Slavesaregenerallyexpectedtosingaswellastowork。A
silentslaveisnotlikedbymastersoroverseers。_“Makeanoise，““makeanoise，“_and_“bearahand，“_arethewordsusuallyaddressedtotheslaveswhenthereissilenceamongstthem。Thismayaccountforthealmostconstantsinging<76>heardinthesouthernstates。Therewas，generally，moreorlesssingingamongtheteamsters，asitwasonemeansoflettingtheoverseerknowwheretheywere，andthattheyweremovingonwiththework。But，onallowanceday，thosewhovisitedthegreathousefarmwerepeculiarlyexcitedandnoisy。Whileontheirway，theywouldmakethedenseoldwoods，formilesaround，reverberatewiththeirwildnotes。Thesewerenotalwaysmerrybecausetheywerewild。Onthecontrary，theyweremostlyofaplaintivecast，andtoldataleofgriefandsorrow。Inthemostboisterousoutburstsofrapturoussentiment，therewaseveratingeofdeepmelancholy。IhaveneverheardanysongslikethoseanywheresinceIleftslavery，exceptwheninIreland。
ThereIheardthesame_wailingnotes_，andwasmuchaffectedbythem。Itwasduringthefamineof1845-6。Inallthesongsoftheslaves，therewaseversomeexpressioninpraiseofthegreathousefarm；somethingwhichwouldflattertheprideoftheowner，and，possibly，drawafavorableglancefromhim。
_Iamgoingawaytothegreathousefarm，Oyea！Oyea！Oyea！
Myoldmasterisagoodoldmaster，Oyea！Oyea！Oyea！_
Thistheywouldsing，withotherwordsoftheirownimprovising——
jargontoothers，butfullofmeaningtothemselves。Ihavesometimesthought，thatthemerehearingofthosesongswoulddomoretoimpresstrulyspiritual-mindedmenandwomenwiththesoul-crushinganddeath-dealingcharacterofslavery，thanthereadingofwholevolumesofitsmerephysicalcruelties。Theyspeaktotheheartandtothesoulofthethoughtful。Icannotbetterexpressmysenseofthemnow，thantenyearsago，when，insketchingmylife，Ithusspokeofthisfeatureofmyplantationexperience:
Ididnot，whenaslave，understandthedeepmeaningsofthoserude，andapparentlyincoherentsongs。Iwasmyselfwithinthecircle，sothatIneithersaworheardasthosewithoutmightseeandhear。Theytoldatalewhichwas<77SINGINGOFSLAVES——AN
EXPLANATION>thenaltogetherbeyondmyfeeblecomprehension；theyweretones，loud，longanddeep，breathingtheprayerandcomplaintofsoulsboilingoverwiththebitterestanguish。
Everytonewasatestimonyagainstslavery，andaprayertoGodfordeliverancefromchains。Thehearingofthosewildnotesalwaysdepressedmyspirits，andfilledmyheartwithineffablesadness。Themererecurrence，evennow，afflictsmyspirit，andwhileIamwritingtheselines，mytearsarefalling。TothosesongsItracemyfirstglimmeringconceptionsofthedehumanizingcharacterofslavery。Icannevergetridofthatconception。
Thosesongsstillfollowme，todeepenmyhatredofslavery，andquickenmysympathiesformybrethreninbonds。Ifanyonewishestobeimpressedwithasenseofthesoul-killingpowerofslavery，lethimgotoCol。Lloyd\'splantation，and，onallowanceday，placehimselfinthedeep，pinewoods，andtherelethim，insilence，thoughtfullyanalyzethesoundsthatshallpassthroughthechambersofhissoul，andifheisnotthusimpressed，itwillonlybebecause“thereisnofleshinhisobdurateheart。“
Theremarkisnotunfrequentlymade，thatslavesarethemostcontendedandhappylaborersintheworld。Theydanceandsing，andmakeallmannerofjoyfulnoises——sotheydo；butitisagreatmistaketosupposethemhappybecausetheysing。Thesongsoftheslaverepresentthesorrows，ratherthanthejoys，ofhisheart；andheisrelievedbythem，onlyasanachingheartisrelievedbyitstears。Suchistheconstitutionofthehumanmind，that，whenpressedtoextremes，itoftenavailsitselfofthemostoppositemethods。Extremesmeetinmindasinmatter。
Whentheslavesonboardofthe“Pearl“wereovertaken，arrested，andcarriedtoprison——theirhopesforfreedomblasted——astheymarchedinchainstheysang，andfound(asEmilyEdmunsontellsus)amelancholyreliefinsinging。Thesingingofamancastawayonadesolateisland，mightbeasappropriatelyconsideredanevidenceofhiscontentmentandhappiness，asthesingingofaslave。Sorrowanddesolationhavetheirsongs，aswellasjoyandpeace。Slavessingmoreto_make_themselveshappy，thantoexpresstheirhappiness。
Itistheboastofslaveholders，thattheirslavesenjoymoreofthephysicalcomfortsoflifethanthepeasantryofanycountryintheworld。Myexperiencecontradictsthis。ThemenandthewomenslavesonCol。Lloyd\'sfarm，received，astheirmonthly<78>allowanceoffood，eightpoundsofpickledpork，ortheirequivalentinfish。Theporkwasoftentainted，andthefishwasofthepoorestquality——herrings，whichwouldbringverylittleifofferedforsaleinanynorthernmarket。Withtheirporkorfish，theyhadonebushelofIndianmeal——unbolted——ofwhichquitefifteenpercentwasfitonlytofeedpigs。Withthis，onepintofsaltwasgiven；andthiswastheentiremonthlyallowanceofafullgrownslave，workingconstantlyintheopenfield，frommorninguntilnight，everydayinthemonthexceptSunday，andlivingonafractionmorethanaquarterofapoundofmeatperday，andlessthanapeckofcorn-mealperweek。Thereisnokindofworkthatamancandowhichrequiresabettersupplyoffoodtopreventphysicalexhaustion，thanthefield-workofaslave。Somuchfortheslave\'sallowanceoffood；nowforhisraiment。Theyearlyallowanceofclothingfortheslavesonthisplantation，consistedoftwotow-linenshirts——suchlinenasthecoarsestcrashtowelsaremadeof；onepairoftrowsersofthesamematerial，forsummer，andapairoftrowsersandajacketofwoolen，mostslazilyputtogether，forwinter；onepairofyarnstockings，andonepairofshoesofthecoarsestdescription。
Theslave\'sentireapparelcouldnothavecostmorethaneightdollarsperyear。Theallowanceoffoodandclothingforthelittlechildren，wascommittedtotheirmothers，ortotheolderslavewomenhavingthecareofthem。Childrenwhowereunabletoworkinthefield，hadneithershoes，stockings，jacketsnortrowsersgiventhem。Theirclothingconsistedoftwocoarsetow-
linenshirts——alreadydescribed——peryear；andwhenthesefailedthem，astheyoftendid，theywentnakeduntilthenextallowanceday。Flocksoflittlechildrenfromfivetotenyearsold，mightbeseenonCol。Lloyd\'splantation，asdestituteofclothingasanylittleheathenonthewestcoastofAfrica；andthis，notmerelyduringthesummermonths，butduringthefrostyweatherofMarch。Thelittlegirlswerenobetteroffthantheboys；allwerenearlyinastateofnudity。
<79THESLAVES\'FOODANDCLOTHING>
Astobedstosleepon，theywereknowntononeofthefieldhands；nothingbutacoarseblanket——notsogoodasthoseusedinthenorthtocoverhorses——wasgiventhem，andthisonlytothemenandwomen。Thechildrenstuckthemselvesinholesandcorners，aboutthequarters；ofteninthecornerofthehugechimneys，withtheirfeetintheashestokeepthemwarm。Thewantofbeds，however，wasnotconsideredaverygreatprivation。
Timetosleepwasoffargreaterimportance，for，whentheday\'sworkisdone，mostoftheslaveshavetheirwashing，mendingandcookingtodo；and，havingfewornoneoftheordinaryfacilitiesfordoingsuchthings，verymanyoftheirsleepinghoursareconsumedinnecessarypreparationsforthedutiesofthecomingday。
Thesleepingapartments——iftheymaybecalledsuch——havelittleregardtocomfortordecency。Oldandyoung，maleandfemale，marriedandsingle，dropdownuponthecommonclayfloor，eachcoveringupwithhisorherblanket，——theonlyprotectiontheyhavefromcoldorexposure。Thenight，however，isshortenedatbothends。Theslavesworkoftenaslongastheycansee，andarelateincookingandmendingforthecomingday；and，atthefirstgraystreakofmorning，theyaresummonedtothefieldbythedriver\'shorn。
Moreslavesarewhippedforoversleepingthanforanyotherfault。Neitheragenorsexfindsanyfavor。Theoverseerstandsatthequarterdoor，armedwithstickandcowskin，readytowhipanywhomaybeafewminutesbehindtime。Whenthehornisblown，thereisarushforthedoor，andthehindermostoneissuretogetablowfromtheoverseer。Youngmotherswhoworkedinthefield，wereallowedanhour，aboutteno\'clockinthemorning，togohometonursetheirchildren。Sometimestheywerecompelledtotaketheirchildrenwiththem，andtoleavetheminthecornerofthefences，topreventlossoftimeinnursingthem。Theoverseergenerallyridesaboutthefieldonhorseback。
Acowskinandahickorystickarehisconstantcompanions。The<80>cowskinisakindofwhipseldomseeninthenorthernstates。
Itismadeentirelyofuntanned，butdried，oxhide，andisaboutashardasapieceofwell-seasonedliveoak。Itismadeofvarioussizes，buttheusuallengthisaboutthreefeet。Thepartheldinthehandisnearlyaninchinthickness；and，fromtheextremeendofthebuttorhandle，thecowskintapersitswholelengthtoapoint。Thismakesitquiteelasticandspringy。Ablowwithit，onthehardestback，willgashtheflesh，andmakethebloodstart。Cowskinsarepaintedred，blueandgreen，andarethefavoriteslavewhip。Ithinkthiswhipworsethanthe“cat-o\'nine-tails。“Itcondensesthewholestrengthofthearmtoasinglepoint，andcomeswithaspringthatmakestheairwhistle。Itisaterribleinstrument，andissohandy，thattheoverseercanalwayshaveitonhisperson，andreadyforuse。Thetemptationtouseitiseverstrong；andanoverseercan，ifdisposed，alwayshavecauseforusingit。Withhim，itisliterallyawordandablow，and，inmostcases，theblowcomesfirst。
Asageneralrule，slavesdonotcometothequartersforeitherbreakfastordinner，buttaketheir“ashcake“withthem，andeatitinthefield。Thiswassoonthehomeplantation；probably，becausethedistancefromthequartertothefield，wassometimestwo，andeventhreemiles。
Thedinneroftheslavesconsistedofahugepieceofashcake，andasmallpieceofpork，ortwosaltherrings。Nothavingovens，noranysuitablecookingutensils，theslavesmixedtheirmealwithalittlewater，tosuchthicknessthataspoonwouldstanderectinit；and，afterthewoodhadburnedawaytocoalsandashes，theywouldplacethedoughbetweenoakleavesandlayitcarefullyintheashes，completelycoveringit；hence，thebreadiscalledashcake。Thesurfaceofthispeculiarbreadiscoveredwithashes，tothedepthofasixteenthpartofaninch，andtheashes，certainly，donotmakeitverygratefultotheteeth，norrenderitverypalatable。Thebran，orcoarsepartofthemeal，isbakedwiththefine，andbrightscalesrunthroughthebread。<81THECONTRAST>Thisbread，withitsashesandbran，woulddisgustandchokeanorthernman，butitisquitelikedbytheslaves。Theyeatitwithavidity，andaremoreconcernedaboutthequantitythanaboutthequality。Theyarefartooscantilyprovidedfor，andareworkedtoosteadily，tobemuchconcernedforthequalityoftheirfood。Thefewminutesallowedthematdinnertime，afterpartakingoftheircoarserepast，arevariouslyspent。Someliedownonthe“turningrow，“andgotosleep；othersdrawtogether，andtalk；andothersareatworkwithneedleandthread，mendingtheirtatteredgarments。
Sometimesyoumayhearawild，hoarselaugharisefromacircle，andoftenasong。Soon，however，theoverseercomesdashingthroughthefield。_“Tumbleup！Tumbleup_，andto_work，work，“_isthecry；and，now，fromtwelveo\'clock(mid-day)tilldark，thehumancattleareinmotion，wieldingtheirclumsyhoes；
hurriedonbynohopeofreward，nosenseofgratitude，noloveofchildren，noprospectofbetteringtheircondition；nothing，savethedreadandterroroftheslave-driver\'slash。Sogoesoneday，andsocomesandgoesanother。
But，letusnowleavetheroughusageofthefield，wherevulgarcoarsenessandbrutalcrueltyspreadthemselvesandflourish，rankasweedsinthetropics；whereavilewretch，intheshapeofaman，rides，walks，orstrutsabout，dealingblows，andleavinggashesonbroken-spiritedmenandhelplesswomen，forthirtydollarspermonth——abusinesssohorrible，hardeninganddisgraceful，that，rather，thanengageinit，adecentmanwouldblowhisownbrainsout——andletthereaderviewwithmetheequallywicked，butlessrepulsiveaspectsofslavelife；whereprideandpomprollluxuriouslyatease；wherethetoilofathousandmensupportsasinglefamilyineasyidlenessandsin。
Thisisthegreathouse；itisthehomeoftheLLOYDS！Someideaofitssplendorhasalreadybeengiven——and，itisherethatweshallfindthatheightofluxurywhichistheoppositeofthatdepthofpovertyandphysicalwretchednessthatwehavejustnowbeencontemplating。But，thereisthisdifferenceinthetwoextremes；<82>viz:thatinthecaseoftheslave，themiseriesandhardshipsofhislotareimposedbyothers，and，inthemaster\'scase，theyareimposedbyhimself。Theslaveisasubject，subjectedbyothers；theslaveholderisasubject，butheistheauthorofhisownsubjection。Thereismoretruthinthesaying，thatslaveryisagreatereviltothemasterthantotheslave，thanmany，whoutterit，suppose。Theself-executinglawsofeternaljusticefollowcloseontheheelsoftheevil-
doerhere，aswellaselsewhere；makingescapefromallitspenaltiesimpossible。But，letothersphilosophize；itismyprovinceheretorelateanddescribe；onlyallowingmyselfawordortwo，occasionally，toassistthereaderintheproperunderstandingofthefactsnarrated。
CHAPTERVII
LifeintheGreatHouseCOMFORTSANDLUXURIES——ELABORATEEXPENDITURE——HOUSESERVANTS——MEN
SERVANTSANDMAIDSERVANTS——APPEARANCES——SLAVEARISTOCRACY——
STABLEANDCARRIAGEHOUSE——BOUNDLESSHOSPITALITY——FRAGRANCEOF
RICHDISHES——THEDECEPTIVECHARACTEROFSLAVERY——SLAVESSEEM
HAPPY——SLAVESANDSLAVEHOLDERSALIKEWRETCHED——FRETFULDISCONTENT
OFSLAVEHOLDERS——FAULT-FINDING——OLDBARNEY——HISPROFESSION——
WHIPPING——HUMILIATINGSPECTACLE——CASEEXCEPTIONAL——WILLIAM
WILKS——SUPPOSEDSONOFCOL。LLOYD——CURIOUSINCIDENT——SLAVES
PREFERRICHMASTERSTOPOORONES。
Theclose-fistedstinginessthatfedthepoorslaveoncoarsecorn-mealandtaintedmeat；thatclothedhimincrashytow-linen，andhurriedhimtotoilthroughthefield，inallweathers，withwindandrainbeatingthroughhistatteredgarments；thatscarcelygaveeventheyoungslave-mothertimetonurseherhungryinfantinthefencecorner；whollyvanishesonapproachingthesacredprecinctsofthegreathouse，thehomeoftheLloyds。
Therethescripturalphrasefindsanexactillustration；thehighlyfavoredinmatesofthismansionareliterallyarrayed“inpurpleandfinelinen，“andfaresumptuouslyeveryday！Thetablegroansundertheheavyandblood-boughtluxuriesgatheredwithpainstakingcare，athomeandabroad。Fields，forests，riversandseas，aremadetributaryhere。Immensewealth，anditslavishexpenditure，fillthegreathousewithallthatcanpleasetheeye，ortemptthetaste。Here，appetite，notfood，isthegreat_desideratum_。Fish，fleshandfowl，arehereinprofusion。Chickens，of<84>allbreeds；ducks，ofallkinds，wildandtame，thecommon，andthehugeMuscovite；Guineafowls，turkeys，geese，andpeafowls，areintheirseveralpens，fatandfattingforthedestinedvortex。Thegracefulswan，themongrels，theblack-neckedwildgoose；partridges，quails，pheasantsandpigeons；choicewaterfowl，withalltheirstrangevarieties，arecaughtinthishugefamilynet。Beef，veal，muttonandvenison，ofthemostselectkindsandquality，rollbounteouslytothisgrandconsumer。TheteemingrichesoftheChesapeakebay，itsrock，perch，drums，crocus，trout，oysters，crabs，andterrapin，aredrawnhithertoadorntheglitteringtableofthegreathouse。Thedairy，too，probablythefinestontheEasternShoreofMaryland——suppliedbycattleofthebestEnglishstock，importedforthepurpose，poursitsrichdonationsoffragantcheese，goldenbutter，anddeliciouscream，toheightentheattractionofthegorgeous，unendingroundoffeasting。Norarethefruitsoftheearthforgottenorneglected。Thefertilegarden，manyacresinsize，constitutingaseparateestablishment，distinctfromthecommonfarm——withitsscientificgardener，importedfromScotland(aMr。McDermott)
withfourmenunderhisdirection，wasnotbehind，eitherintheabundanceorinthedelicacyofitscontributionstothesamefullboard。Thetenderasparagus，thesucculentcelery，andthedelicatecauliflower；eggplants，beets，lettuce，parsnips，peas，andFrenchbeans，earlyandlate；radishes，cantelopes，melonsofallkinds；thefruitsandflowersofallclimesandofalldescriptions，fromthehardyappleofthenorth，tothelemonandorangeofthesouth，culminatedatthispoint。Baltimoregatheredfigs，raisins，almondsandjuicygrapesfromSpain。
WinesandbrandiesfromFrance；teasofvariousflavor，fromChina；andrich，aromaticcoffeefromJava，allconspiredtoswellthetideofhighlife，whereprideandindolencerolledandloungedinmagnificenceandsatiety。
Behindthetall-backedandelaboratelywroughtchairs，standtheservants，menandmaidens——fifteeninnumber——discriminatelyselected，notonlywithaviewtotheirindustryandfaith<85
HOUSESERVANTS>fulness，butwithspecialregardtotheirpersonalappearance，theirgracefulagilityandcaptivatingaddress。Someofthesearearmedwithfans，andarefanningrevivingbreezestowardtheover-heatedbrowsofthealabasterladies；otherswatchwitheagereye，andwithfawn-likestepanticipateandsupplywantsbeforetheyaresufficientlyformedtobeannouncedbywordorsign。
TheseservantsconstitutedasortofblackaristocracyonCol。
Lloyd\'splantation。Theyresembledthefieldhandsinnothing，exceptincolor，andinthistheyheldtheadvantageofavelvet-
likeglossiness，richandbeautiful。Thehair，too，showedthesameadvantage。Thedelicatecoloredmaidrustledinthescarcelywornsilkofheryoungmistress，whiletheservantmenwereequallywellattiredfromtheover-flowingwardrobeoftheiryoungmasters；sothat，indress，aswellasinformandfeature，inmannerandspeech，intastesandhabits，thedistancebetweenthesefavoredfew，andthesorrowandhunger-smittenmultitudesofthequarterandthefield，wasimmense；andthisisseldompassedover。
Letusnowglanceatthestablesandthecarriagehouse，andweshallfindthesameevidencesofprideandluxuriousextravagance。Herearethreesplendidcoaches，softwithinandlustrouswithout。Here，too，aregigs，phaetons，barouches，sulkeysandsleighs。Herearesaddlesandharnesses——beautifullywroughtandsilvermounted——keptwitheverycare。Inthestableyouwillfind，keptonlyforpleasure，fullthirty-fivehorses，ofthemostapprovedbloodforspeedandbeauty。Therearetwomenhereconstantlyemployedintakingcareofthesehorses。Oneofthesemenmustbealwaysinthestable，toanswereverycallfromthegreathouse。Overthewayfromthestable，isahousebuiltexpresslyforthehounds——apackoftwenty-fiveorthirty——
whosefarewouldhavemadegladtheheartofadozenslaves。
Horsesandhoundsarenottheonlyconsumersoftheslave\'stoil。
Therewaspracticed，attheLloyd\'s，ahospitalitywhichwouldhave<86>astonishedandcharmedanyhealth-seekingnortherndivineormerchant，whomighthavechancedtoshareit。Viewedfromhisowntable，and_not_fromthefield，thecolonelwasamodelofgeneroushospitality。Hishousewas，literally，ahotel，forweeksduringthesummermonths。Atthesetimes，especially，theairwasfreightedwiththerichfumesofbaking，boiling，roastingandbroiling。TheodorsIsharedwiththewinds；butthemeatswereunderamorestringentmonopolyexceptthat，occasionally，IgotacakefromMas\'Daniel。InMas\'
DanielIhadafriendatcourt，fromwhomIlearnedmanythingswhichmyeagercuriositywasexcitedtoknow。Ialwaysknewwhencompanywasexpected，andwhotheywere，althoughIwasanoutsider，beingtheproperty，notofCol。Lloyd，butofaservantofthewealthycolonel。Ontheseoccasions，allthatpride，tasteandmoneycoulddo，todazzleandcharm，wasdone。
WhocouldsaythattheservantsofCol。Lloydwerenotwellcladandcaredfor，afterwitnessingoneofhismagnificententertainments？Whocouldsaythattheydidnotseemtogloryinbeingtheslavesofsuchamaster？Who，butafanatic，couldgetupanysympathyforpersonswhoseeverymovementwasagile，easyandgraceful，andwhoevincedaconsciousnessofhighsuperiority？AndwhowouldeverventuretosuspectthatCol。
Lloydwassubjecttothetroublesofordinarymortals？Masterandslaveseemalikeintheirgloryhere？Canitallbeseeming？
Alas！itmayonlybeashamatlast！Thisimmensewealth；thisgildedsplendor；thisprofusionofluxury；thisexemptionfromtoil；thislifeofease；thisseaofplenty；aye，whatofitall？
Arethepearlygatesofhappinessandsweetcontentflungopentosuchsuitors？_farfromit！_Thepoorslave，onhishard，pineplank，butscantilycoveredwithhisthinblanket，sleepsmoresoundlythanthefeverishvoluptuarywhoreclinesuponhisfeatherbedanddownypillow。Food，totheindolentlounger，ispoison，notsustenance。Lurkingbeneathalltheirdishes，areinvisiblespiritsofevil，readytofeedtheself-deludedgormandizers<87DECEPTIVECHARACTEROFSLAVERY>whichaches，pains，fiercetemper，uncontrolledpassions，dyspepsia，rheumatism，lumbagoandgout；andofthesetheLloydsgottheirfullshare。Tothepamperedloveofease，thereisnorestingplace。Whatispleasanttoday，isrepulsivetomorrow；whatissoftnow，ishardatanothertime；whatissweetinthemorning，isbitterintheevening。Neithertothewicked，nortotheidler，isthereanysolidpeace:_“Troubled，liketherestlesssea。“_
IhadexcellentopportunitiesofwitnessingtherestlessdiscontentandthecapriciousirritationoftheLloyds。Myfondnessforhorses——notpeculiartomemorethantootherboysattractedme，muchofthetime，tothestables。Thisestablishmentwasespeciallyunderthecareof“old“and“young“
Barney——fatherandson。OldBarneywasafinelookingoldman，ofabrownishcomplexion，whowasquiteportly，andworeadignifiedaspectforaslave。Hewas，evidently，muchdevotedtohisprofession，andheldhisofficeanhonorableone。Hewasafarrieraswellasanostler；hecouldbleed，removelampersfromthemouthsofthehorses，andwaswellinstructedinhorsemedicines。Nooneonthefarmknew，sowellasOldBarney，whattodowithasickhorse。Buthisgiftsandacquirementswereoflittleadvantagetohim。Hisofficewasbynomeansanenviableone。Heoftengotpresents，buthegotstripesaswell；forinnothingwasCol。Lloydmoreunreasonableandexacting，thaninrespecttothemanagementofhispleasurehorses。Anysupposedinattentiontotheseanimalsweresuretobevisitedwithdegradingpunishment。Hishorsesanddogsfaredbetterthanhismen。Theirbedsmustbesofterandcleanerthanthoseofhishumancattle。NoexcusecouldshieldOldBarney，ifthecolonelonlysuspectedsomethingwrongabouthishorses；and，consequently，hewasoftenpunishedwhenfaultless。Itwasabsolutelypainfultolistentothemanyunreasonableandfretfulscoldings，pouredoutatthestable，byCol。Lloyd，hissonsandsons-in-law。Ofthelatter，hehadthree——Messrs。Nicholson，WinderandLownes。Theseall<88>livedatthegreathouseaportionoftheyear，andenjoyedtheluxuryofwhippingtheservantswhentheypleased，whichwasbynomeansunfrequently。
Ahorsewasseldombroughtoutofthestabletowhichnoobjectioncouldberaised。“Therewasdustinhishair；““therewasatwistinhisreins；““hismanedidnotliestraight；““hehadnotbeenproperlygrained；““hisheaddidnotlookwell；“
“hisfore-topwasnotcombedout；““hisfetlockshadnotbeenproperlytrimmed；“somethingwasalwayswrong。Listeningtocomplaints，howevergroundless，Barneymuststand，hatinhand，lipssealed，neveransweringaword。Hemustmakenoreply，noexplanation；thejudgmentofthemastermustbedeemedinfallible，forhispowerisabsoluteandirresponsible。Inafreestate，amaster，thuscomplainingwithoutcause，ofhisostler，mightbetold——“Sir，IamsorryIcannotpleaseyou，but，sinceIhavedonethebestIcan，yourremedyistodismissme。“
Here，however，theostlermuststand，listenandtremble。Oneofthemostheart-saddeningandhumiliatingscenesIeverwitnessed，wasthewhippingofOldBarney，byCol。Lloydhimself。Hereweretwomen，bothadvancedinyears；therewerethesilverylocksofCol。L。，andtherewasthebaldandtoil-wornbrowofOldBarney；
masterandslave；superiorandinferiorhere，but_equals_atthebarofGod；and，inthecommoncourseofevents，theymustbothsoonmeetinanotherworld，inaworldwherealldistinctions，exceptthosebasedonobedienceanddisobedience，areblottedoutforever。“Uncoveryourhead！“saidtheimperiousmaster；hewasobeyed。“Takeoffyourjacket，youoldrascal！“andoffcameBarney\'sjacket。“Downonyourknees！“downknelttheoldman，hisshouldersbare，hisbaldheadglisteninginthesun，andhisagedkneesonthecold，dampground。Inhishumbleanddebasingattitude，themaster——thatmastertowhomhehadgiventhebestyearsandthebeststrengthofhislife——cameforward，andlaidonthirtylashes，withhishorsewhip。Theoldmanboreitpatiently，tothelast，answeringeachblowwithaslightshrugoftheshoulders，andagroan。Icannotthinkthat<89A
HUMILIATINGSPECTACLE>Col。LloydsucceededinmarringthefleshofOldBarneyveryseriously，forthewhipwasalight，ridingwhip；butthespectacleofanagedman——ahusbandandafather——
humblykneelingbeforeawormofthedust，surprisedandshockedmeatthetime；andsinceIhavegrownoldenoughtothinkonthewickednessofslavery，fewfactshavebeenofmorevaluetomethanthis，towhichIwasawitness。Itrevealsslaveryinitstruecolor，andinitsmaturityofrepulsivehatefulness。Ioweittotruth，however，tosay，thatthiswasthefirstandthelasttimeIeversawOldBarney，oranyotherslave，compelledtokneeltoreceiveawhipping。
Isaw，atthestable，anotherincident，whichIwillrelate，asitisillustrativeofaphaseofslaverytowhichIhavealreadyreferredinanotherconnection。Besidestwoothercoachmen，Col。
LloydownedonenamedWilliam，who，strangelyenough，wasoftencalledbyhissurname，Wilks，bywhiteandcoloredpeopleonthehomeplantation。Wilkswasaveryfinelookingman。Hewasaboutaswhiteasanybodyontheplantation；andinmanlinessofform，andcomelinessoffeatures，heboreaverystrikingresemblancetoMr。MurrayLloyd。Itwaswhispered，andprettygenerallyadmittedasafact，thatWilliamWilkswasasonofCol。Lloyd，byahighlyfavoredslave-woman，whowasstillontheplantation。Thereweremanyreasonsforbelievingthiswhisper，notonlyinWilliam\'sappearance，butintheundeniablefreedomwhichheenjoyedoverallothers，andhisapparentconsciousnessofbeingsomethingmorethanaslavetohismaster。Itwasnotorious，too，thatWilliamhadadeadlyenemyinMurrayLloyd，whomhesomuchresembled，andthatthelattergreatlyworriedhisfatherwithimportunitiestosellWilliam。Indeed，hegavehisfathernorestuntilhedidsellhim，toAustinWoldfolk，thegreatslave-traderatthattime。Beforesellinghim，however，Mr。L。triedwhatgivingWilliamawhippingwoulddo，towardmakingthingssmooth；butthiswasafailure。Itwasacompromise，anddefeateditself；for，imme<90>diatelyaftertheinfliction，theheart-sickenedcolonelatonedtoWilliamfortheabuse，bygivinghimagoldwatchandchain。Anotherfact，somewhatcurious，is，thatthoughsoldtotheremorseless_Woldfolk_，takeninironstoBaltimoreandcastintoprison，withaviewtobeingdriventothesouth，William，by_some_
means——alwaysamysterytome——outbidallhispurchasers，paidforhimself，_andnowresidesinBaltimore，a_FREEMAN。Istherenotroomtosuspect，that，asthegoldwatchwaspresentedtoatoneforthewhipping，apurseofgoldwasgivenhimbythesamehand，withwhichtoeffecthispurchase，asanatonementfortheindignityinvolvedinsellinghisownfleshandblood。AllthecircumstancesofWilliam，onthegreathousefarm，showhimtohaveoccupiedadifferentpositionfromtheotherslaves，and，certainly，thereisnothinginthesupposedhostilityofslaveholderstoamalgamation，toforbidthesuppositionthatWilliamWilkswasthesonofEdwardLloyd。_Practical_
amalgamationiscommonineveryneighborhoodwhereIhavebeeninslavery。
Col。Lloydwasnotinthewayofknowingmuchoftherealopinionsandfeelingsofhisslavesrespectinghim。Thedistancebetweenhimandthemwasfartoogreattoadmitofsuchknowledge。Hisslavesweresonumerous，thathedidnotknowthemwhenhesawthem。Nor，indeed，didallhisslavesknowhim。
Inthisrespect，hewasinconvenientlyrich。Itisreportedofhim，that，whileridingalongtheroadoneday，hemetacoloredman，andaddressedhimintheusualwayofspeakingtocoloredpeopleonthepublichighwaysofthesouth:“Well，boy，whodoyoubelongto？““ToCol。Lloyd，“repliedtheslave。“Well，doesthecoloneltreatyouwell？““No，sir，“wasthereadyreply。
“What？doesheworkyoutoohard？““Yes，sir。““Well，don\'thegiveenoughtoeat？““Yes，sir，hegivesmeenough，suchasitis。“Thecolonel，afterascertainingwheretheslavebelonged，rodeon；theslavealsowentonabouthisbusiness，notdreamingthathehadbeenconversingwithhismaster。Hethought，saidandheardnothingmoreofthematter，untiltwoorthreeweeksafter<91PENALTYFORTELLINGTHETRUTH>wards。Thepoormanwastheninformedbyhisoverseer，that，forhavingfoundfaultwithhismaster，hewasnowtobesoldtoaGeorgiatrader。Hewasimmediatelychainedandhandcuffed；andthus，withoutamoment\'swarninghewassnatchedaway，andforeversunderedfromhisfamilyandfriends，byahandmoreunrelentingthanthatofdeath。_This_isthepenaltyoftellingthesimpletruth，inanswertoaseriesofplainquestions。Itispartlyinconsequenceofsuchfacts，thatslaves，wheninquiredofastotheirconditionandthecharacteroftheirmasters，almostinvariablysaytheyarecontented，andthattheirmastersarekind。Slaveholdershavebeenknowntosendspiesamongtheirslaves，toascertain，ifpossible，theirviewsandfeelingsinregardtotheircondition。Thefrequencyofthishadtheeffecttoestablishamongtheslavesthemaxim，thatastilltonguemakesawisehead。Theysuppressthetruthratherthantaketheconsequenceoftellingit，and，insodoing，theyprovethemselvesapartofthehumanfamily。Iftheyhaveanythingtosayoftheirmaster，itis，generally，somethinginhisfavor，especiallywhenspeakingtostrangers。Iwasfrequentlyasked，whileaslave，ifIhadakindmaster，andIdonotrememberevertohavegivenanegativereply。NordidI，whenpursuingthiscourse，considermyselfasutteringwhatwasutterlyfalse；forI
alwaysmeasuredthekindnessofmymasterbythestandardofkindnesssetupbyslaveholdersaroundus。However，slavesarelikeotherpeople，andimbibesimilarprejudices。Theyareapttothink_theircondition_betterthanthatofothers。Many，undertheinfluenceofthisprejudice，thinktheirownmastersarebetterthanthemastersofotherslaves；andthis，too，insomecases，whentheveryreverseistrue。Indeed，itisnotuncommonforslaveseventofalloutandquarrelamongthemselvesabouttherelativekindnessoftheirmasters，contendingforthesuperiorgoodnessofhisownoverthatofothers。Attheverysametime，theymutuallyexecratetheirmasters，whenviewedseparately。Itwassoonourplantation。WhenCol。Lloyd\'sslavesmetthoseofJacobJepson，they<92>seldompartedwithoutaquarrelabouttheirmasters；Col。Lloyd\'sslavescontendingthathewastherichest，andMr。Jepson\'sslavesthathewasthesmartest，manofthetwo。Col。Lloyd\'sslaveswouldboosthisabilitytobuyandsellJacobJepson；Mr。Jepson\'sslaveswouldboasthisabilitytowhipCol。Lloyd。Thesequarrelswouldalmostalwaysendinafightbetweentheparties；thosethatbeatweresupposedtohavegainedthepointatissue。Theyseemedtothinkthatthegreatnessoftheirmasterswastransferabletothemselves。TobeaSLAVE，wasthoughttobebadenough；buttobea_poorman\'s_slave，wasdeemedadisgrace，indeed。
CHAPTERVIII
AChapterofHorrorsAUSTINGORE——ASKETCHOFHISCHARACTER——OVERSEERSASACLASS——
THEIRPECULIARCHARACTERISTICS——THEMARKEDINDIVIDUALITYOF
AUSTINGORE——HISSENSEOFDUTY——HOWHEWHIPPED——MURDEROFPOOR
DENBY——HOWITOCCURRED——SENSATION——HOWGOREMADEPEACEWITHCOL。
LLOYD——THEMURDERUNPUNISHED——ANOTHERDREADFULMURDERNARRATED——
NOLAWSFORTHEPROTECTIONOFSLAVESCANBEENFORCEDINTHE
SOUTHERNSTATES。
AsIhavealreadyintimatedelsewhere，theslavesonCol。Lloyd\'splantation，whosehardlot，underMr。Sevier，thereaderhasalreadynoticedanddeplored，werenotpermittedtoenjoythecomparativelymoderateruleofMr。Hopkins。Thelatterwassucceededbyaverydifferentman。ThenameofthenewoverseerwasAustinGore。UponthisindividualIwouldfixparticularattention；forunderhisruletherewasmoresufferingfromviolenceandbloodshedthanhad——accordingtotheolderslaveseverbeenexperiencedbeforeonthisplantation。Iconfess，I
hardlyknowhowtobringthismanfitlybeforethereader。Hewas，itistrue，anoverseer，andpossessed，toalargeextent，thepeculiarcharacteristicsofhisclass；yet，tocallhimmerelyanoverseer，wouldnotgivethereaderafairnotionoftheman。Ispeakofoverseersasaclass。Theyaresuch。Theyareasdistinctfromtheslaveholdinggentryofthesouth，asarethefishwomenofParis，andthecoal-heaversofLondon，distinctfromothermembersofsociety。Theyconstituteaseparatefraternityatthesouth，notlessmarkedthanisthefraternityofParkLanebulliesinNewYork。Theyhavebeenarrangedandclassified<94>bythatgreatlawofattraction，whichdeterminesthespheresandaffinitiesofmen；whichordains，thatmen，whosemalignandbrutalpropensitiespredominateovertheirmoralandintellectualendowments，shall，naturally，fallintothoseemploymentswhichpromisethelargestgratificationtothosepredominatinginstinctsorpropensities。Theofficeofoverseertakesthisrawmaterialofvulgarityandbrutality，andstampsitasadistinctclassofsouthernsociety。But，inthisclass，asinallotherclasses，therearecharactersofmarkedindividuality，evenwhiletheybearageneralresemblancetothemass。Mr。Gorewasoneofthose，towhomageneralcharacterizationwoulddonomannerofjustice。Hewasanoverseer；buthewassomethingmore。Withthemalignandtyrannicalqualitiesofanoverseer，hecombinedsomethingofthelawfulmaster。Hehadtheartfulnessandthemeanambitionofhisclass；buthewaswhollyfreefromthedisgustingswaggerandnoisybravadoofhisfraternity。Therewasaneasyairofindependenceabouthim；acalmself-possession，andasternnessofglance，whichmightwelldauntheartslesstimidthanthoseofpoorslaves，accustomedfromchildhoodandthroughlifetocowerbeforeadriver\'slash。ThehomeplantationofCol。Lloydaffordedanamplefieldfortheexerciseofthequalificationsforoverseership，whichhepossessedinsuchaneminentdegree。
Mr。Gorewasoneofthoseoverseers，whocouldtorturetheslightestwordorlookintoimpudence；hehadthenerve，notonlytoresent，buttopunish，promptlyandseverely。Heneverallowedhimselftobeansweredback，byaslave。Inthis，hewasaslordlyandasimperiousasCol。EdwardLloyd，himself；actingalwaysuptothemaxim，practicallymaintainedbyslaveholders，thatitisbetterthatadozenslavessufferunderthelash，withoutfault，thanthatthemasterortheoverseershould_seem_
tohavebeenwronginthepresenceoftheslave。_Everythingmustbeabsolutehere_。Guiltyornotguilty，itisenoughtobeaccused，tobesureofaflogging。TheverypresenceofthismanGorewas<95AUSTINGORE>painful，andIshunnedhimasIwouldhaveshunnedarattlesnake。Hispiercing，blackeyes，andsharp，shrillvoice，everawakenedsensationsofterroramongtheslaves。Forsoyoungaman(Idescribehimashewas，twenty-
fiveorthirtyyearsago)Mr。Gorewassingularlyreservedandgraveinthepresenceofslaves。Heindulgedinnojokes，saidnofunnythings，andkepthisowncounsels。Otheroverseers，howbrutalsoevertheymightbe，were，attimes，inclinedtogainfavorwiththeslaves，byindulgingalittlepleasantry；butGorewasneverknowntobeguiltyofanysuchweakness。Hewasalwaysthecold，distant，unapproachable_overseer_ofCol。EdwardLloyd\'splantation，andneedednohigherpleasurethanwasinvolvedinafaithfuldischargeofthedutiesofhisoffice。
Whenhewhipped，heseemedtodosofromasenseofduty，andfearednoconsequences。WhatHopkinsdidreluctantly，Goredidwithalacrity。Therewasasternwill，aniron-likereality，aboutthisGore，whichwouldhaveeasilymadehimthechiefofabandofpirates，hadhisenvironmentsbeenfavorabletosuchacourseoflife。Allthecoolness，savagebarbarityandfreedomfrommoralrestraint，whicharenecessaryinthecharacterofapirate-chief，centered，Ithink，inthismanGore。Amongmanyotherdeedsofshockingcrueltywhichheperpetrated，whileIwasatMr。Lloyd\'s，wasthemurderofayoungcoloredman，namedDenby。HewassometimescalledBillDenby，orDemby；(Iwritefromsound，andthesoundsonLloyd\'splantationarenotverycertain。)Iknewhimwell。Hewasapowerfulyoungman，fullofanimalspirits，and，sofarasIknow，hewasamongthemostvaluableofCol。Lloyd\'sslaves。Insomething——Iknownotwhat——
heoffendedthisMr。AustinGore，and，inaccordancewiththecustomofthelatter，heundertooktofloghim。HegaveDenbybutfewstripes；thelatterbrokeawayfromhimandplungedintothecreek，and，standingtheretothedepthofhisneckinwater，herefusedtocomeoutattheorderoftheoverseer；whereupon，forthisrefusal，_Goreshothimdead！_ItissaidthatGoregaveDenbythreecalls，tellinghimthat<96>ifhedidnotobeythelastcall，hewouldshoothim。Whenthethirdcallwasgiven，Denbystoodhisgroundfirmly；andthisraisedthequestion，inthemindsoftheby-standingslaves——“Willhedaretoshoot？“Mr。Gore，withoutfurtherparley，andwithoutmakinganyfurtherefforttoinduceDenbytocomeoutofthewater，raisedhisgundeliberatelytohisface，tookdeadlyaimathisstandingvictim，and，inaninstant，poorDenbywasnumberedwiththedead。Hismangledbodysankoutofsight，andonlyhiswarm，redbloodmarkedtheplacewherehehadstood。
Thisdevilishoutrage，thisfiendishmurder，produced，asitwaswellcalculatedtodo，atremendoussensation。Athrillofhorrorflashedthrougheverysoulontheplantation，ifImayexcepttheguiltywretchwhohadcommittedthehell-blackdeed。
Whiletheslavesgenerallywerepanic-struck，andhowlingwithalarm，themurdererhimselfwascalmandcollected，andappearedasthoughnothingunusualhadhappened。Theatrocityrousedmyoldmaster，andhespokeout，inreprobationofit；butthewholethingprovedtobelessthananinedays\'wonder。BothCol。
LloydandmyoldmasterarraignedGoreforhiscrueltyinthematter，butthisamountedtonothing。Hisreply，orexplanation——asIremembertohavehearditatthetimewas，thattheextraordinaryexpedientwasdemandedbynecessity；thatDenbyhadbecomeunmanageable；thathehadsetadangerousexampletotheotherslaves；andthat，withoutsomesuchpromptmeasureasthattowhichhehadresorted，wereadopted，therewouldbeanendtoallruleandorderontheplantation。Thatveryconvenientcovertforallmannerofcrueltyandoutragethatcowardlyalarm-cry，thattheslaveswould_“taketheplace，“_waspleaded，inextenuationofthisrevoltingcrime，justasithadbeencitedindefenseofathousandsimilarones。Heargued，thatifoneslaverefusedtobecorrected，andwasallowedtoescapewithhislife，whenhehadbeentoldthatheshouldloseitifhepersistedinhiscourse，theotherslaveswouldsooncopyhisexample；theresultofwhichwouldbe，thefreedomoftheslaves，andtheenslavementofthe<97HOWGOREMADEPEACE
WITHCOL。LLOYD>whites。IhaveeveryreasontobelievethatMr。
Gore\'sdefense，orexplanation，wasdeemedsatisfactory——atleasttoCol。Lloyd。Hewascontinuedinhisofficeontheplantation。
Hisfameasanoverseerwentabroad，andhishorridcrimewasnotevensubmittedtojudicialinvestigation。Themurderwascommittedinthepresenceofslaves，andthey，ofcourse，couldneitherinstituteasuit，nortestifyagainstthemurderer。Hisbarewordwouldgofurtherinacourtoflaw，thantheunitedtestimonyoftenthousandblackwitnesses。
AllthatMr。Gorehadtodo，wastomakehispeacewithCol。
Lloyd。Thisdone，andtheguiltyperpetratorofoneofthemostfoulmurdersgoesunwhippedofjustice，anduncensuredbythecommunityinwhichhelives。Mr。GorelivedinSt。Michael\'s，Talbotcounty，whenIleftMaryland；ifheisstillaliveheprobablyyetresidesthere；andIhavenoreasontodoubtthatheisnowashighlyesteemed，andasgreatlyrespected，asthoughhisguiltysoulhadneverbeenstainedwithinnocentblood。IamwellawarethatwhatIhavenowwrittenwillbysomebebrandedasfalseandmalicious。Itwillbedenied，notonlythatsuchathingeverdidtranspire，asIhavenownarrated，butthatsuchathingcouldhappenin_Maryland_。Icanonlysay——believeitornot——thatIhavesaidnothingbuttheliteraltruth，gainsayitwhomay。
IspeakadvisedlywhenIsaythis，——thatkillingaslave，oranycoloredperson，inTalbotcounty，Maryland，isnottreatedasacrime，eitherbythecourtsorthecommunity。Mr。ThomasLanman，shipcarpenter，ofSt。Michael\'s，killedtwoslaves，oneofwhomhebutcheredwithahatchet，byknockinghisbrainsout。Heusedtoboastofthecommissionoftheawfulandbloodydeed。Ihaveheardhimdoso，laughingly，saying，amongotherthings，thathewastheonlybenefactorofhiscountryinthecompany，andthatwhen“otherswoulddoasmuchashehaddone，weshouldberelievedofthed——dniggers。“
AsanevidenceoftherecklessdisregardofhumanlifewherethelifeisthatofaslaveImaystatethenotoriousfact，thatthe<98>wifeofMr。GilesHicks，wholivedbutashortdistancefromCol。Lloyd\'s，withherownhandsmurderedmywife\'scousin，ayounggirlbetweenfifteenandsixteenyearsofage——mutilatingherpersoninamostshockingmanner。Theatrociouswoman，intheparoxysmofherwrath，notcontentwithmurderinghervictim，literallymangledherface，andbrokeherbreastbone。Wild，however，andinfuriatedasshewas，shetooktheprecautiontocausetheslave-girltobeburied；butthefactsofthecasecomingabroad，veryspeedilyledtothedisintermentoftheremainsofthemurderedslave-girl。Acoroner\'sjurywasassembled，whodecidedthatthegirlhadcometoherdeathbyseverebeating。Itwasascertainedthattheoffenseforwhichthisgirlwasthushurriedoutoftheworld，wasthis:shehadbeensetthatnight，andseveralprecedingnights，tomindMrs。
Hicks\'sbaby，andhavingfallenintoasoundsleep，thebabycried，wakingMrs。Hicks，butnottheslave-girl。Mrs。Hicks，becominginfuriatedatthegirl\'stardiness，aftercallingseveraltimes，jumpedfromherbedandseizedapieceoffire-
woodfromthefireplace；andthen，asshelayfastasleep，shedeliberatelypoundedinherskullandbreast-bone，andthusendedherlife。Iwillnotsaythatthismosthorridmurderproducednosensationinthecommunity。It_did_produceasensation；
but，incredibletotell，themoralsenseofthecommunitywasbluntedtooentirelybytheordinarynatureofslaveryhorrors，tobringthemurderesstopunishment。Awarrantwasissuedforherarrest，but，forsomereasonorother，thatwarrantwasneverserved。ThusdidMrs。Hicksnotonlyescapecondignpunishment，buteventhepainandmortificationofbeingarraignedbeforeacourtofjustice。
WhilstIamdetailingthebloodydeedsthattookplaceduringmystayonCol。Lloyd\'splantation，Iwillbrieflynarrateanotherdarktransaction，whichoccurredaboutthesametimeasthemurderofDenbybyMr。Gore。
OnthesideoftheriverWye，oppositefromCol。Lloyd\'s，therelivedaMr。BealBondley，awealthyslaveholder。Inthedirection<99NOLAWPROTECTSTHESLAVE>ofhisland，andneartheshore，therewasanexcellentoysterfishingground，andtothis，someoftheslavesofCol。Lloydoccasionallyresortedintheirlittlecanoes，atnight，withaviewtomakeupthedeficiencyoftheirscantyallowanceoffood，bytheoystersthattheycouldeasilygetthere。This，Mr。Bondleytookitintohisheadtoregardasatrespass，andwhileanoldmanbelongingtoCol。
Lloydwasengagedincatchingafewofthemanymillionsofoystersthatlinedthebottomofthatcreek，tosatisfyhishunger，thevillainousMr。Bondley，lyinginambush，withouttheslightestceremony，dischargedthecontentsofhismusketintothebackandshouldersofthepooroldman。Asgoodfortunewouldhaveit，theshotdidnotprovemortal，andMr。Bondleycameover，thenextday，toseeCol。Lloyd——whethertopayhimforhisproperty，ortojustifyhimselfforwhathehaddone，I
knownot；butthisI_can_say，thecruelanddastardlytransactionwasspeedilyhushedup；therewasverylittlesaidaboutitatall，andnothingwaspubliclydonewhichlookedliketheapplicationoftheprincipleofjusticetothemanwhom_chance_，only，savedfrombeinganactualmurderer。Oneofthecommonestsayingstowhichmyearsearlybecameaccustomed，onCol。Lloyd\'splantationandelsewhereinMaryland，was，thatitwas_“worthbuthalfacenttokillanigger，andahalfacenttoburyhim；“_andthefactsofmyexperiencegofartojustifythepracticaltruthofthisstrangeproverb。Lawsfortheprotectionofthelivesoftheslaves，are，astheymustneedsbe，utterlyincapableofbeingenforced，wheretheverypartieswhoarenominallyprotected，arenotpermittedtogiveevidence，incourtsoflaw，againsttheonlyclassofpersonsfromwhomabuse，outrageandmurdermightbereasonablyapprehended。WhileIheardofnumerousmurderscommittedbyslaveholdersontheEasternShoresofMaryland，Ineverknewasolitaryinstanceinwhichaslaveholderwaseitherhungorimprisonedforhavingmurderedaslave。Theusualpretextforkillingaslaveis，thattheslavehasofferedresistance。Shouldaslave，whenassaulted，butraisehishandinselfdefense，thewhiteassaulting<100>partyisfullyjustifiedbysouthern，orMaryland，publicopinion，inshootingtheslavedown。Sometimesthisisdone，simplybecauseitisallegedthattheslavehasbeensaucy。ButhereIleavethisphaseofthesocietyofmyearlychildhood，andwillrelievethekindreaderoftheseheart-
sickeningdetails。
CHAPTERIX
PersonalTreatmentMISSLUCRETIA——HERKINDNESS——HOWITWASMANIFESTED——“IKE“——A
BATTLEWITHHIM——THECONSEQUENCESTHEREOF——MISSLUCRETIA\'S
BALSAM——BREAD——HOWIOBTAINEDIT——BEAMSOFSUNLIGHTAMIDSTTHE
GENERALDARKNESS——SUFFERINGFROMCOLD——HOWWETOOKOURMEALS——
ORDERSTOPREPAREFORBALTIMORE——OVERJOYEDATTHETHOUGHTOF
QUITTINGTHEPLANTATION——EXTRAORDINARYCLEANSING——COUSINTOM\'S
VERSIONOFBALTIMORE——ARRIVALTHERE——KINDRECEPTIONGIVENMEBY
MRS。SOPHIAAULD——LITTLETOMMY——MYNEWPOSITION——MYNEWDUTIES——A
TURNINGPOINTINMYHISTORY。
Ihavenothingcruelorshockingtorelateofmyownpersonalexperience，whileIremainedonCol。Lloyd\'splantation，atthehomeofmyoldmaster。AnoccasionalcufffromAuntKaty，andaregularwhippingfromoldmaster，suchasanyheedlessandmischievousboymightgetfromhisfather，isallthatIcanmentionofthissort。Iwasnotoldenoughtoworkinthefield，and，therebeinglittleelsethanfieldworktoperform，Ihadmuchleisure。ThemostIhadtodo，was，todriveupthecowsintheevening，tokeepthefrontyardclean，andtoperformsmallerrandsformyyoungmistress，LucretiaAuld。Ihavereasonsforthinkingthisladywasverykindlydisposedtowardme，and，althoughIwasnotoftentheobjectofherattention，I
constantlyregardedherasmyfriend，andwasalwaysgladwhenitwasmyprivilegetodoheraservice。Inafamilywheretherewassomuchthatwasharsh，coldandindifferent，theslightestwordorlookofkindnesspassed，withme，foritsfullvalue。
MissLucretia——<102>asweallcontinuedtocallherlongafterhermarriage——hadbestoweduponmesuchwordsandlooksastaughtmethatshepitiedme，ifshedidnotloveme。Inadditiontowordsandlooks，shesometimesgavemeapieceofbreadandbutter；athingnotsetdowninthebilloffare，andwhichmusthavebeenanextraration，plannedasidefromeitherAuntKatyoroldmaster，solelyoutofthetenderregardandfriendshipshehadforme。Then，too，IonedaygotintothewarswithUncleAble\'sson，“Ike，“andhadgotsadlyworsted；infact，thelittlerascalhadstruckmedirectlyintheforeheadwithasharppieceofcinder，fusedwithiron，fromtheoldblacksmith\'sforge，whichmadeacrossinmyforeheadveryplainlytobeseennow。
Thegashbledveryfreely，andIroaredveryloudlyandbetookmyselfhome。ThecoldheartedAuntKatypaidnoattentioneithertomywoundormyroaring，excepttotellmeitservedmeright；
IhadnobusinesswithIke；itwasgoodforme；Iwouldnowkeepaway_“fromdemLloydniggers。“_MissLucretia，inthisstateofthecase，cameforward；and，inquiteadifferentspiritfromthatmanifestedbyAuntKaty，shecalledmeintotheparlor(anextraprivilegeofitself)and，withoutusingtowardmeanyofthehard-heartedandreproachfulepithetsofmykitchentormentor，shequietlyactedthegoodSamaritan。Withherownsofthandshewashedthebloodfrommyheadandface，fetchedherownbalsambottle，andwiththebalsamwettedanicepieceofwhitelinen，andboundupmyhead。Thebalsamwasnotmorehealingtothewoundinmyhead，thanherkindnesswashealingtothewoundsinmyspirit，madebytheunfeelingwordsofAuntKaty。Afterthis，MissLucretiawasmyfriend。Ifelthertobesuch；andIhavenodoubtthatthesimpleactofbindingupmyhead，didmuchtoawakeninhermindaninterestinmywelfare。
Itisquitetrue，thatthisinterestwasneververymarked，anditseldomshoweditselfinanythingmorethaningivingmeapieceofbreadwhenIwashungry；butthiswasagreatfavoronaslaveplantation，andIwastheonlyoneofthechildrentowhomsuchattentionwaspaid。<103REALMSOFSUNLIGHT>Whenveryhungry，IwouldgointothebackyardandplayunderMissLucretia\'swindow。Whenprettyseverelypinchedbyhunger，Ihadahabitofsinging，whichthegoodladyverysooncametounderstandasapetitionforapieceofbread。WhenIsungunderMissLucretia\'swindow，Iwasveryapttogetwellpaidformymusic。ThereaderwillseethatInowhadtwofriends，bothatimportantpoints——Mas\'Danielatthegreathouse，andMissLucretiaathome。FromMas\'DanielIgotprotectionfromthebiggerboys；andfromMissLucretiaIgotbread，bysingingwhenIwashungry，andsympathywhenIwasabusedbythattermagant，whohadthereinsofgovernmentinthekitchen。ForsuchfriendshipIfeltdeeplygrateful，andbitterasaremyrecollectionsofslavery，Ilovetorecallanyinstancesofkindness，anysunbeamsofhumanetreatment，whichfoundwaytomysoulthroughtheirongratingofmyhouseofbondage。Suchbeamsseemallthebrighterfromthegeneraldarknessintowhichtheypenetrate，andtheimpressiontheymakeisvividlydistinctandbeautiful。
AsIhavebeforeintimated，Iwasseldomwhipped——andneverseverely——bymyoldmaster。IsufferedlittlefromthetreatmentIreceived，exceptfromhungerandcold。Theseweremytwogreatphysicaltroubles。Icouldneithergetasufficiencyoffoodnorofclothing；butIsufferedlessfromhungerthanfromcold。Inhottestsummerandcoldestwinter，Iwaskeptalmostinastateofnudity；noshoes，nostockings，nojacket，notrowsers；
nothingbutcoarsesackclothortow-linen，madeintoasortofshirt，reachingdowntomyknees。ThisIworenightandday，changingitonceaweek。InthedaytimeIcouldprotectmyselfprettywell，bykeepingonthesunnysideofthehouse；andinbadweather，inthecornerofthekitchenchimney。Thegreatdifficultywas，tokeepwarmduringthenight。Ihadnobed。
Thepigsinthepenhadleaves，andthehorsesinthestablehadstraw，butthechildrenhadnobeds。Theylodgedanywhereintheamplekitchen。Islept，generally，inalittlecloset，withoutevenablankettocoverme。Inverycoldweather。Isometimesgotdownthebaginwhichcorn<104>mealwasusuallycarriedtothemill，andcrawledintothat。Sleepingthere，withmyheadinandfeetout，Iwaspartlyprotected，thoughnotcomfortable。Myfeethavebeensocrackedwiththefrost，thatthepenwithwhichIamwritingmightbelaidinthegashes。Themanneroftakingourmealsatoldmaster\'s，indicatedbutlittlerefinement。Ourcorn-mealmush，whensufficientlycooled，wasplacedinalargewoodentray，ortrough，likethoseusedinmakingmaplesugarhereinthenorth。Thistraywassetdown，eitheronthefloorofthekitchen，oroutofdoorsontheground；andthechildrenwerecalled，likesomanypigs；andlikesomanypigstheywouldcome，andliterallydevourthemush——somewithoystershells，somewithpiecesofshingles，andnonewithspoons。Hethateatfastestgotmost，andhethatwasstrongestgotthebestplace；
andfewleftthetroughreallysatisfied。Iwasthemostunluckyofany，forAuntKatyhadnogoodfeelingforme；andifIpushedanyoftheotherchildren，oriftheytoldheranythingunfavorableofme，shealwaysbelievedtheworst，andwassuretowhipme。
AsIgrewolderandmorethoughtful，Iwasmoreandmorefilledwithasenseofmywretchedness。ThecrueltyofAuntKaty，thehungerandcoldIsuffered，andtheterriblereportsofwrongandoutragewhichcametomyear，togetherwithwhatIalmostdailywitnessed，ledme，whenyetbuteightornineyearsold，towishIhadneverbeenborn。Iusedtocontrastmyconditionwiththeblack-birds，inwhosewildandsweetsongsIfanciedthemsohappy！Theirapparentjoyonlydeepenedtheshadesofmysorrow。
Therearethoughtfuldaysinthelivesofchildren——atleasttherewereinminewhentheygrapplewithallthegreat，primarysubjectsofknowledge，andreach，inamoment，conclusionswhichnosubsequentexperiencecanshake。Iwasjustaswellawareoftheunjust，unnaturalandmurderouscharacterofslavery，whennineyearsold，asIamnow。Withoutanyappealtobooks，tolaws，ortoauthoritiesofanykind，itwasenoughtoacceptGodasafather，toregardslaveryasacrime。
<105REJOICEDATLEAVINGTHEPLANTATION>
IwasnottenyearsoldwhenIleftCol。Lloyd\'splantationforBalitmore{sic}。Ileftthatplantationwithinexpressiblejoy。
InevershallforgettheecstacywithwhichIreceivedtheintelligencefrommyfriend，MissLucretia，thatmyoldmasterhaddeterminedtoletmegotoBaltimoretolivewithMr。HughAuld，abrothertoMr。ThomasAuld，myoldmaster\'sson-in-law。
Ireceivedthisinformationaboutthreedaysbeforemydeparture。
Theywerethreeofthehappiestdaysofmychildhood。Ispentthelargestpartofthesethreedaysinthecreek，washingofftheplantationscurf，andpreparingformynewhome。Mrs。
Lucretiatookalivelyinterestingettingmeready。ShetoldmeImustgetallthedeadskinoffmyfeetandknees，beforeI
couldgotoBaltimore，forthepeopletherewereverycleanly，andwouldlaughatmeifIlookeddirty；and，besides，shewasintendingtogivemeapairoftrowsers，whichIshouldnotputonunlessIgotallthedirtoff。ThiswasawarningtowhichI
wasboundtotakeheed；forthethoughtofowningapairoftrowsers，wasgreat，indeed。Itwasalmostasufficientmotive，notonlytoinducemetoscruboffthe_mange_(aspigdroverswouldcallit)buttheskinaswell。SoIwentatitingoodearnest，workingforthefirsttimeinthehopeofreward。Iwasgreatlyexcited，andcouldhardlyconsenttosleep，lestIshouldbeleft。Thetiesthat，ordinarily，bindchildrentotheirhomes，wereallsevered，ortheyneverhadanyexistenceinmycase，atleastsofarasthehomeplantationofCol。L。wasconcerned。Ithereforefoundnoseveretrailatthemomentofmydeparture，suchasIhadexperiencedwhenseparatedfrommyhomeinTuckahoe。Myhomeatmyoldmaster\'swascharmlesstome；itwasnothome，butaprisontome；onpartingfromit，IcouldnotfeelthatIwasleavinganythingwhichIcouldhaveenjoyedbystaying。Mymotherwasnowlongdead；mygrandmotherwasfaraway，sothatIseldomsawher；AuntKatywasmyunrelentingtormentor；andmytwosistersandbrothers，owingtoourearlyseparationinlife，andthefamily-destroyingpowerofslavery，were，comparatively，stran<106>gerstome。Thefactofourrelationshipwasalmostblottedout。Ilookedfor_home_
elsewhere，andwasconfidentoffindingnonewhichIshouldrelishlessthantheoneIwasleaving。If，however，IfoundinmynewhometowhichIwasgoingwithsuchblissfulanticipations——hardship，whippingandnakedness，IhadthequestionableconsolationthatIshouldnothaveescapedanyoneoftheseevilsbyremainingunderthemanagementofAuntKaty。
Then，too，Ithought，sinceIhadenduredmuchinthislineonLloyd\'splantation，Icouldendureasmuchelsewhere，andespeciallyatBaltimore；forIhadsomethingofthefeelingaboutthatcitywhichisexpressedinthesaying，thatbeing“hangedinEngland，isbetterthandyinganaturaldeathinIreland。“IhadthestrongestdesiretoseeBaltimore。MycousinTom——aboytwoorthreeyearsolderthanI——hadbeenthere，andthoughnotfluent(hestutteredimmoderately)inspeech，hehadinspiredmewiththatdesire，byhiseloquentdescriptionoftheplace。Tomwas，sometimes，Capt。Auld\'scabinboy；andwhenhecamefromBaltimore，hewasalwaysasortofheroamongstus，atleasttillhisBaltimoretripwasforgotten。Icouldnevertellhimofanything，orpointoutanythingthatstruckmeasbeautifulorpowerful，butthathehadseensomethinginBaltimorefarsurpassingit。Eventhegreathouseitself，withallitspictureswithin，andpillarswithout，hehadthehardihoodtosay“wasnothingtoBaltimore。“Heboughtatrumpet(worthsixpence)andbroughtithome；toldwhathehadseeninthewindowsofstores；thathehadheardshootingcrackers，andseensoldiers；thathehadseenasteamboat；thattherewereshipsinBaltimorethatcouldcarryfoursuchsloopsasthe“SallyLloyd。“
Hesaidagreatdealaboutthemarket-house；hespokeofthebellsringing；andofmanyotherthingswhichrousedmycuriosityverymuch；and，indeed，whichheightenedmyhopesofhappinessinmynewhome。
WesailedoutofMilesriverforBaltimoreearlyonaSaturdaymorning。Irememberonlythedayoftheweek；for，atthattime，<107ARRIVALATBALTIMORE>Ihadnoknowledgeofthedaysofthemonth，nor，indeed，ofthemonthsoftheyear。Onsettingsail，Iwalkedaft，andgavetoCol。Lloyd\'splantationwhatIhopedwouldbethelastlookIshouldevergivetoit，ortoanyplacelikeit。Mystrongaversiontothegreatfarm，wasnotowingtomyownpersonalsuffering，butthedailysufferingofothers，andtothecertaintythatImust，soonerorlater，beplacedunderthebarbarousruleofanoverseer，suchastheaccomplishedGore，orthebrutalanddrunkenPlummer。Aftertakingthislastview，Iquittedthequarterdeck，mademywaytothebowofthesloop，andspenttheremainderofthedayinlookingahead；interestingmyselfinwhatwasinthedistance，ratherthanwhatwasnearbyorbehind。Thevessels，sweepingalongthebay，wereveryinterestingobjects。Thebroadbayopenedlikeashorelessoceanonmyboyishvision，fillingmewithwonderandadmiration。
Lateintheafternoon，wereachedAnnapolis，thecapitalofthestate，stoppingtherenotlongenoughtoadmitofmygoingashore。ItwasthefirstlargetownIhadeverseen；andthoughitwasinferiortomanyafactoryvillageinNewEngland，myfeelings，onseeingit，wereexcitedtoapitchverylittlebelowthatreachedbytravelersatthefirstviewofRome。Thedomeofthestatehousewasespeciallyimposing，andsurpassedingrandeurtheappearanceofthegreathouse。Thegreatworldwasopeninguponmeveryrapidly，andIwaseagerlyacquaintingmyselfwithitsmultifariouslessons。
WearrivedinBaltimoreonSundaymorning，andlandedatSmith\'swharf，notfarfromBowly\'swharf。Wehadonboardthesloopalargeflockofsheep，fortheBaltimoremarket；and，afterassistingindrivingthemtotheslaughterhouseofMr。Curtis，onLoudonSlater\'sHill，IwasspeedilyconductedbyRich——oneofthehandsbelongingtothesloop——tomynewhomeinAllicianastreet，nearGardiner\'sship-yard，onFell\'sPoint。Mr。andMrs。
HughAuld，mynewmistressandmaster，werebothathome，andmetmeatthedoorwiththeirrosycheekedlittleson，Thomas，<108>totakecareofwhomwastoconstitutemyfutureoccupation。
Infact，itwasto“littleTommy，“ratherthantohisparents，thatoldmastermadeapresentofme；andthoughtherewasno_legal_formorarrangemententeredinto，IhavenodoubtthatMr。andMrs。Auldfeltthat，induetime，Ishouldbethelegalpropertyoftheirbright-eyedandbelovedboy，Tommy。Iwasstruckwiththeappearance，especially，ofmynewmistress。Herfacewaslightedwiththekindliestemotions；andthereflexinfluenceofhercountenance，aswellasthetendernesswithwhichsheseemedtoregardme，whileaskingmesundrylittlequestions，greatlydelightedme，andlitup，tomyfancy，thepathwayofmyfuture。MissLucretiawaskind；butmynewmistress，“MissSophy，“surpassedherinkindnessofmanner。
LittleThomaswasaffectionatelytoldbyhismother，that_“therewashisFreddy，“_andthat“Freddywouldtakecareofhim；“andI
wastoldto“bekindtolittleTommy“——aninjunctionIscarcelyneeded，forIhadalreadyfalleninlovewiththedearboy；andwiththeselittleceremoniesIwasinitiatedintomynewhome，andentereduponmypeculiarduties，withnotacloudabovethehorizon。
Imaysayhere，thatIregardmyremovalfromCol。Lloyd\'splantationasoneofthemostinterestingandfortunateeventsofmylife。Viewingitinthelightofhumanlikelihoods，itisquiteprobablethat，butforthemerecircumstanceofbeingthusremovedbeforetherigorsofslaveryhadfasteneduponme；beforemyyoungspirithadbeencrushedundertheironcontroloftheslave-driver，insteadofbeing，today，aFREEMAN，Imighthavebeenwearingthegallingchainsofslavery。Ihavesometimesfelt，however，thattherewassomethingmoreintelligentthan_chance_，andsomethingmorecertainthan_luck_，tobeseeninthecircumstance。IfIhavemadeanyprogressinknowledge；ifI
havecherishedanyhonorableaspirations，orhave，inanymanner，worthilydischargedthedutiesofamemberofanoppressedpeople；thislittlecircumstancemustbealloweditsdueweight<109ATURNINGPOINTINMYHISTORY>ingivingmylifethatdirection。Ihaveeverregardeditasthefirstplainmanifestationofthat_Divinitythatshapesourends，Roughhewthemaswewill_。
IwasnottheonlyboyontheplantationthatmighthavebeensenttoliveinBaltimore。Therewasawidemarginfromwhichtoselect。Therewereboysyounger，boysolder，andboysofthesameage，belongingtomyoldmastersomeathisownhouse，andsomeathisfarm——butthehighprivilegefelltomylot。
Imaybedeemedsuperstitiousandegotistical，inregardingthiseventasaspecialinterpositionofDivineProvidenceinmyfavor；butthethoughtisapartofmyhistory，andIshouldbefalsetotheearliestandmostcherishedsentimentsofmysoul，ifIsuppressed，orhesitatedtoavowthatopinion，althoughitmaybecharacterizedasirrationalbythewise，andridiculousbythescoffer。Frommyearliestrecollectionsofseriousmatters，Idatetheentertainmentofsomethinglikeanineffaceableconviction，thatslaverywouldnotalwaysbeabletoholdmewithinitsfoulembrace；andthisconviction，likeawordoflivingfaith，strengthenedmethroughthedarkesttrialsofmylot。ThisgoodspiritwasfromGod；andtohimIofferthanksgivingandpraise。
CHAPTERX
LifeinBaltimoreCITYANNOYANCES——PLANTATIONREGRETS——MYMISTRESS，MISSSOPHA——HER
HISTORY——HERKINDNESSTOME——MYMASTER，HUGHAULD——HISSOURNESS——
MYINCREASEDSENSITIVENESS——MYCOMFORTS——MYOCCUPATION——THE
BANEFULEFFECTSOFSLAVEHOLDINGONMYDEARANDGOODMISTRESS——HOW
SHECOMMENCEDTEACHINGMETOREAD——WHYSHECEASEDTEACHINGME——
CLOUDSGATHERINGOVERMYBRIGHTPROSPECTS——MASTERAULD\'S
EXPOSITIONOFTHETRUEPHILOSOPHYOFSLAVERY——CITYSLAVES——
PLANTATIONSLAVES——THECONTRAST——EXCEPTIONS——MR。HAMILTON\'STWO
SLAVES，HENRIETTAANDMARY——MRS。HAMILTON\'SCRUELTREATMENTOF
THEM——THEPITEOUSASPECTTHEYPRESENTED——NOPOWERMUSTCOME
BETWEENTHESLAVEANDTHESLAVEHOLDER。
OnceinBaltimore，withhardbrickpavementsundermyfeet，whichalmostraisedblisters，bytheirveryheat，foritwasintheheightofsummer；walledinonallsidesbytoweringbrickbuildings；withtroopsofhostileboysreadytopounceuponmeateverystreetcorner；withnewandstrangeobjectsglaringuponmeateverystep，andwithstartlingsoundsreachingmyearsfromalldirections，Iforatimethoughtthat，afterall，thehomeplantationwasamoredesirableplaceofresidencethanmyhomeonAllicianastreet，inBaltimore。Mycountryeyesandearswereconfusedandbewilderedhere；buttheboysweremychieftrouble。
Theychasedme，andcalledme_“EasternShoreman，“_tillreallyIalmostwishedmyselfbackontheEasternShore。Ihadtoundergoasortofmoralacclimation，andwhenthatwasover，I
didmuchbetter。Mynewmistresshappilyprovedtobeallshe_seemed_tobe，when，withherhusband，shemetmeat<111
KINDNESSOFMYNEWMISTRESS>thedoor，withamostbeaming，benignantcountenance。Shewas，naturally，ofanexcellentdisposition，kind，gentleandcheerful。Thesuperciliouscontemptfortherightsandfeelingsoftheslave，andthepetulanceandbadhumorwhichgenerallycharacterizeslaveholdingladies，wereallquiteabsentfromkind“Miss“Sophia\'smannerandbearingtowardme。Shehad，intruth，neverbeenaslaveholder，buthad——athingquiteunusualinthesouth——
dependedalmostentirelyuponherownindustryforaliving。Tothisfactthedearlady，nodoubt，owedtheexcellentpreservationofhernaturalgoodnessofheart，forslaverycanchangeasaintintoasinner，andanangelintoademon。I
hardlyknewhowtobehavetoward“MissSopha，“asIusedtocallMrs。HughAuld。Ihadbeentreatedasa_pig_ontheplantation；
Iwastreatedasa_child_now。IcouldnotevenapproachherasIhadformerlyapproachedMrs。ThomasAuld。HowcouldIhangdownmyhead，andspeakwithbatedbreath，whentherewasnopridetoscornme，nocoldnesstorepelme，andnohatredtoinspiremewithfear？Ithereforesoonlearnedtoregardherassomethingmoreakintoamother，thanaslaveholdingmistress。
Thecrouchingservilityofaslave，usuallysoacceptableaqualitytothehaughtyslaveholder，wasnotunderstoodnordesiredbythisgentlewoman。Sofarfromdeemingitimpudentinaslavetolookherstraightintheface，assomeslaveholdingladiesdo，sheseemedevertosay，“lookup，child；don\'tbeafraid；see，Iamfullofkindnessandgoodwilltowardyou。“
ThehandsbelongingtoCol。Lloyd\'ssloop，esteemeditagreatprivilegetobethebearersofparcelsormessagestomynewmistress；forwhenevertheycame，theyweresureofamostkindandpleasantreception。IflittleThomaswasherson，andhermostdearlybelovedchild，she，foratime，atleast，mademesomethinglikehishalf-brotherinheraffections。IfdearTommywasexaltedtoaplaceonhismother\'sknee，“Feddy“washonoredbyaplaceathismother\'sside。Nordidhelackthecaressingstrokesofhergentlehand，toconvincehimthat，though_motherless_，hewasnot_friendless_。Mrs。Auld<112>wasnotonlyakind-heartedwoman，butshewasremarkablypious；frequentinherattendanceofpublicworship，muchgiventoreadingthebible，andtochantinghymnsofpraise，whenalone。Mr。HughAuldwasaltogetheradifferentcharacter。Hecaredverylittleaboutreligion，knewmoreoftheworld，andwasmoreoftheworld，thanhiswife。Hesetout，doubtlesstobe——astheworldgoes——arespectableman，andtogetonbybecomingasuccessfulshipbuilder，inthatcityofshipbuilding。Thiswashisambition，anditfullyoccupiedhim。Iwas，ofcourse，ofverylittleconsequencetohim，comparedwithwhatIwastogoodMrs。
Auld；and，whenhesmileduponme，ashesometimesdid，thesmilewasborrowedfromhislovelywife，and，likeallborrowedlight，wastransient，andvanishedwiththesourcewhenceitwasderived。WhileImustcharacterizeMasterHughasbeingaverysourman，andofforbiddingappearance，itisduetohimtoacknowledge，thathewasneververycrueltome，accordingtothenotionofcrueltyinMaryland。ThefirstyearortwowhichI
spentinhishouse，heleftmealmostexclusivelytothemanagementofhiswife。Shewasmylaw-giver。Inhandssotenderashers，andintheabsenceofthecrueltiesoftheplantation，Ibecame，bothphysicallyandmentally，muchmoresensitivetogoodandilltreatment；and，perhaps，sufferedmorefromafrownfrommymistress，thanIformerlydidfromacuffatthehandsofAuntKaty。Insteadofthecold，dampfloorofmyoldmaster\'skitchen，Ifoundmyselfoncarpets；forthecornbaginwinter，Inowhadagoodstrawbed，wellfurnishedwithcovers；forthecoarsecorn-mealinthemorning，Inowhadgoodbread，andmushoccasionally；formypoortow-lienshirt，reachingtomyknees，Ihadgood，cleanclothes。Iwasreallywelloff。Myemploymentwastorunerrands，andtotakecareofTommy；topreventhisgettinginthewayofcarriages，andtokeephimoutofharm\'swaygenerally。Tommy，andI，andhismother，gotonswimminglytogether，foratime。Isay_foratime_，becausethefatalpoisonofirresponsiblepower，andthenaturalinfluence<113LEARNINGTOREAD>ofslaverycustoms，werenotlonginmakingasuitableimpressiononthegentleandlovingdispositionofmyexcellentmistress。Atfirst，Mrs。Auldevidentlyregardedmesimplyasachild，likeanyotherchild；
shehadnotcometoregardmeas_property_。Thislatterthoughtwasathingofconventionalgrowth。Thefirstwasnaturalandspontaneous。Anoblenature，likehers，couldnot，instantly，bewhollyperverted；andittookseveralyearstochangethenaturalsweetnessofhertemperintofretfulbitterness。Inherworstestate，however，therewere，duringthefirstsevenyearsIlivedwithher，occasionalreturnsofherformerkindlydisposition。
Thefrequenthearingofmymistressreadingthebibleforsheoftenreadaloudwhenherhusbandwasabsentsoonawakenedmycuriosityinrespecttothis_mystery_ofreading，androusedinmethedesiretolearn。Havingnofearofmykindmistressbeforemyeyes，(shehadthengivenmenoreasontofear，)I
franklyaskedhertoteachmetoread；and，withouthesitation，thedearwomanbeganthetask，andverysoon，byherassistance，Iwasmasterofthealphabet，andcouldspellwordsofthreeorfourletters。Mymistressseemedalmostasproudofmyprogress，asifIhadbeenherownchild；and，supposingthatherhusbandwouldbeaswellpleased，shemadenosecretofwhatshewasdoingforme。Indeed，sheexultinglytoldhimoftheaptnessofherpupil，ofherintentiontopersevereinteachingme，andofthedutywhichshefeltittoteachme，atleasttoread_thebible_。HerearosethefirstcloudovermyBaltimoreprospects，theprecursorofdrenchingrainsandchillingblasts。
MasterHughwasamazedatthesimplicityofhisspouse，and，probablyforthefirsttime，heunfoldedtoherthetruephilosophyofslavery，andthepeculiarrulesnecessarytobeobservedbymastersandmistresses，inthemanagementoftheirhumanchattels。Mr。Auldpromptlyforbadecontinuanceofherinstruction；tellingher，inthefirstplace，thatthethingitselfwasunlawful；thatitwasalsounsafe，andcouldonlyleadtomischief。Touse<114>hisownwords，further，hesaid，“ifyougiveaniggeraninch，hewilltakeanell；““heshouldknownothingbutthewillofhismaster，andlearntoobeyit。““ifyouteachthatnigger——speakingofmyself——howtoreadthebible，therewillbenokeepinghim；““itwouldforeverunfithimforthedutiesofaslave；“and“astohimself，learningwoulddohimnogood，butprobably，agreatdealofharm——makinghimdisconsolateandunhappy。““Ifyoulearnhimnowtoread，he\'llwanttoknowhowtowrite；and，thisaccomplished，he\'llberunningawaywithhimself。“SuchwasthetenorofMasterHugh\'soracularexpositionofthetruephilosophyoftrainingahumanchattel；anditmustbeconfessedthatheveryclearlycomprehendedthenatureandtherequirementsoftherelationofmasterandslave。Hisdiscoursewasthefirstdecidedlyanti-
slaverylecturetowhichithadbeenmylottolisten。Mrs。Auldevidentlyfelttheforceofhisremarks；and，likeanobedientwife，begantoshapehercourseinthedirectionindicatedbyherhusband。Theeffectofhiswords，_onme_，wasneitherslightnortransitory。Hisironsentences——coldandharsh——sunkdeepintomyheart，andstirredupnotonlymyfeelingsintoasortofrebellion，butawakenedwithinmeaslumberingtrainofvitalthought。Itwasanewandspecialrevelation，dispellingapainfulmystery，againstwhichmyyouthfulunderstandinghadstruggled，andstruggledinvain，towit:the_white_man\'spowertoperpetuatetheenslavementofthe_black_man。“Verywell，“
thoughtI；“knowledgeunfitsachildtobeaslave。“I
instinctivelyassentedtotheproposition；andfromthatmomentI
understoodthedirectpathwayfromslaverytofreedom。ThiswasjustwhatIneeded；andIgotitatatime，andfromasource，whenceIleastexpectedit。Iwassaddenedatthethoughtoflosingtheassistanceofmykindmistress；buttheinformation，soinstantlyderived，tosomeextentcompensatedmeforthelossIhadsustainedinthisdirection。WiseasMr。Auldwas，heevidentlyunderratedmycomprehension，andhadlittleideaoftheusetowhichIwascapableofputting<115CITYSLAVESAND
COUNTRYSLAVES>theimpressivelessonhewasgivingtohiswife。
