtheuseofhiscarriage,anditwas

definitelyarrangedthattheyshouldstartupontheexcursionearlyMondaymorning.

Itwillbeseenatoncethatthiscourse,inallprobability,wouldhaveresultedunsuccessfully.Itwouldhavebeenimpossibleforthemtohavegoneintothefieldsandexamineallthegangsatwork.TheywerenotawarethatIwasknownonlyas

Platt;andhadtheyinquiredofEppshimself,hewouldhavestatedtrulythatheknewnothingofSolomonNorthup.

Thearrangementbeingadopted,however,therewasnothingfurthertobedoneuntilSundayhadelapsed.TheconversationbetweenMessrs.NorthupandWaddill,inthecourseoftheafternoon,turneduponNew-Yorkpolitics.

“IcanscarcelycomprehendthenicedistinctionsandshadesofpoliticalpartiesinyourState,”observedMr.Waddill.“Ireadofsoft-shellsandhard-shells,hunkersandbarnburners,woolly-headsandsilver-grays,andamunabletounderstandtheprecisedifferencebetweenthem.Pray,whatisit?”

Mr.Northup,re-fillinghis

pipe,enteredintoquiteanelaboratenarrativeoftheoriginofthevarioussectionsofparties,andconcludedbysayingtherewasanotherpartyinNew-York,knownasfree-soilersorabolitionists.“Youhaveseennoneofthoseinthispartofthecountry,Ipresume?”Mr.Northupremarked.

“Never,butone,”answeredWaddill,laughingly.“We

haveonehereinMarksville,aneccentriccreature,whopreachesabolitionismasvehementlyasanyfanaticattheNorth.Heisagenerous,inoffensiveman,butalwaysmaintainingthewrongsideofanargument.Itaffordsusadealofamusement.Heisanexcellentmechanic,andalmostindispensableinthiscommunity.Heisacarpenter.HisnameisBass.”

Somefurthergood-naturedconversationwashadattheexpenseofBass’peculiarities,whenWaddillallatoncefellintoareflectivemood,andaskedforthemysteriousletteragain.

“Letmesee—1-e-tm-es-e-e!”herepeated,thoughtfullytohimself,runninghiseyesovertheletteroncemore.“‘Bayou

Bœuf,August15.’August15—post-markedhere.‘Hethatiswritingforme—’WheredidBassworklastsummer?”heinquired,turningsuddenlytohisbrother.Hisbrotherwasunabletoinformhim,butrising,lefttheoffice,andsoonreturnedwiththeintelligencethat“BassworkedlastsummersomewhereonBayouBœuf.”

“Heistheman,”‘bringing

downhishandemphaticallyonthetable,’“whocantellusallaboutSolomonNorthup,”exclaimedWaddill.

Basswasimmediatelysearchedfor,butcouldnotbefound.Aftersomeinquiry,itwasascertainedhewasatthelandingonRedRiver.Procuringaconveyance,youngWaddillandNorthupwerenotlongintraversingthefewmilestothelatter

place.Ontheirarrival,Basswasfound,justonthepointofleaving,tobeabsentafortnightormore.Afteranintroduction,Northupbeggedtheprivilegeofspeakingtohimprivatelyamoment.Theywalkedtogethertowardstheriver,whenthefollowingconversationensued:

“Mr.Bass,”saidNorthup,“allowmetoaskyouifyou

wereonBayouBœuflastAugust?”

“Yes,sir,IwasthereinAugust,”wasthereply.

“DidyouwritealetterforacoloredmanatthatplacetosomegentlemaninSaratogaSprings?”

“Excuseme,sir,ifIsaythatisnoneofyourbusiness,”answeredBass,stoppingandlookinghis

interrogatorsearchinglyintheface.

“PerhapsIamratherhasty,Mr.Bass;Ibegyourpardon;butIhavecomefromtheStateofNew-Yorktoaccomplishthepurposethewriterofaletterdatedthe15thofAugust,post-markedatMarksville,hadinview.Circumstanceshaveledmetothinkthatyouareperhapsthemanwhowroteit.Iamin

searchofSolomonNorthup.Ifyouknowhim,Ibegyoutoinformmefranklywhereheis,andIassureyouthesourceofanyinformationyoumaygivemeshallnotbedivulged,ifyoudesireitnottobe.”

AlongtimeBasslookedhisnewacquaintancesteadilyintheeyes,withoutopeninghislips.Heseemedtobedoubtinginhisownmindiftherewasnotanattemptto

practicesomedeceptionuponhim.Finallyhesaid,deliberately—

“Ihavedonenothingtobeashamedof.Iamthemanwhowrotetheletter.IfyouhavecometorescueSolomonNorthup,Iamgladtoseeyou.”

“Whendidyoulastseehim,andwhereishe?”Northupinquired.

“IlastsawhimChristmas,aweekagoto-day.HeistheslaveofEdwinEpps,aplanteronBayouBœuf,nearHolmesville.HeisnotknownasSolomonNorthup;heiscalledPlatt.”

Thesecretwasout—themysterywasunraveled.Throughthethick,blackcloud,amidwhosedarkanddismalshadowsIhadwalkedtwelveyears,brokethestar

thatwastolightmebacktoliberty.Allmistrustandhesitationweresoonthrownaside,andthetwomenconversedlongandfreelyuponthesubjectuppermostintheirthoughts.Bassexpressedtheinteresthehadtakeninmybehalf—hisintentionofgoingnorthintheSpring,anddeclaringthathehadresolvedtoaccomplishmyemancipation,ifitwereinhispower.Hedescribedthe

commencementandprogressofhisacquaintancewithme,andlistenedwitheagercuriositytotheaccountgivenhimofmyfamily,andthehistoryofmyearlylife.Beforeseparating,hedrewamapofthebayouonastripofpaperwithapieceofredchalk,showingthelocalityofEpps’plantation,andtheroadleadingmostdirectlytoit.

Northupandhisyoung

companionreturnedtoMarksville,whereitwasdeterminedtocommencelegalproceedingstotestthequestionofmyrighttofreedom.Iwasmadeplaintiff,Mr.Northupactingasmyguardian,andEdwinEppsdefendant.Theprocesstobeissuedwasinthenatureofreplevin,directedtothesheriffoftheparish,commandinghimtotakemeintocustody,anddetainme

untilthedecisionofthecourt.Bythetimethepapersweredulydrawnup,itwastwelveo’clockatnight—toolatetoobtainthenecessarysignatureoftheJudge,whoresidedsomedistanceoutoftown.FurtherbusinesswasthereforesuspendeduntilMondaymorning.

Everything,apparently,wasmovingalongswimmingly,untilSunday

afternoon,whenWaddillcalledatNorthup’sroomtoexpresshisapprehensionofdifficultiestheyhadnotexpectedtoencounter.Basshadbecomealarmed,andhadplacedhisaffairsinthehandsofapersonatthelanding,communicatingtohimhisintentionofleavingtheState.Thispersonhadbetrayedtheconfidencereposedinhimtoacertainextent,andarumorbegantofloataboutthetown,

thatthestrangeratthehotel,whohadbeenobservedinthecompanyoflawyerWaddill,wasafteroneofoldEpps’slaves,overonthebayou.EppswasknownatMarksville,havingfrequentoccasiontovisitthatplaceduringthesessionofthecourts,andthefearentertainedbyMr.Northup’sadviserwas,thatintelligencewouldbeconveyedtohiminthenight,givinghiman

opportunityofsecretingmebeforethearrivalofthesheriff.

Thisapprehensionhadtheeffectofexpeditingmattersconsiderably.Thesheriff,wholivedinonedirectionfromthevillage,wasrequestedtoholdhimselfinreadinessimmediatelyaftermidnight,whiletheJudgewasinformedhewouldbecalleduponatthesametime.

Itisbutjusticetosay,thattheauthoritiesatMarksvillecheerfullyrenderedalltheassistanceintheirpower.

Assoonaftermidnightasbailcouldbeperfected,andtheJudge’ssignatureobtained,acarriage,containingMr.Northupandthesheriff,drivenbythelandlord’sson,rolledrapidlyoutofthevillageofMarksville,ontheroad

towardsBayouBoeuf.

ItwassupposedthatEppswouldcontesttheissueinvolvingmyrighttoliberty,anditthereforesuggesteditselftoMr.Northup,thatthetestimonyofthesheriff,describingmyfirstmeetingwiththeformer,mightperhapsbecomematerialonthetrial.Itwasaccordinglyarrangedduringtheride,that,beforeIhadanopportunityof

speakingtoMr.Northup,thesheriffshouldpropoundtomecertainquestionsagreedupon,suchasthenumberandnamesofmychildren,thenameofmywifebeforemarriage,ofplacesIknewattheNorth,andsoforth.Ifmyanswerscorrespondedwiththestatementsgivenhim,theevidencemustnecessarilybeconsideredconclusive.

Atlength,shortlyafter

Eppshadleftthefield,withtheconsolingassurancethathewouldsoonreturnandwarmus,aswasstatedintheconclusionoftheprecedingchapter,theycameinsightoftheplantation,anddiscoveredusatwork.Alightingfromthecarriage,anddirectingthedrivertoproceedtothegreathouse,withinstructionsnottomentiontoanyonetheobjectoftheirerranduntiltheymetagain,Northupandthesheriff

turnedfromthehighway,andcametowardsusacrossthecottonfield.Weobservedthem,onlookingupatthecarriage—oneseveralrodsinadvanceoftheother.Itwasasingularandunusualthingtoseewhitemenapproachingusinthatmanner,andespeciallyatthatearlyhourinthemorning,andUncleAbramandPatseymadesomeremarks,expressiveoftheirastonishment.Walkingupto

Bob,thesheriffinquired:

“Where’stheboytheycallPlatt?”

“Tharheis,massa,”answeredBob,pointingtome,andtwitchingoffhishat.

Iwonderedtomyselfwhatbusinesshecouldpossiblyhavewithme,andturninground,gazedathimuntilhehadapproachedwithinastep.Duringmylongresidenceon

thebayou,Ihadbecomefamiliarwiththefaceofeveryplanterwithinmanymiles;butthismanwasanutterstranger—certainlyIhadneverseenhimbefore.

“YournameisPlatt,isit?”heasked.

“Yes,master,”Iresponded.

PointingtowardsNorthup,standingafewrodsdistant,hedemanded—“Doyou

knowthatman?”

Ilookedinthedirectionindicated,andasmyeyesrestedonhiscountenance,aworldofimagesthrongedmybrain;amultitudeofwell-knownfaces—Anne’s,andthedearchildren’s,andmyolddeadfather’s;allthescenesandassociationsofchildhoodandyouth;allthefriendsofotherandhappierdays,appearedand

disappeared,flittingandfloatinglikedissolvingshadowsbeforethevisionofmyimagination,untilatlasttheperfectmemoryofthemanrecurredtome,andthrowingupmyhandstowardsHeaven,Iexclaimed,inavoicelouderthanIcouldutterinalessexcitingmoment—

“HenryB.Northup!ThankGod—thankGod!”

InaninstantIcomprehendedthenatureofhisbusiness,andfeltthatthehourofmydeliverancewasathand.Istartedtowardshim,butthesheriffsteppedbeforeme.

“Stopamoment,”saidhe;“haveyouanyothernamethanPlatt?”

“SolomonNorthupismyname,master,”Ireplied.

“Haveyouafamily?”heinquired.

“Ihadawifeandthreechildren.”

“Whatwereyourchildren’snames?”

“Elizabeth,MargaretandAlonzo.”

“Andyourwife’snamebeforehermarriage?”

“AnneHampton.”

“Whomarriedyou?”

“TimothyEddy,ofFortEdward.”

“Wheredoesthatgentlemanlive?”againpointingtoNorthup,whoremainedstandinginthesameplacewhereIhadfirstrecognizedhim.

“HelivesinSandyHill,Washingtoncounty,NewYork,”wasthereply.

Hewasproceedingtoaskfurtherquestions,butIpushedpasthim,unablelongertorestrainmyself.Iseizedmyoldacquaintancebybothhands.Icouldnotspeak.Icouldnotrefrainfromtears.

“Sol,”hesaidatlength,“I’mgladtoseeyou.”

Iessayedtomakesomeanswer,butemotionchokedallutterance,andIwassilent.

Theslaves,utterlyconfounded,stoodgazinguponthescene,theiropenmouthsandrollingeyesindicatingtheutmostwonderandastonishment.FortenyearsIhaddweltamongthem,inthefieldandinthecabin,bornethesamehardships,partakenthesamefare,mingledmygriefswiththeirs,participatedinthesamescantyjoys;nevertheless,notuntilthis

hour,thelastIwastoremainamongthem,hadtheremotestsuspicionofmytruename,ortheslightestknowledgeofmyrealhistory,beenentertainedbyanyoneofthem.

Notawordwasspokenforseveralminutes,duringwhichtimeIclungfasttoNorthup,lookingupintohisface,fearfulIshouldawakeandfinditalladream.

“Throwdownthatsack,”

Northupadded,finally,“yourcotton-pickingdaysareover.Comewithustothemanyoulivewith.”

Iobeyedhim,andwalkingbetweenhimandthesheriff,wemovedtowardsthegreathouse.ItwasnotuntilwehadproceededsomedistancethatIhadrecoveredmyvoicesufficientlytoaskifmyfamilywereallliving.Heinformedmehehadseen

Anne,MargaretandElizabethbutashorttimepreviously;thatAlonzowasstillliving,andallwerewell.Mymother,however,Icouldneverseeagain.AsIbegantorecoverinsomemeasurefromthesuddenandgreatexcitementwhichsooverwhelmedme,Igrewfaintandweak,insomuchitwaswithdifficultyIcouldwalk.Thesherifftookholdofmyarmandassistedme,orIthinkI

shouldhavefallen.Asweenteredtheyard,Eppsstoodbythegate,conversingwiththedriver.Thatyoungman,faithfultohisinstructions,wasentirelyunabletogivehimtheleastinformationinanswertohisrepeatedinquiriesofwhatwasgoingon.BythetimewereachedhimhewasalmostasmuchamazedandpuzzledasBoborUncleAbram.

Shakinghandswiththesheriff,andreceivinganintroductiontoMr.Northup,heinvitedthemintothehouse,orderingme,atthesametime,tobringinsomewood.ItwassometimebeforeIsucceededincuttinganarmful,having,somehow,unaccountablylostthepowerofwieldingtheaxewithanymannerofprecision.WhenIenteredwithitatlast,thetablewasstrewnwithpapers,

fromoneofwhichNorthupwasreading.Iwasprobablylongerthannecessityrequired,inplacingthesticksuponthefire,beingparticularastotheexactpositionofeachindividualoneofthem.Iheardthewords,“thesaidSolomonNorthup,”and“thedeponentfurthersays,”and“freecitizenofNew-York,”repeatedfrequently,andfromtheseexpressionsunderstoodthatthesecretIhadsolong

retainedfromMasterandMistressEpps,wasfinallydeveloping.Ilingeredaslongasprudencepermitted,andwasaboutleavingtheroom,whenEppsinquired,

“Platt,doyouknowthisgentleman?”

“Yes,master,”Ireplied,“IhaveknownhimaslongasIcanremember.”

“Wheredoeshelive?”

“HelivesinNew-York.”

“Didyoueverlivethere?”

“Yes,master—bornandbredthere”

“Youwasfree,then.Nowyoud——dnigger,”heexclaimed,“whydidyounottellmethatwhen1boughtyou?”

“MasterEpps,”Ianswered,inasomewhatdifferenttonethantheoneinwhichIhad

beenaccustomedtoaddresshim—“MasterEpps,youdidnottakethetroubletoaskme;besides,Itoldoneofmyowners—themanthatkidnappedme—thatIwasfree,andwaswhippedalmosttodeathforit.”

“Itseemstherehasbeenaletterwrittenforyoubysomebody.Now,whoisit?”hedemanded,authoritatively.Imadenoreply.

“Isay,whowrotethatletter?”hedemandedagain.

“PerhapsIwroteitmyself,”Isaid.

“Youhaven’tbeentoMarksvillepost-officeandhackbeforelight,Iknow.”

Heinsisteduponmyinforminghim,andIinsistedIwouldnot.Hemademanyvehementthreatsagainsttheman,whoeverhemightbe,

andintimatedthebloodyandsavagevengeancehewouldwreakuponhim,whenhefoundhimout.Hiswholemannerandlanguageexhibitedafeelingofangertowardstheunknownpersonwhohadwrittenforme,andoffretfulnessattheideaoflosingsomuchproperty.AddressingMr.Northup,hesworeifhehadonlyhadanhour’snoticeofhiscoming,hewouldhavesavedhimthe

troubleoftakingmebacktoNew-York;thathewouldhaverunmeintotheswamp,orsomeotherplaceoutoftheway,whereallthesheriffsonearthcouldn’thavefoundme.

Iwalkedoutintotheyard,andwasenteringthekitchendoor,whensomethingstruckmeintheback.AuntPhebe,emergingfromthebackdoorofthegreathousewithapanofpotatoes,hadthrownone

ofthemwithunnecessaryviolence,therebygivingmetounderstandthatshewishedtospeaktomeamomentconfidentially.Runninguptome,shewhisperedinmyearwithgreatearnestness,

“Lora’mity,Platt!whatd’yethink?Demtwomencomeafterye.Heard‘emtellmassayoufree—gotwifeandtreechildrenbacktharwharyoucomefrom,Goin’wid

‘em?Foolifyedon’t—wishIcouldgo,”andAuntPheberanoninthismanneratarapidrate.

PresentlyMistressEppsmadeherappearanceinthekitchen.Shesaidmanythingstome,andwonderedwhyIhadnottoldherwhoIwas.Sheexpressedherregret,complimentingmebysayingshehadratherloseanyotherservantontheplantation.Had

Patseythatdaystoodinmyplace,themeasure

SCENEINTHECOTTON

FIELD,SOLOMONDELIVEREDUP.

ARRIVALHOME,ANDFIRSTMEETINGWITHHISWIFEANDCHILDREN.

(seepage320)

ofmymistress’joywouldhaveoverflowed.Nowtherewasnooneleftwhocouldmendachairorapieceoffurniture—noonewhowasofanyuseaboutthehouse—noonewhocouldplayforherontheviolin—andMistress

Eppswasactuallyaffectedtotears.

EppshadcalledtoBobtobringuphissaddlehorse.Theotherslaves,also,overcomingtheirfearofthepenalty,hadlefttheirworkandcometotheyard.Theywerestandingbehindthecabins,outofsightofEpps.Theybeckonedmetocometothem,andwithalltheeagernessofcuriosity,

excitedtothehighestpitch,conversedwithandquestionedme.IfIcouldrepeattheexactwordstheyuttered,withthesameemphasis—ifIcouldpainttheirseveralattitudes,andtheexpressionoftheircountenances—itwouldbeindeedaninterestingpicture.Intheirestimation,Ihadsuddenlyarisentoanimmeasurableheight—hadbecomeabeingofimmense

importance.

Thelegalpapershavingbeenserved,andarrangementsmadewithEppstomeetthemthenextdayatMarksville,Northupandthesheriffenteredthecarriagetoreturntothelatterplace.AsIwasaboutmountingtothedriver’sseat,thesheriffsaidIoughttobidMr.andMrs.Eppsgoodbye.Iranbacktothepiazzawheretheywere

standing,andtakingoffmyhat,said,

“Good-bye,missis.”

“Good-bye,Platt,”saidMrs.Epps,kindly.

“Good-bye,master.”

“Ah!youd—dnigger,”mutteredEpps,inasurly,malicioustoneofvoice,“youneedn’tfeelsocussedtickled—youain’tgoneyet—I’llseeaboutthisbusinessat

Marksvilleto-morrow.”

Iwasonlya“nigger”andknewmyplace,butfeltasstronglyasifIhadbeenawhiteman,thatitwouldhavebeenaninwardcomfort,hadIdaredtohavegivenhimapartingkick.Onmywaybacktothecarriage,Patseyranfrombehindacabinandthrewherarmsaboutmyneck.

“Oh?Platt,”shecried,

tearsstreamingdownherface,“you’regoin’tobefree—you’regoin’wayoffyonder,wherewe’llnebberseeyeanymore.You’vesavedmeagoodmanywhippings,Platt;I’mgladyou’regoin’tobefree—butoh!deLord,deLord!what’llbecomeofme?

Idisengagedmyselffromher,andenteredthecarriage.Thedrivercrackedhiswhip

andawaywerolled.IlookedbackandsawPatsey,withdroopinghead,halfrecliningontheground;Mrs.Eppswasonthepiazza;UncleAbram,andBob,andWiley,andAuntPhebestoodbythegate,gazingafterme.Iwavedmyhand,butthecarriageturnedabendofthebayou,hidingthemfrommyeyesforever.

WestoppedamomentatCarey’ssugarhouse,wherea

greatnumberofslaveswereatwork,suchanestablishmentbeingacuriositytoaNorthernman.Eppsdashedbyusonhorsebackatfullspeed—ontheway,aswelearnednextday,tothe“PineWoods,”toseeWilliamFord,whohadbroughtmeintothecountry.

Tuesday,thefourthofJanuary,Eppsandhiscounsel,theHon.H.Taylor,

Northup,Waddill,theJudgeandsheriffofAvoyelles,andmyself,metinaroominthevillageofMarksville.Mr.Northupstatedthefactsinregardtome,andpresentedhiscommission,andtheaffidavitsaccompanyingit.Thesheriffdescribedthesceneinthecottonfield.Iwasalsointerrogatedatgreatlength.Finally,Mr.Taylorassuredhisclientthathewassatisfied,andthatlitigation

wouldnotonlybeexpensive,bututterlyuseless.Inaccordancewithhisadvice,apaperwasdrawnupandsignedbytheproperparties,whereinEppsacknowledgedhewassatisfiedofmyrighttofreedom,andformallysurrenderedmetotheauthoritiesofNew-York.Itwasalsostipulatedthatitbeenteredofrecordintherecorder’sofficeof

Avoyelles.3

Mr.Northupandmyselfimmediatelyhastenedtothelanding,andtakingpassageonthefirststeamerthatarrived,weresoonfloatingdownRedRiver,upwhich,withsuchdespondingthoughts,Ihadbeenbornetwelveyearsbefore.

CHAPTERXXII.ARRIVALINNEW-ORLEANS—GLIMPSEOFFREEMAN—GENOIS,THERECORD-ER—HISDESCRIPTIONOFSOLOMON—REACHCHARLESTON—INTERRUPTEDBY

CUSTOMHOUSEOFFICERS—PASSTHROUGHRICHMOND—ARRIVALINWASHINGTON—BURCHARRESTED—SHEKELSANDTHORN—THEIRTESTIMONY—BURCHACQUITTED—ARRESTCFSOLOMON—BURCHWITHDRAWSTHECOMPLAINT—THEHIGHERTRIBUNAL—DEPARTUREFROM

WASHINGTON—ARRIVALATSANDYHILL—OLDFRIENDSANDFAMILIARSCENES—PROCEEDTOGLENSFALLS—MEETINGWITHANNE,MARGARETANDELIZABETH—SOLOMONNORTHUPSTAUNTON—INCIDENTS-CONCLUSION.

AsthesteamerglidedonitswaytowardsNew-Orleans,perhapsIwasnothappy—perhapstherewasnodifficultyinrestrainingmyselffromdancingroundthedeck—perhapsIdidnotfeelgratefultcthemanwhohadcomesomanyhundredmilesforme—perhapsIdidnotlighthispipe,andwaitandwatchhisword,andrunathisslightestbidding.IfIdidn’t—well,nomatter.

WetarriedatNew-Orleanstwodays.DuringthattimeIpointedoutthelocalityofFreeman’sslavepen,andtheroominwhichFordpurchasedme.WehappenedtomeetTheophilusinthestreet,butIdidnotthinkitworthwhiletorenewacquaintancewithhim.Fromrespectablecitizensweascertainedhehadbecomealow,miserablerowdy—abroken-down,disreputable

man.

Wealsovisitedtherecorder,Mr.Genois,towhomSenatorSoule’sletterwasdirected,andfoundhimamanwelldeservingthewideandhonorablereputationthathebears.Heverygenerouslyfurnisheduswithasortoflegalpass,overhissignatureandsealofoffice,andasitcontainstherecorder’sdescriptionofmypersonal

appearance,itmaynotbeamisstoinsertithere.Thefollowingisacopy:

“StateofLouisiana—CityofNew-Orleans:

Recorder’sOffice,SecondDistrict.

“Toalltowhomthesepresentsshallcome:—

“Thisistocertifythat

HenryB.Northup,Esquire,ofthecountyofWashington,New-York,hasproducedbeforemedueevidenceofthefreedomofSolomon,amulattoman,agedaboutforty-twoyears,fivefeet,seveninchesandsixlines,woollyhair,andchestnuteyes,whoisanativebornoftheStateofNew-York.ThatthesaidNorthup,being

aboutbringingthesaidSolomontohisnativeplace,throughthesouthernroutes,thecivilauthoritiesarerequestedtolettheaforesaidcoloredmanSolomonpassunmolested,hedemeaningwellandproperly.

“GivenundermyhandandthesealofthecityofNew-

Orleansthis7thJanuary,1853.

[L.s.]

“TH.GENOIS,Recorder.”

Onthe8thwecametoLakePontchartrain,byrailroad,and,induetime,

followingtheusualroute,reachedCharleston.Aftergoingonboardthesteamboat,andpayingourpassageatthiscity,Mr.Northupwascalleduponbyacustom-houseofficertoexplainwhyhehadnotregisteredhisservant.Herepliedthathehadnoservant—that,astheagentofNew-York,hewasaccompanyingafreecitizenofthatStatefromslaverytofreedom,anddidnotdesirenorintendtomake

anyregistrywhatever.Iconceivedfromhisconversationandmanner,thoughImayperhapsbeentirelymistaken,thatnogreatpainswouldbetakentoavoidwhateverdifficultytheCharlestonofficialsmightdeempropertocreate.Atlength,however,wewerepermittedtoproceed,and,passingthroughRichmond,whereIcaughtaglimpseofGoodin’spen,arrivedin

WashingtonJanuary17th,1853.

WeascertainedthatbothBurchandRadburnwerestillresidinginthatcity.ImmediatelyacomplaintwasenteredwithapolicemagistrateofWashington,againstJamesH.Burch,forkidnappingandsellingmeintoslavery.HewasarresteduponawarrantissuedbyJusticeGoddard,andreturned

beforeJusticeMansel,andheldtobailinthesumofthreethousanddollars.Whenfirstarrested,Burchwasmuchexcited,exhibitingtheutmostfearandalarm,andbeforereachingthejustice’sofficeonLouisianaAvenue,andbeforeknowingtheprecisenatureofthecomplaint,beggedthepolicetopermithimtoconsultBenjaminO.Shekels,aslavetraderofseventeenyears’

standing,andhisformerpartner.Thelatterbecamehisbail.

Atteno’clock,the18thofJanuary,bothpartiesappearedbeforethemagistrate.SenatorChase,ofOhio,Hon.OrvilleClark,ofSandyHill,andMr.Northupactedascounselfortheprosecution,andJosephH.Bradleyforthedefence.

Gen.OrvilleClarkwas

calledandswornasawitness,andtestifiedthathehadknownmefromchildhood,andthatIwasafreeman,aswasmyfatherbeforeme.Mr.Northupthentestifiedtothesame,andprovedthefactsconnectedwithhismissiontoAvoyelles.

EbenezerRadburnwasthenswornfortheprosecution,andtestifiedhewasforty-eightyearsold;that

hewasaresidentofWashington,andhadknownBurchfourteenyears;thatin1841hewaskeeperofWilliams’slavepen;thatherememberedthefactofmyconfinementinthepenthatyear.Atthispointitwasadmittedbythedefendant’scounsel,thatIhadbeenplacedinthepenbyBurchinthespringof1841,andhereupontheprosecutionrested.

BenjaminO.Shekelswasthenofferedasawitnessbytheprisoner.Benjaminisalarge,coarse-featuredman,andthereadermayperhapsgetasomewhatcorrectconceptionofhimbyreadingtheexactlanguageheusedinanswertothefirstquestionofdefendant’slawyer.Hewasaskedtheplaceofhisnativity,andhisreply,utteredinasortofrowdyishway,wasintheseverywords—

“IwasborninOntariocounty,New-York,andweighedfourteenpounds!”Benjaminwasaprodigious

baby!HefurthertestifiedthathekepttheSteamboatHotelinWashingtonin1841,andsawmethereinthespringofthatyear.Hewasproceedingtostatewhathehadheardtwomensay,whenSenatorChaseraisedalegalobjection,towit,thatthe

sayingsofthirdpersons,beinghearsay,wasimproperevidence.TheobjectionwasoverruledbytheJustice,andShekelscontinued,statingthattwomencametohishotelandrepresentedtheyhadacoloredmanforsale;thattheyhadaninterviewwithBurch;thattheystatedtheycamefromGeorgia,buthedidnotrememberthecounty;thattheygaveafullhistoryoftheboy,sayinghe

wasabricklayer,andplayedontheviolin;thatBurchremarkedhewouldpurchaseiftheycouldagree;thattheywentoutandbroughttheboyin,andthatIwasthesameperson.Hefurthertestified,withasmuchunconcernasifitwasthetruth,thatIreppresentedIwasbornandbredinGeorgia;thatoneoftheyoungmenwithmewasmymaster;thatIexhibitedagreatdealofregretatparting

withhim,andhebelieved“gotintotears!”—nevertheless,thatIinsistedmymasterhadarighttosellme;thatheoughttosellme;andtheremarkablereasonIgavewas,accordingtoShekels,becausehe,mymaster,“hadbeengamblingandonaspree!”

Hecontinued,inthesewords,copiedfromtheminutestakenonthe

examination:“Burchinterrogatedtheboyintheusualmanner,toldhimifhepurchasedhimheshouldsendhimsouth.Theboysaidhehadnoobjection,thatinfacthewouldliketogosouth.Burchpaid$650forhim,tomyknowledge.Idon’tknowwhatnamewasgivenhim,butthinkitwasnotSolomon.Didnotknowthenameofeitherofthetwomen.Theywereinmytaverntwoor

threehours,duringwhichtimetheboyplayedontheviolin.Thebillofsalewassignedinmybar-room.Itwasaprintedblank,filledupbyBurch.Before1838Burchwasmypartner.Ourbusinesswasbuyingandsellingslaves.AfterthattimehewasapartnerofTheophilusFreeman,ofNew-Orleans.Burchboughthere—Freemansoldthere!”

Shekels,beforetestifying,hadheardmyrelationofthecircumstancesconnectedwiththevisittoWashingtonwithBrownandHamilton,andtherefore,itwas,undoubtedly,hespokeof“twomen,”andofmyplayingontheviolin.Suchwashisfabrication,utterlyuntrue,andyettherewasfoundinWashingtonamanwhoendeavoredtocorroboratehim.

BenjaminA.ThorntestifiedhewasatShekels’in1841,andsawacoloredboyplayingonafiddle.“Shekelssaidhewasforsale.Heardhismastertellhimheshouldsellhim.Theboyacknowledgedtomehewasaslave.Iwasnotpresentwhenthemoneywaspaid.Willnotswearpositivelythisistheboy.Themastercamenearsheddingtears:Ithinktheboydid!Ihavebeenengaged

inthebusinessoftakingslavessouth,offandon,fortwentyyears.WhenIcan’tdothatIdosomethingelse.”

Iwasthenofferedasawitness,but,objectionbeingmade,thecourtdecidedmyevidenceinadmissible.ItwasrejectedsolelyonthegroundthatIwasacoloredman—thefactofmybeingafreecitizenofNew-Yorknotbeingdisputed.

Shekelshavingtestifiedtherewasabillofsaleexecuted,Burchwascalleduponbytheprosecutiontoproduceit,inasmuchassuchapaperwouldcorroboratethetestimonyofThornandShekels.Theprisoner’scounselsawthenecessityofexhibitingit,orgivingsomereasonableexplanationforitsnon-production.Toeffectthelatter,Burchhimselfwasofferedasawitnessinhis

ownbehalf.Itwascontendedbycounselforthepeople,thatsuchtestimonyshouldnotbeallowed—thatitwasincontraventionofeveryruleofevidence,andifpermittedwoulddefeattheendsofjustice.Histestimony,however,wasreceivedbythecourtIHemadeoaththatsuchabillofsalehadbeendrawnupandsigned,buthehadlostit,anddidnotknowwhathadbecomeofit!

ThereuponthemagistratewasrequestedtodispatchapoliceofficertoBurch’sresidence,withdirectionstobringhisbooks,containinghisbillsofsalesfortheyear1811.Therequestwasgranted,andbeforeanymeasurecouldbetakentopreventit,theofficerhadobtainedpossessionofthebooks,andbroughtthemintocourt.Thesalesfortheyear1841werefound,andcarefullyexamined,butno

saleofmyself,byanyname,wasdiscovered!

Uponthistestimonythecourtheldthefacttobeestablished,thatBurchcameinnocentlyandhonestlybyme,andaccordinglyhewasdischarged.

AnattemptwasthenmadebyBurchandhissatellites,tofastenuponmethechargethatIhadconspiredwiththetwowhitementodefraudhim

—withwhatsuccess,appearsinanextracttakenfromanarticleintheNew-YorkTimes,publishedadayortwosubsequenttothetrial:“Thecounselforthedefendanthaddrawnup,beforethedefendantwasdischarged,anaffidavit,signedbyBurch,andhadawarrantoutagainstthecoloredmanforaconspiracywiththetwowhitemenbeforereferredto,todefraud

Burchoutofsixhundredandtwenty-fivedollars.Thewarrantwasserved,andthecoloredmanarrestedandbroughtbeforeofficerGoddard.Burchandhiswitnessesappearedincourt,andH.B.Northupappearedascounselforthecoloredman,statinghewasreadytoproceedascounselonthepartofthedefendant,andaskingnodelaywhatever.Burch,afterconsultingprivatelya

shorttimewithShekels,statedtothemagistratethathewishedhimtodismissthecomplaint,ashewouldnotproceedfartherwithit.Defendant’scounselstatedtothemagistratethatifthecomplaintwaswithdrawn,itmustbewithouttherequestorconsentofthedefendant.Burchthenaskedthemagistratetolethimhavethecomplaintandthewarrant,andhetookthem.The

counselforthedefendantobjectedtohisreceivingthem,andinsistedtheyshouldremainaspartoftherecordsofthecourt,andthatthecourtshouldendorsetheproceedingswhichhadbeenhadundertheprocess.Burchdeliveredthemupandthecourtrenderedajudg-mentofdiscontinuancebytherequestoftheprosecutor,andfileditinhisoffice.”

Theremaybethosewhowillaffecttobelievethestatementoftheslave-trader—those,inwhosemindshisallegationswillweighheavierthanmine.Iamapoorcoloredman—oneofadown-troddenanddegradedrace,whosehumblevoicemaynotbeheededbytheoppressor—butknowingthetruth,andwithafullsenseofmyaccountability,Idosolemnlydeclarebeforemen,and

beforeGod,thatanychargeorassertion,thatIconspireddirectlyorindirectlywithanypersonorpersonstosellmyself;thatanyotheraccountofmyvisittoWashington,mycaptureandimprisonmentinWilliams’slavepen,thaniscontainedinthesepages,isutterlyandabsolutelyfalse.IneverplayedontheviolininWashington.IneverwasintheSteamboatHotel,and

neversawThornorShekels,tomyknowledge,inmylife,untillastJanuary.Thestoryofthetrioofslave-tradersisafabricationasabsurdasitisbaseandunfounded.Wereittrue,IshouldnothaveturnedasideonmywaybacktolibertyforthepurposeofprosecutingBurch.Ishouldhaveavoidedratherthansoughthim.Ishouldhaveknownthatsuchastepwouldhaveresultedinrenderingme

infamous.Underthecircumstances—longingasIdidtobeholdmyfamily,andelatedwiththeprospectofreturninghome—itisanoutrageuponprobabilitytosupposeIwouldhaverunthehazard,notonlyofexposure,butofacriminalprosecutionandconviction,byvoluntarilyplacingmyselfinthepositionIdid,ifthestatementsofBurchandhisconfederatescontainaparticleoftruth.I

tookpainstoseekhimout,toconfronthiminacourtoflaw,charginghimwiththecrimeofkidnapping;andtheonlymotivethatimpelledmetothisstep,wasaburningsenseofthewronghehadinflicteduponme,andadesiretobringhimtojustice.Hewasacquitted,inthemanner,andbysuchmeansashavebeendescribed.Ahumantribunalhaspermittedhimtoescape;butthereis

anotherandahighertribunal,wherefalsetestimonywillnotprevail,andwhereIamwilling,sofaratleastasthesestatementsareconcerned,tobejudgedatlast.

WeleftWashingtononthe20thofJanuary,andproceedingbythewayofPhiladelphia,New-York,andAlbany,reachedSandyHillinthenightofthe21st.My

heartoverflowedwithhappinessasIlookedarounduponoldfamiliarscenes,andfoundmyselfinthemidstoffriendsofotherdays.ThefollowingmorningIstarted,incompanywithseveralacquaintances,forGlensFalls,theresidenceofAnneandourchildren.

AsIenteredtheircomfortablecottage,Margaretwasthefirstthat

metme.Shedidnotrecognizeme.WhenIlefther,shewasbutsevenyearsold,alittleprattlinggirl,playingwithhertoys.Nowshewasgrowntowomanhood—wasmarried,withabright-eyedboystandingbyherside.Notforgetfulofhisenslaved,unfortunategrand-father,shehadnamedthechildSolomonNorthupStaunton.WhentoldwhoIwas,shewasovercome

withemotion,andunabletospeak.PresentlyElizabethenteredtheroom,andAnnecamerunningfromthehotel,havingbeeninformedofmyarrival.Theyembracedme,andwithtearsflowingdowntheircheeks,hunguponmyneck.ButIdrawaveiloverascenewhichcanbetterbeimaginedthandescribed.

Whentheviolenceofouremotionshadsubsidedtoa

sacredjoy—whenthehouseholdgatheredroundthefire,thatsentoutitswarmandcracklingcomfortthroughtheroom,weconversedofthethousandeventsthathadoccurred—thehopesandfears,thejoysandsorrows,thetrialsandtroubleswehadeachexperiencedduringthelongseparation.AlonzowasabsentinthewesternpartoftheState.Theboyhadwritten

tohismotherashorttimeprevious,oftheprospectofhisobtainingsufficientmoneytopurchasemyfreedom.Fromhisearliestyears,thathadbeenthechiefobjectofhisthoughtsandhisambition.TheyknewIwasinbondage.Theletterwrittenonboardthebrig,andClemRayhimself,hadgiventhemthatinformation.ButwhereIwas,untilthearrivalofBass’letter,wasamatterof

conjecture.ElizabethandMargaretoncereturnedfromschool—soAnneinformedme—weepingbitterly.Oninquiringthecauseofthechildren’ssorrow,itwasfoundthat,whilestudyinggeography,theirattentionhadbeenattractedtothepictureofslavesworkinginthecotton-field,andanoverseerfollowingthemwithhiswhip.Itremindedthemofthesufferingstheirfathermight

be,and,asithappened,actuallywas,enduringintheSouth.Numerousincidents,suchasthese,wererelated—incidentsshowingtheystillheldmeinconstantremembrance,butnot,perhaps,ofsufficientinteresttothereader,toberecounted.

Mynarrativeisatanend.IhavenocommentstomakeuponthesubjectofSlavery.

Thosewhoreadthisbookmayformtheirownopinionsofthe“peculiarinstitution.”WhatitmaybeinotherStates,Idonotprofesstoknow;whatitisintheregionofRedRiver,istrulyandfaithfullydelineatedinthesepages.Thisisnofiction,noexaggeration.IfIhavefailedinanything,ithasbeeninpresentingtothereadertooprominentlythebrightsideofthepicture.Idoubtnot

hundredshavebeenasunfortunateasmyself;thathundredsoffreecitizenshavebeenkidnappedandsoldintoslavery,andareatthismomentwearingouttheirlivesonplantationsinTexasandLouisiana.ButIforbear.ChastenedandsubduedinspiritbythesufferingsIhaveborne,andthankfultothatgoodBeingthroughwhosemercyIhavebeenrestoredtohappinessandliberty,Ihope

henceforwardtoleadanuprightthoughlowlylife,andrestatlastinthechurchyardwheremyfathersleeps.

ROARINGRIVER.

AREFRAINOFTHEREDRIVER

PLANTATION.

“Harper’screekandroarin’ribber,

Thar,mydear,we’llliveforebber;Denwe’llgotodeInginnation,AllIwantindiecreation,Isprettylittlewifeandbigplantation.

CHORUS.

Updatoakanddowndatribber,Twooverseersandonelittle

nigger.”

APPENDIX.

A.—Page291.CHAP.375.AnactmoreeffectuallytoprotectthefreecitizensofthisStatefrombeingkidnapped,orreducedto

Slavery.

[PassedMay14,1840.]

ThePeopleoftheStateofNew-York,representedinSenateandAssembly,doenactasfollows:

§1.WhenevertheGovernorofthisStateshallreceiveinformation

satisfactorytohimthatanyfreecitizenoranyinhabitantofthisStatehasbeenkidnappedortransportedawayoutofthisState,intoanyotherStateorTerritoryoftheUnitedStates,forthepurposeofbeingthereheldinslavery;orthatsuchfreecitizenorinhabitantiswrongfullyseized,imprisonedorheldinslaveryinanyoftheStatesorTerritoriesoftheUnited

States,ontheallegationorpretencethatsuchapersonisaslave,orbycolorofanyusageorruleoflawprevailinginsuchStateorTerritory,isdeemedortakentobeaslave,ornotentitledofrighttothepersonallibertybelongingtoacitizen;itshallbethedutyofthesaidGovernortotakesuchmeasuresasheshalldeemnecessarytoprocuresuchpersontoberestoredtohis

libertyandreturnedtothisState.TheGovernorisherebyauthorizedtoappointandemploysuchagentoragentsasheshalldeemnecessarytoeffecttherestorationandreturnofsuchperson;andshallfurnishthesaidagentwithsuchcredentialsandinstructionsaswillbelikelytoaccomplishtheobjectofhisappointment.TheGovernormaydeterminethecompensationtobeallowed

tosuchagentforhisservicesbesideshisnecessaryexpenses.

§2.Suchagentshallproceedtocollecttheproperprooftoestablishtherightofsuchpersontohisfreedom,andshallperformsuchjourneys,takesuchmeasures,instituteandprocuretobeprosecutedsuchlegalproceedings,underthedirectionoftheGovernor,as

shallbenecessarytoprocuresuchpersontoberestoredtohislibertyandreturnedtothisState.

§3.TheaccountsforallservicesandexpensesincurredincarryingthisactintoeffectshallbeauditedbytheComptroller,andpaidbytheTreasureronhiswarrant,outofanymoneysinthetreasuryofthisStatenototherwiseappropriated.The

Treasurermayadvance,onthewarrantoftheComptroller,tosuchagent,suchsumorsumsastheGovernorshallcertifytobereasonableadvancestoenablehimtoaccomplishthepurposesofhisappointment,forwhichadvancesuchagentshallaccount,onthefinalauditofhiswarrant.

§4.Thisactshalltakeeffectimmediately.

B.—Page292.MEMORIALOFANNE.ToHisExcellency,theGovernoroftheStateofNew-York:

ThememorialofAnneNorthup,ofthevillageofGlensFalls,inthecountyofWarren,Stateaforesaid,respectfullysetsforth—

Thatyourmemorialist

whosemaidennamewasAnneHampton,wasforty-fouryearsoldonthe14thdayofMarchlast,andwasmarriedtoSolomonNorthup,thenofFortEdward,inthecountyofWashingtonandStateaforesaid,onthe25thdayofDecember,A.D.1828,byTimothyEddy,thenaJusticeofthePeace.ThatthesaidSolomon,aftersuchmarriage,livedandkepthousewithyourmemorialist

insaidtownuntil1830,whenheremovedwithhissaidfamilytothetownofKingsburyinsaidcounty,andremainedthereaboutthreeyears,andthenremovedtoSaratogaSpringsintheStateaforesaid,andcontinuedtoresideinsaidSaratogaSpringsandtheadjoiningtownuntilabouttheyear1841,asnearasthetimecanberecollected,whenthesaidSolomonstartedtogotothe

cityofWashington,intheDistrictofColumbia,sincewhichtimeyourmemorialisthasneverseenhersaidhusband.

Andyourmemorialistfurtherstates,thatintheyear1841shereceivedinformationbyaletterdirectedtoHenryB.Northup,Esq.,ofSandyHill,Washingtoncounty,New-York,andpost-markedat

New-Orleans,thatsaidSolomonhadbeenkidnappedinWashington,putonboardofavessel,andwastheninsuchvesselinNew-Orleans,butcouldnottellhowhecameinthatsituation,norwhathisdestinationwas.

Thatyourmemorialisteversincethelastmentionedperiodhasbeenwhollyunabletoobtainanyinformationofwherethesaid

Solomonwas,untilthemonthofSeptemberlast,whenanotherletterwasreceivedfromthesaidSolomon,post-markedatMarksville,intheparishofAvoyelles,intheStateofLouisiana,statingthathewasheldthereasaslave,whichstatementyourmemorialistbelievestobetrue.

ThatthesaidSolomonisaboutforty-fiveyearsofage,

andneverresidedoutoftheStateofNew-York,inwhichStatehewasborn,untilthetimehewenttoWashingtoncity,asbeforestated.ThatthesaidSolomonNorthupisafreecitizenoftheStateofNew-York,andisnowwrongfullyheldinslavery,inornearMarksville,intheparishofAvoyelles,intheStateofLouisiana,oneoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,ontheallegationorpretencethat

thesaidSolomonisaslave.

AndyourmemorialistfurtherstatesthatMintusNorthupwasthereputedfatherofsaidSolomon,andwasanegro,anddiedatFortEdward,onthe22ddayofNovember,1829;thatthemotherofsaidSolomonwasamulatto,orthreequarterswhite,anddiedinthecountyofOswego,New-York,somefiveorsixyearsago,asyour

memorialistwasinformedandbelieves,andneverwasaslave.

ThatyourmemorialistandherfamilyarepoorandwhollyunabletopayorsustainanyportionoftheexpensesofrestoringthesaidSolomontohisfreedom.

Yourexcellencyisentreatedtoemploysuchagentoragentsasshallbedeemednecessarytoeffect

therestorationandreturnofsaidSolomonNorthup,inpursuanceofanactoftheLegislatureoftheStateofNew-York,passedMay14th,1840,entitled“AnactmoreeffectuallytoprotectthefreecitizensofthisStatefrombeingkidnappdorreducedtoslavery.”Andyourmemorialistwilleverpray.

(Signed,)ANNENORTHUP.

DatedNovember19,1852.

STATEOFNEW-YORK:Washingtoncounty,ss.

AnneNorthup,ofthevillageofGlensFalls,inthecountyofWarren,insaidState,beingdulysworn,doth

deposeandsaythatshesignedtheabovememorial,andthatthestatementsthereincontainedaretrue.

(Signed,)ANNENORTHUP.

Subscribedandswornbeforemethis19thNovember,1852.

CHARLESHUGHES,JusticePeace.

WerecommendthattheGovernorappointHenryB.Northup,ofthevillageofSandyHill,Washingtoncounty,New-York,asoneoftheagentstoprocuretherestorationandreturnofSolomonNorthup,namedintheforegoingmemorialofAnneNorthup.

DatedatSandyHill,

WashingtonCo.,N.Y.,November20,1852.(Signed,)

PETERHOLBBOOK,

B.F.HOAG,

CHARLESHUGHES,

E.D.BAKER,

DANIELSWEET,

ALMONCLARK,

BENJAMINFERRIS,

JOSIAHH.BROWN,

ORVILLECLARK.

STATEOFNEW-YORK:

WashingtonCounty,ss:

JosiahHand,ofthevillageofSandyHill,insaidcounty,beingdulysworn,says,heisfifty-sevenyearsold,andwas

borninsaidvillage,andhasalwaysresidedthere;thathehasknownMintusNorthupandhissonSolomon,namedintheannexedmemorialofAnneNorthup,sinceprevioustotheyear1816;thatMintusNorthupthen,anduntilthetimeofhisdeath,cultivatedafarminthetownsofKingsburyandFortEdward,fromthetimedeponentfirstknewhimuntilhedied;thatsaidMintusandhiswife,the

motherofsaidSolomonNorthup,werereportedtobefreecitizensofNew-York,anddeponentbelievestheyweresofree;thatsaidSolomonNorthupwasborninsaidcountyofWashington,asdeponentbelieves,andwasmarriedDec.25th,1828,inFortEdwardaforesaid,andhissaidwifeandthreechildren—twodaughtersandoneson—arenowlivinginGlensFalls,Warrencounty,

New-York,andthatthesaidSolomonNorthupalwaysresidedinsaidcountyofWashington,anditsimmediatevicinity,untilabout1841,sincewhichtimedeponenthasnotseenhim,butdeponenthasbeencrediblyinformed,andasheverilybelievestruly,thesaidSolomonisnowwrongfullyheldasaslaveintheStateofLouisiana.AnddeponentfurthersaysthatAnne

Northup,namedinthesaidmemorial,isentitledtocredit,anddeponentbelievesthestatementscontainedinhersaidmemorialaretrue.

(Signed,)JOSIAHHAND.

Subscribedandswornbeforemethis19thdayofNovember,1852,

CHARLESHUGHES,

JusticePeace.

STATEOFNEW-YORK:

Washingtoncounty,ss:

TimothyEddy,ofFortEdward,insaidcounty,beingdulysworn,saysheisnowover—yearsold,andhasbeenaresidentofsaidtownmore

than—yearslastpast,andthathewaswellacquaintedwithSolomonNorthup,namedintheannexedmemorialofAnneNorthup,andwithhisfather,MintusNorthup,whowasanegro,—thewifeofsaidMintuswasamulattowoman;thatsaidMintusNorthupandhissaidwifeandfamily,twosons,JosephandSolomon,residedinsaidtownofFortEdwardforseveralyearsbeforetheyear

1828,andsaidMintusdiedinsaidtownA.D.1829,asdeponentbelieves.AnddeponentfurthersaysthathewasaJusticeofthePeaceinsaidtownintheyear1828,andassuchJusticeofthePeace,he,onthe25thdayofDec’r,1828,joinedthesaidSolomonNorthupinmarriagewithAnneHampton,whoisthesamepersonwhohassubscribedtheannexedmemorial.Anddeponent

expresslysays,thatsaidSolomonwasafreecitizenoftheStateofNew-York,andalwayslivedinsaidState,untilabouttheyearA.D.1840,sincewhichtimedeponenthasnotseenhim,buthasrecentlybeeninformed,andasdeponentbelievestruly,thatsaidSolomonNorthupiswrongfullyheldinslaveryinornearMarksville,intheparishofAvoyelles,inthe

StateofLouisiana.Anddeponentfurthersays,thatsaidMintusNorthupwasnearlysixtyyearsoldatthetimeofhisdeath,andwas,formorethanthirtyyearsnextpriortohisdeath,afreecitizenoftheStateofNew-York.

Andthisdeponentfurthersays,thatAnneNorthup,thewifeofsaidSolomonNorthup,isofgoodcharacter

andreputation,andherstatements,ascontainedinthememorialheretoannexed,areentitledtofullcredit.

(Signed,)TIMOTHYEDDY.

Subscribedandswornbeforemethis19thdayofNovember,1852,

TIM’YSTOUGHTON,Justice.

STATEOFNEW-YORK:

WashingtonCounty,ss:

HenryB.Northup,ofthevillageofSandyHill,insaidcounty,beingdulysworn,says,thatheisforty-sevenyearsold,andhasalwayslivedinsaidcounty;thathe

knewMintusNorthup,namedintheannexedmemorial,fromdeponent’searliestrecollectionuntilthetimeofhisdeath,whichoccurredatFortEdward,insaidcounty,in1829;thatdeponentknewthechildrenofsaidMintus,viz,SolomonandJoseph;thattheywerebothborninthecountyofWashingtonaforesaid,asdeponentbelieves;thatdeponentwaswellacquaintedwithsaid

Solomon,whoisthesamepersonnamedintheannexedmemorialofAnneNorthup,fromhischildhood;andthatsaidSolomonalwaysresidedinsaidcountyofWashingtonandtheadjoiningcountiesuntilabouttheyear1841;thatsaidSolomoncouldreadandwrite;thatsaidSolomonandhismotherandfatherwerefreecitizensoftheStateofNew-York;thatsometimeabouttheyear1841this

deponentreceivedaletterfromsaidSolomon,post-markedNew-Orleans,statingthatwhileonbusinessatWashingtoncity,hehadbeenkidnapped,andhisfreepaperstakenfromhim,andhewasthenonboardavessel,inirons,andwasclaimedasaslave,andthathedidnotknowhisdestination,whichthedeponentbelievestobetrue,andheurgedthisdeponentto

assistinprocuringhisrestorationtofreedom;thatdeponenthaslostormislaidsaidletter,andcannotfindit;thatdeponenthassinceendeavoredtofindwheresaidSolomonwas,butcouldgetnofarthertraceofhimuntilSept.last,whenthisdeponentascertainedbyaletterpurportingtohavebeenwrittenbythedirectionofsaidSolomon,thatsaidSolomonwasheldand

claimedasaslaveinornearMarksville,intheparishofAvoyelles,Louisiana,andthatthisdeponentverilybelievesthatsuchinformationistrue,andthatsaidSolomonisnowwrongfullyheldinslaveryatMarksvilleaforesaid.

(Signed,)HENRYB.NORTHUP.

Subscribedandsworntobeforemethis20thdayofNovember,1852,

CHARLESHUGHES,J.P.

STATEOFNEW-YORK:

WashingtonCounty,ss:

NicholasC.Northup,ofthevillageofSandyHill,insaidcounty,beingdulysworn,dothdeposeandsay,thatheisnowfifty-eightyearsofage,andhasknownSolomonNorthup,mentionedintheannexedmemorialofAnnNorthup,eversincehewasborn.AndthisdeponentsaiththatsaidSolomonisnowaboutforty-fiveyears

old,andwasborninthecountyofWashingtonaforesaid,orinthecountyofEssex,insaidState,andalwaysresidedintheStateofNew-Yorkuntilabouttheyear1841,sincewhichtimedeponenthasnotseenhimorknownwherehewas,untilafewweekssince,deponentwasinformed,andbelievestruly,thatsaidSolomonwasheldinslaveryintheStateofLouisiana.Deponentfurther

says,thatsaidSolomonwasmarriedinthetownofFortEdward,insaidcounty,abouttwenty-fouryearsago,andthathiswifeandtwodaughtersandonesonnowresideinthevillageofGlensFalls,countyofWarren,insaidStateofNew-York.AndthisdeponentswearspositivelythatsaidSolomonNorthupisacitizenofsaidStateofNew-York,andwasbornfree,andfromhis

earliestinfancylivedandresidedinthecountiesofWashington,Essex,WarrenandSaratoga,intheStateofNew-York,andthathissaidwifeandchildrenhaveneverresidedoutofsaidcountiessincethetimesaidSolomonwasmarried;thatdeponentknewthefatherofsaidSolomonNorthup;thatsaidfatherwasanegro,namedMintusNorthup,anddiedinthetownofFortEdward,in

thecountyofWashington,StateofNew-York,onthe22ddayofNovember,A.D.1829,andwasburiedinthegrave-yardinSandyHillaforesaid;thatformorethanthirtyyearsbeforehisdeathhelivedinthecountiesofEssex,WashingtonandRensselaerandStateofNew-York,andleftawifeandtwosons,JosephandthesaidSolomon,himsurviving;thatthemotherofsaidSolomon

wasamulattowoman,andisnowdead,anddied,asdeponentbelieves,inOswegocounty,New-York,withinfiveorsixyearspast.Andthisdeponentfurtherstates,thatthemotherofthesaidSolomonNorthupwasnotaslaveatthetimeofthebirthofsaidSolomonNorthup,andhasnotbeenaslaveatanytimewithinthelastfiftyyears.

(Signed,)N.C.NORTHUP.

Subscribedandswornbeforemethis19thdayofNovember,1852.CHARLESHUGHES,JusticePeace.

STATEOFNEW-YORK:

WashingtonCounty,

ss.

OrvilleClark,ofthevillageofSandyHill,inthecountyofWashington,StateofNew-York,beingdulysworn,dothdeposeandsay—thathe,thisdeponent,isoverfiftyyearsofage;thatintheyears1810and1811,ormostofthetimeofthoseyears,thisdeponentresidedatSandyHill,aforesaid,andatGlensFalls;

thatthisdeponentthenknewMintusNorthup,ablackorcoloredman;hewasthenafreeman,asthisdeponentbelievesandalwaysunderstood;thatthewifeofsaidMintusNorthup,andmotherofSolomon,wasafreewoman;thatfromtheyear1818untilthetimeofthedeathofsaidMintusNorthup,abouttheyear1829,thisdeponentwasverywellacquaintedwiththesaid

MintusNorthup;thathewasarespectablemaninthecommunityinwhichheresided,andwasafreeman,sotakenandesteemedbyallhisacquaintances;thatthisdeponenthasalsobeenandwasacquaintedwithhissonSolomonNorthup,fromthesaidyear1818untilheleftthispartofthecountry,abouttheyear1840or1841;thathemarriedAnneHampton,daughterofWilliam

Hampton,anearneighborofthisdeponent;thatthesaidAnne,wifeofsaidSolomon,isnowlivingandresidesinthisvicinity;thatthesaidMintusNorthupandWilliamHamptonwerebothreputedandesteemedinthiscommunityasrespectablemen.AndthisdeponentsaiththatthesaidMintusNorthupandhisfamily,andthesaidWilliamHamptonandhisfamily,fromtheearliest

recollectionandacquaintanceofthisdeponentwithhim(asfarbackas1810,)werealwaysreputed,esteemed,andtakentobe,andthisdeponentbelieves,trulyso,freecitizensoftheStateofNew-York.ThisdeponentknowsthesaidWilliamHampton,underthelawsofthisState,wasentitledtovoteatourelections,andhebelievesthesaidMintusNorthupalsowasentitledasa

freecitizenwiththepropertyqualification.Andthisdeponentfurthersaith,thatthesaidSolomonNorthup,sonofsaidMintus,andhusbandofsaidAnneHampton,whenheleftthisState,wasatthetimethereofafreecitizenoftheStateofNew-York.Andthisdeponentfurthersaith,thatsaidAnneHampton,wifeofSolomonNorthup,isarespectablewoman,ofgood

character,andIwouldbelieveherstatements,anddobelievethefactssetforthinhermemorialtohisexcellency,theGovernor,inrelationtohersaidhusband,aretrue.

(Signed,)ORVILLECLARK.

Swornbeforeme,November19th,1852.

U.G.PARIS,Justiceof

thePeace.

STATEOFNEW-YORK:

WashingtonCounty,ss.

BenjaminFerris,ofthevillageofSandyHill,insaidcounty,beingdulysworn,dothdeposeandsay—thatheisnowfifty-sevenyearsold,

andhasresidedinsaidvillageforty-fiveyears;thathewaswellacquaintedwithMintusNorthup,namedintheannexedmemorialofAnneNorthup,fromtheyear1816tothetimeofhisdeath,whichoccurredatFortEdward,inthefallof1829;thatheknewthechildrenofthesaidMintus,namely,JosephNorthupandSolomonNorthup,andthatthesaidSolomonisthesameperson

namedinsaidmemorial;thatsaidMintusresidedinthesaidcountyofWashingtontothetimeofhisdeath,andwas,duringallthattime,afreecitizenofthesaidStateofNew-York,asdeponentverilybelieves;thatsaidmemorialist,AnneNorthup,isawomanofgoodcharacter,andthestatementcontainedinhermemorialisentitledtocredit.

(Signed)BENJAMINFERRIS.

Swornbeforeme,November19th,1852.

U.G.PARIS,JusticeofthePeace.

STATEOFNEW-YORK:Executive

Chamber,Albany,Nov.30,1852.

IherebycertifythattheforegoingisacorrectcopyofcertainproofsfiledintheExecutiveDepartment,uponwhichIhaveappointedHenryB.NorthupanAgentofthisState,totakeproperproceedingsinbehalfofSolomonNorthup,thereinmentioned.

(Signed,)WASHINGTON

HUNT.

BytheGovernor.J.F.R.,PrivateSecretary.

STATEOFNEW-YORK:Executive

Department.

WASHINGTONHUNT,GovernoroftheStateof

New-York,towhomitmayconcern,greeting:Whereas,Ihavereceived

informationonoath,whichissat-isfactarytome,thatSolomonNorthup,whoisafreecitizenofthisState,iswrongfullyheldinslavery,intheStateofLouisiana:

Andwhereas,itismademyduty,bythelawsofthisState,totakesuchmeasuresasIshalldeemnecessaryto

procureanycitizensowrongfullyheldinslavery,toberestoredtohislibertyandreturnedtothisState:

Beitknown,thatinpursuanceofchapter375ofthelawsofthisState,passedin1840,Ihaveconstituted,appointedandemployedHenryB.Northup,Esquire,ofthecountyofWashington,inthisState,anAgent,withfullpowertoeffectthe

restorationofsaidSolomonNorthup,andthesaidAgentisherebyauthorizedandempoweredtoinstitutesuchproperandlegalproceedings,toprocuresuchevidence,retainsuchcounsel,andfinallytotakesuchmeasuresaswillbemostlikelytoaccomplishtheobjectofhissaidappointment.

HeisalsoinstructedtoproceedtotheStateof

Louisianawithallconvenientdispatch,toexecutetheagencyherebycreated.

[L.S.]

Inwitnesswhereof,Ihavehereuntosubscribedmyname,andaffixedtheprivysealoftheState,atAlbany,this23ddayofNovember,intheyearofourLord1852.

(Signed,)WASHINGTONHUNT.

JAMESF.RUGGLES,PrivateSecretary.

C.—Page309.STATEOFLOUISIANA:ParishofAvoyelles.

Beforeme,AristideBarbin,Recorderofthe

parishofAvoyelles,personallycameandappearedHenryB.Northup,ofthecountyofWashington,StateofNew-York,whohathdeclaredthatbyvirtueofacommissiontohimasagentoftheStateofNew-York,givenandgrantedbyhisexcellency,WashingtonHunt,GovernorofthesaidStateofNew-York,bearingdatethe23ddayofNovember,1852,authorizing

andempoweringhim,thesaidNorthup,topursueandrecoverfromslaveryafreemanofcolor,calledSolomonNorthup,whoisafreecitizenoftheStateofNew-York,andwhowaskidnappedandsoldintoslavery,intheStateofLouisiana,andnowinthepossessionofEdwinEpps,oftheStateofLouisiana,oftheParishofAvoyelles;he,thesaidagent,heretosigning,acknowledgesthatthesaid

Edwinhasthisdaygivenandsurrenderedtohimassuchagent,thesaidSolomonNorthup,freemanofcolor,asaforesaid,inorderthatheberestoredtohisfreedom,andcarriedbacktothesaidStateofNew-York,pursuanttosaidcommission,thesaidEdwinEppsbeingsatisfiedfromtheproofsproducedbysaidagent,thatthesaidSolomonNorthupisentitledtohisfreedom.Theparties

consentingthatacertifiedcopyofsaidpowerofattorneybeannexedtothisact.

DoneandsignedatMarksville,parishofAvoyelles,thisfourthdayofJanuary,onethousandeighthundredandfifty-three,inthepresenceoftheundersigned,legalandcompetentwitnesses,whohavealsoheretosigned.

(Signed,)HENRYB.NORTHUP.

EDWINEPPS.ADE.BARBIN,Recorder.

Witnesses:H.TAYLOR,JOHNP.WADDILL.

STATEOFLOUISIANA:ParishofAvoyelles.

Idoherebycertifytheforegoingtobeatrueandcorrectcopyoftheoriginal

onfileandofrecordinmyoffice.

[L.s.]

GivenundermyhandandsealofofficeasRecorderinandfortheparishofAvoyelles,this4thdayofJanuary,A.D.1853.

(Signed,)ADE.BARBIN,Recorder.

THEEND.

ACATALOGOFSELECTED

DOVERBOOKSINALLFIELDSOF

INTEREST

CONCERNINGTHESPIRITUALINART,WassilyKandinsky.Pioneeringworkbyfatherofabstractart.Thoughtsoncolortheory,natureofart.Analysisofearliermasters.12illustrations.80pp.oftext.5 ×8½.

0-486-23411-8

CELTICART:TheMethodsofConstruction,GeorgeBain.

SimplegeometrictechniquesformakingCelticinterlacements,spirals,Kells-typeinitials,animals,humans,etc.Over500illustrations.160pp.9×12.(AvailableinU.S.only.)

0-486-22923-8

ANATLASOFANATOMYFORARTISTS,FritzSchider.Mostthoroughreferenceworkonart

anatomyintheworld.Hundredsofillustrations,includingselectionsfromworksbyVesalius,Leonardo,Goya,Ingres,Michelangelo,others.593illustrations.192pp.7 ×10¼

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0-486-24336-2

EASYORIGAMI,JohnMontroll.Charmingcollectionof32projects(hat,

cup,pelican,piano,swan,manymore)speciallydesignedforthenoviceorigamihobbyist.Clearlyillustratedeasy-to-followinstructionsinsurethatevenbeginningpapercrafterswillachievesuccessfulresults.48pp.8¼×11.

0-486-27298-2

BLOOMINGDALE’SILLUSTRATED1886

CATALOG:Fashions,DryGoodsandHousewares,BloomingdaleBrothers.Famedmerchants’extremelyrarecatalogdepictingabout1,700products:clothing,housewares,firearms,drygoods,jewelry,more.Invaluablefordating,identifyingvintageitems.Also,copyright-freegraphicsforartists,designers.Co-publishedwithHenryFordMuseum&Greenfield

Village.160pp.8¼×11.

0-486-25780-0

THEARTOFWORLDLYWISDOM,BaltasarGracian.“Thinkwiththefewandspeakwiththemany,”“Friendsareasecondexistence,”and“Beabletoforget”areamongthis1637volume’s300pithymaxims.Aperfectsourceofmentalandspiritualrefreshment,it

canbeopenedatrandomandappreciatedeitherinbrieforatlength.128pp.5 ×8½.

0-48fi-44034-6

JOHNSON’SDICTIONARY:AModernSelection,SamuelJohnson(E.L.McAdamandGeorgeMilne,eds.).Thismodernversionreducestheoriginal1755edition’s2,300pagesofdefinitionsandliterary

examplestoamoremanageablelength,retainingtheverbalpleasureandhistoricalcuriosityoftheoriginal.480pp. ×8¼.

0-486-44089-3

ADVENTURESOFHUCKLEBERRYFINN,MarkTwain,IllustratedbyE.W.Kemble.Aworkofeternalrichnessandcomplexity,asourceof

ongoingcriticaldebate,andaliterarylandmark,Twain’s1885masterpieceaboutabarefootboy’sjourneyofself-discoveryhasenthralledreadersaroundtheworld.Thishandsomeclothboundreproductionofthefirsteditionfeaturesall174oftheoriginalblack-and-whiteillustrations.368pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-44322-1

STICKLEYCRAFTSMANFURNITURECATALOGS,GustavStickleyandL.&J.G.Stickley.Beautiful,functionalfurnitureintwoauthenticcatalogsfrom1910.594illustrations,including277photos,showsettles,rockers,armchairs,recliningchairs,bookcases,desks,tables.183pp.6½×9¼.

0-486-23838-5

AMERICANLOCOMOTIVESINHISTORICPHOTOGRAPHS:1858to1949,RonZiel(ed.).Ararecollectionof126meticulouslydetailedofficialphotographs,called“builderportraits,”ofAmericanlocomotivesthatmajesticallychronicletheriseofsteamlocomotivepowerin

America.Introduction.Detailedcaptions.xi+129pp.9×12.

0-486-27393-8

AMERICA’SLIGHTHOUSES:AnIllustratedHistory,FrancisRossHolland,Jr.Delightfullywritten,profuselyillustratedfact-filledsurveyofover200Americanlighthousessince1716.History,anecdotes,

technologicaladvances,more.240pp.8×10¾.

0-486-25576-X

TOWARDSANEWARCHITECTURE,LeCorbusier.Pioneeringmanifestobyfounderof“InternationalSchool.”Technicalandaesthetictheories,viewsofindustry,economics,relationofformtofunction,“mass-production

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0-486-25023-7

HOWTHEOTHERHALFLIVES,JacobRiis.Famousjournalisticrecord,exposingpovertyanddegradationofNewYorkslumsaround1900,bymajorsocialreformer.100strikingand

influentialphotographs.233pp.10×7 .

0-486-22012-5

FRUITKEYANDTWIGKEYTOTREESANDSHRUBS,WilliamM.Harlow.Oneofthehandiestandmostwidelyusedidentificationaids.Fruitkeycovers120deciduousandevergreenspecies;twigkey160deciduousspecies.Easily

used.Over300photographs.126pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-20511-8

COMMONBIRDSONGS,Dr.DonaldJ.Borror.Songsof60mostcommonU.S.birds:robins,sparrows,cardinals,bluejays,finches,more–arrangedinorderofincreasingcomplexity.Upto9variationsofsongsofeachspecies.Cassetteandmanual

0-486-99911-4

ORCHIDSASHOUSEPLANTS,RebeccaTysonNorthen.Growcattleyasandmanyotherkindsoforchids–inawindow,inacase,orunderartificiallight.63illustrations.148pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-23261-1

MONSTERMAZES,DavePhillips.Masterfulmazesatfourlevelsofdifficulty.Avoiddeadlyperilsandevilcreaturestofindmagicaltreasures.Solutionsforall32excitingillustratedpuzzles.48pp.8¼×11.

0-486-26005-4

MOZART’SDONGIOVANNI(DOVEROPERALIBRETTO

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0-486-24944-1

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0-486-29120-0

THECLARINETANDCLARINETPLAYING,DavidPino.Lively,comprehensiveworkfeaturessuggestionsabouttechnique,musicianship,andmusicalinterpretation,aswellasguidelinesforteaching,makingyourownreeds,andpreparingforpublicperformance.Includesanintriguinglookatclarinethistory.“Agodsend,”TheClarinet,Journalofthe

InternationalClarinetSociety.Appendixes.7illus.320pp.5×8½.

0-486-40270-3

HOLLYWOODGLAMORPORTRAITS,JohnKobal(ed.).145photosfrom1926-49.Harlow,Gable,Bogart,Bacall;94starsinall.Fullbackgroundonphotographers,technicalaspects.160pp.8 ×11¼.

0-486-23352-9

THERAVENANDOTHERFAVORITEPOEMS,EdgarAllanPoe.Over40oftheauthor’smostmemorablepoems:“TheBells,”“Ulalume,”“Israfel,”“ToHelen,”“TheConquerorWorm,”“Eldorado,”“AnnabelLee,”manymore.Alphabeticlistsoftitlesandfirstlines.64pp. ×8¼.

0-486-26685-0

PERSONALMEMOIRSOFU.S.GRANT,UlyssesSimpsonGrant.Intelligent,deeplymovingfirsthandaccountofCivilWarcampaigns,consideredbymanythefinestmilitarymemoirseverwritten.Includesletters,historicphotographs,mapsandmore.528pp.6 ×9¼.

0-486-28587-1

POEILLUSTRATED:ArtbyDoré,Dulac,RackhamandOthers,selectedandeditedbyJeffA.Menges.Morethan100compellingillustrations,inbrilliantcolorandcrispblack-and-white,includescenesfrom“TheRaven,”“ThePitandthePendulum,”“TheGold-Bug,”andotherstoriesandpoems.96pp.8%

×11.

0-486-45746-X

RUSSIANSTORIES/RUSSKIERASSKAZY:ADual-LanguageBook,editedbyGlebStruve.TwelvetalesbysuchmastersasChekhov,Tolstoy,Dostoevsky,Pushkin,others.Excellentword-for-wordEnglishtranslationsonfacingpages,

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0-486-26244-8

PHILADELPHIATHENANDNOW:60SitesPhotographedinthePastandPresent,KennethFinkelandSusanOyama.RarephotographsofCityHall,

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0-486-25790-8

NORTHAMERICANINDIANLIFE:CustomsandTraditionsof23Tribes,ElsieClewsParsons(ed.).27

fictionalizedessaysbynotedanthropologistsexaminereligion,customs,government,additionalfacetsoflifeamongtheWinnebago,Crow,Zuni,Eskimo,othertribes.480pp.6 ×9¼.

0-486-27377-6

TECHNICALMANUALANDDICTIONARYOFCLASSICALBALLET,GailGrant.Defines,explains,

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0-486-21843-0

THEMALEANDFEMALEFIGUREINMOTION:60ClassicPhotographicSequences,EadweardMuybridge.60true-action

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0-486-24745-7

ANIMALS:1,419Copyright-FreeIllustrationsofMammals,Birds,Fish,Insects,etc.,JimHarter(ed.).Clearwoodengravings

present,inextremelylifelikeposes,over1,000speciesofanimals.Oneofthemostextensivepictorialsourcebooksofitskind.Captions.Index.284pp.9×12.

0-486-23766-4

1001QUESTIONSANSWEREDABOUTTHESEASHORE,N.J.BerrillandJacquelynBerrill.Queries

answeredaboutdolphins,seasnails,sponges,starfish,fishes,shorebirds,manyothers.Coversappearance,breeding,growth,feeding,muchmore.305pp.5¼×8¼.

0-486-23366-9

ATTRACTINGBIRDSTOYOURYARD,WilliamJ.Weber.Easy-to-followguideoffersadviceonhowtoattractthegreatestdiversity

ofbirds:birdhouses,feeders,waterandwaterers,muchmore.96pp. ×8¼.

0-486-28927-3

MEDICINALANDOTHERUSESOFNORTHAMERICANPLANTS:AHistoricalSurveywithSpecialReferencetotheEasternIndianTribes,CharlotteErichsen-Brown.Chronologicalhistorical

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0-486-25951-X

STORYBOOKMAZES,DavePhillips.23storiesandmazesontwo-pagespreads:WizardofOz,Treasure

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0-486-23628-5

AMERICANNEGROSONGS:230FolkSongsandSpirituals,ReligiousandSecular,JohnW.Work.ThisauthoritativestudytracestheAfricaninfluencesofsongssungandplayedbyblackAmericansatwork,inchurch,andasentertainment.

Theauthordiscussesthelyricsignificanceofsuchsongsas“SwingLow,SweetChariot,”“JohnHenry,”andothersandoffersthewordsandmusicfor230songs.Bibliography.IndexofSongTitles.272pp.6½×9¼.

0-486-40271-1

MOVIE-STARPORTRAITSOFTHEFORTIES,JohnKobal(ed.).163glamor,

studiophotosof106starsofthe1940s:RitaHayworth,AvaGardner,MarlonBrando,ClarkGable,manymore.176pp.8 .×11¼.

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YEKLandTHEIMPORTEDBRIDEGROOMANDOTHERSTORIESOFYIDDISHNEWYORK,AbrahamCahan.FilmHesterStreetbasedonYekl(1896).

Novel,otherstoriesamongfirstaboutJewishimmigrantsonN.Y.’sEastSide.240pp.5×8½.

0-486-22427-9

SELECTEDPOEMS,WaltWhitman.GeneroussamplingfromLeavesofCrass.Twenty-fourpoemsinclude“IHearAmericaSinging,”“SongoftheOpenRoad,”“ISingtheBodyElectric,”

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0-486-26878-0

SONGSOFEXPERIENCE:FacsimileReproductionwith26PlatesinFullColor,WilliamBlake.26full-color

platesfromarare1826edition.Includes“TheTyger,”“London,”“HolyThursday,”andotherpoems.Printedtextofpoems.48pp.5¼×7.

0-486-24636-1

THEBESTTALESOFHOFFMANN,E.T.A.Hoffmann.10ofHoffmann’smostimportantstories:“NutcrackerandtheKingof

Mice,”“TheGoldenFlowerpot,”etc.458pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-21793-0

THEBOOKOFTEA,KakuzoOkakura.MinorclassicoftheOrient:entertaining,charmingexplanation,interpretationoftraditionalJapanesecultureintermsofteaceremony.94pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-20070-1

FRENCHSTORIES/CONTESFRANÇAIS:ADual-LanguageBook,WallaceFowlie.TenstoriesbyFrenchmasters,VoltairetoCamus:“Micromegas”byVoltaire;“TheAtheist’sMass”byBalzac;“Minuet”bydeMaupassant;“TheGuest”byCamus,sixmore.Excellent

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0-486-26443-2

CHICAGOATTHETURNOFTHECENTURYINPHOTOGRAPHS:122HistoricViewsfromtheCollectionsoftheChicagoHistoricalSociety,LarryA.Viskochil.Rarelarge-format

printsofferdetailedviewsofCityHall,StateStreet,theLoop,HullHouse,UnionStation,manyotherlandmarks,circa1904-1913.Introduction.Captions.Maps.144pp.9 ×12¼.

0-486-24656-6

OLDBROOKLYNINEARLYPHOTOGRAPHS,1865—1929,WilliamLeeYounger.LunaPark,

Gravesendracetrack,constructionofGrandArmyPlaza,movingofHotelBrighton,etc.157previouslyunpublishedphotographs.165pp.8 ×11¾.

0-486-23587-4

THEMYTHSOFTHENORTHAMERICANINDIANS,LewisSpence.Richanthologyofthemythsandlegendsofthe

Algonquins,Iroquois,PawneesandSioux,prefacedbyanextensivehistoricalandethnologicalcommentary.36illustrations.480pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-25967-6

ANENCYCLOPEDIAOFBATTLES:AccountsofOver1,560Battlesfrom1479B.C.tothePresent,DavidEggenberger.Essentialdetails

ofeverymajorbattleinrecordedhistoryfromthefirstbattleofMegiddoin1479BCtoGrenadain1984.ListofBattleMaps.NewAppendixcoveringtheyears1967—1984.Index.99illustrations.544pp.6½×9¼.

0-486-24913-1

SAILINGALONEAROUNDTHEWORLD,CaptainJoshuaSlocum.First

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0-486-20326-3

ANARCHISMANDOTHERESSAYS,EmmaGoldman.Powerful,penetrating,propheticessaysondirectaction,roleofminorities,

prisonreform,puritanhypocrisy,violence,etc.271pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-22484-8

MYTHSOFTHEHINDUSANDBUDDHISTS,AnandaK.CoomaraswamyandSisterNivedita.Greatstoriesoftheepics;deedsofKrishna,Shiva,takenfrompuranas,Vedas,folktales;etc.32illustrations.400pp.5 ×

8½.

0-486-21759-0

MYBONDAGEANDMYFREEDOM,FrederickDouglass.Bornaslave,Douglassbecameoutspokenforceinantislaverymovement.ThebestofDouglass’autobiographies.Graphicdescriptionofslavelife.464pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-22457-0

FOLLOWINGTHEEQUATOR:AJourneyAroundtheWorld,MarkTwain.Fascinatinghumorousaccountof1897voyagetoHawaii,Australia,India,NewZealand,etc.Ironic,bemusedreportsonpeoples,customs,climate,floraandfauna,politics,muchmore.197illustrations.720pp.5 ×

8½.

0-486-26113-1

GREATSPEECHESBYAMERICANWOMEN,editedbyJamesDaley.Hereare21legendaryspeechesfromthecountry’smostinspirationalfemalevoices,includingSojournerTruth,SusanB.Anthony,EleanorRoosevelt,HillaryRodhamClinton,NancyPelosi,and

manyothers.192pp. ×8¼.

0-486-46141-6

THEMYTHSOFGREECEANDROME,H.A.Guerber.Aclassicofmythology,generouslyillustrated,longprizedforitssimple,graphic,accurateretellingoftheprincipalmythsofGreeceandRome,andforitscommentaryontheirorigins

andsignificance.With64illustrationsbyMichelangelo,Raphael,Titian,Rubens,Canova,Berniniandothers.480pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-27584-1

PSYCHOLOGYOFMUSIC,CarlE.Seashore.Classicworkdiscussesmusicasamediumfrompsychologicalviewpoint.Cleartreatmentofphysicalacoustics,auditory

apparatus,soundperception,developmentofmusicalskills,natureofmusicalfeeling,hostofothertopics.88figures.408pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-21851-1

LIFEINANCIENTEGYPT,AdolfErman.Fullest,mostthorough,detailedolderaccountwithmuchnotinmorerecentbooks,domesticlife,religion,magic,

medicine,commerce,muchmore.Manyillustrationsreproducetombpaintings,carvings,hieroglyphs,etc.597pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-22632-8

SUNDIALS,TheirTheoryandConstruction,AlbertWaugh.Farandawaythebest,mostthoroughcoverageofideas,mathematicsconcerned,types,

construction,adjustinganywhere.Simple,nontechnicaltreatmentallowsevenchildrentobuildseveralofthesedials.Over100illustrations.230pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-22947-5

GREATSPEECHESBYAFRICANAMERICANS:FrederickDouglass,SojournerTruth,Dr.Martin

LutherKing,Jr.,BarackObama,andOthers,editedbyJamesDaley.Tracingthestruggleforfreedomandcivilrightsacrosstwocenturies,thisanthologycomprisesspeechesbyMartinLutherKing,Jr.,MarcusGarvey,MalcolmX,BarackObama,andmanyotherinfluentialfigures.160pp. ×8¼.

0-486-44761-8

OLD-TIMEVIGNETTESINFULLCOLOR,CarolBelangerGrafton(ed.).Over390charming,oftensentimentalillustrations,selectedfromarchivesofVictoriangraphics—prettywomenposing,childrenplaying,food,flowers,kittensandpuppies,smilingcherubs,birdsandbutterflies,muchmore.Allcopyright-free.48pp.9¼×12¼.

0-486-27269-9

PERSPECTIVEFORARTISTS,RexVicatCole.Depth,perspectiveofskyandsea,shadows,muchmore,notusuallycovered.391diagrams,81reproductionsofdrawingsandpaintings.279pp.5 ×8½.0

-486-22487-2

DRAWINGTHELIVINGFIGURE,JosephSheppard.Innovativeapproachtoartisticanatomyfocusesonspecificsofsurfaceanatomy,ratherthanmusclesandbones.Over170drawingsoflivemodelsinfront,backandsideviews,andinwidelyvaryingposes.Accompanyingdiagrams.177illustrations.Introduction.Index.144pp.8 ×11¼.

0-486-26723-7

GOTHICANDOLDENGLISHALPHABETS:100CompleteFonts,DanX.Solo.Addpower,elegancetoposters,signs,othergraphicswith100stunningcopyright-freealphabets:Blackstone,Dolbey,Germania,97more—includingmanylower-case,numerals,punctuationmarks.104pp.8 ×11.

0-486-24695-7

THEBOOKOFWOODCARVING,CharlesMarshallSayers.Finestbookforbeginnersdiscussesfundamentalsandoffers34designs.“Absolutelyfirstrate...wellthoughtoutandwellexecuted.”—E.J.Tangerman.118pp.7¼×10 .

0-486-23654-4

ILLUSTRATEDCATALOGOFCIVILWARMILITARYGOODS:UnionArmyWeapons,Insignia,UniformAccessories,andOtherEquipment,Schuyler,Hartley,andGraham.Rare,profuselyillustrated1846catalogincludesUnionArmyuniformanddressregulations,armsandammunition,coats,insignia,flags,swords,rifles,etc.226illustrations.160pp.9×12.

0-486-24939-5

WOMEN’SFASHIONSOFTHEEARLY1900s:AnUnabridgedRepublicationof“NewYorkFashions,1909,”NationalCloak&SuitCo.Rarecatalogofmail-orderfashionsdocumentswomen’sandchildren’sclothingstylesshortlyaftertheturnofthecentury.Captionsofferfulldescriptions,prices.

Invaluableresourceforfashion,costumehistorians.Approximately725illustrations.128pp.8 ×11¼.

0-486-27276-1

HOWTODOBEADWORK,MaryWhite.Fundamentalbookoncraftfromsimpleprojectstofive-beadchainsandwovenworks.106illustrations.142pp.5 ×8.

0-486-20697-1

THE1912AND1915GUSTAVSTICKLEYFURNITURECATALOGS,GustavStickley.Withover200detailedillustrationsanddescriptions,thesetwocatalogsareessentialreadingandreferencematerialsandidentificationguidesforStickleyfurniture.Captionscitematerials,dimensions

andprices.112pp.6½×9¼.

0-486-26676-1

SIXGREATDIALOGUES:Apology,Crito,Phaedo,Phaedrus,Symposium,TheRepublic,Plato,translatedbyBenjaminJowett.Plato’sDialoguesrankamongWesterncivilization’smostimportantandinfluentialphilosophicalworks.These6selectionsofhismajorworks

exploreabroadrangeofenduringlyrelevantissues.AuthoritativeJowetttranslations.480pp. ×8¼.

0-486-45465-7

DEMONOLATRY:AnAccountoftheHistoricalPracticeofWitchcraft,NicolasRemy,editedwithanIntroductionandNotesbyMontagueSummers,

translatedbyE.A.Ashwin.Thisextremelyinfluential1595studywasfrequentlycitedatwitchcrafttrials.Inadditiontoluriddetailsofsatanicpactsandsexualperversity,itpresentstheparticularsofnumerouscourtcases.240pp.6½×9¼.

0-486-46137-8

VICTORIANFASHIONSANDCOSTUMESFROM

HARPER’SBAZAAR,1867-1898,StellaBlum(ed.).Daycostumes,eveningwear,sportsclothes,shoes,hats,otheraccessoriesinover1,000detailedengravings.320pp.9 ×12¼.

0-486-22990-4

THELONGISLANDRAILROADINEARLYPHOTOGRAPHS,RonZiel.Over220rarephotos,

informativetextdocumentorigin(1844)anddevelopmentofrailserviceonLongIsland.Vintageviewsofearlytrains,locomotives,stations,passengers,crews,muchmore.Captions.8 ×11¾.

0-486-26301-0

VOYAGEOFTHELIBERDADE,JoshuaSlocum.Great19th-century

mariner’sthrilling,first-handaccountofthewreckofhisshipoffSouthAmerica,the35-footboathebuiltfromthewreckage,anditsremarkablevoyagehome.128pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-40022-0

TENBOOKSONARCHITECTURE,Vitruvius.Themostimportantbookeverwritten

onarchitecture.EarlyRomanaesthetics,technology,classicalorders,siteselection,allotheraspects.Morgantranslation.331pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-20645-9

THEHUMANFIGUREINMOTION,EadweardMuybridge.Morethan4,500stopped-actionphotos,inactionseries,showingundrapedmen,women,

childrenjumping,lyingdown,throwing,sitting,wrestling,carrying,etc.390pp.7 ×10 .

0-486-20204-6Clothbd.

TREESOFTHEEASTERNANDCENTRALUNITEDSTATESANDCANADA,WilliamM.Harlow.Bestone-volumeguideto140trees.Fulldescriptions,woodlore,range,etc.Over

600illustrations.Handysize.288pp.4½×6 .

0-486-20395-6

MYFIRSTBOOKOFTCHAIKOVSKY:FavoritePiecesinEasyPianoArrangements,editedbyDavidDutkanicz.ThesespecialarrangementsoffavoriteTchaikovskythemesareidealforbeginnerpianists,childoradult.

Contentsincludethemesfrom“TheNutcracker,”“MarchSlav,”SymphoniesNos.5and6,“SwanLake,”“SleepingBeauty,”andmore.48pp.8¼×11.

0-486-46416-4

BIGBOOKOFMAZESANDLABYRINTHS,WalterShepherd.50mazesandlabyrinthsinall—classical,solid,ripple,andmore—in

onegreatvolume.Perfectinexpensivepuzzlerforcleveryoungsters.Fullsolutions.112pp.8 ×11.

0-486-22951-3

PIANOTUNING,J.CreeFischer.Clearest,bestbookforbeginner,amateur.Simplerepairs,raisingdroppednotes,tuningbyeasymethodofflattenedfifths.Nopreviousskillsneeded.4illustrations.

201pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-23267-0

HINTSTOSINGERS,LillianNordica.Selectingtherightteacher,developingconfidence,overcomingstagefright,andmanyotherimportantskillsreceivethoughtfuldiscussioninthisindispensibleguide,writtenbyaworld-famousdivaoffourdecades’experience.

96pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-40094-8

THECOMPLETENONSENSEOFEDWARDLEAR,EdwardLear.Allnonsenselimericks,zanyalphabets,OwlandPussycat,songs,nonsensebotany,etc.,illustratedbyLear.Totalof320pp.5 ×8½.(AvailableinU.S.only.)

0-486-20167-8

VICTORIANPARLOURPOETRY:AnAnnotatedAnthology,MichaelR.Turner.117gemsbyLongfellow,Tennyson,Browning,manylesser-knownpoets.“TheVillageBlacksmith,”“CurfewMustNotRingTonight,”“OnlyaBabySmall,”dozensmore,oftendifficulttofind

elsewhere.Indexofpoets,titles,firstlines.xxiii+325pp.5 ×8¼.

0-486-27044-0

DUBLINERS,JamesJoyce.Fifteenstoriesoffervivid,tightlyfocusedobservationsofthelivesofDublin’spoorerclasses.Atleastone,“TheDead,”isconsideredamasterpiece.Reprintedcompleteandunabridged

fromstandardedition.160pp.×8¼.

0-486-26870-5

THELITTLEREDSCHOOLHOUSE,EricSloane.HarkeningbacktoatimewhenthethreeRsstoodforreading,’riting,andreligion,Sloane’ssketchbookexploresthehistoryofearlyAmericanschools.Includesmarvelousillustrationsof

one-roomNewEnglandschoolhouses,desks,andbenches.48pp.8¼×11.

0-486-45604-8

THEBOOKOFTHESACREDMAGICOFABRAMELINTHEMAGE,translatedbyS.MacGregorMathers.Medievalmanuscriptofceremonialmagic.BasicdocumentinAleisterCrowley,Golden

Dawngroups.268pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-23211-5

THEBATTLESTHATCHANGEDHISTORY,FletcherPratt.Eminenthistorianprofiles16crucialconflicts,ancienttomodern,thatchangedthecourseofcivilization.352pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-41129-X

NEWRUSSIAN-ENGLISHANDENGLISH-RUSSIANDICTIONARY,M.A.O’Brien.ThisisaremarkablyhandyRussiandictionary,containingasurprisingamountofinformation,includingover70,000entries.366pp.4½×6 .

0-486-20208-9

NEWYORKINTHEFORTIES,AndreasFeininger.162brilliantphotographsbythewell-knownphotographer,formerlywithLifemagazine.Commuters,shoppers,TimesSquareatnight,muchelsefromcityatitspeak.CaptionsbyJohnvonHartz.181pp.9¼×10¾.

0-486-23585-8

INDIANSIGNLANGUAGE,WilliamTomkins.Over525signsdevelopedbySiouxandothertribes.Writteninstructionsanddiagrams.Also290pictographs.111pp.6 ×9¼.

0-486-22029-X

ANATOMY:ACompleteGuideforArtists,JosephSheppard.Amasteroffigure

drawingshowsartistshowtorenderhumananatomyconvincingly.Over460illustrations.224pp.8 ×11¼.

0-486-27279-6

MEDIEVALCALLIGRAPHY:ItsHistoryandTechnique,MarcDrogin.Spiritedhistory,comprehensiveinstructionmanualcovers13styles(ca.

4thcenturythrough15th).Excellentphotographs;directionsforduplicatingmedievaltechniqueswithmoderntools.224pp.8 ×11¼.

0-486-26142-5

DRIEDFLOWERS:HowtoPrepareThem,SarahWhitlockandMarthaRankin.Completeinstructionsonhowtousesilicagel,mealand

borax,perliteaggregate,sandandborax,glycerineandwatertocreateattractivepermanentflowerarrangements.12illustrations.32pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-21802-3

EASY-TO-MAKEBIRDFEEDERSFORWOODWORKERS,ScottD.Campbell.Detailed,simple-to-useguidefordesigning,

constructing,caringforandusingfeeders.Text,illustrationsfor12classicandcontemporarydesigns.96pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-25847-5

THECOMPLETEBOOKOFBIRDHOUSECONSTRUCTIONFORWOODWORKERS,ScottD.Campbell.Detailedinstructions,illustrations,

tables.Alsodataonbirdhabitatandinstinctpatterns.Bibliography.3tables.63illustrationsin15figures.48pp.5¼×8½.

0-486-24407-5

SCOTTISHWONDERTALESFROMMYTHANDLEGEND,DonaldA.Mackenzie.16livelytalestellofgiantsrumblingdownmountainsides,ofamagic

wandthatturnsstonepillarsintowarriors,ofgodsandgoddesses,evilhags,powerfulforcesandmore.240pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-29677-6

THEHISTORYOFUNDERCLOTHES,C.WillettCunningtonandPhyllisCunnington.Fascinating,well-documentedsurveycoveringsixcenturies

ofEnglishundergarments,enhancedwithover100illustrations:12th-centurylaced-upbodice,footedlongdrawers(1795),19th-centurybustles,19th-centurycorsetsformen,Victorian“bustimprovers,”muchmore.272pp.5 ×8¼.

0-486-27124-2

FIRSTFRENCHREADER:ABeginner’sDual-Language

Book,editedandtranslatedbyStanleyAppelbaum.Thisanthologyintroducesfiftylegendarywriters-Voltaire,Balzac,Baudelaire,Proust,more—throughpassagesfromTheRedandtheBlack,LesMisérables,MadameBovary,andotherclassics.OriginalFrenchtextplusEnglishtranslationonfacingpages.240pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-46178-5

WILBURANDORVILLE:ABiographyoftheWrightBrothers,FredHoward.Definitive,crisplywrittenstudytellsthefullstoryofthebrothers’livesandwork.Avividlywrittenbiography,unparalleledinscopeandcolor,thatalsocapturesthespiritofanextraordinaryera.560pp.6 ×9¼.

0-486-40297-5

THEARTSOFTHESAILOR:Knotting,SplicingandRopework,HerveyGarrettSmith.Indispensableshipboardreferencecoverstools,basicknotsandusefulhitches;handsewingandcanvaswork,more.Over100illustrations.Delightfulreadingforsealovers.256pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-26440-8

FRANKLLOYDWRIGHT’SFALLINGWATER:TheHouseandItsHistory,Second,RevisedEdition,DonaldHoffmann.Atotalrevision—bothintextandillustrations—ofthestandarddocumentonFallingwater,theboldest,mostpersonalarchitecturalstatementofWright’smatureyears,

updatedwithvaluablenewmaterialfromtherecentlyopenedFrankLloydWrightArchives.“Fascinating”—TheNewYorkTimes.116illustrations.128pp.9¼×10¾.

0-486-27430-6

PHOTOGRAPHICSKETCHBOOKOFTHECIVILWAR,AlexanderGardner.100photostakenon

fieldduringtheCivilWar.FamousshotsofManassasHarper’sFerry,Lincoln,Richmond,slavepens,etc.244pp.10 ×8¼.

0-486-22731-6

FIVEACRESANDINDEPENDENCE,MauriceG.Kains.Greatback-to-the-landclassicexplainsbasicsofself-sufficientfarming.Theonebooktoget.95

illustrations.397pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-20974-1

AMODERNHERBAL,MargaretGrieve.Muchthefullest,mostexact,mostusefulcompilationofherbalmaterial.Giganticalphabeticalencyclopedia,fromaconitetozedoary,givesbotanicalinformation,medicalproperties,folklore,

economicuses,muchelse.Indispensabletoseriousreader.161illustrations.888pp.6½×9¼.2-vol.set.(AvailableinU.S.only.)Vol.I:0-486-22798-7Vol.II:

0-486-22799-5

HIDDENTREASUREMAZEBOOK,DavePhillips.Solve34challengingmazesaccompaniedbyheroictalesofadventure.Evildragons,

people-eatingplants,bloodthirstygiants,manymoredangerousadversarieslurkateverytwistandturn.34mazes,stories,solutions.48pp.8¼×11.

0-486-24566-7

LETTERSOFW.A.MOZART,WolfgangA.Mozart.Remarkablelettersshowbawdywit,humor,imagination,musicalinsights,

contemporarymusicalworld;includessomelettersfromLeopoldMozart.276pp.5½×8½.

0-486-22859-2

BASICPRINCIPLESOFCLASSICALBALLET,AgrippinaVaganova.GreatRussiantheoretician,teacherexplainsmethodsforteachingclassicalballet.118illustrations.175pp.5 ×

8½.

0-486-22036-2

THEJUMPINGFROG,MarkTwain.Revengeedition.TheoriginalstoryofTheCelebratedJumpingFrogofCalaverasCounty,ahaplessFrenchtranslation,andTwain’shilarious“retranslation”fromtheFrench.12illustrations.66pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-22686-7

BESTREMEMBEREDPOEMS,MartinGardner(ed.).The126poemsinthissuperbcollectionof19th-and20th-centuryBritishandAmericanverserangefromShelley’s“ToaSkylark”totheimpassioned“Renascence”ofEdnaSt.VincentMillayandtoEdwardLear’swhimsical

“TheOwlandthePussycat.”224pp.5 ,×8½.

0-486-27165-X

COMPLETESONNETS,WilliamShakespeare.Over150exquisitepoemsdealwithlove,friendship,thetyrannyoftime,beauty’sevanescence,deathandotherthemesinlanguageofremarkablepower,precisionandbeauty.Glossaryof

archaicterms.80pp. .×8¼.

0-486-26686-9

HISTORICHOMESOFTHEAMERICANPRESIDENTS,Second,RevisedEdition,IrvinHaas.Atraveler’sguidetoAmericanPresidentialhomes,mostopentothepublic,depictinganddescribinghomesoccupiedbyeveryAmericanPresident

fromGeorgeWashingtontoGeorgeBush.Withvisitinghours,admissioncharges,travelroutes.175photographs.Index.160pp.8¼×11.

0-486-26751-2

THEWITANDHUMOROFOSCARWILDE,AlvinRedman(ed.).Morethan1,000ripostes,paradoxes,wisecracks:Workisthecurse

ofthedrinkingclasses;Icanresisteverythingexcepttemptation;etc.258pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-20602-5

SHAKESPEARELEXICONANDQUOTATIONDICTIONARY,AlexanderSchmidt.Fulldefinitions,locations,shadesofmeaningineverywordinplaysandpoems.Morethan50,000

exactquotations.1,485pp.6½×9¼.2-vol.set.Vol.1:0-486-22726-XVol.2:

0-486-22727-8

SELECTEDPOEMS,EmilyDickinson.Over100best-known,best-lovedpoemsbyoneofAmerica’sforemostpoets,reprintedfromauthoritativeearlyeditions.Nocomparableeditionatthisprice.Indexoffirstlines.

64pp. ×8¼.

0-486-26466-1

THEINSIDIOUSDR.FU-MANCHU,SaxRohmer.ThefirstofthepopularmysteryseriesintroducesapairofEnglishdetectivestotheirarchnemesis,thediabolicalDr.Fu-Manchu.Flavorfulatmosphere,fast-pacedaction,andcolorfulcharactersenliventhisclassic

ofthegenre.208pp. ×8¼.

0-486-29898-1

THEMALLEUSMALEFICARUMOFKRAMERANDSPRENGER,translatedbyMontagueSummers.Fulltextofmostimportantwitchhunter’s“bible,”usedbybothCatholicsandProtestants.278pp.6 ×10.

0-486-22802-9

SPANISHSTORIES/CUENTOSESPANOLES:ADual-LanguageBook,AngelFlores(ed.).Uniqueformatoffers13greatstoriesinSpanishbyCervantes,Borges,others.FaithfulEnglishtranslationsonfacingpages.352pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-25399-6

GARDENCITY,LONGISLAND,INEARLYPHOTOGRAPHS,1869-1919,MildredH.Smith.Handsometreasuryof118vintagepictures,accompaniedbycarefullyresearchedcaptions,documenttheGardenCityHotelfire(1899),theVanderbiltCupRace(1908),thefirstairmailflight

departingfromtheNassauBoulevardAerodrome(1911),andmuchmore.96pp.8 ×11¾.

0-486-40669-5

OLDQUEENS,N.Y.,INEARLYPHOTOGRAPHS,VincentF.SeyfriedandWilliamAsadorian.Over160rarephotographsofMaspeth,Jamaica,JacksonHeights,andotherareas.Vintage

viewsofDeWittClintonmansion,1939World’sFairandmore.Captions.192pp.8×11.

0-486-26358-4

CAPTUREDBYTHEINDIANS:15FirsthandAccounts,1750-1870,FrederickDrimmer.Astoundingtruehistoricalaccountsofgrislytorture,bloodyconflicts,relentless

pursuits,miraculousescapesandmore,bypeoplewholivedtotellthetale.384pp.5×8½.

0-486-24901-8

THEWORLD’SGREATSPEECHES(FourthEnlargedEdition),LewisCopeland,LawrenceW.Lamm,andStephenJ.McKenna.Nearly300speechesprovidepublicspeakerswithawealthof

updatedquotesandinspiration—fromPericles’funeralorationandWilliamJenningsBryan’s“CrossofGoldSpeech”toMalcolmX’spowerfulwordsontheBlackRevolutionandEarlofSpenser’stributetohissister,Diana,PrincessofWales.944pp.5 ×8 .

0-486-40903-1

THEBOOKOFTHE

SWORD,SirRichardF.Burton.GreatVictorianscholar/adventurer’seloquent,eruditehistoryofthe“queenofweapons”—fromprehistorytoearlyRomanEmpire.Evolutionanddevelopmentofearlyswords,variations(sabre,broadsword,cutlass,scimitar,etc.),muchmore.336pp.6×9¼.

0-486-25434-8

AUTOBIOGRAPHY:TheStoryofMyExperimentswithTruth,MohandasK.Gandhi.Boyhood,legalstudies,purification,thegrowthoftheSatyagraha(nonviolentprotest)movement.Critical,inspiringworkofthemanresponsibleforthefreedomofIndia.480pp.5 ×8½.(AvailableinU.S.only.)

0-486-24593-4

CELTICMYTHSANDLEGENDS,T.W.Rolleston.MasterfulretellingofIrishandWelshstoriesandtales.Cuchulain,KingArthur,Deirdre,theGrail,manymore.Firstpaperbackedition.58full-pageillustrations.512pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-26507-2

THEPRINCIPLESOFPSYCHOLOGY,WilliamJames.Famouslongcoursecomplete,unabridged.Streamofthought,timeperception,memory,experimentalmethods;greatworkdecadesaheadofitstime.94figures.1,391pp.5 ×8½.2-vol.set.Vol.I:0-486-20381-6Vol.II:

0-486-20382-4

THEWORLDASWILL

ANDREPRESENTATION,ArthurSchopenhauer.DefinitiveEnglishtranslationofSchopenhauer’slifework,correctingmorethan1,000errors,omissionsinearliertranslations.TranslatedbyE.F.J.Payne.Totalof1,269pp.5 ×8½.2-vol.set.Vol.1:0-486-21761-2Vol.2:

0-486-21762-0

MAGICANDMYSTERYIN

TIBET,MadameAlexandraDavid-Neel.Experiencesamonglamas,magicians,sages,sorcerers,Bonpawizards.Atruepsychicdiscovery.32illustrations.321pp.5 ×8½.(AvailableinU.S.only.)

0-486-22682-4

THEEGYPTIANBOOKOFTHEDEAD,E.A.WallisBudge.Complete

reproductionofAni’spapyrus,finesteverfound.Fullhieroglyphictext,interlineartransliteration,word-for-wordtranslation,smoothtranslation.533pp.6½×9¼.

0-486-21866-X

HISTORICCOSTUMEINPICTURES,Braun&Schneider.Over1,450costumedfiguresinclearly

detailedengravings—fromdawnofcivilizationtoendof19thcentury.Captions.Manyfolkcostumes.256pp.8 ×11¾.

0-486-23150-X

MATHEMATICSFORTHENONMATHEMATICIAN,MorrisKline.Detailed,college-leveltreatmentofmathematicsinculturalandhistoricalcontext,with

numerousexercises.RecommendedReadingLists.Tables.Numerousfigures.641pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-24823-2

PROBABILISTICMETHODSINTHETHEORYOFSTRUCTURES,IsaacElishakoff.Well-writtenintroductioncoverstheelementsofthetheoryof

probabilityfromtwoormorerandomvariables,thereliabilityofsuchmultivariablestructures,thetheoryofrandomfunction,MonteCarlomethodsoftreatingproblemsincapableofexactsolution,andmore.Examples.502pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-40691-1

THERIMEOFTHEANCIENTMARINER,

GustaveDoré,S.T.Coleridge.Doré’sfinestwork;34platescapturemoods,subtletiesofpoem.Flawlessfull-sizereproductionsprintedonfacingpageswithauthoritativetextofpoem.“Beautiful.Simplybeautiful.”—Publisher’sWeekly.77pp.9¼×12.

0-486-22305-1

SCULPTURE:PrinciplesandPractice,LouisSlobodkin.Step-by-stepapproachtoclay,plaster,metals,stone;classicalandmodern.253drawings,photos.255pp.8×11.

0-486-22960-2

THEINFLUENCEOFSEAPOWERUPONHISTORY,1660—1783,A.T.Mahan.Influentialclassicofnaval

historyandtacticsstillusedastextinwarcolleges.Firstpaperbackedition.4maps.24battleplans.640pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-25509-3

THESTORYOFTHETITANICASTOLDBYITSSURVIVORS,JackWinocour(ed.).Whatitwasreallylike.Panic,despair,shockinginefficiency,anda

littleheroism.Morethrillingthananyfictionalaccount.26illustrations.320pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-20610-6

ONETWOTHREE...INFINITY:FactsandSpeculationsofScience,GeorgeGamow.Greatphysicist’sfascinating,readableoverviewofcontemporaryscience:

numbertheory,relativity,fourthdimension,entropy,genes,atomicstructure,muchmore.128illustrations.Index.352pp.5 ×8½.

0-486-25664-2

DALÍONMODERNART:TheCuckoldsofAntiquatedModernArt,SalvadorDalí.Influentialpainterskewersmodernartanditspractitioners.Outrageous

evaluationsofPicasso,Cézanne,Turner,more.15renderingsofpaintingsdiscussed.44calligraphicdecorationsbyDali.96pp.5×8½.(AvailableinU.S.

only.)

0-486-29220-7

ANTIQUEPLAYINGCARDS:APictorialHistory,HenryRenéD’Allemagne.Over900elaborate,

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MAKINGFURNITUREMASTERPIECES:30ProjectswithMeasuredDrawings,FranklinH.

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0-486-29338-6

NORTHAMERICANINDIANDESIGNSFOR

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THEFOSSILBOOK:ARecordofPrehistoricLife,PatriciaV.Richetal.Profuselyillustrateddefinitiveguidecoverseverythingfromsingle-celledorganismsanddinosaurstobirdsandmammalsandtheinterplaybetweenclimateandman.Over1,500illustrations.760pp.7½×10 .

0-486-29371-8

VICTORIANARCHITECTURALDETAILS:DesignsforOver700Stairs,Mantels,Doors,Windows,Cornices,Porches,andOtherDecorativeElements,A.J.Bicknell&Company.Everythingfromdormerwindowsandpiazzastobalconiesandgableornaments.Alsoincludeselevationsandfloorplansforhandsome,privateresidencesandcommercialstructures.

80pp.9 ×12¼.

0-486-44015-X

WESTERNISLAMICARCHITECTURE:AConciseIntroduction,JohnD.Hoag.ProfuselyillustratedcriticalappraisalcomparesandcontrastsIslamicmosquesandpalaces—fromSpainandEgypttootherareasintheMiddleEast.139illustrations.128pp.6×9.

0-486-43760-4

CHINESEARCHITECTURE:APictorialHistory,LiangSsu-ch’eng.Morethan240rarephotographsanddrawingsdepicttemples,pagodas,tombs,bridges,andimperialpalacescomprisingmuchofChina’sarchitecturalheritage.152halftones,94diagrams.232pp.10¾×9 .

0-486-43999-2

THERENAISSANCE:StudiesinArtandPoetry,WalterPater.Oneofthemosttalked-aboutbooksofthe19thcentury,TheRenaissancecombinesscholarshipandphilosophyinaninnovativeworkofculturalcriticismthatexaminestheachievementsofBotticelli,Leonardo,

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0-486-44025-7

ATREATISEONPAINTING,LeonardodaVinci.ThegreatRenaissanceartist’spracticaladviceondrawingandpaintingtechniquescoversanatomy,perspective,composition,

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0-486-44155-5

THEESSENTIALJEFFERSON,ThomasJefferson,editedbyJohnDewey.Thisextraordinaryprimeroffersasuperbsurvey

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0-486-46599-3

WASHINGTONIRVING’SRIPVANWINKLE,IllustratedbyArthur

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HENSCHEONPAINTING,JohnW.Robichaux.Basicpaintingphilosophyandmethodologyofagreat

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0-486-43728-0

LIGHTANDSHADE:AClassicApproachtoThree-DimensionalDrawing,Mrs.MaryP.Merrifield.Handyreferenceclearlydemonstratesprinciplesof

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0-486-44143-1

ASTROLOGYANDASTRONOMY:APictorialArchiveofSignsandSymbols,ErnstandJohannaLehner.Treasuretroveof

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0-486-43981-X

JEWELRYMAKING:TechniquesforMetal,TimMcCreight.Easy-to-follow

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0-486-44043-5

MAKINGBIRDHOUSES:EasyandAdvancedProjects,GladstoneCaliff.Easy-to-

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0-486-44183-0

LITTLEBOOKOFLOGCABINS:HowtoBuildandFurnishThem,WilliamS.Wicks.Handyhowto

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THESEASONSOFAMERICAPAST,EricSloane.From“sugaringtime”andstrawberrypickingto

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THEMETROPOLISOFTOMORROW,HughFerriss.Generous,propheticvisionofthemetropolisofthefuture,asperceivedin1929.

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THEPATHTOROME,HilaireBelloc.This1902memoiraboundsinlivelyvignettesfromavanishedtime,recountingapilgrimage

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0-486-44001-X

THEHISTORYOFRASSELAS:PrinceofAbissinia,SamuelJohnson.

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0-486-44094-X

AVOYAGETOARCTURUS,DavidLindsay.Abrilliantflightofpurefancy,wherewildcreaturescrowdthefantasticlandscape

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0-486-44198-9

Paperboundunlessotherwiseindicated.Availableatyourbookdealer,onlineatwww.doverpublications.comorbywritingtoDept.CI,DoverPublications,Inc.,31East2ndStreet.Mineola,NY

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THELIFEOFOLAUDAHEQUIANO,ORGUSTAVUSVASSA,THEAFRICAN,OlaudahEquiano.(0486-40661-X)

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SELECTEDPOEMS,ClaudeMcKay.(0-486-40876-0)

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AFRICAN-AMERICANPOETRY:ANANTHOLOGY,1773—1927,JoanR.Sherman(ed.).(0-486-29604-0)

THESTORYOFTHEAMISTAD,EmmaGeldersSterne.(0-486-41537-6)

NARRATIVEOFSOJOURNERTRUTH,SojournerTruth.(0-486-29899-X)

AFRICANFOLKTALES,HughVernon-Jackson.(0-486-40553-2)

UPFROMSLAVERY,BookerT.Washington.(0-486-28738-6)

AFRICANDESIGNSFROMTRADITIONALSOURCES,GeoffreyWilliams.(0-486-22752-9)

Paperboundunlessotherwiseindicated.Availableatyourbookdealer,onlineatwww.doverpublications.comorbywritingtoDept.23,DoverPublications,Inc.,31East2ndStreet,Mineola,NY11501.Forcurrentpriceinformationorforfreecatalogs(pleaseindicatefieldofinterest),writetoDoverPublicationsorlogonto

www.doverpublications.comandseeeveryDoverbookinprint.EachyearDoverpublishesover500booksonfineart,music,craftsandneedlework,antiques,languages,literature,children’sbooks,chess,cookery,nature,anthropologyscience,mathematics,andotherareas.

ManufacturedintheU.S.A.

1 SeeAppendixA.

2 SeeAppendixB.

3 SeeAppendix,C.