第3章
加入书架 A- A+
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  Iwasmadeacquaintedwithhiswifenotlessthanwithhimself。Theywerewellmatched,beingequallymeanandcruel。Iwasnow,forthefirsttimeduringaspaceofmorethansevenyears,madetofeelthepainfulgnawingsofhunger——asomethingwhichI

  hadnotexperiencedbeforesinceIleftColonelLloyd’splantation。Itwenthardenoughwithmethen,whenIcouldlookbacktonoperiodatwhichIhadenjoyedasufficiency。ItwastenfoldharderafterlivinginMasterHugh’sfamily,whereIhadalwayshadenoughtoeat,andofthatwhichwasgood。IhavesaidMasterThomaswasameanman。

  Hewasso。Nottogiveaslaveenoughtoeat,isregardedasthemostaggravateddevelopmentofmeannessevenamongslaveholders。Theruleis,nomatterhowcoarsethefood,onlylettherebeenoughofit。Thisisthetheory;andinthepartofMarylandfromwhichIcame,itisthegeneralpractice,——thoughtherearemanyexceptions。MasterThomasgaveusenoughofneithercoarsenorfinefood。Therewerefourslavesofusinthekitchen——mysisterEliza,myauntPriscilla,Henny,andmyself;andwewereal-

  lowedlessthanahalfofabushelofcorn-mealperweek,andverylittleelse,eitherintheshapeofmeatorvegetables。Itwasnotenoughforustosubsistupon。Wewerethereforereducedtothewretchednecessityoflivingattheexpenseofourneighbors。Thiswedidbybeggingandstealing,whichevercamehandyinthetimeofneed,theonebeingconsideredaslegitimateastheother。Agreatmanytimeshavewepoorcreaturesbeennearlyperishingwithhunger,whenfoodinabundancelaymoulderinginthesafeandsmoke-house,andourpiousmistresswasawareofthefact;andyetthatmistressandherhusbandwouldkneeleverymorn-

  ing,andpraythatGodwouldblesstheminbasketandstore!

  Badasallslaveholdersare,weseldommeetonedestituteofeveryelementofcharactercommandingrespect。Mymasterwasoneofthisraresort。Idonotknowofonesinglenobleacteverperformedbyhim。Theleadingtraitinhischaracterwasmean-

  ness;andiftherewereanyotherelementinhisnature,itwasmadesubjecttothis。Hewasmean;

  and,likemostothermeanmen,helackedtheabilitytoconcealhismeanness。CaptainAuldwasnotbornaslaveholder。Hehadbeenapoorman,masteronlyofaBaycraft。Hecameintopossessionofallhisslavesbymarriage;andofallmen,adoptedslave-

  holdersaretheworst。Hewascruel,butcowardly。

  Hecommandedwithoutfirmness。Intheenforce-

  mentofhisrules,hewasattimesrigid,andattimeslax。Attimes,hespoketohisslaveswiththefirmnessofNapoleonandthefuryofademon;atothertimes,hemightwellbemistakenforaninquirerwhohadlosthisway。Hedidnothingofhimself。Hemighthavepassedforalion,butforhisears。Inallthingsnoblewhichheattempted,hisownmeannessshonemostconspicuous。Hisairs,words,andactions,weretheairs,words,andactionsofbornslave-

  holders,and,beingassumed,wereawkwardenough。

  Hewasnotevenagoodimitator。Hepossessedallthedispositiontodeceive,butwantedthepower。

  Havingnoresourceswithinhimself,hewascom-

  pelledtobethecopyistofmany,andbeingsuch,hewasforeverthevictimofinconsistency;andofcon-

  sequencehewasanobjectofcontempt,andwasheldassuchevenbyhisslaves。Theluxuryofhavingslavesofhisowntowaituponhimwassomethingnewandunpreparedfor。Hewasaslaveholderwith-

  outtheabilitytoholdslaves。Hefoundhimselfin-

  capableofmanaginghisslaveseitherbyforce,fear,orfraud。Weseldomcalledhim\"master;\"wegen-

  erallycalledhim\"CaptainAuld,\"andwerehardlydisposedtotitlehimatall。Idoubtnotthatourconducthadmuchtodowithmakinghimappearawkward,andofconsequencefretful。Ourwantofreverenceforhimmusthaveperplexedhimgreatly。

  Hewishedtohaveuscallhimmaster,butlackedthefirmnessnecessarytocommandustodoso。Hiswifeusedtoinsistuponourcallinghimso,buttonopurpose。InAugust,1832,mymasterattendedaMethodistcamp-meetingheldintheBay-side,Tal-

  botcounty,andthereexperiencedreligion。Iin-

  dulgedafainthopethathisconversionwouldleadhimtoemancipatehisslaves,andthat,ifhedidnotdothis,itwould,atanyrate,makehimmorekindandhumane。Iwasdisappointedinboththesere-

  spects。Itneithermadehimtobehumanetohisslaves,nortoemancipatethem。Ifithadanyeffectonhischaracter,itmadehimmorecruelandhatefulinallhisways;forIbelievehimtohavebeenamuchworsemanafterhisconversionthanbefore。Priortohisconversion,herelieduponhisowndepravitytoshieldandsustainhiminhissavagebarbarity;

  butafterhisconversion,hefoundreligioussanctionandsupportforhisslaveholdingcruelty。Hemadethegreatestpretensionstopiety。Hishousewasthehouseofprayer。Heprayedmorning,noon,andnight。Heverysoondistinguishedhimselfamonghisbrethren,andwassoonmadeaclass-leaderandexhorter。Hisactivityinrevivalswasgreat,andheprovedhimselfaninstrumentinthehandsofthechurchinconvertingmanysouls。Hishousewasthepreachers’home。Theyusedtotakegreatpleasureincomingtheretoputup;forwhilehestarvedus,hestuffedthem。Wehavehadthreeorfourpreachersthereatatime。ThenamesofthosewhousedtocomemostfrequentlywhileIlivedthere,wereMr。

  Storks,Mr。Ewery,Mr。Humphry,andMr。Hickey。

  IhavealsoseenMr。GeorgeCookmanatourhouse。

  WeslaveslovedMr。Cookman。Webelievedhimtobeagoodman。Wethoughthiminstrumentalinget-

  tingMr。SamuelHarrison,averyrichslaveholder,toemancipatehisslaves;andbysomemeansgottheimpressionthathewaslaboringtoeffecttheemanci-

  pationofalltheslaves。Whenhewasatourhouse,weweresuretobecalledintoprayers。Whentheotherswerethere,weweresometimescalledinandsometimesnot。Mr。Cookmantookmorenoticeofusthaneitheroftheotherministers。Hecouldnotcomeamonguswithoutbetrayinghissympathyforus,and,stupidaswewere,wehadthesagacitytoseeit。

  WhileIlivedwithmymasterinSt。Michael’s,therewasawhiteyoungman,aMr。Wilson,whoproposedtokeepaSabbathschoolfortheinstructionofsuchslavesasmightbedisposedtolearntoreadtheNewTestament。Wemetbutthreetimes,whenMr。WestandMr。Fairbanks,bothclass-leaders,withmanyothers,cameuponuswithsticksandothermissiles,droveusoff,andforbadeustomeetagain。ThusendedourlittleSabbathschoolinthepioustownofSt。Michael’s。

  Ihavesaidmymasterfoundreligioussanctionforhiscruelty。Asanexample,Iwillstateoneofmanyfactsgoingtoprovethecharge。Ihaveseenhimtieupalameyoungwoman,andwhipherwithaheavycowskinuponhernakedshoulders,causingthewarmredbloodtodrip;and,injustificationofthebloodydeed,hewouldquotethispassageofScripture——\"Hethatknowethhismaster’swill,anddoethitnot,shallbebeatenwithmanystripes。\"

  Masterwouldkeepthislaceratedyoungwomantiedupinthishorridsituationfourorfivehoursatatime。Ihaveknownhimtotieherupearlyinthemorning,andwhipherbeforebreakfast;leaveher,gotohisstore,returnatdinner,andwhipheragain,cuttingherintheplacesalreadymaderawwithhiscruellash。Thesecretofmaster’scrueltytoward\"Henny\"isfoundinthefactofherbeingalmosthelpless。Whenquiteachild,shefellintothefire,andburnedherselfhorribly。Herhandsweresoburntthatshenevergottheuseofthem。Shecoulddoverylittlebutbearheavyburdens。Shewastomasterabillofexpense;andashewasameanman,shewasaconstantoffencetohim。Heseemeddesirousofgettingthepoorgirloutofexistence。

  Hegaveherawayoncetohissister;but,beingapoorgift,shewasnotdisposedtokeepher。Finally,mybenevolentmaster,tousehisownwords,\"setheradrifttotakecareofherself。\"Herewasare-

  cently-convertedman,holdingonuponthemother,andatthesametimeturningoutherhelplesschild,tostarveanddie!MasterThomaswasoneofthemanypiousslaveholderswhoholdslavesfortheverycharitablepurposeoftakingcareofthem。

  Mymasterandmyselfhadquiteanumberofdifferences。Hefoundmeunsuitabletohispurpose。

  Mycitylife,hesaid,hadhadaveryperniciouseffectuponme。Ithadalmostruinedmeforeverygoodpurpose,andfittedmeforeverythingwhichwasbad。Oneofmygreatestfaultswasthatoflettinghishorserunaway,andgodowntohisfather-in-

  law’sfarm,whichwasaboutfivemilesfromSt。

  Michael’s。Iwouldthenhavetogoafterit。Myreasonforthiskindofcarelessness,orcarefulness,was,thatIcouldalwaysgetsomethingtoeatwhenIwentthere。MasterWilliamHamilton,mymaster’sfather-in-law,alwaysgavehisslavesenoughtoeat。

  Ineverlefttherehungry,nomatterhowgreattheneedofmyspeedyreturn。MasterThomasatlengthsaidhewouldstanditnolonger。Ihadlivedwithhimninemonths,duringwhichtimehehadgivenmeanumberofseverewhippings,alltonogoodpurpose。Heresolvedtoputmeout,ashesaid,tobebroken;and,forthispurpose,heletmeforoneyeartoamannamedEdwardCovey。Mr。Coveywasapoorman,afarm-renter。Herentedtheplaceuponwhichhelived,asalsothehandswithwhichhetilledit。Mr。Coveyhadacquiredaveryhighreputationforbreakingyoungslaves,andthisrepu-

  tationwasofimmensevaluetohim。Itenabledhimtogethisfarmtilledwithmuchlessexpensetohimselfthanhecouldhavehaditdonewithoutsuchareputation。SomeslaveholdersthoughtitnotmuchlosstoallowMr。Coveytohavetheirslavesoneyear,forthesakeofthetrainingtowhichtheyweresubjected,withoutanyothercompensation。

  Hecouldhireyounghelpwithgreatease,incon-

  sequenceofthisreputation。AddedtothenaturalgoodqualitiesofMr。Covey,hewasaprofessorofreligion——apioussoul——amemberandaclass-leaderintheMethodistchurch。Allofthisaddedweighttohisreputationasa\"nigger-breaker。\"Iwasawareofallthefacts,havingbeenmadeacquaintedwiththembyayoungmanwhohadlivedthere。Inever-

  thelessmadethechangegladly;forIwassureofgettingenoughtoeat,whichisnotthesmallestconsiderationtoahungryman。

  CHAPTERX

  IhadleftMasterThomas’shouse,andwenttolivewithMr。Covey,onthe1stofJanuary,1833。Iwasnow,forthefirsttimeinmylife,afieldhand。Inmynewemployment,Ifoundmyselfevenmoreawkwardthanacountryboyappearedtobeinalargecity。IhadbeenatmynewhomebutoneweekbeforeMr。Coveygavemeaveryseverewhip-

  ping,cuttingmyback,causingthebloodtorun,andraisingridgesonmyfleshaslargeasmylittlefinger。

  Thedetailsofthisaffairareasfollows:Mr。Coveysentme,veryearlyinthemorningofoneofourcoldestdaysinthemonthofJanuary,tothewoods,togetaloadofwood。Hegavemeateamofun-

  brokenoxen。Hetoldmewhichwasthein-handox,andwhichtheoff-handone。Hethentiedtheendofalargeropearoundthehornsofthein-handox,andgavemetheotherendofit,andtoldme,iftheoxenstartedtorun,thatImustholdonupontherope。Ihadneverdrivenoxenbefore,andofcourseIwasveryawkward。I,however,succeededingettingtotheedgeofthewoodswithlittlediffi-

  culty;butIhadgotaveryfewrodsintothewoods,whentheoxentookfright,andstartedfulltilt,carry-

  ingthecartagainsttrees,andoverstumps,inthemostfrightfulmanner。Iexpectedeverymomentthatmybrainswouldbedashedoutagainstthetrees。Afterrunningthusforaconsiderabledis-

  tance,theyfinallyupsetthecart,dashingitwithgreatforceagainstatree,andthrewthemselvesintoadensethicket。HowIescapeddeath,Idonotknow。ThereIwas,entirelyalone,inathickwood,inaplacenewtome。Mycartwasupsetandshat-

  tered,myoxenwereentangledamongtheyoungtrees,andtherewasnonetohelpme。Afteralongspellofeffort,Isucceededingettingmycartrighted,myoxendisentangled,andagainyokedtothecart。

  InowproceededwithmyteamtotheplacewhereIhad,thedaybefore,beenchoppingwood,andloadedmycartprettyheavily,thinkinginthiswaytotamemyoxen。Ithenproceededonmywayhome。Ihadnowconsumedonehalfoftheday。I

  gotoutofthewoodssafely,andnowfeltoutofdanger。Istoppedmyoxentoopenthewoodsgate;

  andjustasIdidso,beforeIcouldgetholdofmyox-rope,theoxenagainstarted,rushedthroughthegate,catchingitbetweenthewheelandthebodyofthecart,tearingittopieces,andcomingwithinafewinchesofcrushingmeagainstthegate-post。Thustwice,inoneshortday,Iescapeddeathbythemerestchance。Onmyreturn,ItoldMr。Coveywhathadhappened,andhowithappened。Heor-

  deredmetoreturntothewoodsagainimmediately。

  Ididso,andhefollowedonafterme。JustasIgotintothewoods,hecameupandtoldmetostopmycart,andthathewouldteachmehowtotrifleawaymytime,andbreakgates。Hethenwenttoalargegum-tree,andwithhisaxecutthreelargeswitches,and,aftertrimmingthemupneatlywithhispocket-

  knife,heorderedmetotakeoffmyclothes。Imadehimnoanswer,butstoodwithmyclotheson。Herepeatedhisorder。Istillmadehimnoanswer,nordidImovetostripmyself。Uponthisherushedatmewiththefiercenessofatiger,toreoffmyclothes,andlashedmetillhehadwornouthisswitches,cuttingmesosavagelyastoleavethemarksvisibleforalongtimeafter。Thiswhippingwasthefirstofanumberjustlikeit,andforsimilarof-

  fences。

  IlivedwithMr。Coveyoneyear。Duringthefirstsixmonths,ofthatyear,scarceaweekpassedwith-

  outhiswhippingme。Iwasseldomfreefromasoreback。Myawkwardnesswasalmostalwayshisex-

  cuseforwhippingme。Wewereworkedfullyuptothepointofendurance。Longbeforedaywewereup,ourhorsesfed,andbythefirstapproachofdaywewereofftothefieldwithourhoesandplough-

  ingteams。Mr。Coveygaveusenoughtoeat,butscarcetimetoeatit。Wewereoftenlessthanfiveminutestakingourmeals。Wewereofteninthefieldfromthefirstapproachofdaytillitslastlingeringrayhadleftus;andatsaving-foddertime,midnightoftencaughtusinthefieldbindingblades。

  Coveywouldbeoutwithus。Thewayheusedtostandit,wasthis。Hewouldspendthemostofhisafternoonsinbed。Hewouldthencomeoutfreshintheevening,readytourgeusonwithhiswords,example,andfrequentlywiththewhip。Mr。Coveywasoneofthefewslaveholderswhocouldanddidworkwithhishands。Hewasahard-workingman。

  Heknewbyhimselfjustwhatamanoraboycoulddo。Therewasnodeceivinghim。Hisworkwentoninhisabsencealmostaswellasinhispresence;andhehadthefacultyofmakingusfeelthathewaseverpresentwithus。Thishedidbysurprisingus。

  Heseldomapproachedthespotwherewewereatworkopenly,ifhecoulddoitsecretly。Healwaysaimedattakingusbysurprise。Suchwashiscunning,thatweusedtocallhim,amongourselves,\"thesnake。\"Whenwewereatworkinthecornfield,hewouldsometimescrawlonhishandsandkneestoavoiddetection,andallatoncehewouldrisenearlyinourmidst,andscreamout,\"Ha,ha!

  Come,come!Dashon,dashon!\"Thisbeinghismodeofattack,itwasneversafetostopasingleminute。Hiscomingswerelikeathiefinthenight。

  Heappearedtousasbeingeverathand。Hewasundereverytree,behindeverystump,ineverybush,andateverywindow,ontheplantation。Hewouldsometimesmounthishorse,asifboundtoSt。Mi-

  chael’s,adistanceofsevenmiles,andinhalfanhourafterwardsyouwouldseehimcoiledupinthecornerofthewood-fence,watchingeverymotionoftheslaves。Hewould,forthispurpose,leavehishorsetiedupinthewoods。Again,hewouldsome-

  timeswalkuptous,andgiveusordersasthoughhewasuponthepointofstartingonalongjourney,turnhisbackuponus,andmakeasthoughhewasgoingtothehousetogetready;and,beforehewouldgethalfwaythither,hewouldturnshortandcrawlintoafence-corner,orbehindsometree,andtherewatchustillthegoingdownofthesun。

  Mr。Covey’sFORTEconsistedinhispowertode-

  ceive。Hislifewasdevotedtoplanningandperpe-

  tratingthegrossestdeceptions。Everythinghepos-

  sessedintheshapeoflearningorreligion,hemadeconformtohisdispositiontodeceive。HeseemedtothinkhimselfequaltodeceivingtheAlmighty。

  Hewouldmakeashortprayerinthemorning,andalongprayeratnight;and,strangeasitmayseem,fewmenwouldattimesappearmoredevotionalthanhe。Theexercisesofhisfamilydevotionswerealwayscommencedwithsinging;and,ashewasaverypoorsingerhimself,thedutyofraisingthehymngenerallycameuponme。Hewouldreadhishymn,andnodatmetocommence。Iwouldattimesdoso;atothers,Iwouldnot。Mynon-com-

  pliancewouldalmostalwaysproducemuchconfu-

  sion。Toshowhimselfindependentofme,hewouldstartandstaggerthroughwithhishymninthemostdiscordantmanner。Inthisstateofmind,heprayedwithmorethanordinaryspirit。Poorman!suchwashisdisposition,andsuccessatdeceiving,Idoverilybelievethathesometimesdeceivedhimselfintothesolemnbelief,thathewasasincereworshipperofthemosthighGod;andthis,too,atatimewhenhemaybesaidtohavebeenguiltyofcompellinghiswomanslavetocommitthesinofadultery。Thefactsinthecasearethese:Mr。Coveywasapoorman;hewasjustcommencinginlife;hewasonlyabletobuyoneslave;and,shockingasisthefact,heboughther,ashesaid,forABREEDER。ThiswomanwasnamedCaroline。Mr。CoveyboughtherfromMr。ThomasLowe,aboutsixmilesfromSt。Mi-

  chael’s。Shewasalarge,able-bodiedwoman,abouttwentyyearsold。Shehadalreadygivenbirthtoonechild,whichprovedhertobejustwhathewanted。

  Afterbuyingher,hehiredamarriedmanofMr。

  SamuelHarrison,tolivewithhimoneyear;andhimheusedtofastenupwithhereverynight!There-

  sultwas,that,attheendoftheyear,themiserablewomangavebirthtotwins。AtthisresultMr。Coveyseemedtobehighlypleased,bothwiththemanandthewretchedwoman。Suchwashisjoy,andthatofhiswife,thatnothingtheycoulddoforCarolineduringherconfinementwastoogood,ortoohard,tobedone。Thechildrenwereregardedasbeingquiteanadditiontohiswealth。

  Ifatanyonetimeofmylifemorethananother,Iwasmadetodrinkthebitterestdregsofslavery,thattimewasduringthefirstsixmonthsofmystaywithMr。Covey。Wewereworkedinallweathers。

  Itwasnevertoohotortoocold;itcouldneverrain,blow,hail,orsnow,toohardforustoworkinthefield。Work,work,work,wasscarcelymoretheorderofthedaythanofthenight。Thelongestdaysweretooshortforhim,andtheshortestnightstoolongforhim。IwassomewhatunmanageablewhenIfirstwentthere,butafewmonthsofthisdisciplinetamedme。Mr。Coveysucceededinbreakingme。I

  wasbrokeninbody,soul,andspirit。Mynaturalelasticitywascrushed,myintellectlanguished,thedispositiontoreaddeparted,thecheerfulsparkthatlingeredaboutmyeyedied;thedarknightofslaveryclosedinuponme;andbeholdamantransformedintoabrute!

  Sundaywasmyonlyleisuretime。Ispentthisinasortofbeast-likestupor,betweensleepandwake,undersomelargetree。AttimesIwouldriseup,aflashofenergeticfreedomwoulddartthroughmysoul,accompaniedwithafaintbeamofhope,thatflickeredforamoment,andthenvanished。Isankdownagain,mourningovermywretchedcondition。

  Iwassometimespromptedtotakemylife,andthatofCovey,butwaspreventedbyacombinationofhopeandfear。Mysufferingsonthisplantationseemnowlikeadreamratherthanasternreality。

  OurhousestoodwithinafewrodsoftheChesa-

  peakeBay,whosebroadbosomwaseverwhitewithsailsfromeveryquarterofthehabitableglobe。

  Thosebeautifulvessels,robedinpurestwhite,sodelightfultotheeyeoffreemen,weretomesomanyshroudedghosts,toterrifyandtormentmewiththoughtsofmywretchedcondition。Ihaveof-

  ten,inthedeepstillnessofasummer’sSabbath,stoodallaloneupontheloftybanksofthatnoblebay,andtraced,withsaddenedheartandtearfuleye,thecountlessnumberofsailsmovingofftothemightyocean。Thesightofthesealwaysaffectedmepowerfully。Mythoughtswouldcompelutter-

  ance;andthere,withnoaudiencebuttheAlmighty,Iwouldpouroutmysoul’scomplaint,inmyrudeway,withanapostrophetothemovingmultitudeofships:——

  \"Youareloosedfromyourmoorings,andarefree;

  Iamfastinmychains,andamaslave!Youmovemerrilybeforethegentlegale,andIsadlybeforethebloodywhip!Youarefreedom’sswift-wingedangels,thatflyroundtheworld;Iamconfinedinbandsofiron!OthatIwerefree!O,thatIwereononeofyourgallantdecks,andunderyourpro-

  tectingwing!Alas!betwixtmeandyou,theturbidwatersroll。Goon,goon。OthatIcouldalsogo!

  CouldIbutswim!IfIcouldfly!O,whywasIbornaman,ofwhomtomakeabrute!Thegladshipisgone;shehidesinthedimdistance。Iamleftinthehottesthellofunendingslavery。OGod,saveme!God,deliverme!Letmebefree!IsthereanyGod?WhyamIaslave?Iwillrunaway。Iwillnotstandit。Getcaught,orgetclear,I’lltryit。Ihadaswelldiewithagueasthefever。Ihaveonlyonelifetolose。Ihadaswellbekilledrunningasdiestanding。Onlythinkofit;onehundredmilesstraightnorth,andIamfree!Tryit?Yes!Godhelpingme,Iwill。ItcannotbethatIshallliveanddieaslave。Iwilltaketothewater。Thisverybayshallyetbearmeintofreedom。Thesteam-

  boatssteeredinanorth-eastcoursefromNorthPoint。Iwilldothesame;andwhenIgettotheheadofthebay,Iwillturnmycanoeadrift,andwalkstraightthroughDelawareintoPennsylvania。

  WhenIgetthere,Ishallnotberequiredtohaveapass;Icantravelwithoutbeingdisturbed。Letbutthefirstopportunityoffer,and,comewhatwill,I

  amoff。Meanwhile,Iwilltrytobearupundertheyoke。Iamnottheonlyslaveintheworld。WhyshouldIfret?Icanbearasmuchasanyofthem。

  Besides,Iambutaboy,andallboysareboundtosomeone。ItmaybethatmymiseryinslaverywillonlyincreasemyhappinesswhenIgetfree。Thereisabetterdaycoming。\"

  ThusIusedtothink,andthusIusedtospeaktomyself;goadedalmosttomadnessatonemo-

  ment,andatthenextreconcilingmyselftomywretchedlot。

  Ihavealreadyintimatedthatmyconditionwasmuchworse,duringthefirstsixmonthsofmystayatMr。Covey’s,thaninthelastsix。Thecircum-

  stancesleadingtothechangeinMr。Covey’scoursetowardmeformanepochinmyhumblehistory。

  Youhaveseenhowamanwasmadeaslave;youshallseehowaslavewasmadeaman。OnoneofthehottestdaysofthemonthofAugust,1833,BillSmith,WilliamHughes,aslavenamedEli,andmyself,wereengagedinfanningwheat。Hugheswasclearingthefannedwheatfrombeforethefan。Eliwasturning,Smithwasfeeding,andIwascarryingwheattothefan。Theworkwassimple,requiringstrengthratherthanintellect;yet,tooneentirelyunusedtosuchwork,itcameveryhard。Aboutthreeo’clockofthatday,Ibrokedown;mystrengthfailedme;Iwasseizedwithaviolentachingofthehead,attendedwithextremedizziness;Itrembledineverylimb。Findingwhatwascoming,Inervedmyselfup,feelingitwouldneverdotostopwork。IstoodaslongasIcouldstaggertothehopperwithgrain。

  WhenIcouldstandnolonger,Ifell,andfeltasifhelddownbyanimmenseweight。Thefanofcoursestopped;everyonehadhisownworktodo;

  andnoonecoulddotheworkoftheother,andhavehisowngoonatthesametime。

  Mr。Coveywasatthehouse,aboutonehundredyardsfromthetreading-yardwherewewerefanning。

  Onhearingthefanstop,heleftimmediately,andcametothespotwherewewere。Hehastilyin-

  quiredwhatthematterwas。BillansweredthatI

  wassick,andtherewasnoonetobringwheattothefan。Ihadbythistimecrawledawayunderthesideofthepostandrail-fencebywhichtheyardwasenclosed,hopingtofindreliefbygettingoutofthesun。HethenaskedwhereIwas。Hewastoldbyoneofthehands。Hecametothespot,and,afterlookingatmeawhile,askedmewhatwasthematter。ItoldhimaswellasIcould,forIscarcehadstrengthtospeak。Hethengavemeasavagekickintheside,andtoldmetogetup。Itriedtodoso,butfellbackintheattempt。Hegavemeanotherkick,andagaintoldmetorise。Iagaintried,andsucceededingainingmyfeet;but,stoop-

  ingtogetthetubwithwhichIwasfeedingthefan,Iagainstaggeredandfell。Whiledowninthissituation,Mr。CoveytookupthehickoryslatwithwhichHugheshadbeenstrikingoffthehalf-bushelmeasure,andwithitgavemeaheavyblowuponthehead,makingalargewound,andthebloodranfreely;andwiththisagaintoldmetogetup。Imadenoefforttocomply,havingnowmadeupmymindtolethimdohisworst。Inashorttimeafterre-

  ceivingthisblow,myheadgrewbetter。Mr。Coveyhadnowleftmetomyfate。AtthismomentIre-

  solved,forthefirsttime,togotomymaster,enteracomplaint,andaskhisprotection。Inordertodothis,Imustthatafternoonwalksevenmiles;andthis,underthecircumstances,wastrulyasevereundertaking。Iwasexceedinglyfeeble;madesoasmuchbythekicksandblowswhichIreceived,asbytheseverefitofsicknesstowhichIhadbeensubjected。I,however,watchedmychance,whileCoveywaslookinginanoppositedirection,andstartedforSt。Michael’s。Isucceededingettingaconsiderabledistanceonmywaytothewoods,whenCoveydiscoveredme,andcalledaftermetocomeback,threateningwhathewoulddoifIdidnotcome。Idisregardedbothhiscallsandhisthreats,andmademywaytothewoodsasfastasmyfeeblestatewouldallow;andthinkingImightbeover-

  hauledbyhimifIkepttheroad,Iwalkedthroughthewoods,keepingfarenoughfromtheroadtoavoiddetection,andnearenoughtopreventlosingmyway。Ihadnotgonefarbeforemylittlestrengthagainfailedme。Icouldgonofarther。Ifelldown,andlayforaconsiderabletime。Thebloodwasyetoozingfromthewoundonmyhead。ForatimeI

  thoughtIshouldbleedtodeath;andthinknowthatIshouldhavedoneso,butthatthebloodsomattedmyhairastostopthewound。Afterlyingthereaboutthreequartersofanhour,Inervedmyselfupagain,andstartedonmyway,throughbogsandbriers,barefootedandbareheaded,tearingmyfeetsometimesatnearlyeverystep;andafterajourneyofaboutsevenmiles,occupyingsomefivehourstoperformit,Iarrivedatmaster’sstore。Ithenpre-

  sentedanappearanceenoughtoaffectanybutaheartofiron。Fromthecrownofmyheadtomyfeet,Iwascoveredwithblood。Myhairwasallclottedwithdustandblood;myshirtwasstiffwithblood。IsupposeIlookedlikeamanwhohades-

  capedadenofwildbeasts,andbarelyescapedthem。

  InthisstateIappearedbeforemymaster,humblyentreatinghimtointerposehisauthorityformyprotection。ItoldhimallthecircumstancesaswellasIcould,anditseemed,asIspoke,attimestoaffecthim。Hewouldthenwalkthefloor,andseektojustifyCoveybysayingheexpectedIdeservedit。HeaskedmewhatIwanted。Itoldhim,toletmegetanewhome;thatassureasIlivedwithMr。

  Coveyagain,Ishouldlivewithbuttodiewithhim;thatCoveywouldsurelykillme;hewasinafairwayforit。MasterThomasridiculedtheideathattherewasanydangerofMr。Covey’skillingme,andsaidthatheknewMr。Covey;thathewasagoodman,andthathecouldnotthinkoftakingmefromhim;that,shouldhedoso,hewouldlosethewholeyear’swages;thatIbelongedtoMr。Coveyforoneyear,andthatImustgobacktohim,comewhatmight;andthatImustnottroublehimwithanymorestories,orthathewouldhimselfGETHOLD

  OFME。Afterthreateningmethus,hegavemeaverylargedoseofsalts,tellingmethatImightremaininSt。Michael’sthatnight,(itbeingquitelate,)

  butthatImustbeoffbacktoMr。Covey’searlyinthemorning;andthatifIdidnot,hewould~getholdofme,~whichmeantthathewouldwhipme。Iremainedallnight,and,accordingtohisor-

  ders,IstartedofftoCovey’sinthemorning,(Sat-

  urdaymorning,)weariedinbodyandbrokeninspirit。Igotnosupperthatnight,orbreakfastthatmorning。IreachedCovey’saboutnineo’clock;andjustasIwasgettingoverthefencethatdividedMrs。Kemp’sfieldsfromours,outranCoveywithhiscowskin,togivemeanotherwhipping。Beforehecouldreachme,Isucceededingettingtothecornfield;andasthecornwasveryhigh,itaffordedmethemeansofhiding。Heseemedveryangry,andsearchedformealongtime。Mybehaviorwasal-

  togetherunaccountable。Hefinallygaveupthechase,thinking,Isuppose,thatImustcomehomeforsomethingtoeat;hewouldgivehimselfnofur-

  thertroubleinlookingforme。Ispentthatdaymostlyinthewoods,havingthealternativebeforeme,——togohomeandbewhippedtodeath,orstayinthewoodsandbestarvedtodeath。Thatnight,IfellinwithSandyJenkins,aslavewithwhomIwassomewhatacquainted。SandyhadafreewifewholivedaboutfourmilesfromMr。Covey’s;anditbeingSaturday,hewasonhiswaytoseeher。I

  toldhimmycircumstances,andheverykindlyin-

  vitedmetogohomewithhim。Iwenthomewithhim,andtalkedthiswholematterover,andgothisadviceastowhatcourseitwasbestformetopursue。

  IfoundSandyanoldadviser。Hetoldme,withgreatsolemnity,ImustgobacktoCovey;butthatbeforeIwent,Imustgowithhimintoanotherpartofthewoods,wheretherewasacertain~root,~

  which,ifIwouldtakesomeofitwithme,carryingit~alwaysonmyrightside,~wouldrenderitimpos-

  sibleforMr。Covey,oranyotherwhiteman,towhipme。Hesaidhehadcarrieditforyears;andsincehehaddoneso,hehadneverreceivedablow,andneverexpectedtowhilehecarriedit。Iatfirstrejectedtheidea,thatthesimplecarryingofarootinmypocketwouldhaveanysucheffectashehadsaid,andwasnotdisposedtotakeit;butSandyimpressedthenecessitywithmuchearnestness,tell-

  ingmeitcoulddonoharm,ifitdidnogood。Topleasehim,Iatlengthtooktheroot,and,ac-

  cordingtohisdirection,carriedituponmyrightside。ThiswasSundaymorning。Iimmediatelystartedforhome;anduponenteringtheyardgate,outcameMr。Coveyonhiswaytomeeting。Hespoketomeverykindly,bademedrivethepigsfromalotnearby,andpassedontowardsthechurch。Now,thissingularconductofMr。Coveyreallymademebegintothinkthattherewassome-

  thingintheROOTwhichSandyhadgivenme;andhaditbeenonanyotherdaythanSunday,Icouldhaveattributedtheconducttonoothercausethantheinfluenceofthatroot;andasitwas,Iwashalfinclinedtothinkthe~root~tobesomethingmorethanIatfirsthadtakenittobe。AllwentwelltillMondaymorning。Onthismorning,thevirtueoftheROOTwasfullytested。Longbeforedaylight,I

  wascalledtogoandrub,curry,andfeed,thehorses。

  Iobeyed,andwasgladtoobey。Butwhilstthusengaged,whilstintheactofthrowingdownsomebladesfromtheloft,Mr。Coveyenteredthestablewithalongrope;andjustasIwashalfoutoftheloft,hecaughtholdofmylegs,andwasabouttyingme。AssoonasIfoundwhathewasupto,Igaveasuddenspring,andasIdidso,heholdingtomylegs,Iwasbroughtsprawlingonthestablefloor。

  Mr。Coveyseemednowtothinkhehadme,andcoulddowhathepleased;butatthismoment——

  fromwhencecamethespiritIdon’tknow——Ire-

  solvedtofight;and,suitingmyactiontothereso-

  lution,IseizedCoveyhardbythethroat;andasI

  didso,Irose。Heheldontome,andItohim。MyresistancewassoentirelyunexpectedthatCoveyseemedtakenallaback。Hetrembledlikealeaf。

  Thisgavemeassurance,andIheldhimuneasy,causingthebloodtorunwhereItouchedhimwiththeendsofmyfingers。Mr。CoveysooncalledouttoHughesforhelp。Hughescame,and,whileCoveyheldme,attemptedtotiemyrighthand。Whilehewasintheactofdoingso,Iwatchedmychance,andgavehimaheavykickcloseundertheribs。

  ThiskickfairlysickenedHughes,sothatheleftmeinthehandsofMr。Covey。ThiskickhadtheeffectofnotonlyweakeningHughes,butCoveyalso。

  WhenhesawHughesbendingoverwithpain,hiscouragequailed。HeaskedmeifImeanttopersistinmyresistance。ItoldhimIdid,comewhatmight;thathehadusedmelikeabruteforsixmonths,andthatIwasdeterminedtobeusedsonolonger。Withthat,hestrovetodragmetoastickthatwaslyingjustoutofthestabledoor。Hemeanttoknockmedown。Butjustashewasleaningovertogetthestick,Iseizedhimwithbothhandsbyhiscollar,andbroughthimbyasuddensnatchtotheground。Bythistime,Billcame。Coveycalleduponhimforassistance。Billwantedtoknowwhathecoulddo。Coveysaid,\"Takeholdofhim,takeholdofhim!\"Billsaidhismasterhiredhimouttowork,andnottohelptowhipme;soheleftCoveyandmyselftofightourownbattleout。Wewereatitfornearlytwohours。Coveyatlengthletmego,puffingandblowingatagreatrate,sayingthatifIhadnotresisted,hewouldnothavewhippedmehalfsomuch。Thetruthwas,thathehadnotwhippedmeatall。Iconsideredhimasgettingen-

  tirelytheworstendofthebargain;forhehaddrawnnobloodfromme,butIhadfromhim。Thewholesixmonthsafterwards,thatIspentwithMr。Covey,heneverlaidtheweightofhisfingeruponmeinanger。Hewouldoccasionallysay,hedidn’twanttogetholdofmeagain。\"No,\"thoughtI,\"youneednot;foryouwillcomeoffworsethanyoudidbefore。\"

  ThisbattlewithMr。Coveywastheturning-

  pointinmycareerasaslave。Itrekindledthefewexpiringembersoffreedom,andrevivedwithinmeasenseofmyownmanhood。Itrecalledthede-

  partedself-confidence,andinspiredmeagainwithadeterminationtobefree。Thegratificationaf-

  fordedbythetriumphwasafullcompensationforwhateverelsemightfollow,evendeathitself。HeonlycanunderstandthedeepsatisfactionwhichI

  experienced,whohashimselfrepelledbyforcethebloodyarmofslavery。IfeltasIneverfeltbefore。

  Itwasagloriousresurrection,fromthetombofslavery,totheheavenoffreedom。Mylong-crushedspiritrose,cowardicedeparted,bolddefiancetookitsplace;andInowresolvedthat,howeverlongI

  mightremainaslaveinform,thedayhadpassedforeverwhenIcouldbeaslaveinfact。Ididnothesitatetoletitbeknownofme,thatthewhitemanwhoexpectedtosucceedinwhipping,mustalsosucceedinkillingme。

  FromthistimeIwasneveragainwhatmightbecalledfairlywhipped,thoughIremainedaslavefouryearsafterwards。Ihadseveralfights,butwasneverwhipped。

  ItwasforalongtimeamatterofsurprisetomewhyMr。Coveydidnotimmediatelyhavemetakenbytheconstabletothewhipping-post,andthereregularlywhippedforthecrimeofraisingmyhandagainstawhitemanindefenceofmyself。AndtheonlyexplanationIcannowthinkofdoesnotentirelysatisfyme;butsuchasitis,Iwillgiveit。Mr。Coveyenjoyedthemostunboundedreputationforbeingafirst-rateoverseerandnegro-breaker。Itwasofcon-

  siderableimportancetohim。Thatreputationwasatstake;andhadhesentme——aboyaboutsixteenyearsold——tothepublicwhipping-post,hisreputationwouldhavebeenlost;so,tosavehisreputation,hesufferedmetogounpunished。

  MytermofactualservicetoMr。EdwardCoveyendedonChristmasday,1833。ThedaysbetweenChristmasandNewYear’sdayareallowedasholi-

  days;and,accordingly,wewerenotrequiredtoper-

  formanylabor,morethantofeedandtakecareofthestock。Thistimeweregardedasourown,bythegraceofourmasters;andwethereforeusedorabuseditnearlyaswepleased。Thoseofuswhohadfamiliesatadistance,weregenerallyallowedtospendthewholesixdaysintheirsociety。Thistime,however,wasspentinvariousways。Thestaid,sober,thinkingandindustriousonesofournumberwouldemploythemselvesinmakingcorn-brooms,mats,horse-collars,andbaskets;andanotherclassofuswouldspendthetimeinhuntingopossums,hares,andcoons。Butbyfarthelargerpartengagedinsuchsportsandmerrimentsasplayingball,wres-

  tling,runningfoot-races,fiddling,dancing,anddrinkingwhisky;andthislattermodeofspendingthetimewasbyfarthemostagreeabletothefeel-

  ingsofourmasters。Aslavewhowouldworkduringtheholidayswasconsideredbyourmastersasscarcelydeservingthem。Hewasregardedasonewhorejectedthefavorofhismaster。ItwasdeemedadisgracenottogetdrunkatChristmas;andhewasregardedaslazyindeed,whohadnotprovidedhimselfwiththenecessarymeans,duringtheyear,togetwhiskyenoughtolasthimthroughChristmas。

  FromwhatIknowoftheeffectoftheseholidaysupontheslave,Ibelievethemtobeamongthemosteffectivemeansinthehandsoftheslaveholderinkeepingdownthespiritofinsurrection。Weretheslaveholdersatoncetoabandonthispractice,Ihavenottheslightestdoubtitwouldleadtoanimmediateinsurrectionamongtheslaves。Theseholidaysserveasconductors,orsafety-valves,tocarryofftherebelliousspiritofenslavedhumanity。Butforthese,theslavewouldbeforceduptothewild-

  estdesperation;andwoebetidetheslaveholder,thedayheventurestoremoveorhindertheoperationofthoseconductors!Iwarnhimthat,insuchanevent,aspiritwillgoforthintheirmidst,moretobedreadedthanthemostappallingearthquake。

  Theholidaysarepartandparcelofthegrossfraud,wrong,andinhumanityofslavery。Theyareprofessedlyacustomestablishedbythebenevolenceoftheslaveholders;butIundertaketosay,itistheresultofselfishness,andoneofthegrossestfraudscommitteduponthedown-troddenslave。Theydonotgivetheslavesthistimebecausetheywouldnotliketohavetheirworkduringitscontinuance,butbecausetheyknowitwouldbeunsafetodeprivethemofit。Thiswillbeseenbythefact,thattheslaveholdersliketohavetheirslavesspendthosedaysjustinsuchamannerastomakethemasgladoftheirendingasoftheirbeginning。Theirobjectseemstobe,todisgusttheirslaveswithfreedom,byplungingthemintothelowestdepthsofdissipa-

  tion。Forinstance,theslaveholdersnotonlyliketoseetheslavedrinkofhisownaccord,butwilladoptvariousplanstomakehimdrunk。Oneplanis,tomakebetsontheirslaves,astowhocandrinkthemostwhiskywithoutgettingdrunk;andinthiswaytheysucceedingettingwholemultitudestodrinktoexcess。Thus,whentheslaveasksforvirtuousfreedom,thecunningslaveholder,knowinghisig-

  norance,cheatshimwithadoseofviciousdissi-

  pation,artfullylabelledwiththenameofliberty。

  Themostofususedtodrinkitdown,andtheresultwasjustwhatmightbesupposed;manyofuswereledtothinkthattherewaslittletochoosebetweenlibertyandslavery。Wefelt,andveryprop-

  erlytoo,thatwehadalmostaswellbeslavestomanastorum。So,whentheholidaysended,westaggeredupfromthefilthofourwallowing,tookalongbreath,andmarchedtothefield,——feeling,uponthewhole,rathergladtogo,fromwhatourmasterhaddeceivedusintoabeliefwasfreedom,backtothearmsofslavery。

  Ihavesaidthatthismodeoftreatmentisapartofthewholesystemoffraudandinhumanityofslavery。Itisso。Themodehereadoptedtodisgusttheslavewithfreedom,byallowinghimtoseeonlytheabuseofit,iscarriedoutinotherthings。Forinstance,aslavelovesmolasses;hestealssome。

  Hismaster,inmanycases,goesofftotown,andbuysalargequantity;hereturns,takeshiswhip,andcommandstheslavetoeatthemolasses,untilthepoorfellowismadesickattheverymentionofit。Thesamemodeissometimesadoptedtomaketheslavesrefrainfromaskingformorefoodthantheirregularallowance。Aslaverunsthroughhisallowance,andappliesformore。Hismasterisen-

  ragedathim;but,notwillingtosendhimoffwith-

  outfood,giveshimmorethanisnecessary,andcom-

  pelshimtoeatitwithinagiventime。Then,ifhecomplainsthathecannoteatit,heissaidtobesatisfiedneitherfullnorfasting,andiswhippedforbeinghardtoplease!Ihaveanabundanceofsuchillustrationsofthesameprinciple,drawnfrommyownobservation,butthinkthecasesIhavecitedsufficient。Thepracticeisaverycommonone。

  OnthefirstofJanuary,1834,IleftMr。Covey,andwenttolivewithMr。WilliamFreeland,wholivedaboutthreemilesfromSt。Michael’s。IsoonfoundMr。FreelandaverydifferentmanfromMr。

  Covey。Thoughnotrich,hewaswhatwouldbecalledaneducatedsoutherngentleman。Mr。Covey,asIhaveshown,wasawell-trainednegro-breakerandslave-driver。Theformer(slaveholderthoughhewas)seemedtopossesssomeregardforhonor,somereverenceforjustice,andsomerespectforhumanity。Thelatterseemedtotallyinsensibletoallsuchsentiments。Mr。Freelandhadmanyofthefaultspeculiartoslaveholders,suchasbeingverypassionateandfretful;butImustdohimthejusticetosay,thathewasexceedinglyfreefromthosedegradingvicestowhichMr。Coveywascon-

  stantlyaddicted。Theonewasopenandfrank,andwealwaysknewwheretofindhim。Theotherwasamostartfuldeceiver,andcouldbeunderstoodonlybysuchaswereskilfulenoughtodetecthiscun-

  ningly-devisedfrauds。AnotheradvantageIgainedinmynewmasterwas,hemadenopretensionsto,orprofessionof,religion;andthis,inmyopinion,wastrulyagreatadvantage。Iassertmostunhesi-

  tatingly,thatthereligionofthesouthisamerecoveringforthemosthorridcrimes,——ajustifierofthemostappallingbarbarity,——asanctifierofthemosthatefulfrauds,——andadarkshelterunder,whichthedarkest,foulest,grossest,andmostinfer-

  naldeedsofslaveholdersfindthestrongestprotec-

  tion。WereItobeagainreducedtothechainsofslavery,nexttothatenslavement,Ishouldregardbeingtheslaveofareligiousmasterthegreatestcalamitythatcouldbefallme。ForofallslaveholderswithwhomIhaveevermet,religiousslaveholdersaretheworst。Ihaveeverfoundthemthemeanestandbasest,themostcruelandcowardly,ofalloth-

  ers。Itwasmyunhappylotnotonlytobelongtoareligiousslaveholder,buttoliveinacommunityofsuchreligionists。VerynearMr。FreelandlivedtheRev。DanielWeeden,andinthesameneighborhoodlivedtheRev。RigbyHopkins。TheseweremembersandministersintheReformedMethodistChurch。

  Mr。Weedenowned,amongothers,awomanslave,whosenameIhaveforgotten。Thiswoman’sback,forweeks,waskeptliterallyraw,madesobythelashofthismerciless,~religious~wretch。Heusedtohirehands。Hismaximwas,Behavewellorbehaveill,itisthedutyofamasteroccasionallytowhipaslave,toremindhimofhismaster’sauthority。

  Suchwashistheory,andsuchhispractice。

  Mr。HopkinswasevenworsethanMr。Weeden。

  Hischiefboastwashisabilitytomanageslaves。

  Thepeculiarfeatureofhisgovernmentwasthatofwhippingslavesinadvanceofdeservingit。HealwaysmanagedtohaveoneormoreofhisslavestowhipeveryMondaymorning。Hedidthistoalarmtheirfears,andstriketerrorintothosewhoescaped。

  Hisplanwastowhipforthesmallestoffences,topreventthecommissionoflargeones。Mr。Hopkinscouldalwaysfindsomeexcuseforwhippingaslave。

  Itwouldastonishone,unaccustomedtoaslave-

  holdinglife,toseewithwhatwonderfuleaseaslave-

  holdercanfindthings,ofwhichtomakeoccasiontowhipaslave。Amerelook,word,ormotion,——amistake,accident,orwantofpower,——areallmattersforwhichaslavemaybewhippedatanytime。Doesaslavelookdissatisfied?Itissaid,hehasthedevilinhim,anditmustbewhippedout。Doeshespeakloudlywhenspokentobyhismaster?Thenheisgettinghigh-minded,andshouldbetakendownabutton-holelower。Doesheforgettopulloffhishatattheapproachofawhiteperson?Thenheiswantinginreverence,andshouldbewhippedforit。Doesheeverventuretovindicatehisconduct,whencensuredforit?Thenheisguiltyofimpu-

  dence,——oneofthegreatestcrimesofwhichaslavecanbeguilty。Doesheeverventuretosuggestadifferentmodeofdoingthingsfromthatpointedoutbyhismaster?Heisindeedpresumptuous,andgettingabovehimself;andnothinglessthanaflog-

  gingwilldoforhim。Doeshe,whileploughing,breakaplough,——or,whilehoeing,breakahoe?Itisowingtohiscarelessness,andforitaslavemustalwaysbewhipped。Mr。Hopkinscouldalwaysfindsomethingofthissorttojustifytheuseofthelash,andheseldomfailedtoembracesuchopportunities。

  Therewasnotamaninthewholecounty,withwhomtheslaveswhohadthegettingtheirownhome,wouldnotprefertolive,ratherthanwiththisRev。Mr。Hopkins。Andyettherewasnotamananywhereround,whomadehigherprofessionsofreligion,orwasmoreactiveinrevivals,——moreattentivetotheclass,love-feast,prayerandpreach-

  ingmeetings,ormoredevotionalinhisfamily,——

  thatprayedearlier,later,louder,andlonger,——thanthissamereverendslave-driver,RigbyHopkins。

  ButtoreturntoMr。Freeland,andtomyexperi-

  encewhileinhisemployment。He,likeMr。Covey,gaveusenoughtoeat;but,unlikeMr。Covey,healsogaveussufficienttimetotakeourmeals。Heworkedushard,butalwaysbetweensunriseandsunset。Herequiredagooddealofworktobedone,butgaveusgoodtoolswithwhichtowork。Hisfarmwaslarge,butheemployedhandsenoughtoworkit,andwithease,comparedwithmanyofhisneighbors。Mytreatment,whileinhisemploy-

  ment,washeavenly,comparedwithwhatIexperi-

  encedatthehandsofMr。EdwardCovey。

  Mr。Freelandwashimselftheownerofbuttwoslaves。TheirnameswereHenryHarrisandJohnHarris。Therestofhishandshehired。Thesecon-

  sistedofmyself,SandyJenkins,*andHandyCald-

  well。HenryandJohnwerequiteintelligent,andinaverylittlewhileafterIwentthere,Isucceededincreatinginthemastrongdesiretolearnhowtoread。Thisdesiresoonsprangupintheothersalso。

  Theyverysoonmusteredupsomeoldspelling-books,andnothingwoulddobutthatImustkeepaSab-

  bathschool。Iagreedtodoso,andaccordinglydevotedmySundaystoteachingthesemylovedfel-

  low-slaveshowtoread。NeitherofthemknewhisletterswhenIwentthere。Someoftheslavesoftheneighboringfarmsfoundwhatwasgoingon,andalsoavailedthemselvesofthislittleopportunitytolearntoread。Itwasunderstood,amongallwhocame,thattheremustbeaslittledisplayaboutitaspossible。ItwasnecessarytokeepourreligiousmastersatSt。Michael’sunacquaintedwiththefact,that,insteadofspendingtheSabbathinwrestling,boxing,anddrinkingwhisky,weweretryingtolearnhowtoreadthewillofGod;fortheyhadmuch*ThisisthesamemanwhogavemetherootstopreventmybeingwhippedbyMr。Covey。Hewas\"acleversoul。\"

  WeusedfrequentlytotalkaboutthefightwithCovey,andasoftenaswedidso,hewouldclaimmysuccessastheresultoftherootswhichhegaveme。Thissuperstitionisverycommonamongthemoreignorantslaves。Aslaveseldomdiesbutthathisdeathisattributedtotrickery。

  ratherseeusengagedinthosedegradingsports,thantoseeusbehavinglikeintellectual,moral,andac-

  countablebeings。MybloodboilsasIthinkofthebloodymannerinwhichMessrs。WrightFairbanksandGarrisonWest,bothclass-leaders,inconnectionwithmanyothers,rushedinuponuswithsticksandstones,andbrokeupourvirtuouslittleSab-

  bathschool,atSt。Michael’s——allcallingthemselvesChristians!humblefollowersoftheLordJesusChrist!ButIamagaindigressing。

  IheldmySabbathschoolatthehouseofafreecoloredman,whosenameIdeemitimprudenttomention;forshoulditbeknown,itmightembar-

  rasshimgreatly,thoughthecrimeofholdingtheschoolwascommittedtenyearsago。Ihadatonetimeoverfortyscholars,andthoseoftherightsort,ardentlydesiringtolearn。Theywereofallages,thoughmostlymenandwomen。IlookbacktothoseSundayswithanamountofpleasurenottobeex-

  pressed。Theyweregreatdaystomysoul。Theworkofinstructingmydearfellow-slaveswasthesweetestengagementwithwhichIwaseverblessed。Welovedeachother,andtoleavethematthecloseoftheSabbathwasaseverecrossindeed。WhenIthinkthattheseprecioussoulsareto-dayshutupintheprison-houseofslavery,myfeelingsovercomeme,andIamalmostreadytoask,\"DoesarighteousGodgoverntheuniverse?andforwhatdoesheholdthethundersinhisrighthand,ifnottosmitetheoppressor,anddeliverthespoiledoutofthehandofthespoiler?\"ThesedearsoulscamenottoSab-

  bathschoolbecauseitwaspopulartodoso,nordidIteachthembecauseitwasreputabletobethusengaged。Everymomenttheyspentinthatschool,theywereliabletobetakenup,andgiventhirty-

  ninelashes。Theycamebecausetheywishedtolearn。Theirmindshadbeenstarvedbytheircruelmasters。Theyhadbeenshutupinmentaldarkness。

  Itaughtthem,becauseitwasthedelightofmysoultobedoingsomethingthatlookedlikebetter-

  ingtheconditionofmyrace。IkeptupmyschoolnearlythewholeyearIlivedwithMr。Freeland;

  and,besidemySabbathschool,Idevotedthreeeve-

  ningsintheweek,duringthewinter,toteachingtheslavesathome。AndIhavethehappinesstoknow,thatseveralofthosewhocametoSabbathschoollearnedhowtoread;andthatone,atleast,isnowfreethroughmyagency。

  Theyearpassedoffsmoothly。Itseemedonlyabouthalfaslongastheyearwhichprecededit。

  Iwentthroughitwithoutreceivingasingleblow。

  IwillgiveMr。FreelandthecreditofbeingthebestmasterIeverhad,~tillIbecamemyownmas-

  ter。~FortheeasewithwhichIpassedtheyear,I

  was,however,somewhatindebtedtothesocietyofmyfellow-slaves。Theywerenoblesouls;theynotonlypossessedlovinghearts,butbraveones。Wewerelinkedandinterlinkedwitheachother。IlovedthemwithalovestrongerthananythingIhaveexperiencedsince。Itissometimessaidthatweslavesdonotloveandconfideineachother。Inanswertothisassertion,Icansay,Ineverlovedanyorconfidedinanypeoplemorethanmyfellow-

  slaves,andespeciallythosewithwhomIlivedatMr。Freeland’s。Ibelievewewouldhavediedforeachother。Weneverundertooktodoanything,ofanyimportance,withoutamutualconsultation。

  Wenevermovedseparately。Wewereone;andasmuchsobyourtempersanddispositions,asbythemutualhardshipstowhichwewerenecessarilysub-

  jectedbyourconditionasslaves。

  Atthecloseoftheyear1834,Mr。Freelandagainhiredmeofmymaster,fortheyear1835。But,bythistime,Ibegantowanttolive~uponfreeland~

  aswellas~withfreeland;~andIwasnolongercon-

  tent,therefore,tolivewithhimoranyotherslave-

  holder。Ibegan,withthecommencementoftheyear,topreparemyselfforafinalstruggle,whichshoulddecidemyfateonewayortheother。Mytendencywasupward。Iwasfastapproachingman-

  hood,andyearafteryearhadpassed,andIwasstillaslave。Thesethoughtsrousedme——Imustdosomething。Ithereforeresolvedthat1835shouldnotpasswithoutwitnessinganattempt,onmypart,tosecuremyliberty。ButIwasnotwillingtocherishthisdeterminationalone。Myfellow-slavesweredeartome。Iwasanxioustohavethemparticipatewithmeinthis,mylife-givingdetermination。Itherefore,thoughwithgreatprudence,commencedearlytoascertaintheirviewsandfeelingsinregardtotheircondition,andtoimbuetheirmindswiththoughtsoffreedom。Ibentmyselftodevisingwaysandmeansforourescape,andmeanwhilestrove,onallfittingoccasions,toimpressthemwiththegrossfraudandinhumanityofslavery。IwentfirsttoHenry,nexttoJohn,thentotheothers。Ifound,inthemall,warmheartsandnoblespirits。Theywerereadytohear,andreadytoactwhenafeasibleplanshouldbeproposed。ThiswaswhatIwanted。

  Italkedtothemofourwantofmanhood,ifwesubmittedtoourenslavementwithoutatleastonenobleefforttobefree。Wemetoften,andconsultedfrequently,andtoldourhopesandfears,recountedthedifficulties,realandimagined,whichweshouldbecalledontomeet。Attimeswewerealmostdis-

  posedtogiveup,andtrytocontentourselveswithourwretchedlot;atothers,wewerefirmandun-

  bendinginourdeterminationtogo。Wheneverwesuggestedanyplan,therewasshrinking——theoddswerefearful。Ourpathwasbesetwiththegreatestobstacles;andifwesucceededingainingtheendofit,ourrighttobefreewasyetquestionable——wewereyetliabletobereturnedtobondage。Wecouldseenospot,thissideoftheocean,wherewecouldbefree。WeknewnothingaboutCanada。OurknowledgeofthenorthdidnotextendfartherthanNewYork;andtogothere,andbeforeverharassedwiththefrightfulliabilityofbeingreturnedtoslavery——withthecertaintyofbeingtreatedtenfoldworsethanbefore——thethoughtwastrulyahorribleone,andonewhichitwasnoteasytoovercome。

  Thecasesometimesstoodthus:Ateverygatethroughwhichweweretopass,wesawawatchman——ateveryferryaguard——oneverybridgeasentinel——

  andineverywoodapatrol。Wewerehemmedinuponeveryside。Herewerethedifficulties,realorimagined——thegoodtobesought,andtheeviltobeshunned。Ontheonehand,therestoodslavery,asternreality,glaringfrightfullyuponus,——itsrobesalreadycrimsonedwiththebloodofmillions,andevennowfeastingitselfgreedilyuponourownflesh。

  Ontheotherhand,awaybackinthedimdistance,undertheflickeringlightofthenorthstar,behindsomecraggyhillorsnow-coveredmountain,stoodadoubtfulfreedom——halffrozen——beckoningustocomeandshareitshospitality。Thisinitselfwassometimesenoughtostaggerus;butwhenweper-

  mittedourselvestosurveytheroad,wewerefre-

  quentlyappalled。Uponeithersidewesawgrimdeath,assumingthemosthorridshapes。Nowitwasstarvation,causingustoeatourownflesh;——nowwewerecontendingwiththewaves,andweredrowned;

  ——nowwewereovertaken,andtorntopiecesbythefangsoftheterriblebloodhound。Wewerestungbyscorpions,chasedbywildbeasts,bittenbysnakes,andfinally,afterhavingnearlyreachedthedesiredspot,——afterswimmingrivers,encounteringwildbeasts,sleepinginthewoods,sufferinghungerandnakedness,——wewereovertakenbyourpursuers,and,inourresistance,wewereshotdeaduponthespot!

  Isay,thispicturesometimesappalledus,andmadeus\"ratherbearthoseillswehad,Thanflytoothers,thatweknewnotof。\"

  Incomingtoafixeddeterminationtorunaway,wedidmorethanPatrickHenry,whenheresolveduponlibertyordeath。Withusitwasadoubtfullibertyatmost,andalmostcertaindeathifwefailed。

  Formypart,Ishouldpreferdeathtohopelessbond-

  age。

  Sandy,oneofournumber,gaveupthenotion,butstillencouragedus。OurcompanythenconsistedofHenryHarris,JohnHarris,HenryBailey,CharlesRoberts,andmyself。HenryBaileywasmyuncle,andbelongedtomymaster。Charlesmarriedmyaunt:hebelongedtomymaster’sfather-in-law,Mr。

  WilliamHamilton。

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