CHAPTERIII

ParentageMYFATHERSHROUDEDINMYSTERY——MYMOTHER——HERPERSONAL

APPEARANCE——INTERFERENCEOFSLAVERYWITHTHENATURALAFFECTIONS

OFMOTHERANDCHILDREN——SITUATIONOFMYMOTHER——HERNIGHTLY

VISITSTOHERBOY——STRIKINGINCIDENT——HERDEATH——HERPLACEOF

BURIAL。

Ifthereaderwillnowbekindenoughtoallowmetimetogrowbigger，andaffordmeanopportunityformyexperiencetobecomegreater，Iwilltellhimsomething，by-and-by，ofslavelife，asIsaw，felt，andheardit，onCol。EdwardLloyd'splantation，andatthehouseofoldmaster，whereIhadnow，despiteofmyself，mostsuddenly，butnotunexpectedly，beendropped。Meanwhile，I

willredeemmypromisetosaysomethingmoreofmydearmother。

Isaynothingof_father_，forheisshroudedinamysteryIhaveneverbeenabletopenetrate。Slaverydoesawaywithfathers，asitdoesawaywithfamilies。Slaveryhasnouseforeitherfathersorfamilies，anditslawsdonotrecognizetheirexistenceinthesocialarrangementsoftheplantation。Whenthey_do_exist，theyarenottheoutgrowthsofslavery，butareantagonistictothatsystem。Theorderofcivilizationisreversedhere。Thenameofthechildisnotexpectedtobethatofitsfather，andhisconditiondoesnotnecessarilyaffectthatofthechild。HemaybetheslaveofMr。Tilgman；andhischild，whenborn，maybetheslaveofMr。Gross。Hemaybea_freeman；_

andyethischildmaybea_chattel_。Hemaybewhite，gloryinginthepurityofhisAnglo-<40>Saxonblood；andhischildmayberankedwiththeblackestslaves。Indeed，he_may_be，andoften_is_，masterandfathertothesamechild。Hecanbefatherwithoutbeingahusband，andmaysellhischildwithoutincurringreproach，ifthechildbebyawomaninwhoseveinscoursesonethirty-secondpartofAfricanblood。Myfatherwasawhiteman，ornearlywhite。Itwassometimeswhisperedthatmymasterwasmyfather。

Buttoreturn，orrather，tobegin。Myknowledgeofmymotherisveryscanty，butverydistinct。Herpersonalappearanceandbearingareineffaceablystampeduponmymemory。Shewastall，andfinelyproportioned；ofdeepblack，glossycomplexion；hadregularfeatures，and，amongtheotherslaves，wasremarkablysedateinhermanners。Thereisin_Prichard'sNaturalHistoryofMan_，theheadofafigure——onpage157——thefeaturesofwhichsoresemblethoseofmymother，thatIoftenrecurtoitwithsomethingofthefeelingwhichIsupposeothersexperiencewhenlookinguponthepicturesofdeardepartedones。

YetIcannotsaythatIwasverydeeplyattachedtomymother；

certainlynotsodeeplyasIshouldhavebeenhadourrelationsinchildhoodbeendifferent。Wewereseparated，accordingtothecommoncustom，whenIwasbutaninfant，and，ofcourse，beforeI

knewmymotherfromanyoneelse。

ThegermsofaffectionwithwhichtheAlmighty，inhiswisdomandmercy，armsthehopelessinfantagainsttheillsandvicissitudesofhislot，hadbeendirectedintheirgrowthtowardthatlovingoldgrandmother，whosegentlehandandkinddeportmentitwasinthefirsteffortofmyinfantileunderstandingtocomprehendandappreciate。Accordingly，thetenderestaffectionwhichabeneficentFatherallows，asapartialcompensationtothemotherforthepainsandlacerationsofherheart，incidenttothematernalrelation，was，inmycase，divertedfromitstrueandnaturalobject，bytheenvious，greedy，andtreacheroushandofslavery。Theslave-mothercanbesparedlongenoughfrom<41MY

MOTHER>thefieldtoendureallthebitternessofamother'sanguish，whenitaddsanothernametoamaster'sledger，but_not_longenoughtoreceivethejoyousrewardaffordedbytheintelligentsmilesofherchild。Ineverthinkofthisterribleinterferenceofslaverywithmyinfantileaffections，anditsdivertingthemfromtheirnaturalcourse，withoutfeelingstowhichIcangivenoadequateexpression。

Idonotremembertohaveseenmymotheratmygrandmother'satanytime。IrememberheronlyinhervisitstomeatCol。

Lloyd'splantation，andinthekitchenofmyoldmaster。Hervisitstometherewerefewinnumber，briefinduration，andmostlymadeinthenight。Thepainsshetook，andthetoilsheendured，toseeme，tellsmethatatruemother'sheartwashers，andthatslaveryhaddifficultyinparalyzingitwithunmotherlyindifference。

MymotherwashiredouttoaMr。Stewart，wholivedabouttwelvemilesfromoldmaster's，and，beingafieldhand，sheseldomhadleisure，byday，fortheperformanceofthejourney。Thenightsandthedistancewerebothobstaclestohervisits。Shewasobligedtowalk，unlesschanceflungintoherwayanopportunitytoride；andthelatterwassometimeshergoodluck。Butshealwayshadtowalkonewayortheother。Itwasagreaterluxurythanslaverycouldafford，toallowablackslave-motherahorseoramule，uponwhichtotraveltwenty-fourmiles，whenshecouldwalkthedistance。Besides，itisdeemedafoolishwhimforaslave-mothertomanifestconcerntoseeherchildren，and，inonepointofview，thecaseismadeout——shecandonothingforthem。

Shehasnocontroloverthem；themasterisevenmorethanthemother，inallmatterstouchingthefateofherchild。Why，then，shouldshegiveherselfanyconcern？Shehasnoresponsibility。Suchisthereasoning，andsuchthepractice。

Theironruleoftheplantation，alwayspassionatelyandviolentlyenforcedinthatneighborhood，makesfloggingthepenaltyof<42>failingtobeinthefieldbeforesunriseinthemorning，unlessspecialpermissionbegiventotheabsentingslave。“Iwenttoseemychild，“isnoexcusetotheearorheartoftheoverseer。

Oneofthevisitsofmymothertome，whileatCol。Lloyd's，I

rememberveryvividly，asaffordingabrightgleamofamother'slove，andtheearnestnessofamother'scare。

“Ihadonthatdayoffended“AuntKaty，“(called“Aunt“bywayofrespect，)thecookofoldmaster'sestablishment。Idonotnowrememberthenatureofmyoffenseinthisinstance，formyoffenseswerenumerousinthatquarter，greatlydepending，however，uponthemoodofAuntKaty，astotheirheinousness；butshehadadopted，thatday，herfavoritemodeofpunishingme，namely，makingmegowithoutfoodallday——thatis，fromafterbreakfast。Thefirsthourortwoafterdinner，Isucceededprettywellinkeepingupmyspirits；butthoughImadeanexcellentstandagainstthefoe，andfoughtbravelyduringtheafternoon，IknewImustbeconqueredatlast，unlessIgottheaccustomedreenforcementofasliceofcornbread，atsundown。

Sundowncame，but_nobread_，and，initsstead，theircamethethreat，withascowlwellsuitedtoitsterribleimport，thatshe“meantto_starvethelifeoutofme！“_Brandishingherknife，shechoppedofftheheavyslicesfortheotherchildren，andputtheloafaway，muttering，allthewhile，hersavagedesignsuponmyself。Againstthisdisappointment，forIwasexpectingthatherheartwouldrelentatlast，Imadeanextraefforttomaintainmydignity；butwhenIsawalltheotherchildrenaroundmewithmerryandsatisfiedfaces，Icouldstanditnolonger。I

wentoutbehindthehouse，andcriedlikeafinefellow！Whentiredofthis，Ireturnedtothekitchen，satbythefire，andbroodedovermyhardlot。Iwastoohungrytosleep。WhileI

satinthecorner，IcaughtsightofanearofIndiancornonanuppershelfofthekitchen。Iwatchedmychance，andgotit，and，shellingoffafewgrains，Iputitbackagain。Thegrainsinmyhand，Iquicklyputinsomeashes，andcoveredthemwithembers，toroastthem。AllthisI<43“AUNTKATY“>didattheriskofgettingabrutualthumping，forAuntKatycouldbeat，aswellasstarveme。Mycornwasnotlonginroasting，and，withmykeenappetite，itdidnotmatterevenifthegrainswerenotexactlydone。Ieagerlypulledthemout，andplacedthemonmystool，inacleverlittlepile。JustasIbegantohelpmyselftomyverydrymeal，incamemydearmother。Andnow，dearreader，asceneoccurredwhichwasaltogetherworthbeholding，andtomeitwasinstructiveaswellasinteresting。Thefriendlessandhungryboy，inhisextremestneed——andwhenhedidnotdaretolookforsuccor——foundhimselfinthestrong，protectingarmsofamother；amotherwhowas，atthemoment(beingendowedwithhighpowersofmanneraswellasmatter)morethanamatchforallhisenemies。Ishallneverforgettheindescribableexpressionofhercountenance，whenItoldherthatIhadhadnofoodsincemorning；andthatAuntKatysaidshe“meanttostarvethelifeoutofme。“Therewaspityinherglanceatme，andafieryindignationatAuntKatyatthesametime；and，whileshetookthecornfromme，andgavemealargegingercake，initsstead，shereadAuntKatyalecturewhichsheneverforgot。Mymotherthreatenedherwithcomplainingtooldmasterinmybehalf；forthelatter，thoughharshandcruelhimself，attimes，didnotsanctionthemeanness，injustice，partialityandoppressionsenactedbyAuntKatyinthekitchen。

ThatnightIlearnedthefact，thatIwas，notonlyachild，but_somebody's_child。The“sweetcake“mymothergavemewasintheshapeofaheart，witharich，darkringglazedupontheedgeofit。Iwasvictorious，andwelloffforthemoment；prouder，onmymother'sknee，thanakinguponhisthrone。Butmytriumphwasshort。Idroppedofftosleep，andwakedinthemorningonlytofindmymothergone，andmyselfleftatthemercyofthesablevirago，dominantinmyoldmaster'skitchen，whosefierywrathwasmyconstantdread。

Idonotremembertohaveseenmymotherafterthisoccurrence。

Deathsoonendedthelittlecommunicationthathad<44>existedbetweenus；andwithit，Ibelieve，alifejudgingfromherweary，sad，down-castcountenanceandmutedemeanor——fullofheartfeltsorrow。Iwasnotallowedtovisitherduringanypartofherlongillness；nordidIseeherforalongtimebeforeshewastakenillanddied。Theheartlessandghastlyformof_slavery_risesbetweenmotherandchild，evenatthebedofdeath。Themother，atthevergeofthegrave，maynotgatherherchildren，toimparttothemherholyadmonitions，andinvokeforthemherdyingbenediction。Thebond-womanlivesasaslave，andislefttodieasabeast；oftenwithfewerattentionsthanarepaidtoafavoritehorse。Scenesofsacredtenderness，aroundthedeath-bed，neverforgotten，andwhichoftenarresttheviciousandconfirmthevirtuousduringlife，mustbelookedforamongthefree，thoughtheysometimesoccuramongtheslaves。Ithasbeenalife-long，standinggrieftome，thatIknewsolittleofmymother；andthatIwassoearlyseparatedfromher。Thecounselsofherlovemusthavebeenbeneficialtome。Thesideviewofherfaceisimagedonmymemory，andItakefewstepsinlife，withoutfeelingherpresence；buttheimageismute，andI

havenostrikingwordsofher'streasuredup。

Ilearned，aftermymother'sdeath，thatshecouldread，andthatshewasthe_only_oneofalltheslavesandcoloredpeopleinTuckahoewhoenjoyedthatadvantage。Howsheacquiredthisknowledge，Iknownot，forTuckahoeisthelastplaceintheworldwhereshewouldbeapttofindfacilitiesforlearning。I

can，therefore，fondlyandproudlyascribetoheranearnestloveofknowledge。Thata“fieldhand“shouldlearntoread，inanyslavestate，isremarkable；buttheachievementofmymother，consideringtheplace，wasveryextraordinary；and，inviewofthatfact，Iamquitewilling，andevenhappy，toattributeanyloveoflettersIpossess，andforwhichIhavegot——despiteofprejudicesonlytoomuchcredit，_not_tomyadmittedAnglo-Saxonpaternity，buttothenativegeniusofmysable，unprotected，anduncultivated_mother_——awoman，whobelongedtoarace<45

PENALTYFORHAVINGAWHITEFATHER>whosementalendowmentsitis，atpresent，fashionabletoholdindisparagementandcontempt。

Summonedawaytoheraccount，withtheimpassablegulfofslaverybetweenusduringherentireillness，mymotherdiedwithoutleavingmeasingleintimationof_who_myfatherwas。Therewasawhisper，thatmymasterwasmyfather；yetitwasonlyawhisper，andIcannotsaythatIevergaveitcredence。Indeed，Inowhavereasontothinkhewasnot；nevertheless，thefactremains，inallitsglaringodiousness，that，bythelawsofslavery，children，inallcases，arereducedtotheconditionoftheirmothers。Thisarrangementadmitsofthegreatestlicensetobrutalslaveholders，andtheirprofligatesons，brothers，relationsandfriends，andgivestothepleasureofsin，theadditionalattractionofprofit。Awholevolumemightbewrittenonthissinglefeatureofslavery，asIhaveobservedit。

Onemightimagine，thatthechildrenofsuchconnections，wouldfarebetter，inthehandsoftheirmasters，thanotherslaves。

Theruleisquitetheotherway；andaverylittlereflectionwillsatisfythereaderthatsuchisthecase。Amanwhowillenslavehisownblood，maynotbesafelyreliedonformagnanimity。Mendonotlovethosewhoremindthemoftheirsinsunlesstheyhaveamindtorepent——andthemulattochild'sfaceisastandingaccusationagainsthimwhoismasterandfathertothechild。Whatisstillworse，perhaps，suchachildisaconstantoffensetothewife。Shehatesitsverypresence，andwhenaslaveholdingwomanhates，shewantsnotmeanstogivethathatetellingeffect。Women——whitewomen，Imean——areIDOLSatthesouth，notWIVES，fortheslavewomenarepreferredinmanyinstances；andifthese_idols_butnod，orliftafinger，woetothepoorvictim:kicks，cuffsandstripesaresuretofollow。

Mastersarefrequentlycompelledtosellthisclassoftheirslaves，outofdeferencetothefeelingsoftheirwhitewives；

andshockingandscandalousasitmayseemforamantosellhisownbloodtothetraffickersinhumanflesh，itisoftenanactofhumanity<46>towardtheslave-childtobethusremovedfromhismercilesstormentors。

Itisnotwithinthescopeofthedesignofmysimplestory，tocommentuponeveryphaseofslaverynotwithinmyexperienceasaslave。

But，Imayremark，that，ifthelinealdescendantsofHamareonlytobeenslaved，accordingtothescriptures，slaveryinthiscountrywillsoonbecomeanunscripturalinstitution；forthousandsareusheredintotheworld，annually，who——likemyself——owetheirexistencetowhitefathers，and，mostfrequently，totheirmasters，andmaster'ssons。Theslave-womanisatthemercyofthefathers，sonsorbrothersofhermaster。

Thethoughtfulknowtherest。

AfterwhatIhavenowsaidofthecircumstancesofmymother，andmyrelationstoher，thereaderwillnotbesurprised，norbedisposedtocensureme，whenItellbutthesimpletruth，viz:

thatIreceivedthetidingsofherdeathwithnostrongemotionsofsorrowforher，andwithverylittleregretformyselfonaccountofherloss。Ihadtolearnthevalueofmymotherlongafterherdeath，andbywitnessingthedevotionofothermotherstotheirchildren。

Thereisnot，beneaththesky，anenemytofilialaffectionsodestructiveasslavery。Ithadmademybrothersandsistersstrangerstome；itconvertedthemotherthatboreme，intoamyth；itshroudedmyfatherinmystery，andleftmewithoutanintelligiblebeginningintheworld。

MymotherdiedwhenIcouldnothavebeenmorethaneightornineyearsold，ononeofoldmaster'sfarmsinTuckahoe，intheneighborhoodofHillsborough。Hergraveis，asthegraveofthedeadatsea，unmarked，andwithoutstoneorstake。

CHAPTERIV

AGeneralSurveyoftheSlavePlantationISOLATIONOFLLOYDSPLANTATION——PUBLICOPINIONTHERENO

PROTECTIONTOTHESLAVE——ABSOLUTEPOWEROFTHEOVERSEER——NATURAL

ANDARTIFICIALCHARMSOFTHEPLACE——ITSBUSINESS-LIKE

APPEARANCE——SUPERSTITIONABOUTTHEBURIALGROUND——GREATIDEASOF

COL。LLOYD——ETIQUETTEAMONGSLAVES——THECOMICSLAVEDOCTOR——

PRAYINGANDFLOGGING——OLDMASTERLOSINGITSTERRORS——HIS

BUSINESS——CHARACTEROFAUNTKATY——SUFFERINGSFROMHUNGER——OLD

MASTER'SHOME——JARGONOFTHEPLANTATION——GUINEASLAVES——MASTER

DANIEL——FAMILYOFCOL。LLOYD——FAMILYOFCAPT。ANTHONY——HISSOCIAL

POSITION——NOTIONSOFRANKANDSTATION。

Itisgenerallysupposedthatslavery，inthestateofMaryland，existsinitsmildestform，andthatitistotallydivestedofthoseharshandterriblepeculiarities，whichmarkandcharacterizetheslavesystem，inthesouthernandsouth-westernstatesoftheAmericanunion。Theargumentinfavorofthisopinion，isthecontiguityofthefreestates，andtheexposedconditionofslaveryinMarylandtothemoral，religiousandhumanesentimentofthefreestates。

Iamnotabouttorefutethisargument，sofarasitrelatestoslaveryinthatstate，generally；onthecontrary，Iamwillingtoadmitthat，tothisgeneralpoint，theargumentsiswellgrounded。Publicopinionis，indeed，anunfailingrestraintuponthecrueltyandbarbarityofmasters，overseers，andslave-

drivers，wheneverandwhereveritcanreachthem；buttherearecertainsecludedandout-of-the-wayplaces，eveninthestateofMaryland，seldomvisitedbyasinglerayofhealthypublicsentiment——<48>whereslavery，wraptinitsowncongenial，midnightdarkness，_can_，and_does_，developallitsmalignandshockingcharacteristics；whereitcanbeindecentwithoutshame，cruelwithoutshuddering，andmurderouswithoutapprehensionorfearofexposure。

Justsuchasecluded，dark，andout-of-the-wayplace，isthe“homeplantation“ofCol。EdwardLloyd，ontheEasternShore，Maryland。Itisfarawayfromallthegreatthoroughfares，andisproximatetonotownorvillage。Thereisneitherschool-

house，nortown-houseinitsneighborhood。Theschool-houseisunnecessary，fortherearenochildrentogotoschool。Thechildrenandgrand-childrenofCol。Lloydweretaughtinthehouse，byaprivatetutor——aMr。Pageatall，gauntsaplingofaman，whodidnotspeakadozenwordstoaslaveinawholeyear。

Theoverseers'childrengooffsomewheretoschool；andthey，therefore，bringnoforeignordangerousinfluencefromabroad，toembarrassthenaturaloperationoftheslavesystemoftheplace。Noteventhemechanics——throughwhomthereisanoccasionalout-burstofhonestandtellingindignation，atcrueltyandwrongonotherplantations——arewhitemen，onthisplantation。Itswholepublicismadeupof，anddividedinto，threeclasses——SLAVEHOLDERS，SLAVESandOVERSEERS。Itsblacksmiths，wheelwrights，shoemakers，weavers，andcoopers，areslaves。Notevencommerce，selfishandiron-heartedatitis，andready，asiteveris，tosidewiththestrongagainsttheweak——therichagainstthepoor——istrustedorpermittedwithinitssecludedprecincts。Whetherwithaviewofguardingagainsttheescapeofitssecrets，Iknownot，butitisafact，theeveryleafandgrainoftheproduceofthisplantation，andthoseoftheneighboringfarmsbelongingtoCol。Lloyd，aretransportedtoBaltimoreinCol。Lloyd'sownvessels；everymanandboyonboardofwhich——exceptthecaptain——areownedbyhim。Inreturn，everythingbroughttotheplantation，comesthroughthesamechannel。Thus，eventheglimmeringandunsteadylightoftrade，whichsometimesexertsacivilizinginfluence，isexcludedfromthis“tabooed“spot。

<49SLAVESUNPROTECTEDBYPUBLICOPINION>

Nearlyalltheplantationsorfarmsinthevicinityofthe“homeplantation“ofCol。Lloyd，belongtohim；andthosewhichdonot，areownedbypersonalfriendsofhis，asdeeplyinterestedinmaintainingtheslavesystem，inallitsrigor，asCol。Lloydhimself。Someofhisneighborsaresaidtobeevenmorestringentthanhe。TheSkinners，thePeakers，theTilgmans，theLockermans，andtheGipsons，areinthesameboat；beingslaveholdingneighbors，theymayhavestrengthenedeachotherintheirironrule。Theyareonintimateterms，andtheirinterestsandtastesareidentical。

Publicopinioninsuchaquarter，thereaderwillsee，isnotlikelytoveryefficientinprotectingtheslavefromcruelty。

Onthecontrary，itmustincreaseandintensifyhiswrongs。

Publicopinionseldomdiffersverywidelyfrompublicpractice。

Tobearestraintuponcrueltyandvice，publicopinionmustemanatefromahumaneandvirtuouscommunity。Tonosuchhumaneandvirtuouscommunity，isCol。Lloyd'splantationexposed。Thatplantationisalittlenationofitsown，havingitsownlanguage，itsownrules，regulationsandcustoms。Thelawsandinstitutionsofthestate，apparentlytouchitnowhere。Thetroublesarisinghere，arenotsettledbythecivilpowerofthestate。Theoverseerisgenerallyaccuser，judge，jury，advocateandexecutioner。Thecriminalisalwaysdumb。Theoverseerattendstoallsidesofacase。

Therearenoconflictingrightsofproperty，forallthepeopleareownedbyoneman；andtheycanthemselvesownnoproperty。

Religionandpoliticsarealikeexcluded。Oneclassofthepopulationistoohightobereachedbythepreacher；andtheotherclassistoolowtobecaredforbythepreacher。Thepoorhavethegospelpreachedtothem，inthisneighborhood，onlywhentheyareabletopayforit。Theslaves，havingnomoney，getnogospel。Thepoliticiankeepsaway，becausethepeoplehavenovotes，andthepreacherkeepsaway，becausethepeoplehavenomoney。Therichplantercanaffordtolearnpoliticsintheparlor，andtodispensewithreligionaltogether。

<50>

Initsisolation，seclusion，andself-reliantindependence，Col。

Lloyd'splantationresembleswhatthebaronialdomainswereduringthemiddleagesinEurope。Grim，cold，andunapproachablebyallgenialinfluencesfromcommunitieswithout，_thereitstands；_fullthreehundredyearsbehindtheage，inallthatrelatestohumanityandmorals。

This，however，isnottheonlyviewthattheplacepresents。

Civilizationisshutout，butnaturecannotbe。Thoughseparatedfromtherestoftheworld；thoughpublicopinion，asIhavesaid，seldomgetsachancetopenetrateitsdarkdomain；thoughthewholeplaceisstampedwithitsownpeculiar，ironlikeindividuality；andthoughcrimes，high-handedandatrocious，maytherebecommitted，withalmostasmuchimpunityasuponthedeckofapirateship——itis，nevertheless，altogether，tooutwardseeming，amoststrikinglyinterestingplace，fulloflife，activity，andspirit；andpresentsaveryfavorablecontrasttotheindolentmonotonyandlanguorofTuckahoe。Keenaswasmyregretandgreataswasmysorrowatleavingthelatter，Iwasnotlonginadaptingmyselftothis，mynewhome。Aman'stroublesarealwayshalfdisposedof，whenhefindsendurancehisonlyremedy。Ifoundmyselfhere；therewasnogettingaway；andwhatremainedforme，buttomakethebestofit？Herewereplentyofchildrentoplaywith，andplentyofplacesofpleasantresortforboysofmyage，andboysolder。Thelittletendrilsofaffection，sorudelyandtreacherouslybrokenfromaroundthedarlingobjectsofmygrandmother'shut，graduallybegantoextend，andtoentwineaboutthenewobjectsbywhichInowfoundmyselfsurrounded。

Therewasawindmill(alwaysacommandingobjecttoachild'seye)onLongPoint——atractoflanddividingMilesriverfromtheWyeamileormorefrommyoldmaster'shouse。Therewasacreektoswimin，atthebottomofanopenflatspace，oftwentyacresormore，called“theLongGreen“——averybeautifulplay-groundforthechildren。

<51CHARMSOFTHEPLACE>

Intheriver，ashortdistancefromtheshore，lyingquietlyatanchor，withhersmallboatdancingatherstern，wasalargesloop——theSallyLloyd；calledbythatnameinhonorofafavoritedaughterofthecolonel。Thesloopandthemillwerewondrousthings，fullofthoughtsandideas。Achildcannotwelllookatsuchobjectswithout_thinking_。

Thenherewereagreatmanyhouses；humanhabitations，fullofthemysteriesoflifeateverystageofit。Therewasthelittleredhouse，uptheroad，occupiedbyMr。Sevier，theoverseer。A

littlenearertomyoldmaster's，stoodaverylong，rough，lowbuilding，literallyalivewithslaves，ofallages，conditionsandsizes。Thiswascalled“theLongeQuarter。“Percheduponahill，acrosstheLongGreen，wasaverytall，dilapidated，oldbrickbuilding——thearchitecturaldimensionsofwhichproclaimeditserectionforadifferentpurpose——nowoccupiedbyslaves，inasimilarmannertotheLongQuarter。Besidesthese，therewerenumerousotherslavehousesandhuts，scatteredaroundintheneighborhood，everynookandcornerofwhichwascompletelyoccupied。Oldmaster'shouse，along，brickbuilding，plain，butsubstantial，stoodinthecenteroftheplantationlife，andconstitutedoneindependentestablishmentonthepremisesofCol。

Lloyd。

Besidesthesedwellings，therewerebarns，stables，store-houses，andtobacco-houses；blacksmiths'shops，wheelwrights'shops，coopers'shops——allobjectsofinterest；but，aboveall，therestoodthegrandestbuildingmyeyeshadtheneverbeheld，called，byeveryoneontheplantation，the“GreatHouse。“ThiswasoccupiedbyCol。Lloydandhisfamily。Theyoccupiedit；_I_

enjoyedit。Thegreathousewassurroundedbynumerousandvariouslyshapedout-buildings。Therewerekitchens，wash-

houses，dairies，summer-house，green-houses，hen-houses，turkey-

houses，pigeon-houses，andarbors，ofmanysizesanddevices，allneatlypainted，andaltogetherinterspersedwithgrandoldtrees，ornamentalandprimitive，whichaffordeddelightfulshadein<52>summer，andimpartedtothesceneahighdegreeofstatelybeauty。Thegreathouseitselfwasalarge，white，woodenbuilding，withwingsonthreesidesofit。Infront，alargeportico，extendingtheentirelengthofthebuilding，andsupportedbyalongrangeofcolumns，gavetothewholeestablishmentanairofsolemngrandeur。Itwasatreattomyyoungandgraduallyopeningmind，tobeholdthiselaborateexhibitionofwealth，power，andvanity。Thecarriageentrancetothehousewasalargegate，morethanaquarterofamiledistantfromit；theintermediatespacewasabeautifullawn，veryneatlytrimmed，andwatchedwiththegreatestcare。Itwasdottedthicklyoverwithdelightfultrees，shrubbery，andflowers。Theroad，orlane，fromthegatetothegreathouse，wasrichlypavedwithwhitepebblesfromthebeach，and，initscourse，formedacompletecirclearoundthebeautifullawn。

Carriagesgoinginandretiringfromthegreathouse，madethecircuitofthelawn，andtheirpassengerswerepermittedtobeholdasceneofalmostEden-likebeauty。Outsidethisselectinclosure，wereparks，whereasabouttheresidencesoftheEnglishnobility——rabbits，deer，andotherwildgame，mightbeseen，peeringandplayingabout，withnonetomolestthemormakethemafraid。Thetopsofthestatelypoplarswereoftencoveredwiththered-wingedblack-birds，makingallnaturevocalwiththejoyouslifeandbeautyoftheirwild，warblingnotes。Theseallbelongedtome，aswellastoCol。EdwardLloyd，andforatimeI

greatlyenjoyedthem。

Ashortdistancefromthegreathouse，werethestatelymansionsofthedead，aplaceofsomberaspect。Vasttombs，emboweredbeneaththeweepingwillowandthefirtree，toldoftheantiquitiesoftheLloydfamily，aswellasoftheirwealth。

Superstitionwasrifeamongtheslavesaboutthisfamilyburyingground。Strangesightshadbeenseentherebysomeoftheolderslaves。Shroudedghosts，ridingongreatblackhorses，hadbeenseentoenter；ballsoffirehadbeenseentoflythereatmidnight，andhorridsoundshadbeenrepeatedlyheard。Slavesknow<53WEALTHOFCOLONELLLOYD>enoughoftherudimentsoftheologytobelievethatthosegotohellwhodieslaveholders；

andtheyoftenfancysuchpersonswishingthemselvesbackagain，towieldthelash。Talesofsightsandsounds，strangeandterrible，connectedwiththehugeblacktombs，wereaverygreatsecuritytothegroundsaboutthem，forfewoftheslavesfeltlikeapproachingthemeveninthedaytime。Itwasadark，gloomyandforbiddingplace，anditwasdifficulttofeelthatthespiritsofthesleepingdusttheredeposited，reignedwiththeblestintherealmsofeternalpeace。

Thebusinessoftwentyorthirtyfarmswastransactedatthis，called，bywayofeminence，“greathousefarm。“ThesefarmsallbelongedtoCol。Lloyd，asdid，also，theslavesuponthem。Eachfarmwasunderthemanagementofanoverseer。AsIhavesaidoftheoverseerofthehomeplantation，soImaysayoftheoverseersonthesmallerones；theystandbetweentheslaveandallcivilconstitutions——theirwordislaw，andisimplicitlyobeyed。

Thecolonel，atthistime，wasreputedtobe，andheapparentlywas，veryrich。Hisslaves，alone，wereanimmensefortune。

These，smallandgreat，couldnothavebeenfewerthanonethousandinnumber，andthoughscarcelyamonthpassedwithoutthesaleofoneormorelotstotheGeorgiatraders，therewasnoapparentdiminutioninthenumberofhishumanstock:thehomeplantationmerelygroanedataremovaloftheyoungincrease，orhumancrop，thenproceededaslivelyasever。Horse-shoeing，cart-mending，plow-repairing，coopering，grinding，andweaving，foralltheneighboringfarms，wereperformedhere，andslaveswereemployedinallthesebranches。“UncleTony“wastheblacksmith；“UncleHarry“wasthecartwright；“UncleAbel“wastheshoemaker；andallthesehadhandstoassistthemintheirseveraldepartments。

Thesemechanicswerecalled“uncles“byalltheyoungerslaves，notbecausetheyreallysustainedthatrelationshiptoany，butaccordingtoplantation_etiquette_，asamarkofrespect，due<54>fromtheyoungertotheolderslaves。Strange，andevenridiculousasitmayseem，amongapeoplesouncultivated，andwithsomanysterntrialstolookintheface，thereisnottobefound，amonganypeople，amorerigidenforcementofthelawofrespecttoelders，thantheymaintain。Isetthisdownaspartlyconstitutionalwithmyrace，andpartlyconventional。Thereisnobettermaterialintheworldformakingagentleman，thanisfurnishedintheAfrican。Heshowstoothers，andexactsforhimself，allthetokensofrespectwhichheiscompelledtomanifesttowardhismaster。Ayoungslavemustapproachthecompanyoftheolderwithhatinhand，andwoebetidehim，ifhefailstoacknowledgeafavor，ofanysort，withtheaccustomed_“tank'ee，“_&c。Souniformlyaregoodmannersenforcedamongslaves，Icaneasilydetecta“bogus“fugitivebyhismanners。

Amongotherslavenotabilitiesoftheplantation，wasonecalledbyeverybodyUncleIsaacCopper。ItisseldomthataslavegetsasurnamefromanybodyinMaryland；andsocompletelyhasthesouthshapedthemannersofthenorth，inthisrespect，thatevenabolitionistsmakeverylittleofthesurnameofaNegro。Theonlyimprovementonthe“Bills，““Jacks，““Jims，“and“Neds“ofthesouth，observablehereis，that“William，““John，““James，“

“Edward，“aresubstituted。ItgoesagainstthegraintotreatandaddressaNegropreciselyastheywouldtreatandaddressawhiteman。But，onceinawhile，inslaveryasinthefreestates，bysomeextraordinarycircumstance，theNegrohasasurnamefastenedtohim，andholdsitagainstallconventionalities。ThiswasthecasewithUncleIsaacCopper。

Whenthe“uncle“wasdropped，hegenerallyhadtheprefix“doctor，“initsstead。Hewasourdoctorofmedicine，anddoctorofdivinityaswell。WherehetookhisdegreeIamunabletosay，forhewasnotverycommunicativetoinferiors，andIwasemphaticallysuch，beingbutaboysevenoreightyearsold。Hewastoowellestablishedinhisprofessiontopermitquestionsastohisnativeskill，orhisattainments。Onequalificationheundoubtedlyhad——he<55PRAYINGANDFLOGGING>wasaconfirmed_cripple；_andhecouldneitherwork，norwouldhebringanythingifofferedforsaleinthemarket。Theoldman，thoughlame，wasnosluggard。Hewasamanthatmadehiscrutchesdohimgoodservice。Hewasalwaysonthealert，lookingupthesick，andallsuchasweresupposedtoneedhiscounsel。Hisremedialprescriptionsembracedfourarticles。Fordiseasesofthebody，_Epsomsaltsandcastoroil；_forthoseofthesoul，_theLord'sPrayer_，and_hickoryswitches_！

IwasnotlongatCol。Lloyd'sbeforeIwasplacedunderthecareofDoctorIssacCopper。Iwassenttohimwithtwentyorthirtyotherchildren，tolearnthe“Lord'sPrayer。“Ifoundtheoldgentlemanseatedonahugethree-leggedoakenstool，armedwithseverallargehickoryswitches；and，fromhisposition，hecouldreach——lameashewas——anyboyintheroom。Afterstandingawhiletolearnwhatwasexpectedofus，theoldgentleman，inanyotherthanadevotionaltone，commandedustokneeldown。

Thisdone，hecommencedtellingustosayeverythinghesaid。

“OurFather“——thiswasrepeatedafterhimwithpromptnessanduniformity；“Whoartinheaven“——waslesspromptlyanduniformlyrepeated；andtheoldgentlemanpausedintheprayer，togiveusashortlectureupontheconsequencesofinattention，bothimmediateandfuture，andespeciallythosemoreimmediate。Aboutthesehewasabsolutelycertain，forheheldinhisrighthandthemeansofbringingallhispredictionsandwarningstopass。

Onheproceededwiththeprayer；andwewithourthicktonguesandunskilledears，followedhimtothebestofourability。

This，however，wasnotsufficienttopleasetheoldgentleman。

Everybody，inthesouth，wantstheprivilegeofwhippingsomebodyelse。UncleIsaacsharedthecommonpassionofhiscountry，and，therefore，seldomfoundanymeansofkeepinghisdisciplesinordershortofflogging。“SayeverythingIsay；“andbangwouldcometheswitchonsomepoorboy'sundevotionalhead。_“Whatyoulookingatthere“——“Stopthatpushing“_——anddownagainwouldcomethelash。

<56>

Thewhipisallinall。Itissupposedtosecureobediencetotheslaveholder，andisheldasasovereignremedyamongtheslavesthemselves，foreveryformofdisobedience，temporalorspiritual。Slaves，aswellasslaveholders，useitwithanunsparinghand。OurdevotionsatUncleIsaac'scombinedtoomuchofthetragicandcomic，tomakethemverysalutaryinaspiritualpointofview；anditisduetotruthtosay，IwasoftenatruantwhenthetimeforattendingtheprayingandfloggingofDoctorIsaacCoppercameon。

ThewindmillunderthecareofMr。Kinney，akindheartedoldEnglishman，wastomeasourceofinfiniteinterestandpleasure。

Theoldmanalwaysseemedpleasedwhenhesawatroopofdarkeylittleurchins，withtheirtow-linenshirtsflutteringinthebreeze，approachingtoviewandadmirethewhirlingwingsofhiswondrousmachine。Fromthemillwecouldseeotherobjectsofdeepinterest。Thesewere，thevesselsfromSt。Michael's，ontheirwaytoBaltimore。Itwasasourceofmuchamusementtoviewtheflowingsailsandcomplicatedrigging，asthelittlecraftsdashedby，andtospeculateuponBaltimore，astothekindandqualityoftheplace。Withsomanysourcesofinterestaroundme，thereadermaybepreparedtolearnthatIbegantothinkveryhighlyofCol。L。'splantation。Itwasjustaplacetomyboyishtaste。Therewerefishtobecaughtinthecreek，ifoneonlyhadahookandline；andcrabs，clamsandoystersweretobecaughtbywading，diggingandrakingforthem。Herewasafieldforindustryandenterprise，stronglyinviting；andthereadermaybeassuredthatIentereduponitwithspirit。

Eventhemuchdreadedoldmaster，whosemercilessfiathadbroughtmefromTuckahoe，gradually，tomymind，partedwithhisterrors。Strangeenough，hisreverenceseemedtotakenoparticularnoticeofme，norofmycoming。Insteadofleapingoutanddevouringme，hescarcelyseemedconsciousofmypresence。Thefactis，hewasoccupiedwithmattersmoreweightyandimportantthaneitherlookingafterorvexingme。Heprobablythoughtas<57“OLDMASTER“LOSINGITSTERRORS>littleofmyadvent，ashewouldhavethoughtoftheadditionofasinglepigtohisstock！

AsthechiefbutleronCol。Lloyd'splantation，hisdutieswerenumerousandperplexing。InalmostallimportantmattersheansweredinCol。Lloyd'sstead。Theoverseersofallthefarmswereinsomesortunderhim，andreceivedthelawfromhismouth。

Thecolonelhimselfseldomaddressedanoverseer，orallowedanoverseertoaddresshim。Oldmastercarriedthekeysofallstorehouses；measuredouttheallowanceforeachslaveattheendofeverymonth；superintendedthestoringofallgoodsbroughttotheplantation；dealtouttherawmaterialtoallthehandicraftsmen；shippedthegrain，tobacco，andallsaleableproduceoftheplantationtomarket，andhadthegeneraloversightofthecoopers'shop，wheelwrights'shop，blacksmiths'

shop，andshoemakers'shop。Besidesthecareofthese，heoftenhadbusinessfortheplantationwhichrequiredhimtobeabsenttwoandthreedays。

Thuslargelyemployed，hehadlittletime，andperhapsaslittledisposition，tointerferewiththechildrenindividually。WhathewastoCol。Lloyd，hemadeAuntKatytohim。Whenhehadanythingtosayordoaboutus，itwassaidordoneinawholesalemanner；disposingofusinclassesorsizes，leavingallminordetailstoAuntKaty，apersonofwhomthereaderhasalreadyreceivednoveryfavorableimpression。AuntKatywasawomanwhoneverallowedherselftoactgreatlywithinthemarginofpowergrantedtoher，nomatterhowbroadthatauthoritymightbe。Ambitious，ill-temperedandcruel，shefoundinherpresentpositionanamplefieldfortheexerciseofherill-omenedqualities。Shehadastrongholdonoldmastershewasconsideredafirstratecook，andshereallywasveryindustrious。Shewas，therefore，greatlyfavoredbyoldmaster，andasonemarkofhisfavor，shewastheonlymotherwhowaspermittedtoretainherchildrenaroundher。Eventothesechildrenshewasoftenfiendishinherbrutality。ShepursuedhersonPhil，oneday，in<58>mypresence，withahugebutcherknife，anddealtablowwithitsedgewhichleftashockinggashonhisarm，nearthewrist。Forthis，oldmasterdidsharplyrebukeher，andthreatenedthatifsheevershoulddothelikeagain，hewouldtaketheskinoffherback。Cruel，however，asAuntKatywastoherownchildren，attimesshewasnotdestituteofmaternalfeeling，asIoftenhadoccasiontoknow，inthebitterpinchesofhungerIhadtoendure。DifferingfromthepracticeofCol。Lloyd，oldmaster，insteadofallowingsomuchforeachslave，committedtheallowanceforalltothecareofAuntKaty，tobedividedaftercookingit，amongstus。Theallowance，consistingofcoarsecorn-meal，wasnotveryabundant——indeed，itwasveryslender；andinpassingthroughAuntKaty'shands，itwasmademoreslenderstill，forsomeofus。William，PhilandJerrywereherchildren，anditisnottoaccusehertooseverely，toallegethatshewasoftenguiltyofstarvingmyselfandtheotherchildren，whileshewasliterallycrammingherown。Wantoffoodwasmychieftroublethefirstsummeratmyoldmaster's。Oystersandclamswoulddoverywell，withanoccasionalsupplyofbread，buttheysoonfailedintheabsenceofbread。Ispeakbutthesimpletruth，whenIsay，I

haveoftenbeensopinchedwithhunger，thatIhavefoughtwiththedog——“OldNep“——forthesmallestcrumbsthatfellfromthekitchentable，andhavebeengladwhenIwonasinglecrumbinthecombat。ManytimeshaveIfollowed，witheagerstep，thewaiting-girlwhenshewentouttoshakethetablecloth，togetthecrumbsandsmallbonesflungoutforthecats。Thewater，inwhichmeathadbeenboiled，wasaseagerlysoughtforbyme。Itwasagreatthingtogettheprivilegeofdippingapieceofbreadinsuchwater；andtheskintakenfromrustybacon，wasapositiveluxury。Nevertheless，Isometimesgotfullmealsandkindwordsfromsympathizingoldslaves，whoknewmysufferings，andreceivedthecomfortingassurancethatIshouldbeamansomeday。“Nevermind，honey——betterdaycomin'，“waseventhenasolace，acheeringconsolationtomeinmy<59JARGONOFTHE

PLANTATION>troubles。NorwereallthekindwordsIreceivedfromslaves。Ihadafriendintheparlor，aswell，andonetowhomI

shallbegladtodojustice，beforeIhavefinishedthispartofmystory。

Iwasnotlongatoldmaster's，beforeIlearnedthathissurnamewasAnthony，andthathewasgenerallycalled“CaptainAnthony“——

atitlewhichheprobablyacquiredbysailingacraftintheChesapeakeBay。Col。Lloyd'sslavesnevercalledCapt。Anthony“oldmaster，“butalwaysCapt。Anthony；and_me_theycalled“CaptainAnthonyFred。“Thereisnot，probably，inthewholesouth，aplantationwheretheEnglishlanguageismoreimperfectlyspokenthanonCol。Lloyd's。ItisamixtureofGuineaandeverythingelseyouplease。AtthetimeofwhichIamnowwriting，therewereslavestherewhohadbeenbroughtfromthecoastofAfrica。Theyneverusedthe“s“inindicationofthepossessivecase。“Cap'nAnt'neyTom，““LloydBill，““AuntRoseHarry，“means“CaptainAnthony'sTom，““Lloyd'sBill，“&c。

_“Ooyoudemlongto？“_means，“Whomdoyoubelongto？“_“Oodemgotanypeachy？“_means，“Haveyougotanypeaches？“IcouldscarcelyunderstandthemwhenIfirstwentamongthem，sobrokenwastheirspeech；andIampersuadedthatIcouldnothavebeendroppedanywhereontheglobe，whereIcouldreapless，inthewayofknowledge，frommyimmediateassociates，thanonthisplantation。Even“MAS'DANIEL，“byhisassociationwithhisfather'sslaves，hadmeasurablyadoptedtheirdialectandtheirideas，sofarastheyhadideastobeadopted。Theequalityofnatureisstronglyassertedinchildhood，andchildhoodrequireschildrenforassociates。_Color_makesnodifferencewithachild。Areyouachildwithwants，tastesandpursuitscommontochildren，notputon，butnatural？then，wereyoublackasebonyyouwouldbewelcometothechildofalabasterwhiteness。Thelawofcompensationholdshere，aswellaselsewhere。Mas'

Danielcouldnotassociatewithignorancewithoutsharingitsshade；andhecouldnotgivehisblackplaymateshiscompany，withoutgivingthemhisintelligence，aswell。Withoutknowing<60>this，orcaringaboutit，atthetime，I，forsomecauseorother，spentmuchofmytimewithMas'Daniel，inpreferencetospendingitwithmostoftheotherboys。

Mas'DanielwastheyoungestsonofCol。Lloyd；hisolderbrotherswereEdwardandMurray——bothgrownup，andfinelookingmen。Edwardwasespeciallyesteemedbythechildren，andbymeamongtherest；notthatheeversaidanythingtousorforus，whichcouldbecalledespeciallykind；itwasenoughforus，thatheneverlookednoractedscornfullytowardus。Therewerealsothreesisters，allmarried；onetoEdwardWinder；asecondtoEdwardNicholson；athirdtoMr。Lownes。

Thefamilyofoldmasterconsistedoftwosons，AndrewandRichard；hisdaughter，Lucretia，andhernewlymarriedhusband，Capt。Auld。Thiswasthehousefamily。ThekitchenfamilyconsistedofAuntKaty，AuntEsther，andtenoradozenchildren，mostofthemolderthanmyself。Capt。Anthonywasnotconsideredarichslaveholder，butwasprettywelloffintheworld。Heownedaboutthirty_“head“_ofslaves，andthreefarmsinTuckahoe。Themostvaluablepartofhispropertywashisslaves，ofwhomhecouldaffordtoselloneeveryyear。Thiscrop，therefore，broughthimsevenoreighthundreddollarsayear，besideshisyearlysalary，andotherrevenuefromhisfarms。

TheideaofrankandstationwasrigidlymaintainedonCol。

Lloyd'splantation。Ourfamilynevervisitedthegreathouse，andtheLloydsnevercametoourhome。Equalnon-intercoursewasobservedbetweenCapt。Anthony'sfamilyandthatofMr。Sevier，theoverseer。

Such，kindreader，wasthecommunity，andsuchtheplace，inwhichmyearliestandmostlastingimpressionsofslavery，andofslave-life，werereceived；ofwhichimpressionsyouwilllearnmoreinthecomingchaptersofthisbook。

CHAPTERV

GradualInitiationtotheMysteriesofSlaveryGROWINGACQUAINTANCEWITHOLDMASTER——HISCHARACTER——EVILSOF

UNRESTRAINEDPASSION——APPARENTTENDERNESS——OLDMASTERAMANOF

TROUBLE——CUSTOMOFMUTTERINGTOHIMSELF——NECESSITYOFBEINGAWARE

OFHISWORDS——THESUPPOSEDOBTUSENESSOFSLAVE-CHILDREN——BRUTAL

OUTRAGE——DRUNKENOVERSEER——SLAVEHOLDER'SIMPATIENCE——WISDOMOF

APPEALINGTOSUPERIORS——THESLAVEHOLDERSWRATHBADASTHATOF

THEOVERSEER——ABASEANDSELFISHATTEMPTTOBREAKUPA

COURTSHIP——AHARROWINGSCENE。

Althoughmyoldmaster——Capt。Anthony——gavemeatfirst，(asthereaderwillhavealreadyseen)verylittleattention，andalthoughthatlittlewasofaremarkablymildandgentledescription，afewmonthsonlyweresufficienttoconvincemethatmildnessandgentlenesswerenottheprevailingorgoverningtraitsofhischaracter。Theseexcellentqualitiesweredisplayedonlyoccasionally。Hecould，whenitsuitedhim，appeartobeliterallyinsensibletotheclaimsofhumanity，whenappealedtobythehelplessagainstanaggressor，andhecouldhimselfcommitoutrages，deep，darkandnameless。Yethewasnotbynatureworsethanothermen。Hadhebeenbroughtupinafreestate，surroundedbythejustrestraintsoffreesociety——

restraintswhicharenecessarytothefreedomofallitsmembers，alikeandequally——Capt。Anthonymighthavebeenashumaneaman，andeverywayasrespectable，asmanywhonowopposetheslavesystem；certainlyashumaneandrespectableasaremembersofsocietygenerally。Theslaveholder，aswellastheslave，isthevictimoftheslave<62>system。Aman'scharactergreatlytakesitshueandshapefromtheformandcolorofthingsabouthim。

Underthewholeheavensthereisnorelationmoreunfavorabletothedevelopmentofhonorablecharacter，thanthatsustainedbytheslaveholdertotheslave。Reasonisimprisonedhere，andpassionsrunwild。Likethefiresoftheprairie，oncelighted，theyareatthemercyofeverywind，andmustburn，tilltheyhaveconsumedallthatiscombustiblewithintheirremorselessgrasp。Capt。Anthonycouldbekind，and，attimes，heevenshowedanaffectionatedisposition。Couldthereaderhaveseenhimgentlyleadingmebythehand——ashesometimesdid——pattingmeonthehead，speakingtomeinsoft，caressingtonesandcallingmehis“littleIndianboy，“hewouldhavedeemedhimakindoldman，andreally，almostfatherly。Butthepleasantmoodsofaslaveholderareremarkablybrittle；theyareeasilysnapped；theyneithercomeoften，norremainlong。Histemperissubjectedtoperpetualtrials；but，sincethesetrialsareneverbornepatiently，theyaddnothingtohisnaturalstockofpatience。

Oldmasterveryearlyimpressedmewiththeideathathewasanunhappyman。Eventomychild'seye，heworeatroubled，andattimes，ahaggardaspect。Hisstrangemovementsexcitedmycuriosity，andawakenedmycompassion。Heseldomwalkedalonewithoutmutteringtohimself；andheoccasionallystormedabout，asifdefyinganarmyofinvisiblefoes。“Hewoulddothis，that，andtheother；he'dbed——difhedidnot，“——wastheusualformofhisthreats。Mostofhisleisurewasspentinwalking，cursingandgesticulating，likeonepossessedbyademon。Mostevidently，hewasawretchedman，atwarwithhisownsoul，andwithalltheworldaroundhim。Tobeoverheardbythechildren，disturbedhimverylittle。Hemadenomoreofourpresence，thanofthatoftheducksandgeesewhichhemetonthegreen。Helittlethoughtthatthelittleblackurchinsaroundhim，couldsee，throughthosevocalcrevices，theverysecretsofhisheart。

Slaveholderseverunderratetheintelligencewithwhich<63

SUPPOSEDOBTUSENESSOFSLAVE-CHILDREN>theyhavetograpple。I

reallyunderstoodtheoldman'smutterings，attitudesandgestures，aboutaswellashedidhimself。Butslaveholdersneverencouragethatkindofcommunication，withtheslaves，bywhichtheymightlearntomeasurethedepthsofhisknowledge。

Ignoranceisahighvirtueinahumanchattel；andasthemasterstudiestokeeptheslaveignorant，theslaveiscunningenoughtomakethemasterthinkhesucceeds。Theslavefullyappreciatesthesaying，“whereignoranceisbliss，'tisfollytobewise。“Whenoldmaster'sgestureswereviolent，endingwithathreateningshakeofthehead，andasharpsnapofhismiddlefingerandthumb，Ideemeditwisetokeepatarespectabledistancefromhim；for，atsuchtimes，triflingfaultsstood，inhiseyes，asmomentousoffenses；and，havingboththepowerandthedisposition，thevictimhadonlytobenearhimtocatchthepunishment，deservedorundeserved。

Oneofthefirstcircumstancesthatopenedmyeyestothecrueltyandwickednessofslavery，andtheheartlessnessofmyoldmaster，wastherefusalofthelattertointerposehisauthority，toprotectandshieldayoungwoman，whohadbeenmostcruellyabusedandbeatenbyhisoverseerinTuckahoe。Thisoverseer——aMr。Plummer——wasamanlikemostofhisclass，littlebetterthanahumanbrute；and，inadditiontohisgeneralprofligacyandrepulsivecoarseness，thecreaturewasamiserabledrunkard。Hewas，probably，employedbymyoldmaster，lessonaccountoftheexcellenceofhisservices，thanforthecheaprateatwhichtheycouldbeobtained。Hewasnotfittohavethemanagementofadroveofmules。Inafitofdrunkenmadness，hecommittedtheoutragewhichbroughttheyoungwomaninquestiondowntomyoldmaster'sforprotection。ThisyoungwomanwasthedaughterofMilly，anownauntofmine。Thepoorgirl，onarrivingatourhouse，presentedapitiableappearance。Shehadleftinhaste，andwithoutpreparation；and，probably，withouttheknowledgeofMr。Plummer。Shehadtraveledtwelvemiles，bare-footed，bare-

neckedandbare-headed。Herneckandshoulders<64>werecoveredwithscars，newlymade；andnotcontentwithmarringherneckandshoulders，withthecowhide，thecowardlybrutehaddealtherablowontheheadwithahickoryclub，whichcutahorriblegash，andleftherfaceliterallycoveredwithblood。Inthiscondition，thepooryoungwomancamedown，toimploreprotectionatthehandsofmyoldmaster。Iexpectedtoseehimboiloverwithrageattherevoltingdeed，andtohearhimfilltheairwithcursesuponthebrutualPlummer；butIwasdisappointed。Hesternlytoldher，inanangrytone，he“believedshedeservedeverybitofit，“and，ifshedidnotgohomeinstantly，hewouldhimselftaketheremainingskinfromherneckandback。Thuswasthepoorgirlcompelledtoreturn，withoutredress，andperhapstoreceiveanadditionalfloggingfordaringtoappealtooldmasteragainsttheoverseer。

Oldmasterseemedfuriousatthethoughtofbeingtroubledbysuchcomplaints。Ididnot，atthattime，understandthephilosophyofhistreatmentofmycousin。Itwasstern，unnatural，violent。Hadthemannobowelsofcompassion？Washedeadtoallsenseofhumanity？No。IthinkInowunderstandit。

Thistreatmentisapartofthesystem，ratherthanapartoftheman。Wereslaveholderstolistentocomplaintsofthissortagainsttheoverseers，theluxuryofowninglargenumbersofslaves，wouldbeimpossible。Itwoulddoawaywiththeofficeofoverseer，entirely；or，inotherwords，itwouldconvertthemasterhimselfintoanoverseer。Itwouldoccasiongreatlossoftimeandlabor，leavingtheoverseerinfetters，andwithoutthenecessarypowertosecureobediencetohisorders。Aprivilegesodangerousasthatofappeal，is，therefore，strictlyprohibited；andanyoneexercisingit，runsafearfulhazard。

Nevertheless，whenaslavehasnerveenoughtoexerciseit，andboldlyapproacheshismaster，withawell-foundedcomplaintagainstanoverseer，thoughhemayberepulsed，andmayevenhavethatofwhichhecomplainsrepeatedatthetime，and，thoughhemaybebeatenbyhismaster，aswellasbytheoverseer，forhistemerity，intheendthe<65SLAVEHOLDERSIMPATIENCE>policyofcomplainingis，generally，vindicatedbytherelaxedrigoroftheoverseer'streatment。Thelatterbecomesmorecareful，andlessdisposedtousethelashuponsuchslavesthereafter。Itiswiththisfinalresultinview，ratherthanwithanyexpectationofimmediategood，thattheoutragedslaveisinducedtomeethismasterwithacomplaint。Theoverseerverynaturallydislikestohavetheearofthemasterdisturbedbycomplaints；and，eitheruponthisconsideration，oruponadviceandwarningprivatelygivenhimbyhisemployers，hegenerallymodifiestherigorofhisrule，afteranoutbreakofthekindtowhichIhavebeenreferring。

Howsoevertheslaveholdermayallowhimselftoacttowardhisslave，and，whatevercrueltyhemaydeemitwise，forexample'ssake，orforthegratificationofhishumor，toinflict，hecannot，intheabsenceofallprovocation，lookwithpleasureuponthebleedingwoundsofadefenselessslave-woman。Whenhedrivesherfromhispresencewithoutredress，orthehopeofredress，heacts，generally，frommotivesofpolicy，ratherthanfromahardenednature，orfrominnatebrutality。Yet，letbuthisowntemperbestirred，hisownpassionsgetloose，andtheslave-ownerwillgo_farbeyond_theoverseerincruelty。Hewillconvincetheslavethathiswrathisfarmoreterribleandboundless，andvastlymoretobedreaded，thanthatoftheunderlingoverseer。Whatmayhavebeenmechanicallyandheartlesslydonebytheoverseer，isnowdonewithawill。Themanwhonowwieldsthelashisirresponsible。Hemay，ifhepleases，crippleorkill，withoutfearofconsequences；exceptinsofarasitmayconcernprofitorloss。Toamanofviolenttemper——asmyoldmasterwas——thiswasbutaveryslenderandinefficientrestraint。Ihaveseenhiminatempestofpassion，suchasIhavejustdescribed——apassionintowhichenteredallthebitteringredientsofpride，hatred，envy，jealousy，andthethrist{sic}forrevenge。

ThecircumstanceswhichIamabouttonarrate，andwhichgaverisetothisfearfultempestofpassion，arenotsingularnor<66>isolatedinslavelife，butarecommonineveryslaveholdingcommunityinwhichIhavelived。Theyareincidentaltotherelationofmasterandslave，andexistinallsectionsofslave-

holdingcountries。

Thereaderwillhavenoticedthat，inenumeratingthenamesoftheslaveswholivedwithmyoldmaster，_Esther_ismentioned。

Thiswasayoungwomanwhopossessedthatwhichiseveracursetotheslave-girl；namely——personalbeauty。Shewastall，wellformed，andmadeafineappearance。ThedaughtersofCol。Lloydcouldscarcelysurpassherinpersonalcharms。EstherwascourtedbyNedRoberts，andhewasasfinelookingayoungman，asshewasawoman。HewasthesonofafavoriteslaveofCol。

Lloyd。Someslaveholderswouldhavebeengladtopromotethemarriageoftwosuchpersons；but，forsomereasonorother，myoldmastertookituponhimtobreakupthegrowingintimacybetweenEstherandEdward。HestrictlyorderedhertoquitthecompanyofsaidRoberts，tellingherthathewouldpunishherseverelyifheeverfoundheragaininEdward'scompany。Thisunnaturalandheartlessorderwas，ofcourse，broken。Awoman'sloveisnottobeannihilatedbytheperemptorycommandofanyone，whosebreathisinhisnostrils。ItwasimpossibletokeepEdwardandEstherapart。Meettheywould，andmeettheydid。

Hadoldmasterbeenamanofhonorandpurity，hismotives，inthismatter，mighthavebeenviewedmorefavorably。Asitwas，hismotiveswereasabhorrent，ashismethodswerefoolishandcontemptible。Itwastooevidentthathewasnotconcernedforthegirl'swelfare。Itisoneofthedamningcharacteristicsoftheslavesystem，thatitrobsitsvictimsofeveryearthlyincentivetoaholylife。ThefearofGod，andthehopeofheaven，arefoundsufficienttosustainmanyslave-women，amidstthesnaresanddangersoftheirstrangelot；but，thissideofGodandheaven，aslave-womanisatthemercyofthepower，capriceandpassionofherowner。Slaveryprovidesnomeansforthehonorablecontinuanceoftherace。Marriageasimposingobligationsonthepartiestoit——hasno<67AHARROWINGSCENE>

existencehere，exceptinsuchheartsasarepurerandhigherthanthestandardmoralityaroundthem。Itisoneoftheconsolationsofmylife，thatIknowofmanyhonorableinstancesofpersonswhomaintainedtheirhonor，whereallaroundwascorrupt。

EstherwasevidentlymuchattachedtoEdward，andabhorred——asshehadreasontodo——thetyrannicalandbasebehaviorofoldmaster。Edwardwasyoung，andfinelooking，andhelovedandcourtedher。Hemighthavebeenherhusband，inthehighsensejustalludedto；butWHOand_what_wasthisoldmaster？Hisattentionswereplainlybrutalandselfish，anditwasasnaturalthatEsthershouldloathehim，asthatsheshouldloveEdward。

Abhorredandcircumventedashewas，oldmaster，havingthepower，veryeasilytookrevenge。IhappenedtoseethisexhibitionofhisrageandcrueltytowardEsther。Thetimeselectedwassingular。Itwasearlyinthemorning，whenallbesideswasstill，andbeforeanyofthefamily，inthehouseorkitchen，hadlefttheirbeds。Isawbutfewoftheshockingpreliminaries，forthecruelworkhadbegunbeforeIawoke。I

wasprobablyawakenedbytheshrieksandpiteouscriesofpoorEsther。Mysleepingplacewasonthefloorofalittle，roughcloset，whichopenedintothekitchen；andthroughthecracksofitsunplanedboards，Icoulddistinctlyseeandhearwhatwasgoingon，withoutbeingseenbyoldmaster。Esther'swristswerefirmlytied，andthetwistedropewasfastenedtoastrongstapleinaheavywoodenjoistabove，nearthefireplace。Hereshestood，onabench，herarmstightlydrawnoverherbreast。Herbackandshoulderswerebaretothewaist。Behindherstoodoldmaster，withcowskininhand，preparinghisbarbarousworkwithallmannerofharsh，coarse，andtantalizingepithets。Thescreamsofhisvictimweremostpiercing。Hewascruellydeliberate，andprotractedthetorture，asonewhowasdelightedwiththescene。Againandagainhedrewthehatefulwhipthroughhishand，adjustingitwithaviewofdealingthemostpain-

givingblow。PoorEstherhadneveryetbeenseverelywhipped，andhershoulders<68>wereplumpandtender。Eachblow，vigorouslylaidon，broughtscreamsaswellasblood。_“Havemercy；Oh！havemercy“_shecried；“_Iwon'tdosonomore；“_butherpiercingcriesseemedonlytoincreasehisfury。Hisanswerstothemaretoocoarseandblasphemoustobeproducedhere。Thewholescene，withallitsattendants，wasrevoltingandshocking，tothelastdegree；andwhenthemotivesofthisbrutalcastigationareconsidered，——languagehasnopowertoconveyajustsenseofitsawfulcriminality。Afterlayingonsomethirtyorfortystripes，oldmasteruntiedhissufferingvictim，andlethergetdown。Shecouldscarcelystand，whenuntied。FrommyheartIpitiedher，and——childthoughIwas——theoutragekindledinmeafeelingfarfrompeaceful；butIwashushed，terrified，stunned，andcoulddonothing，andthefateofEsthermightbeminenext。ThesceneheredescribedwasoftenrepeatedinthecaseofpoorEsther，andherlife，asIknewit，wasoneofwretchedness。

CHAPTERVI

TreatmentofSlavesonLloyd'sPlantationEARLYREFLECTIONSONSLAVERY——PRESENTIMENTOFONEDAYBEINGA

FREEMAN——COMBATBETWEENANOVERSEERANDASLAVEWOMAN——THE

ADVANTAGESOFRESISTANCE——ALLOWANCEDAYONTHEHOMEPLANTATION——

THESINGINGOFSLAVES——ANEXPLANATION——THESLAVESFOODAND

CLOTHING——NAKEDCHILDREN——LIFEINTHEQUARTER——DEPRIVATIONOF

SLEEP——NURSINGCHILDRENCARRIEDTOTHEFIELD——DESCRIPTIONOFTHE

COWSKIN——THEASH-CAKE——MANNEROFMAKINGIT——THEDINNERHOUR——THE

CONTRAST。

Theheart-rendingincidents，relatedintheforegoingchapter，ledme，thusearly，toinquireintothenatureandhistoryofslavery。_WhyamIaslave？Whyaresomepeopleslaves，andothersmasters？Wasthereeveratimethiswasnotso？Howdidtherelationcommence？_Theseweretheperplexingquestionswhichbegannowtoclaimmythoughts，andtoexercisetheweakpowersofmymind，forIwasstillbutachild，andknewlessthanchildrenofthesameageinthefreestates。Asmyquestionsconcerningthesethingswereonlyputtochildrenalittleolder，andlittlebetterinformedthanmyself，Iwasnotrapidinreachingasolidfooting。BysomemeansIlearnedfromtheseinquiriesthat_“God，upinthesky，“_madeeverybody；andthathemade_white_peopletobemastersandmistresses，and_black_peopletobeslaves。Thisdidnotsatisfyme，norlessenmyinterestinthesubject。Iwastold，too，thatGodwasgood，andthatHeknewwhatwasbestforme，andbestforeverybody。

Thiswaslesssatisfactorythanthefirststatement；becauseitcame，pointblank，againstallmy<70>notionsofgoodness。ItwasnotgoodtoletoldmastercutthefleshoffEsther，andmakehercryso。Besides，howdidpeopleknowthatGodmadeblackpeopletobeslaves？Didtheygoupintheskyandlearnit？or，didHecomedownandtellthemso？Allwasdarkhere。ItwassomerelieftomyhardnotionsofthegoodnessofGod，that，althoughhemadewhitementobeslaveholders，hedidnotmakethemtobe_bad_slaveholders，andthat，induetime，hewouldpunishthebadslaveholders；thathewould，whentheydied，sendthemtothebadplace，wheretheywouldbe“burntup。“

Nevertheless，Icouldnotreconciletherelationofslaverywithmycrudenotionsofgoodness。

Then，too，Ifoundthattherewerepuzzlingexceptionstothistheoryofslaveryonbothsides，andinthemiddle。Iknewofblackswhowere_not_slaves；Iknewofwhiteswhowere_not_

slaveholders；andIknewofpersonswhowere_nearly_white，whowereslaves。_Color_，therefore，wasaveryunsatisfactorybasisforslavery。

Once，however，engagedintheinquiry，Iwasnotverylonginfindingoutthetruesolutionofthematter。Itwasnot_color_，but_crime_，not_God_，but_man_，thataffordedthetrueexplanationoftheexistenceofslavery；norwasIlonginfindingoutanotherimportanttruth，viz:whatmancanmake，mancanunmake。Theappallingdarknessfadedaway，andIwasmasterofthesubject。Therewereslaveshere，directfromGuinea；andthereweremanywhocouldsaythattheirfathersandmotherswerestolenfromAfrica——forcedfromtheirhomes，andcompelledtoserveasslaves。This，tome，wasknowledge；butitwasakindofknowledgewhichfilledmewithaburninghatredofslavery，increasedmysuffering，andleftmewithoutthemeansofbreakingawayfrommybondage。Yetitwasknowledgequiteworthpossessing。Icouldnothavebeenmorethansevenoreightyearsold，whenIbegantomakethissubjectmystudy。Itwaswithmeinthewoodsandfields；alongtheshoreoftheriver，andwherevermyboyishwanderingsledme；andthoughIwas，atthattime，<71EARLYREFLECTIONSONSLAVERY>quiteignorantoftheexistenceofthefreestates，Idistinctlyrememberbeing，_eventhen_，moststronglyimpressedwiththeideaofbeingafreemansomeday。Thischeeringassurancewasaninborndreamofmyhumannatureaconstantmenacetoslavery——andonewhichallthepowersofslaverywereunabletosilenceorextinguish。

UptothetimeofthebrutalfloggingofmyAuntEsther——forshewasmyownaunt——andthehorridplightinwhichIhadseenmycousinfromTuckahoe，whohadbeensobadlybeatenbythecruelMr。Plummer，myattentionhadnotbeencalled，especially，tothegrossfeaturesofslavery。Ihad，ofcourse，heardofwhippingsandofsavage_rencontres_betweenoverseersandslaves，butI

hadalwaysbeenoutofthewayatthetimesandplacesoftheiroccurrence。Myplaysandsports，mostofthetime，tookmefromthecornandtobaccofields，wherethegreatbodyofthehandswereatwork，andwherescenesofcrueltywereenactedandwitnessed。But，afterthewhippingofAuntEsther，Isawmanycasesofthesameshockingnature，notonlyinmymaster'shouse，butonCol。Lloyd'splantation。OneofthefirstwhichIsaw，andwhichgreatlyagitatedme，wasthewhippingofawomanbelongingtoCol。Lloyd，namedNelly。TheoffenseallegedagainstNelly，wasoneofthecommonestandmostindefiniteinthewholecatalogueofoffensesusuallylaidtothechargeofslaves，viz:“impudence。“Thismaymeanalmostanything，ornothingatall，justaccordingtothecapriceofthemasteroroverseer，atthemoment。But，whateveritis，orisnot，ifitgetsthenameof“impudence，“thepartychargedwithitissureofaflogging。Thisoffensemaybecommittedinvariousways；inthetoneofananswer；inansweringatall；innotanswering；intheexpressionofcountenance；inthemotionofthehead；inthegait，mannerandbearingoftheslave。Inthecaseunderconsideration，Icaneasilybelievethat，accordingtoallslaveholdingstandards，herewasagenuineinstanceofimpudence。

InNellytherewereallthenecessaryconditionsforcommittingtheoffense。Shewas<72>abrightmulatto，therecognizedwifeofafavorite“hand“onboardCol。Lloyd'ssloop，andthemotheroffivesprightlychildren。Shewasavigorousandspiritedwoman，andoneofthemostlikely，ontheplantation，tobeguiltyofimpudence。Myattentionwascalledtothescene，bythenoise，cursesandscreamsthatproceededfromit；and，ongoingalittleinthatdirection，Icameuponthepartiesengagedintheskirmish。Mr。Siever，theoverseer，hadholdofNelly，whenIcaughtsightofthem；hewasendeavoringtodraghertowardatree，whichendeavorNellywassternlyresisting；buttonopurpose，excepttoretardtheprogressoftheoverseer'splans。Nelly——asIhavesaid——wasthemotheroffivechildren；

threeofthemwerepresent，andthoughquitesmall(fromseventotenyearsold，Ishouldthink)theygallantlycametotheirmother'sdefense，andgavetheoverseeranexcellentpeltingwithstones。Oneofthelittlefellowsranup，seizedtheoverseerbythelegandbithim；butthemonsterwastoobusilyengagedwithNelly，topayanyattentiontotheassaultsofthechildren。

TherewerenumerousbloodymarksonMr。Sevier'sface，whenI

firstsawhim，andtheyincreasedasthestrugglewenton。TheimprintsofNelly'sfingerswerevisible，andIwasgladtoseethem。Amidstthewildscreamsofthechildren——“_Letmymammygo“——“letmymammygo_“——thereescaped，frombetweentheteethofthebullet-headedoverseer，afewbittercurses，mingledwiththreats，that“hewouldteachthed——db——hhowtogiveawhitemanimpudence。“ThereisnodoubtthatNellyfeltherselfsuperior，insomerespects，totheslavesaroundher。Shewasawifeandamother；herhusbandwasavaluedandfavoriteslave。

Besides，hewasoneofthefirsthandsonboardofthesloop，andthesloophands——sincetheyhadtorepresenttheplantationabroad——weregenerallytreatedtenderly。TheoverseerneverwasallowedtowhipHarry；whythenshouldhebeallowedtowhipHarry'swife？Thoughtsofthiskind，nodoubt，influencedher；

but，forwhateverreason，shenoblyresisted，and，unlikemostoftheslaves，<73COMBATBETWEENMR。SEVIERANDNELLY>seemeddeterminedtomakeherwhippingcostMr。Sevierasmuchaspossible。Thebloodonhis(andher)face，attestedherskill，aswellashercourageanddexterityinusinghernails。

Maddenedbyherresistance，IexpectedtoseeMr。Sevierlevelhertothegroundbyastunningblow；butno；likeasavagebull-

dog——whichheresembledbothintemperandappearance——hemaintainedhisgrip，andsteadilydraggedhisvictimtowardthetree，disregardingalikeherblows，andthecriesofthechildrenfortheirmother'srelease。Hewould，doubtless，haveknockedherdownwithhishickorystick，butthatsuchactmighthavecosthimhisplace。Itisoftendeemedadvisabletoknocka_man_slavedown，inordertotiehim，butitisconsideredcowardlyandinexcusable，inanoverseer，thustodealwitha_woman_。Heisexpectedtotieherup，andtogiveherwhatiscalled，insouthernparlance，a“genteelflogging，“withoutanyverygreatoutlayofstrengthorskill。Iwatched，withpalpitatinginterest，thecourseofthepreliminarystruggle，andwassaddenedbyeverynewadvantagegainedoverherbytheruffian。Thereweretimeswhensheseemedlikelytogetthebetterofthebrute，buthefinallyoverpoweredher，andsucceededingettinghisropearoundherarms，andinfirmlytyinghertothetree，atwhichhehadbeenaiming。Thisdone，andNellywasatthemercyofhismercilesslash；andnow，whatfollowed，Ihavenohearttodescribe。Thecowardlycreaturemadegoodhiseverythreat；andwieldedthelashwithallthehotzestoffuriousrevenge。Thecriesofthewoman，whileundergoingtheterribleinfliction，weremingledwiththoseofthechildren，soundswhichIhopethereadermayneverbecalledupontohear。WhenNellywasuntied，herbackwascoveredwithblood。Theredstripeswerealloverhershoulders。Shewaswhipped——severelywhipped；butshewasnotsubdued，forshecontinuedtodenouncetheoverseer，andtocallhimeveryvilename。Hehadbruisedherflesh，buthadleftherinvinciblespiritundaunted。Suchfloggingsareseldomrepeatedbythesameoverseer。Theyprefertowhipthose<74>whoaremosteasilywhipped。Theolddoctrinethatsubmissionistheverybestcureforoutrageandwrong，doesnotholdgoodontheslaveplantation。Heiswhippedoftenest，whoiswhippedeasiest；andthatslavewhohasthecouragetostandupforhimselfagainsttheoverseer，althoughhemayhavemanyhardstripesatthefirst，becomes，intheend，afreeman，eventhoughhesustaintheformalrelationofaslave。“Youcanshootmebutyoucan'twhipme，“saidaslavetoRigbyHopkins；andtheresultwasthathewasneitherwhippednorshot。Ifthelatterhadbeenhisfate，itwouldhavebeenlessdeplorablethanthelivingandlingeringdeathtowhichcowardlyandslavishsoulsaresubjected。IdonotknowthatMr。SeviereverundertooktowhipNellyagain。Heprobablyneverdid，foritwasnotlongafterhisattempttosubdueher，thathewastakensick，anddied。Thewretchedmandiedashehadlived，unrepentant；anditwassaid——withhowmuchtruthIknownot——thatintheverylasthoursofhislife，hisrulingpassionshoweditself，andthatwhenwrestlingwithdeath，hewasutteringhorridoaths，andflourishingthecowskin，asthoughhewastearingthefleshoffsomehelplessslave。Onethingiscertain，thatwhenhewasinhealth，itwasenoughtochilltheblood，andtostiffenthehairofanordinaryman，tohearMr。Seviertalk。Nature，orhiscruelhabits，hadgiventohisfaceanexpressionofunusualsavageness，evenforaslave-

driver。Tobaccoandragehadwornhisteethshort，andnearlyeverysentencethatescapedtheircompressedgrating，wascommencedorconcludedwithsomeoutburstofprofanity。Hispresencemadethefieldalikethefieldofblood，andofblasphemy。Hatedforhiscruelty，despisedforhiscowardice，hisdeathwasdeploredbynooneoutsidehisownhouse——ifindeeditwasdeploredthere；itwasregardedbytheslavesasamercifulinterpositionofProvidence。Neverwentthereamantothegraveloadedwithheaviercurses。Mr。Sevier'splacewaspromptlytakenbyaMr。Hopkins，andthechangewasquitearelief，hebeingaverydifferentman。Hewas，in<75ALLOWANCE

DAYATTHEHOMEPLANTATION>allrespects，abettermanthanhispredecessor；asgoodasanymancanbe，andyetbeanoverseer。

Hiscoursewascharacterizedbynoextraordinarycruelty；andwhenhewhippedaslave，ashesometimesdid，heseemedtotakenoespecialpleasureinit，but，onthecontrary，actedasthoughhefeltittobeameanbusiness。Mr。Hopkinsstayedbutashorttime；hisplacemuchtotheregretoftheslavesgenerally——wastakenbyaMr。Gore，ofwhommorewillbesaidhereafter。Itisenough，forthepresent，tosay，thathewasnoimprovementonMr。Sevier，exceptthathewaslessnoisyandlessprofane。

Ihavealreadyreferredtothebusiness-likeaspectofCol。

Lloyd'splantation。Thisbusiness-likeappearancewasmuchincreasedonthetwodaysattheendofeachmonth，whentheslavesfromthedifferentfarmscametogettheirmonthlyallowanceofmealandmeat。Theseweregaladaysfortheslaves，andtherewasmuchrivalryamongthemasto_who_shouldbeelectedtogouptothegreathousefarmfortheallowance，and，indeed，toattendtoanybusinessatthis(forthem)thecapital。

Thebeautyandgrandeuroftheplace，itsnumerousslavepopulation，andthefactthatHarry，PeterandJakethesailorsofthesloop——almostalwayskept，privately，littletrinketswhichtheyboughtatBaltimore，tosell，madeitaprivilegetocometothegreathousefarm。Beingselected，too，forthisoffice，wasdeemedahighhonor。Itwastakenasaproofofconfidenceandfavor；but，probably，thechiefmotiveofthecompetitorsfortheplace，was，adesiretobreakthedullmonotonyofthefield，andtogetbeyondtheoverseer'seyeandlash。Onceontheroadwithanoxteam，andseatedonthetongueofhiscart，withnooverseertolookafterhim，theslavewascomparativelyfree；and，ifthoughtful，hehadtimetothink。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读