Hisconversionwasnottochangehisrelationtowardmen——atanyratenottowardBLACKmen——buttowardGod。Myfaith，Iconfess，wasnotgreat。Therewassomethinginhisappearancethat，inmymind，castadoubtoverhisconversion。StandingwhereIdid，I
couldseehiseverymovement。Iwatchednarrowlywhileheremainedinthelittlepen；andalthoughIsawthathisfacewasextremelyred，andhishairdisheveled，andthoughIheardhimgroan，andsawastraytearhaltingonhischeek，asifinquiring“whichwayshallIgo？“——Icouldnotwhollyconfideinthegenuinenessofhisconversion。Thehesitatingbehaviorofthattear-dropanditsloneliness，distressedme，andcastadoubtuponthewholetransaction，ofwhichitwasapart。Butpeoplesaid，_“Capt。Auldhadcomethrough，“_anditwasformetohopeforthebest。Iwasboundtodothis，incharity，forI，too，wasreligious，andhadbeeninthechurchfullthreeyears，althoughnowIwasnotmorethansixteenyearsold。Slaveholdersmay，sometimes，haveconfidenceinthepietyofsomeoftheirslaves；buttheslavesseldomhaveconfidenceinthepietyoftheirmasters。_“Hecantgotoheavenwithourbloodinhisskirts_，“isasettledpointinthecreedofeveryslave；risingsuperiortoallteachingtothecontrary，andstandingforeverasafixedfact。ThehighestevidencetheslaveholdercangivetheslaveofhisacceptancewithGod，istheemancipationofhisslaves。ThisisproofthatheiswillingtogiveupalltoGod，andforthesakeofGod。Nottodothis，was，inmyestimation，andintheopinionofalltheslaves，anevidenceofhalf-
heartedness，andwhollyinconsistentwiththeideaofgenuineconversion。Ihadread，also，somewhereintheMethodistDiscipline，thefollowingquestionandanswer:
“_Question_。Whatshallbedonefortheextirpationofslavery？
“_Answer_。Wedeclarethatwearemuchaseverconvincedofthegreatevilofslavery；therefore，noslaveholdershallbeeligibletoanyofficialstationinourchurch。“
Thesewordssoundedinmyearsforalongtime，andencouragedmetohope。But，asIhavebeforesaid，Iwasdoomedtodisappointment。MasterThomasseemedtobeawareofmyhopesandexpectationsconcerninghim。Ihavethought，beforenow，thathelookedatmeinanswertomyglances，asmuchastosay，“Iwillteachyou，youngman，that，thoughIhavepartedwithmysins，Ihavenotpartedwithmysense。Ishallholdmyslaves，andgotoheaventoo。“
Possibly，toconvinceusthatwemustnotpresume_toomuch_uponhisrecentconversion，hebecamerathermorerigidandstringentinhisexactions。Therealwayswasascarcityofgoodnatureabouttheman；butnowhiswholecountenancewas_soured_overwiththeseemingsofpiety。Hisreligion，therefore，neithermadehimemancipatehisslaves，norcausedhimtotreatthemwithgreaterhumanity。Ifreligionhadanyeffectonhischaracteratall，itmadehimmorecruelandhatefulinallhisways。Thenaturalwickednessofhishearthadnotbeenremoved，butonlyreinforced，bytheprofessionofreligion。DoIjudgehimharshly？Godforbid。Facts_are_facts。Capt。Auldmadethegreatestprofessionofpiety。Hishousewas，literally，ahouseofprayer。Inthemorning，andintheevening，loudprayersandhymnswereheardthere，inwhichbothhimselfandhiswifejoined；yet，_nomoremeal_wasbroughtfromthemill，_nomoreattention_waspaidtothemoralwelfareofthekitchen；andnothingwasdonetomakeusfeelthattheheartofMasterThomaswasonewhitbetterthanitwasbeforehewentintothelittlepen，oppositetothepreachers\'stand，onthecampground。
Ourhopesfoundedonthedisciplinesoonvanished；fortheauthoritieslethimintothechurch_atonce_，andbeforehewasoutofhistermof_probation_，Iheardofhisleadingclass！Hedistinguishedhimselfgreatlyamongthebrethren，andwassoonanexhorter。HisprogresswasalmostasrapidasthegrowthofthefabledvineofJack\'sbean。Nomanwasmoreactivethanhe，inrevivals。Hewouldgomanymilestoassistincarryingthemon，andingettingoutsidersinterestedinreligion。Hishousebeingoneoftheholiest，ifnotthehappiestinSt。Michael\'s，becamethe“preachers\'home。“ThesepreachersevidentlylikedtoshareMasterThomas\'shospitality；forwhilehe_starvedus_，he_stuffed_them。Threeorfouroftheseambassadorsofthegospel——accordingtoslavery——havebeenthereatatime；alllivingonthefatoftheland，whilewe，inthekitchen，werenearlystarving。Notoftendidwegetasmileofrecognitionfromtheseholymen。Theyseemedalmostasunconcernedaboutourgettingtoheaven，astheywereaboutourgettingoutofslavery。
Tothisgeneralchargetherewasoneexception——theRev。GEORGE
COOKMAN。UnlikeRev。Messrs。Storks，Ewry，Hickey，HumphreyandCooperallwhomwereontheSt。Michael\'scircuithekindlytookaninterestinourtemporalandspiritualwelfare。Oursoulsandourbodieswereallalikesacredinhissight；andhereallyhadagooddealofgenuineanti-slaveryfeelingmingledwithhiscolonizationideas。Therewasnotaslaveinourneighborhoodthatdidnotlove，andalmostvenerate，Mr。Cookman。
Itwasprettygenerallybelievedthathehadbeenchieflyinstrumentalinbringingoneofthelargestslaveholders——Mr。
SamuelHarrison——inthatneighborhood，toemancipateallhisslaves，and，indeed，thegeneralimpressionwas，thatMr。Cookmanhadlaboredfaithfullywithslaveholders，wheneverhemetthem，toinducethemtoemancipatetheirbondmen，andthathedidthisasareligiousduty。Whenthisgoodmanwasatourhouse，wewereallsuretobecalledintoprayersinthemorning；andhewasnotslowinmakinginquiriesastothestateofourminds，noringivingusawordofexhortationandofencouragement。
Greatwasthesorrowofalltheslaves，whenthisfaithfulpreacherofthegospelwasremovedfromtheTalbotcountycircuit。Hewasaneloquentpreacher，andpossessedwhatfewministers，southofMasonDixon\'sline，possess，or_dare_toshow，viz:awarmandphilanthropicheart。TheMr。Cookman，ofwhomIspeak，wasanEnglishmanbybirth，andperishedwhileonhiswaytoEngland，onboardtheill-fated“President“。CouldthethousandsofslavesinMarylandknowthefateofthegoodman，towhosewordsofcomforttheyweresolargelyindebted，theywouldthankmefordroppingatearonthispage，inmemoryoftheirfavoritepreacher，friendandbenefactor。
But，letmereturntoMasterThomas，andtomyexperience，afterhisconversion。InBaltimore，Icould，occasionally，getintoaSabbathschool，amongthefreechildren，andreceivelessons，withtherest；but，havingalreadylearnedbothtoreadandtowrite，Iwasmoreofateacherthanapupil，eventhere。When，however，IwentbacktotheEasternShore，andwasatthehouseofMasterThomas，Iwasneitherallowedtoteach，nortobetaught。Thewholecommunity——withbutasingleexception，amongthewhites——frowneduponeverythinglikeimpartinginstructioneithertoslavesortofreecoloredpersons。Thatsingleexception，apiousyoungman，namedWilson，askedme，oneday，ifIwouldliketoassisthiminteachingalittleSabbathschool，atthehouseofafreecoloredmaninSt。Michael\'s，namedJamesMitchell。Theideawastomeadelightfulone，andItoldhimI
wouldgladlydevoteasmuchofmySabbathasIcouldcommand，tothatmostlaudablework。Mr。Wilsonsoonmusteredupadozenoldspellingbooks，andafewtestaments；andwecommencedoperations，withsometwentyscholars，inourSundayschool。
Here，thoughtI，issomethingworthlivingfor；hereisanexcellentchanceforusefulness；andIshallsoonhaveacompanyofyoungfriends，loversofknowledge，likesomeofmyBaltimorefriends，fromwhomInowfeltpartedforever。
OurfirstSabbathpasseddelightfully，andIspenttheweekafterveryjoyously。IcouldnotgotoBaltimore，butIcouldmakealittleBaltimorehere。Atoursecondmeeting，IlearnedthattherewassomeobjectiontotheexistenceoftheSabbathschool；
and，sureenough，wehadscarcelygotatwork——_goodwork_，simplyteachingafewcoloredchildrenhowtoreadthegospeloftheSonofGod——wheninrushedamob，headedbyMr。WrightFairbanksandMr。GarrisonWest——twoclass-leaders——andMasterThomas；who，armedwithsticksandothermissiles，droveusoff，andcommandedusnevertomeetforsuchapurposeagain。
Oneofthispiouscrewtoldme，thatasformypart，IwantedtobeanotherNatTurner；andifIdidnotlookout，Ishouldgetasmanyballsintome，asNatdidintohim。ThusendedtheinfantSabbathschool，inthetownofSt。Michael\'s。ThereaderwillnotbesurprisedwhenIsay，thatthebreakingupofmySabbathschool，bytheseclass-leaders，andprofessedlyholymen，didnotservetostrengthenmyreligiousconvictions。ThecloudovermySt。Michael\'shomegrewheavierandblackerthanever。
ItwasnotmerelytheagencyofMasterThomas，inbreakingupanddestroyingmySabbathschool，thatshookmyconfidenceinthepowerofsouthernreligiontomakemenwiserorbetter；butIsawinhimallthecrueltyandmeanness，_after_hisconversion，whichhehadexhibitedbeforehemadeaprofessionofreligion。
Hiscrueltyandmeannesswereespeciallydisplayedinhistreatmentofmyunfortunatecousin，Henny，whoselamenessmadeheraburdentohim。Ihavenoextraordinarypersonalhardusagetowardmyselftocomplainof，againsthim，butIhaveseenhimtieupthelameandmaimedwoman，andwhipherinamannermostbrutal，andshocking；andthen，withblood-chillingblasphemy，hewouldquotethepassageofscripture，“Thatservantwhichknewhislord\'swill，andpreparednothimself，neitherdidaccordingtohiswill，shallbebeatenwithmanystripes。“Masterwouldkeepthislaceratedwomantiedupbyherwrists，toaboltinthejoist，three，fourandfivehoursatatime。Hewouldtieherupearlyinthemorning，whipherwithacowskinbeforebreakfast；
leavehertiedup；gotohisstore，and，returningtohisdinner，repeatthecastigation；layingontheruggedlash，onfleshalreadymaderawbyrepeatedblows。Heseemeddesiroustogetthepoorgirloutofexistence，or，atanyrate，offhishands。
Inproofofthis，heafterwardsgaveherawaytohissisterSarahMrs。Clinebut，asinthecaseofMasterHugh，Hennywassoonreturnedonhishands。
Finally，uponapretensethathecoulddonothingwithherIusehisownwordshe“setheradrift，totakecareofherself。“
Herewasarecentlyconvertedman，holding，withtightgrasp，thewell-framed，andablebodiedslaveslefthimbyoldmaster——thepersons，who，infreedom，couldhavetakencareofthemselves；
yet，turningloosetheonlycrippleamongthem，virtuallytostarveanddie。
Nodoubt，hadMasterThomasbeenasked，bysomepiousnorthernbrother，_why_hecontinuedtosustaintherelationofaslaveholder，tothosewhomheretained，hisanswerwouldhavebeenpreciselythesameasmanyotherreligiousslaveholdershavereturnedtothatinquiry，viz:“Iholdmyslavesfortheirowngood。“
BadasmyconditionwaswhenIlivedwithMasterThomas，Iwassoontoexperiencealifefarmoregoadingandbitter。ThemanydifferencesspringingupbetweenmyselfandMasterThomas，owingtotheclearperceptionIhadofhischaracter，andtheboldnesswithwhichIdefendedmyselfagainsthiscapriciouscomplaints，ledhimtodeclarethatIwasunsuitedtohiswants；thatmycitylifehadaffectedmeperniciously；that，infact，ithadalmostruinedmeforeverygoodpurpose，andhadfittedmeforeverythingthatwasbad。Oneofmygreatestfaults，oroffenses，wasthatoflettinghishorsegetaway，andgodowntothefarmbelongingtohisfather-in-law。Theanimalhadalikingforthatfarm，withwhichIfullysympathized。WheneverIletitout，itwouldgodashingdowntheroadtoMr。Hamilton\'s，asifgoingonagrandfrolic。Myhorsegone，ofcourseImustgoafterit。
Theexplanationofourmutualattachmenttotheplaceisthesame；thehorsefoundtheregoodpasturage，andIfoundthereplentyofbread。Mr。Hamiltonhadhisfaults，butstarvinghisslaveswasnotamongthem。Hegavefood，inabundance，andthat，too，ofanexcellentquality。InMr。Hamilton\'scook——AuntMary——Ifoundamostgenerousandconsideratefriend。Sheneverallowedmetogotherewithoutgivingmebreadenoughtomakegoodthedeficienciesofadayortwo。MasterThomasatlastresolvedtoenduremybehaviornolonger；hecouldneitherkeepme，norhishorse，welikedsowelltobeathisfather-in-
law\'sfarm。Ihadnowlivedwithhimnearlyninemonths，andhehadgivenmeanumberofseverewhippings，withoutanyvisibleimprovementinmycharacter，ormyconduct；andnowhewasresolvedtoputmeout——ashesaid——“_tobebroken。“_
Therewas，intheBaySide，verynearthecampground，wheremymastergothisreligiousimpressions，amannamedEdwardCovey，whoenjoyedtheexecratedreputation，ofbeingafirstratehandatbreakingyoungNegroes。ThisCoveywasapoorman，afarmrenter；andthisreputationhatefulasitwastotheslavesandtoallgoodmenwas，atthesametime，ofimmenseadvantagetohim。Itenabledhimtogethisfarmtilledwithverylittleexpense，comparedwithwhatitwouldhavecosthimwithoutthismostextraordinaryreputation。SomeslaveholdersthoughtitanadvantagetoletMr。Coveyhavethegovernmentoftheirslavesayearortwo，almostfreeofcharge，forthesakeoftheexcellenttrainingsuchslavesgotunderhishappymanagement！Likesomehorsebreakers，notedfortheirskill，whoridethebesthorsesinthecountrywithoutexpense，Mr。Coveycouldhaveunderhim，themostfierybloodsoftheneighborhood，forthesimplerewardofreturningthemtotheirowners，_wellbroken_。AddedtothenaturalfitnessofMr。Coveyforthedutiesofhisprofession，hewassaidto“enjoyreligion，“andwasasstrictinthecultivationofpiety，ashewasinthecultivationofhisfarm。
Iwasmadeawareofhischaracterbysomewhohadbeenunderhishand；andwhileIcouldnotlookforwardtogoingtohimwithanypleasure，IwasgladtogetawayfromSt。Michael\'s。IwassureofgettingenoughtoeatatCovey\'s，evenifIsufferedinotherrespects。_This_，toahungryman，isnotaprospecttoberegardedwithindifference。
CHAPTERXV
Covey，theNegroBreakerJOURNEYTOMYNEWMASTER\'S——MEDITATIONSBYTHEWAY——VIEWOF
COVEY\'SRESIDENCE——THEFAMILY——MYAWKWARDNESSASAFIELDHAND——A
CRUELBEATING——WHYITWASGIVEN——DESCRIPTIONOFCOVEY——FIRST
ADVENTUREATOXDRIVING——HAIRBREADTHESCAPES——OXANDMANALIKE
PROPERTY——COVEY\'SMANNEROFPROCEEDINGTOWHIP——HARDLABORBETTER
THANTHEWHIPFORBREAKINGDOWNTHESPIRIT——CUNNINGANDTRICKERY
OFCOVEY——FAMILYWORSHIP——SHOCKINGCONTEMPTFORCHASTITY——IAM
BROKENDOWN——GREATMENTALAGITATIONINCONTRASTINGTHEFREEDOMOF
THESHIPSWITHHISOWNSLAVERY——ANGUISHBEYONDDESCRIPTION。
ThemorningofthefirstofJanuary，1834，withitschillingwindandpinchingfrost，quiteinharmonywiththewinterinmyownmind，foundme，withmylittlebundleofclothingontheendofastick，swungacrossmyshoulder，onthemainroad，bendingmywaytowardCovey\'s，whitherIhadbeenimperiouslyorderedbyMasterThomas。Thelatterhadbeenasgoodashisword，andhadcommittedme，withoutreserve，tothemasteryofMr。EdwardCovey。EightortenyearshadnowpassedsinceIhadbeentakenfrommygrandmother\'scabin，inTuckahoe；andtheseyears，forthemostpart，IhadspentinBaltimore，where——asthereaderhasalreadyseen——Iwastreatedwithcomparativetenderness。Iwasnowabouttosoundprofounderdepthsinslavelife。Therigorsofafield，lesstolerablethanthefieldofbattle，awaitedme。
Mynewmasterwasnotoriousforhisfierceandsavagedisposition，andmyonlyconsolationingoingtolivewithhimwas，thecertaintyoffindinghimpreciselyasrepresentedbycommonfame。Therewasneitherjoyinmyheart，norelasticityinmystep，asIstartedinsearchofthetyrant\'shome。
StarvationmademegladtoleaveThomasAuld\'s，andthecruellashmademedreadtogotoCovey\'s。Escapewasimpossible；so，heavyandsad，Ipacedthesevenmiles，whichseparatedCovey\'shousefromSt。Michael\'s——thinkingmuchbythesolitaryway——
aversetomycondition；but_thinking_wasallIcoulddo。Likeafishinanet，allowedtoplayforatime，Iwasnowdrawnrapidlytotheshore，securedatallpoints。“Iam，“thoughtI，“butthesportofapowerwhichmakesnoaccount，eitherofmywelfareorofmyhappiness。ByalawwhichIcanclearlycomprehend，butcannotevadenorresist，Iamruthlesslysnatchedfromthehearthofafondgrandmother，andhurriedawaytothehomeofamysterious`oldmaster；\'againIamremovedfromthere，toamasterinBaltimore；thenceamIsnatchedawaytotheEasternShore，tobevaluedwiththebeastsofthefield，and，withthem，dividedandsetapartforapossessor；thenIamsentbacktoBaltimore；andbythetimeIhaveformednewattachments，andhavebeguntohopethatnomorerudeshocksshalltouchme，adifferencearisesbetweenbrothers，andIamagainbrokenup，andsenttoSt。Michael\'s；andnow，fromthelatterplace，Iamfootingmywaytothehomeofanewmaster，where，Iamgiventounderstand，that，likeawildyoungworkinganimal，Iamtobebrokentotheyokeofabitterandlife-longbondage。“
Withthoughtsandreflectionslikethese，Icameinsightofasmallwood-coloredbuilding，aboutamilefromthemainroad，which，fromthedescriptionIhadreceived，atstarting，Ieasilyrecognizedasmynewhome。TheChesapeakebay——uponthejuttingbanksofwhichthelittlewood-coloredhousewasstanding——whitewithfoam，raisedbytheheavynorth-westwind；PoplarIsland，coveredwithathick，blackpineforest，standingoutamidthishalfocean；andKentPoint，stretchingitssandy，desert-likeshoresoutintothefoam-cestedbay——wereallinfromafencecorner，inwhichhehadsecretedhimself，forthepurposeofsecuringme。Hewasamplyprovidedwithacowskinandarope；andheevidentlyintendedto_tiemeup_，andtowreakhisvengeanceonmetothefullestextent。Ishouldhavebeenaneasyprey，hadhesucceededingettinghishandsuponme，forIhadtakennorefreshmentsincenoononFriday；andthis，togetherwiththepelting，excitement，andthelossofblood，hadreducedmystrength。I，however，dartedbackintothewoods，beforetheferocioushoundcouldgetholdofme，andburiedmyselfinathicket，wherehelostsightofme。Thecorn-fieldaffordedmecover，ingettingtothewoods。Butforthetallcorn，Coveywouldhaveovertakenme，andmademehiscaptive。Heseemedverymuchchagrinedthathedidnotcatchme，andgaveupthechase，veryreluctantly；forI
couldseehisangrymovements，towardthehousefromwhichhehadsallied，onhisforay。
Well，nowIamclearofCovey，andofhiswrathfullash，forpresent。Iaminthewood，buriedinitssombergloom，andhushedinitssolemnsilence；hidfromallhumaneyes；shutinwithnatureandnature\'sGod，andabsentfromallhumancontrivances。Herewasagoodplacetopray；toprayforhelpfordeliverance——aprayerIhadoftenmadebefore。ButhowcouldIpray？Coveycouldpray——Capt。Auldcouldpray——Iwouldfainpray；butdoubtsarisingpartlyfrommyownneglectofthemeansofgrace，andpartlyfromtheshamreligionwhicheverywhereprevailed，castinmymindadoubtuponallreligion，andledmetotheconvictionthatprayerswereunavailinganddelusive
preventedmyembracingtheopportunity，asareligiousone。
Life，initself，hadalmostbecomeburdensometome。Allmyoutwardrelationswereagainstme；ImuststayhereandstarveI
wasalreadyhungryorgohometoCovey\'s，andhavemyfleshtorntopieces，andmyspirithumbledunderthecruellashofCovey。
Thiswasthepainfulalternativepresentedtome。Thedaywaslongandirksome。Myphysicalconditionwasdeplorable。Iwasweak，fromthetoilsofthepreviousday，andfromthewantoffoodandrest；andhadbeensolittleconcernedaboutmyappearance，thatIhadnotyetwashedthebloodfrommygarments。
Iwasanobjectofhorror，eventomyself。Life，inBaltimore，whenmostoppressive，wasaparadisetothis。WhathadIdone，whathadmyparentsdone，thatsuchalifeasthisshouldbemine？Thatday，inthewoods，Iwouldhaveexchangedmymanhoodforthebrutehoodofanox。
Nightcame。Iwasstillinthewoods，unresolvedwhattodo。
Hungerhadnotyetpinchedmetothepointofgoinghome，andI
laidmyselfdownintheleavestorest；forIhadbeenwatchingforhuntersallday，butnotbeingmolestedduringtheday，I
expectednodisturbanceduringthenight。IhadcometotheconclusionthatCoveyrelieduponhungertodrivemehome；andinthisIwasquitecorrect——thefactsshowedthathehadmadenoefforttocatchme，sincemorning。
Duringthenight，Iheardthestepofamaninthewoods。HewascomingtowardtheplacewhereIlay。Apersonlyingstillhastheadvantageoveronewalkinginthewoods，inthedaytime，andthisadvantageismuchgreateratnight。Iwasnotabletoengageinaphysicalstruggle，andIhadrecoursetothecommonresortoftheweak。Ihidmyselfintheleavestopreventdiscovery。But，asthenightramblerinthewoodsdrewnearer，I
foundhimtobea_friend_，notanenemy；itwasaslaveofMr。
WilliamGroomes，ofEaston，akindheartedfellow，named“Sandy。“
SandylivedwithMr。Kempthatyear，aboutfourmilesfromSt。
Michael\'s。He，likemyselfhadbeenhiredoutbytheyear；but，unlikemyself，hadnotbeenhiredouttobebroken。Sandywasthehusbandofafreewoman，wholivedinthelowerpartof_“PotpieNeck，“_andhewasnowonhiswaythroughthewoods，toseeher，andtospendtheSabbathwithher。
AssoonasIhadascertainedthatthedisturberofmysolitudewasnotanenemy，butthegood-heartedSandy——amanasfamousamongtheslavesoftheneighborhoodforhisgoodnature，asforhisgoodsenseIcameoutfrommyhidingplace，andmademyselfknowntohim。Iexplainedthecircumstancesofthepasttwodays，whichhaddrivenmetothewoods，andhedeeplycompassionatedmydistress。Itwasaboldthingforhimtoshelterme，andIcouldnotaskhimtodoso；
for，hadIbeenfoundinhishut，hewouldhavesufferedthepenaltyofthirty-ninelashesonhisbareback，ifnotsomethingworse。ButSandywastoogeneroustopermitthefearofpunishmenttopreventhisrelievingabrotherbondmanfromhungerandexposure；and，therefore，onhisownmotion，Iaccompaniedhimtohishome，orrathertothehomeofhiswife——forthehouseandlotwerehers。Hiswifewascalledup——foritwasnowaboutmidnight——afirewasmade，someIndianmealwassoonmixedwithsaltandwater，andanashcakewasbakedinahurrytorelievemyhunger。Sandy\'swifewasnotbehindhiminkindness——bothseemedtoesteemitaprivilegetosuccorme；for，althoughIwashatedbyCoveyandbymymaster，Iwaslovedbythecoloredpeople，because_they_thoughtIwashatedformyknowledge，andpersecutedbecauseIwasfeared。Iwasthe_only_slave_now_inthatregionwhocouldreadandwrite。Therehadbeenoneotherman，belongingtoMr。HughHamilton，whocouldreadhisnamewas“Jim“，buthe，poorfellow，had，shortlyaftermycomingintotheneighborhood，beensoldofftothefarsouth。IsawJimironed，inthecart，tobecarriedtoEastonforsale——pinionedlikeayearlingfortheslaughter。Myknowledgewasnowtheprideofmybrotherslaves；and，nodoubt，Sandyfeltsomethingofthegeneralinterestinmeonthataccount。Thesupperwassoonready，andthoughIhavefeastedsince，withhonorables，lordmayorsandaldermen，overthesea，mysupperonashcakeandcoldwater，withSandy，wasthemeal，ofallmylife，mostsweettomytaste，andnowmostvividinmymemory。
Supperover，SandyandIwentintoadiscussionofwhatwas_possible_forme，undertheperilsandhardshipswhichnowovershadowedmypath。Thequestionwas，mustIgobacktoCovey，ormustInowtempttorunaway？Uponacarefulsurvey，thelatterwasfoundtobeimpossible；forIwasonanarrowneckofland，everyavenuefromwhichwouldbringmeinsightofpursuers。TherewastheChesapeakebaytotheright，and“Pot-
pie“rivertotheleft，andSt。Michael\'sanditsneighborhoodoccupyingtheonlyspacethroughwhichtherewasanyretreat。
IfoundSandyanoldadvisor。Hewasnotonlyareligiousman，butheprofessedtobelieveinasystemforwhichIhavenoname。
HewasagenuineAfrican，andhadinheritedsomeoftheso-calledmagicalpowers，saidtobepossessedbyAfricanandeasternnations。Hetoldmethathecouldhelpme；that，inthoseverywoods，therewasanherb，whichinthemorningmightbefound，possessingallthepowersrequiredformyprotectionIputhisthoughtsinmyownlanguage；andthat，ifIwouldtakehisadvice，hewouldprocuremetherootoftheherbofwhichhespoke。Hetoldmefurther，thatifIwouldtakethatrootandwearitonmyrightside，itwouldbeimpossibleforCoveytostrikemeablow；thatwiththisrootaboutmyperson，nowhitemancouldwhipme。Hesaidhehadcarrieditforyears，andthathehadfullytesteditsvirtues。Hehadneverreceivedablowfromaslaveholdersincehecarriedit；andheneverexpectedtoreceiveone，forhealwaysmeanttocarrythatrootasaprotection。HeknewCoveywell，forMrs。CoveywasthedaughterofMr。Kemp；andheSandyhadheardofthebarbaroustreatmenttowhichIwassubjected，andhewantedtodosomethingforme。
Nowallthistalkabouttheroot，wastome，veryabsurdandridiculous，ifnotpositivelysinful。Iatfirstrejectedtheideathatthesimplecarryingarootonmyrightsidearoot，bytheway，overwhichIwalkedeverytimeIwentintothewoods
couldpossessanysuchmagicpowerasheascribedtoit，andI
was，therefore，notdisposedtocumbermypocketwithit。Ihadapositiveaversiontoallpretendersto_“divination。“_Itwasbeneathoneofmyintelligencetocountenancesuchdealingswiththedevil，asthispowerimplied。But，withallmylearning——itwasreallypreciouslittle——Sandywasmorethanamatchforme。
“Mybooklearning，“hesaid，“hadnotkeptCoveyoffme“apowerfulargumentjustthenandheentreatedme，withflashingeyes，totrythis。Ifitdidmenogood，itcoulddomenoharm，anditwouldcostmenothing，anyway。
Sandywassoearnest，andsoconfidentofthegoodqualitiesofthisweed，that，topleasehim，ratherthanfromanyconvictionofitsexcellence，Iwasinducedtotakeit。HehadbeentomethegoodSamaritan，andhad，almostprovidentially，foundme，andhelpedmewhenIcouldnothelpmyself；howdidIknowbutthatthehandoftheLordwasinit？Withthoughtsofthissort，I
tooktherootsfromSandy，andputtheminmyrighthandpocket。
Thiswas，ofcourse，Sundaymorning。Sandynowurgedmetogohome，withallspeed，andtowalkupbravelytothehouse，asthoughnothinghadhappened。IsawinSandytoodeepaninsightintohumannature，withallhissuperstition，nottohavesomerespectforhisadvice；andperhaps，too，aslightgleamorshadowofhissuperstitionhadfallenuponme。Atanyrate，I
startedofftowardCovey\'s，asdirectedbySandy。Having，thepreviousnight，pouredmygriefsintoSandy\'sears，andgothimenlistedinmybehalf，havingmadehiswifeasharerinmysorrows，andhaving，also，becomewellrefreshedbysleepandfood，Imovedoff，quitecourageously，towardthemuchdreadedCovey\'s。Singularlyenough，justasIenteredhisyardgate，I
methimandhiswife，dressedintheirSundaybest——lookingassmilingasangels——ontheirwaytochurch。ThemannerofCoveyastonishedme。Therewassomethingreallybenignantinhiscountenance。Hespoketomeasneverbefore；toldmethatthepigshadgotintothelot，andhewishedmetodrivethemout；
inquiredhowIwas，andseemedanalteredman。ThisextraordinaryconductofCovey，reallymademebegintothinkthatSandy\'sherbhadmorevirtueinitthanI，inmypride，hadbeenwillingtoallow；and，hadthedaybeenotherthanSunday，I
shouldhaveattributedCovey\'salteredmannersolelytothemagicpoweroftheroot。Isuspected，however，thatthe_Sabbath_，andnotthe_root_，wastherealexplanationofCovey\'smanner。HisreligionhinderedhimfrombreakingtheSabbath，butnotfrombreakingmyskin。Hehadmorerespectforthe_day_thanforthe_man_，forwhomthedaywasmercifullygiven；forwhilehewouldcutandslashmybodyduringtheweek，hewouldnothesitate，onSunday，toteachmethevalueofmysoul，orthewayoflifeandsalvationbyJesusChrist。