TheVictory
“ThanksbeuntoGod，whogivethusthevictory。”1
Havenotmanyofus，inthewearywayoflife，felt，insomehours，howfareasieritweretodiethantolive？
Themartyr，whenfacedevenbyadeathofbodilyanguishandhorror，findsintheveryterrorofhisdoomastrongstimulantandtonic。Thereisavividexcitement，athrillandfervor，whichmaycarrythroughanycrisisofsufferingthatisthebirth-hourofeternalgloryandrest。
Buttolive，—towearon，dayafterday，ofmean，bitter，low，harassingservitude，everynervedampenedanddepressed，everypoweroffeelinggraduallysmothered，—thislongandwastingheart-martyrdom，thisslow，dailybleedingawayoftheinwardlife，dropbydrop，hourafterhour，—thisisthetruesearchingtestofwhattheremaybeinmanorwoman。
WhenTomstoodfacetofacewithhispersecutor，andheardhisthreats，andthoughtinhisverysoulthathishourwascome，hisheartswelledbravelyinhim，andhethoughthecouldbeartortureandfire，bearanything，withthevisionofJesusandheavenbutjustastepbeyond；but，whenhewasgone，andthepresentexcitementpassedoff，camebackthepainofhisbruisedandwearylimbs，—camebackthesenseofhisutterlydegraded，hopeless，forlornestate；andthedaypassedwearilyenough。
Longbeforehiswoundswerehealed，Legreeinsistedthatheshouldbeputtotheregularfield-work；andthencamedayafterdayofpainandweariness，aggravatedbyeverykindofinjusticeandindignitythattheill-willofameanandmaliciousmindcoulddevise。Whoever，inourcircumstances，hasmadetrialofpain，evenwithallthealleviationswhich，forus，usuallyattendit，mustknowtheirritationthatcomeswithit。Tomnolongerwonderedatthehabitualsurlinessofhisassociates；nay，hefoundtheplacid，sunnytemper，whichhadbeenthehabitudeofhislife，brokeninon，andsorelystrained，bytheinroadsofthesamething。HehadflatteredhimselfonleisuretoreadhisBible；buttherewasnosuchthingasleisurethere。Intheheightoftheseason，Legreedidnothesitatetopressallhishandsthrough，Sundaysandweek-daysalike。Whyshouldn’the？—hemademorecottonbyit，andgainedhiswager；andifitworeoutafewmorehands，hecouldbuybetterones。Atfirst，TomusedtoreadaverseortwoofhisBible，bytheflickerofthefire，afterhehadreturnedfromhisdailytoil；but，afterthecrueltreatmenthereceived，heusedtocomehomesoexhausted，thathisheadswamandhiseyesfailedwhenhetriedtoread；andhewasfaintostretchhimselfdown，withtheothers，inutterexhaustion。
Isitstrangethatthereligiouspeaceandtrust，whichhadupbornehimhitherto，shouldgivewaytotossingsofsoulanddespondentdarkness？Thegloomiestproblemofthismysteriouslifewasconstantlybeforehiseyes，—soulscrushedandruined，eviltriumphant，andGodsilent。ItwasweeksandmonthsthatTomwrestled，inhisownsoul，indarknessandsorrow。HethoughtofMissOphelia’slettertohisKentuckyfriends，andwouldprayearnestlythatGodwouldsendhimdeliverance。Andthenhewouldwatch，dayafterday，inthevaguehopeofseeingsomebodysenttoredeemhim；and，whennobodycame，hewouldcrushbacktohissoulbitterthoughts，—thatitwasvaintoserveGod，thatGodhadforgottenhim。HesometimessawCassy；andsometimes，whensummonedtothehouse，caughtaglimpseofthedejectedformofEmmeline，butheldverylittlecommunionwitheither；infact，therewasnotimeforhimtocommunewithanybody。
Oneevening，hewassitting，inutterdejectionandprostration，byafewdecayingbrands，wherehiscoarsesupperwasbaking。Heputafewbitsofbrushwoodonthefire，andstrovetoraisethelight，andthendrewhiswornBiblefromhispocket。Therewereallthemarkedpassages，whichhadthrilledhissoulsooften，—wordsofpatriarchsandseers，poetsandsages，whofromearlytimehadspokencouragetoman，—voicesfromthegreatcloudofwitnesseswhoeversurroundusintheraceoflife。Hadthewordlostitspower，orcouldthefailingeyeandwearysensenolongeranswertothetouchofthatmightyinspiration？Heavilysighing，heputitinhispocket。Acoarselaughrousedhim；helookedup，—Legreewasstandingoppositetohim。
“Well，oldboy，”hesaid，“youfindyourreligiondon’twork，itseems！IthoughtIshouldgetthatthroughyourwool，atlast！”
Thecrueltauntwasmorethanhungerandcoldandnakedness。Tomwassilent。
“Youwereafool，”saidLegree；“forImeanttodowellbyyou，whenIboughtyou。YoumighthavebeenbetteroffthanSambo，orQuimboeither，andhadeasytimes；and，insteadofgettingcutupandthrashed，everydayortwo，yemighthavehadlibertytolorditround，andcutuptheotherniggers；andyemighthavehad，nowandthen，agoodwarmingofwhiskeypunch。Come，Tom，don’tyouthinkyou’dbetterbereasonable？—heavethataroldpackoftrashinthefire，andjoinmychurch！”
“TheLordforbid！”saidTom，fervently。
“YouseetheLordan’tgoingtohelpyou；ifhehadbeen，hewouldn’thaveletmegetyou！Thisyerreligionisallamessoflyingtrumpery，Tom。Iknowallaboutit。Ye’dbetterholdtome；I’msomebody，andcandosomething！”
“No，Mas’r，”saidTom；“I’llholdon。TheLordmayhelpme，ornothelp；butI’llholdtohim，andbelievehimtothelast！”
“Themorefoolyou！”saidLegree，spittingscornfullyathim，andspurninghimwithhisfoot。“Nevermind；I’llchaseyoudown，yet，andbringyouunder，—you’llsee！”andLegreeturnedaway。
Whenaheavyweightpressesthesoultothelowestlevelatwhichenduranceispossible，thereisaninstantanddesperateeffortofeveryphysicalandmoralnervetothrowofftheweight；andhencetheheaviestanguishoftenprecedesareturntideofjoyandcourage。SowasitnowwithTom。Theatheistictauntsofhiscruelmastersunkhisbeforedejectedsoultothelowestebb；and，thoughthehandoffaithstillheldtotheeternalrock，itwasanumb，despairinggrasp。Tomsat，likeonestunned，atthefire。Suddenlyeverythingaroundhimseemedtofade，andavisionrosebeforehimofonecrownedwiththorns，buffetedandbleeding。Tomgazed，inaweandwonder，atthemajesticpatienceoftheface；thedeep，patheticeyesthrilledhimtohisinmostheart；hissoulwoke，as，withfloodsofemotion，hestretchedouthishandsandfelluponhisknees，—when，gradually，thevisionchanged:thesharpthornsbecameraysofglory；and，insplendorinconceivable，hesawthatsamefacebendingcompassionatelytowardshim，andavoicesaid，“Hethatovercomethshallsitdownwithmeonmythrone，evenasIalsoovercome，andamsetdownwithmyFatheronhisthrone。”
HowlongTomlaythere，heknewnot。Whenhecametohimself，thefirewasgoneout，hisclotheswerewetwiththechillanddrenchingdews；butthedreadsoul-crisiswaspast，and，inthejoythatfilledhim，henolongerfelthunger，cold，degradation，disappointment，wretchedness。Fromhisdeepestsoul，hethathourloosedandpartedfromeveryhopeinlifethatnowis，andofferedhisownwillanunquestioningsacrificetotheInfinite。Tomlookeduptothesilent，ever-livingstars，—typesoftheangelichostswhoeverlookdownonman；andthesolitudeofthenightrungwiththetriumphantwordsofahymn，whichhehadsungofteninhappierdays，butneverwithsuchfeelingasnow:
“Theearthshallbedissolvedlikesnow，
Thesunshallceasetoshine；
ButGod，whocalledmeherebelow，
Shallbeforevermine。
“Andwhenthismortallifeshallfail，
Andfleshandsenseshallcease，
Ishallpossesswithintheveil
Alifeofjoyandpeace。
“Whenwe’vebeentheretenthousandyears，
Brightshininglikethesun，
We’venolessdaystosingGod’spraise
Thanwhenwefirstbegun。”
Thosewhohavebeenfamiliarwiththereligioushistoriesoftheslavepopulationknowthatrelationslikewhatwehavenarratedareverycommonamongthem。Wehaveheardsomefromtheirownlips，ofaverytouchingandaffectingcharacter。Thepsychologisttellsusofastate，inwhichtheaffectionsandimagesofthemindbecomesodominantandoverpowering，thattheypressintotheirservicetheoutwardimagining。Whoshallmeasurewhatanall-pervadingSpiritmaydowiththesecapabilitiesofourmortality，orthewaysinwhichHemayencouragethedespondingsoulsofthedesolate？IfthepoorforgottenslavebelievesthatJesushathappearedandspokentohim，whoshallcontradicthim？DidHenotsaythathis，mission，inallages，wastobindupthebroken-hearted，andsetatlibertythemthatarebruised？
Whenthedimgrayofdawnwoketheslumbererstogoforthtothefield，therewasamongthosetatteredandshiveringwretchesonewhowalkedwithanexultanttread；forfirmerthanthegroundhetrodonwashisstrongfaithinAlmighty，eternallove。Ah，Legree，tryallyourforcesnow！Utmostagony，woe，degradation，want，andlossofallthings，shallonlyhastenontheprocessbywhichheshallbemadeakingandapriestuntoGod！
Fromthistime，aninviolablesphereofpeaceencompassedthelowlyheartoftheoppressedone，—anever-presentSaviourhalloweditasatemple。Pastnowthebleedingofearthlyregrets；pastitsfluctuationsofhope，andfear，anddesire；thehumanwill，bent，andbleeding，andstrugglinglong，wasnowentirelymergedintheDivine。Soshortnowseemedtheremainingvoyageoflife，—sonear，sovivid，seemedeternalblessedness，—thatlife’suttermostwoesfellfromhimunharming。
Allnoticedthechangeinhisappearance。Cheerfulnessandalertnessseemedtoreturntohim，andaquietnesswhichnoinsultorinjurycouldruffleseemedtopossesshim。
“Whatthedevil’sgotintoTom？”LegreesaidtoSambo。“Awhileagohewasalldowninthemouth，andnowhe’speartasacricket。”
“Dunno，Mas’r；gwinetorunoff，mebbe。”
“Liketoseehimtrythat，”saidLegree，withasavagegrin，“wouldn’twe，Sambo？”
“Guesswewould！Haw！haw！ho！”saidthesootygnome，laughingobsequiously。“Lord，defun！Toseehimstickin’indemud，—chasin’andtarin’throughdebushes，dogsaholdin’ontohim！Lord，Ilaughedfittosplit，datartimewecotchedMolly。Ithoughtthey’dahadherallstrippedupaforeIcouldget’emoff。Shecar’sdemarkso’datarspreeyet。”
“Ireckonshewill，tohergrave，”saidLegree。“Butnow，Sambo，youlooksharp。Ifthenigger’sgotanythingofthissortgoing，triphimup。”
“Mas’r，letmelonefordat，”saidSambo，“I’lltreedecoon。Ho，ho，ho！”
ThiswasspokenasLegreewasgettingonhishorse，togototheneighboringtown。Thatnight，ashewasreturning，hethoughthewouldturnhishorseandrideroundthequarters，andseeifallwassafe。
Itwasasuperbmoonlightnight，andtheshadowsofthegracefulChinatreeslayminutelypencilledontheturfbelow，andtherewasthattransparentstillnessintheairwhichitseemsalmostunholytodisturb。Legreewasalittledistancefromthequarters，whenheheardthevoiceofsomeonesinging。Itwasnotausualsoundthere，andhepausedtolisten。Amusicaltenorvoicesang，
“WhenIcanreadmytitleclear
Tomansionsintheskies，
I’llbidfarewelltoeveryfear，
Andwipemyweepingeyes
“Shouldearthagainstmysoulengage，
Andhellishdartsbehurled，
ThenIcansmileatSatan’srage，
Andfaceafrowningworld。
“Letcareslikeawilddelugecome，
Andstormsofsorrowfall，
MayIbutsafelyreachmyhome，
Mygod，myHeaven，myAll。”2
“Soho！”saidLegreetohimself，“hethinksso，doeshe？HowIhatethesecursedMethodisthymns！Here，younigger，”saidhe，comingsuddenlyoutuponTom，andraisinghisriding-whip，“howdareyoubegettin’upthisyerrow，whenyououghttobeinbed？Shutyeroldblackgash，andgetalonginwithyou！”
“Yes，Mas’r，”saidTom，withreadycheerfulness，asherosetotoin。
LegreewasprovokedbeyondmeasurebyTom’sevidenthappiness；andridinguptohim，belaboredhimoverhisheadandshoulders。
“There，youdog，”hesaid，“seeifyou’llfeelsocomfortable，afterthat！”
Buttheblowsfellnowonlyontheouterman，andnot，asbefore，ontheheart。Tomstoodperfectlysubmissive；andyetLegreecouldnothidefromhimselfthathispoweroverhisbondthrallwassomehowgone。And，asTomdisappearedinhiscabin，andhewheeledhishorsesuddenlyround，therepassedthroughhismindoneofthosevividflashesthatoftensendthelightningofconscienceacrossthedarkandwickedsoul。HeunderstoodfullwellthatitwasGodwhowasstandingbetweenhimandhisvictim，andheblasphemedhim。Thatsubmissiveandsilentman，whomtaunts，northreats，norstripes，norcruelties，coulddisturb，rousedavoicewithinhim，suchasofoldhisMasterrousedinthedemoniacsoul，saying，“Whathavewetodowiththee，thouJesusofNazareth？—artthoucometotormentusbeforethetime？”
Tom’swholesouloverflowedwithcompassionandsympathyforthepoorwretchesbywhomhewassurrounded。Tohimitseemedasifhislife-sorrowswerenowover，andasif，outofthatstrangetreasuryofpeaceandjoy，withwhichhehadbeenendowedfromabove，helongedtopouroutsomethingforthereliefoftheirwoes。Itistrue，opportunitieswerescanty；but，onthewaytothefields，andbackagain，andduringthehoursoflabor，chancesfellinhiswayofextendingahelping-handtotheweary，thedisheartenedanddiscouraged。Thepoor，worn-down，brutalizedcreatures，atfirst，couldscarcecomprehendthis；but，whenitwascontinuedweekafterweek，andmonthaftermonth，itbegantoawakenlong-silentchordsintheirbenumbedhearts。Graduallyandimperceptiblythestrange，silent，patientman，whowasreadytobeareveryone’sburden，andsoughthelpfromnone，—whostoodasideforall，andcamelast，andtookleast，yetwasforemosttosharehislittleallwithanywhoneeded，—themanwho，incoldnights，wouldgiveuphistatteredblankettoaddtothecomfortofsomewomanwhoshiveredwithsickness，andwhofilledthebasketsoftheweakeronesinthefield，attheterribleriskofcomingshortinhisownmeasure，—andwho，thoughpursuedwithunrelentingcrueltybytheircommontyrant，neverjoinedinutteringawordofrevilingorcursing，—thisman，atlast，begantohaveastrangepoweroverthem；and，whenthemorepressingseasonwaspast，andtheywereallowedagaintheirSundaysfortheirownuse，manywouldgathertogethertohearfromhimofJesus。Theywouldgladlyhavemettohear，andpray，andsing，insomeplace，together；butLegreewouldnotpermitit，andmorethanoncebrokeupsuchattempts，withoathsandbrutalexecrations，—sothattheblessednewshadtocirculatefromindividualtoindividual。Yetwhocanspeakthesimplejoywithwhichsomeofthosepooroutcasts，towhomlifewasajoylessjourneytoadarkunknown，heardofacompassionateRedeemerandaheavenlyhome？Itisthestatementofmissionaries，that，ofallracesoftheearth，nonehavereceivedtheGospelwithsucheagerdocilityastheAfrican。Theprincipleofrelianceandunquestioningfaith，whichisitsfoundation，ismoreanativeelementinthisracethananyother；andithasoftenbeenfoundamongthem，thatastrayseedoftruth，borneonsomebreezeofaccidentintoheartsthemostignorant，hassprungupintofruit，whoseabundancehasshamedthatofhigherandmoreskilfulculture。
Thepoormulattowoman，whosesimplefaithhadbeenwell-nighcrushedandoverwhelmed，bytheavalancheofcrueltyandwrongwhichhadfallenuponher，felthersoulraisedupbythehymnsandpassagesofHolyWrit，whichthislowlymissionarybreathedintoherearinintervals，astheyweregoingtoandreturningfromwork；andeventhehalf-crazedandwanderingmindofCassywassoothedandcalmedbyhissimpleandunobtrusiveinfluences。
Stungtomadnessanddespairbythecrushingagoniesofalife，Cassyhadoftenresolvedinhersoulanhourofretribution，whenherhandshouldavengeonheroppressoralltheinjusticeandcrueltytowhichshehadbeenwitness，orwhichshehadinherownpersonsuffered。
Onenight，afterallinTom’scabinweresunkinsleep，hewassuddenlyarousedbyseeingherfaceattheholebetweenthelogs，thatservedforawindow。Shemadeasilentgestureforhimtocomeout。
Tomcameoutthedoor。Itwasbetweenoneandtwoo’clockatnight，—broad，calm，stillmoonlight。Tomremarked，asthelightofthemoonfelluponCassy’slarge，blackeyes，thattherewasawildandpeculiarglareinthem，unliketheirwontedfixeddespair。
“Comehere，FatherTom，”shesaid，layinghersmallhandonhiswrist，anddrawinghimforwardwithaforceasifthehandwereofsteel；“comehere，—I’venewsforyou。”
“What，MisseCassy？”saidTom，anxiously。
“Tom，wouldn’tyoulikeyourliberty？”
“Ishallhaveit，Misse，inGod’stime，”saidTom。“Ay，butyoumayhaveittonight，”saidCassy，withaflashofsuddenenergy。“Comeon。”
Tomhesitated。
“Come！”saidshe，inawhisper，fixingherblackeyesonhim。“Comealong！He’sasleep—sound。Iputenoughintohisbrandytokeephimso。IwishI’dhadmore，—Ishouldn’thavewantedyou。Butcome，thebackdoorisunlocked；there’sanaxethere，Iputitthere，—hisroomdoorisopen；I’llshowyoutheway。
I’dadoneitmyself，onlymyarmsaresoweak。Comealong！”
“Notfortenthousandworlds，Misse！”saidTom，firmly，stoppingandholdingherback，asshewaspressingforward。
“Butthinkofallthesepoorcreatures，”saidCassy。“Wemightsetthemallfree，andgosomewhereintheswamps，andfindanisland，andlivebyourselves；I’veheardofitsbeingdone。Anylifeisbetterthanthis。”
“No！”saidTom，firmly。“No！goodnevercomesofwickedness。I’dsoonerchopmyrighthandoff！”
“ThenIshalldoit，”saidCassy，turning。
“O，MisseCassy！”saidTom，throwinghimselfbeforeher，“forthedearLord’ssakethatdiedforye，don’tsellyourprecioussoultothedevil，thatway！Nothingbutevilwillcomeofit。TheLordhasn’tcalledustowrath。Wemustsuffer，andwaithistime。”
“Wait！”saidCassy。“Haven’tIwaited？—waitedtillmyheadisdizzyandmyheartsick？Whathashemademesuffer？Whathashemadehundredsofpoorcreaturessuffer？Isn’thewringingthelife-bloodoutofyou？I’mcalledon；theycallme！Histime’scome，andI’llhavehisheart’sblood！”
“No，no，no！”saidTom，holdinghersmallhands，whichwereclenchedwithspasmodicviolence。“No，yepoor，lostsoul，thatyemustn’tdo。Thedear，blessedLordnevershednobloodbuthisown，andthathepouredoutforuswhenwewasenemies。Lord，helpustofollowhissteps，andloveourenemies。”
“Love！”saidCassy，withafierceglare；“lovesuchenemies！Itisn’tinfleshandblood。”
“No，Misse，itisn’t，”saidTom，lookingup；“butHegivesittous，andthat’sthevictory。Whenwecanloveandprayoverallandthroughall，thebattle’spast，andthevictory’scome，—glorybetoGod！”And，withstreamingeyesandchokingvoice，theblackmanlookeduptoheaven。
Andthis，ohAfrica！latestcalledofnations，—calledtothecrownofthorns，thescourge，thebloodysweat，thecrossofagony，—thisistobethyvictory；bythisshaltthoureignwithChristwhenhiskingdomshallcomeonearth。
ThedeepfervorofTom’sfeelings，thesoftnessofhisvoice，histears，felllikedewonthewild，unsettledspiritofthepoorwoman。Asoftnessgatheredovertheluridfiresofhereye；shelookeddown，andTomcouldfeeltherelaxingmusclesofherhands，asshesaid，
“Didn’tItellyouthatevilspiritsfollowedme？O！FatherTom，Ican’tpray，—IwishIcould。Ineverhaveprayedsincemychildrenweresold！Whatyousaymustberight，Iknowitmust；butwhenItrytopray，Icanonlyhateandcurse。Ican’tpray！”
“Poorsoul！”saidTom，compassionately。“Satandesirestohaveye，andsiftyeaswheat。IpraytheLordforye。O！MisseCassy，turntothedearLordJesus。Hecametobindupthebroken-hearted，andcomfortallthatmourn。”
Cassystoodsilent，whilelarge，heavytearsdroppedfromherdowncasteyes。
“MisseCassy，”saidTom，inahesitatingtone，aftersurveyingherinsilence，“ifyeonlycouldgetawayfromhere，—ifthethingwaspossible，—I’d’viseyeandEmmelinetodoit；thatis，ifyecouldgowithoutblood-guiltiness，—nototherwise。”
“Wouldyoutryitwithus，FatherTom？”
“No，”saidTom；“timewaswhenIwould；buttheLord’sgivenmeaworkamongtheseyerpoorsouls，andI’llstaywith’emandbearmycrosswith’emtilltheend。It’sdifferentwithyou；it’sasnaretoyou，—it’smore’nyoucanstand，—andyou’dbettergo，ifyoucan。”
“Iknownowaybutthroughthegrave，”saidCassy。“There’snobeastorbirdbutcanfindahomesomewhere；eventhesnakesandthealligatorshavetheirplacestoliedownandbequiet；butthere’snoplaceforus。Downinthedarkestswamps，theirdogswillhuntusout，andfindus。Everybodyandeverythingisagainstus；eventheverybeastssideagainstus，—andwhereshallwego？”
Tomstoodsilent；atlengthhesaid，
“HimthatsavedDanielinthedenoflions，—thatsavesthechildreninthefieryfurnace，—Himthatwalkedonthesea，andbadethewindsbestill，—He’saliveyet；andI’vefaithtobelievehecandeliveryou。Tryit，andI’llpray，withallmymight，foryou。”
Bywhatstrangelawofmindisitthatanidealongoverlooked，andtroddenunderfootasauselessstone，suddenlysparklesoutinnewlight，asadiscovereddiamond？
Cassyhadoftenrevolved，forhours，allpossibleorprobableschemesofescape，anddismissedthemall，ashopelessandimpracticable；butatthismomentthereflashedthroughhermindaplan，sosimpleandfeasibleinallitsdetails，astoawakenaninstanthope。
“FatherTom，I’lltryit！”shesaid，suddenly。
“Amen！”saidTom；“theLordhelpye！”
1ICor。15:57。
2“OnMyJourneyHome，”hymnbyIsaacWatts，foundinmanyofthesoutherncountrysongbooksoftheantebellumperiod。
TheStratagem
“Thewayofthewickedisasdarkness；heknowethnotatwhathestumbleth。”1
ThegarretofthehousethatLegreeoccupied，likemostothergarrets，wasagreat，desolatespace，dusty，hungwithcobwebs，andlitteredwithcast-offlumber。Theopulentfamilythathadinhabitedthehouseinthedaysofitssplendorhadimportedagreatdealofsplendidfurniture，someofwhichtheyhadtakenawaywiththem，whilesomeremainedstandingdesolateinmouldering，unoccupiedrooms，orstoredawayinthisplace。Oneortwoimmensepacking-boxes，inwhichthisfurniturewasbrought，stoodagainstthesidesofthegarret。Therewasasmallwindowthere，whichletin，throughitsdingy，dustypanes，ascanty，uncertainlightonthetall，high-backedchairsanddustytables，thathadonceseenbetterdays。Altogether，itwasaweirdandghostlyplace；but，ghostlyasitwas，itwantednotinlegendsamongthesuperstitiousnegroes，toincreaseitterrors。Somefewyearsbefore，anegrowoman，whohadincurredLegree’sdispleasure，wasconfinedthereforseveralweeks。Whatpassedthere，wedonotsay；thenegroesusedtowhisperdarklytoeachother；butitwasknownthatthebodyoftheunfortunatecreaturewasonedaytakendownfromthere，andburied；and，afterthat，itwassaidthatoathsandcursings，andthesoundofviolentblows，usedtoringthroughthatoldgarret，andmingledwithwailingsandgroansofdespair。Once，whenLegreechancedtooverhearsomethingofthiskind，heflewintoaviolentpassion，andsworethatthenextonethattoldstoriesaboutthatgarretshouldhaveanopportunityofknowingwhatwasthere，forhewouldchainthemupthereforaweek。Thishintwasenoughtorepresstalking，though，ofcourse，itdidnotdisturbthecreditofthestoryintheleast。
Gradually，thestaircasethatledtothegarret，andeventhepassage-waytothestaircase，wereavoidedbyeveryoneinthehouse，fromeveryonefearingtospeakofit，andthelegendwasgraduallyfallingintodesuetude。IthadsuddenlyoccurredtoCassytomakeuseofthesuperstitiousexcitability，whichwassogreatinLegree，forthepurposeofherliberation，andthatofherfellow-sufferer。
Thesleeping-roomofCassywasdirectlyunderthegarret。Oneday，withoutconsultingLegree，shesuddenlytookituponher，withsomeconsiderableostentation，tochangeallthefurnitureandappurtenancesoftheroomtooneatsomeconsiderabledistance。Theunder-servants，whowerecalledontoeffectthismovement，wererunningandbustlingaboutwithgreatzealandconfusion，whenLegreereturnedfromaride。
“Hallo！youCass！”saidLegree，“what’sinthewindnow？”
“Nothing；onlyIchoosetohaveanotherroom，”saidCassy，doggedly。
“Andwhatfor，pray？”saidLegree。
“Ichooseto，”saidCassy。
“Thedevilyoudo！andwhatfor？”
“I’dliketogetsomesleep，nowandthen。”
“Sleep！well，whathindersyoursleeping？”
“Icouldtell，Isuppose，ifyouwanttohear，”saidCassy，dryly。
“Speakout，youminx！”saidLegree。
“O！nothing。Isupposeitwouldn’tdisturbyou！Onlygroans，andpeoplescuffing，androllingroundonthegarre，floor，halfthenight，fromtwelvetomorning！”
“Peopleupgarret！”saidLegree，uneasily，butforcingalaugh；“whoarethey，Cassy？”
Cassyraisedhersharp，blackeyes，andlookedinthefaceofLegree，withanexpressionthatwentthroughhisbones，asshesaid，“Tobesure，Simon，whoarethey？I’dliketohaveyoutellme。Youdon’tknow，Isuppose！”
Withanoath，Legreestruckatherwithhisriding-whip；butsheglidedtooneside，andpassedthroughthedoor，andlookingback，said，“Ifyou’llsleepinthatroom，you’llknowallaboutit。Perhapsyou’dbettertryit！”andthenimmediatelysheshutandlockedthedoor。
Legreeblusteredandswore，andthreatenedtobreakdownthedoor；butapparentlythoughtbetterofit，andwalkeduneasilyintothesitting-room。Cassyperceivedthathershafthadstruckhome；and，fromthathour，withthemostexquisiteaddress，sheneverceasedtocontinuethetrainofinfluencesshehadbegun。
Inaknot-holeofthegarret，thathadopened，shehadinsertedtheneckofanoldbottle，insuchamannerthatwhentherewastheleastwind，mostdolefulandlugubriouswailingsoundsproceededfromit，which，inahighwind，increasedtoaperfectshriek，suchastocredulousandsuperstitiousearsmighteasilyseemtobethatofhorroranddespair。
Thesesoundswere，fromtimetotime，heardbytheservants，andrevivedinfullforcethememoryoftheoldghostlegend。Asuperstitiouscreepinghorrorseemedtofillthehouse；andthoughnoonedaredtobreatheittoLegree，hefoundhimselfencompassedbyit，asbyanatmosphere。
Nooneissothoroughlysuperstitiousasthegodlessman。TheChristianiscomposedbythebeliefofawise，all-rulingFather，whosepresencefillsthevoidunknownwithlightandorder；buttothemanwhohasdethronedGod，thespirit-landis，indeed，inthewordsoftheHebrewpoet，“alandofdarknessandtheshadowofdeath，”withoutanyorder，wherethelightisasdarkness。Lifeanddeathtohimarehauntedgrounds，filledwithgoblinformsofvagueandshadowydread。
LegreehadhadtheslumberingmoralelementsinhimrousedbyhisencounterswithTom，—roused，onlytoberesistedbythedeterminateforceofevil；butstilltherewasathrillandcommotionofthedark，innerworld，producedbyeveryword，orprayer，orhymn，thatreactedinsuperstitiousdread。
TheinfluenceofCassyoverhimwasofastrangeandsingularkind。Hewasherowner，hertyrantandtormentor。Shewas，asheknew，wholly，andwithoutanypossibilityofhelporredress，inhishands；andyetsoitis，thatthemostbrutalmancannotliveinconstantassociationwithastrongfemaleinfluence，andnotbegreatlycontrolledbyit。Whenhefirstboughther，shewas，asshesaid，awomandelicatelybred；andthenhecrushedher，withoutscruple，beneaththefootofhisbrutality。But，astime，anddebasinginfluences，anddespair，hardenedwomanhoodwithinher，andwakedthefiresoffiercerpassions，shehadbecomeinameasurehismistress，andhealternatelytyrannizedoveranddreadedher。
Thisinfluencehadbecomemoreharassinganddecided，sincepartialinsanityhadgivenastrange，weird，unsettledcasttoallherwordsandlanguage。
Anightortwoafterthis，Legreewassittingintheoldsitting-room，bythesideofaflickeringwoodfire，thatthrewuncertainglancesroundtheroom。Itwasastormy，windynight，suchasraiseswholesquadronsofnondescriptnoisesinricketyoldhouses。Windowswererattling，shuttersflapping，andwindcarousing，rumbling，andtumblingdownthechimney，and，everyonceinawhile，puffingoutsmokeandashes，asifalegionofspiritswerecomingafterthem。Legreehadbeencastingupaccountsandreadingnewspapersforsomehours，whileCassysatinthecorner；sullenlylookingintothefire。Legreelaiddownhispaper，andseeinganoldbooklyingonthetable，whichhehadnoticedCassyreading，thefirstpartoftheevening，tookitup，andbegantoturnitover。Itwasoneofthosecollectionsofstoriesofbloodymurders，ghostlylegends，andsupernaturalvisitations，which，coarselygotupandillustrated，haveastrangefascinationforonewhooncebeginstoreadthem。
Legreepoohedandpished，butread，turningpageafterpage，till，finally，afterreadingsomeway，hethrewdownthebook，withanoath。
“Youdon’tbelieveinghosts，doyou，Cass？”saidhe，takingthetongsandsettlingthefire。“Ithoughtyou’dmoresensethantoletnoisesscareyou。”
“NomatterwhatIbelieve，”saidCassy，sullenly。
“Fellowsusedtotrytofrightenmewiththeiryarnsatsea，”saidLegree。“Nevercomeitroundmethatway。I’mtootoughforanysuchtrash，tellye。”
Cassysatlookingintenselyathimintheshadowofthecorner。TherewasthatstrangelightinhereyesthatalwaysimpressedLegreewithuneasiness。
“Themnoiseswasnothingbutratsandthewind，”saidLegree。“Ratswillmakeadevilofanoise。Iusedtohear’emsometimesdownintheholdoftheship；andwind，—Lord’ssake！yecanmakeanythingouto’wind。”
CassyknewLegreewasuneasyunderhereyes，and，therefore，shemadenoanswer，butsatfixingthemonhim，withthatstrange，unearthlyexpression，asbefore。
“Come，speakout，woman，—don’tyouthinkso？”saidLegree。
“Canratswalkdownstairs，andcomewalkingthroughtheentry，andopenadoorwhenyou’velockeditandsetachairagainstit？”saidCassy；“andcomewalk，walk，walkingrightuptoyourbed，andputouttheirhand，so？”
CassykeptherglitteringeyesfixedonLegree，asshespoke，andhestaredatherlikeamaninthenightmare，till，whenshefinishedbylayingherhand，icycold，onhis，hesprungback，withanoath。
“Woman！whatdoyoumean？Nobodydid？”
“O，no，—ofcoursenot，—didIsaytheydid？”saidCassy，withasmileofchillingderision。
“But—did—haveyoureallyseen？—Come，Cass，whatisit，now，—speakout！”
“Youmaysleepthere，yourself，”saidCassy，“ifyouwanttoknow。”
“Diditcomefromthegarret，Cassy？”
“It，—what？”saidCassy。
“Why，whatyoutoldof—”
“Ididn’ttellyouanything，”saidCassy，withdoggedsullenness。
Legreewalkedupanddowntheroom，uneasily。
“I’llhavethisyerthingexamined。I’lllookintoit，thisverynight。I’lltakemypistols—”
“Do，”saidCassy；“sleepinthatroom。I’dliketoseeyoudoingit。Fireyourpistols，—do！”
Legreestampedhisfoot，andsworeviolently。
“Don’tswear，”saidCassy；“nobodyknowswhomaybehearingyou。Hark！Whatwasthat？”
“What？”saidLegree，starting。
AheavyoldDutchclock，thatstoodinthecorneroftheroom，began，andslowlystrucktwelve。
Forsomereasonorother，Legreeneitherspokenormoved；avaguehorrorfellonhim；whileCassy，withakeen，sneeringglitterinhereyes，stoodlookingathim，countingthestrokes。
“Twelveo’clock；wellnowwe’llsee，”saidshe，turning，andopeningthedoorintothepassage-way，andstandingasiflistening。
“Hark！What’sthat？”saidshe，raisingherfinger。
“It’sonlythewind，”saidLegree。“Don’tyouhearhowcursedlyitblows？”
“Simon，comehere，”saidCassy，inawhisper，layingherhandonhis，andleadinghimtothefootofthestairs:“doyouknowwhatthatis？Hark！”
Awildshriekcamepealingdownthestairway。Itcamefromthegarret。Legree’skneesknockedtogether；hisfacegrewwhitewithfear。
“Hadn’tyoubettergetyourpistols？”saidCassy，withasneerthatfrozeLegree’sblood。“It’stimethisthingwaslookedinto，youknow。I’dliketohaveyougoupnow；they’reatit。”
“Iwon’tgo！”saidLegree，withanoath。
“Whynot？Therean’tanysuchthingasghosts，youknow！Come！”andCassyflittedupthewindingstairway，laughing，andlookingbackafterhim。“Comeon。”
“Ibelieveyouarethedevil！”saidLegree。“Comebackyouhag，—comeback，Cass！Youshan’tgo！”
ButCassylaughedwildly，andfledon。Heheardheropentheentrydoorsthatledtothegarret。Awildgustofwindsweptdown，extinguishingthecandleheheldinhishand，andwithitthefearful，unearthlyscreams；theyseemedtobeshriekedinhisveryear。
Legreefledfranticallyintotheparlor，whither，inafewmoments，hewasfollowedbyCassy，pale，calm，coldasanavengingspirit，andwiththatsamefearfullightinhereye。
“Ihopeyouaresatisfied，”saidshe。
“Blastyou，Cass！”saidLegree。
“Whatfor？”saidCassy。“Ionlywentupandshutthedoors。What’sthematterwiththatgarret，Simon，doyousuppose？”saidshe。
“Noneofyourbusiness！”saidLegree。
“O，itan’t？Well，”saidCassy，“atanyrate，I’mgladIdon’tsleepunderit。”
Anticipatingtherisingofthewind，thatveryevening，Cassyhadbeenupandopenedthegarretwindow。Ofcourse，themomentthedoorswereopened，thewindhaddrafteddown，andextinguishedthelight。
ThismayserveasaspecimenofthegamethatCassyplayedwithLegree，untilhewouldsoonerhaveputhisheadintoalion’smouththantohaveexploredthatgarret。Meanwhile，inthenight，wheneverybodyelsewasasleep，Cassyslowlyandcarefullyaccumulatedthereastockofprovisionssufficienttoaffordsubsistenceforsometime；shetransferred，articlebyarticle，agreaterpartofherownandEmmeline’swardrobe。Allthingsbeingarranged，theyonlywaitedafittingopportunitytoputtheirplaninexecution。
BycajolingLegree，andtakingadvantageofagood-naturedinterval，Cassyhadgothimtotakeherwithhimtotheneighboringtown，whichwassituateddirectlyontheRedriver。Withamemorysharpenedtoalmostpreternaturalclearness，sheremarkedeveryturnintheroad，andformedamentalestimateofthetimetobeoccupiedintraversingit。
Atthetimewhenallwasmaturedforaction，ourreadersmay，perhaps，liketolookbehindthescenes，andseethefinalcoupd’etat。
Itwasnownearevening，Legreehadbeenabsent，onaridetoaneighboringfarm。FormanydaysCassyhadbeenunusuallygraciousandaccommodatinginherhumors；andLegreeandshehadbeen，apparently，onthebestofterms。Atpresent，wemaybeholdherandEmmelineintheroomofthelatter，busyinsortingandarrangingtwosmallbundles。
“There，thesewillbelargeenough，”saidCassy。Nowputonyourbonnet，andlet’sstart；it’sjustabouttherighttime。”
“Why，theycanseeusyet，”saidEmmeline。
“Imeantheyshall，”saidCassy，coolly。“Don’tyouknowthattheymusthavetheirchaseafterus，atanyrate？Thewayofthethingistobejustthis:—Wewillstealoutofthebackdoor，andrundownbythequarters。SamboorQuimbowillbesuretoseeus。Theywillgivechase，andwewillgetintotheswamp；then，theycan’tfollowusanyfurthertilltheygoupandgivethealarm，andturnoutthedogs，andsoon；and，whiletheyareblunderinground，andtumblingovereachother，astheyalwaysdo，youandIwillslipalongtothecreek，thatrunsbackofthehouse，andwadealonginit，tillwegetoppositethebackdoor。Thatwillputthedogsallatfault；forscentwon’tlieinthewater。Everyonewillrunoutofthehousetolookafterus，andthenwe’llwhipinatthebackdoor，andupintothegarret，whereI’vegotanicebedmadeupinoneofthegreatboxes。Wemuststayinthatgarretagoodwhile，for，Itellyou，hewillraiseheavenandearthafterus。He’llmustersomeofthoseoldoverseersontheotherplantations，andhaveagreathunt；andthey’llgoovereveryinchofgroundinthatswamp。Hemakesithisboastthatnobodyevergotawayfromhim。Solethimhuntathisleisure。”
“Cassy，howwellyouhaveplannedit！”saidEmmeline。“Whoeverwouldhavethoughtofit，butyou？”
TherewasneitherpleasurenorexultationinCassy’seyes，—onlyadespairingfirmness。
“Come，”shesaid，reachingherhandtoEmmeline。
Thetwofugitivesglidednoiselesslyfromthehouse，andflitted，throughthegatheringshadowsofevening，alongbythequarters。Thecrescentmoon，setlikeasilversignetinthewesternsky，delayedalittletheapproachofnight。AsCassyexpected，whenquitenearthevergeoftheswampsthatencircledtheplantation，theyheardavoicecallingtothemtostop。ItwasnotSambo，however，butLegree，whowaspursuingthemwithviolentexecrations。Atthesound，thefeeblerspiritofEmmelinegaveway；and，layingholdofCassy’sarm，shesaid，“O，Cassy，I’mgoingtofaint！”
“Ifyoudo，I’llkillyou！”saidCassy，drawingasmall，glitteringstiletto，andflashingitbeforetheeyesofthegirl。
Thediversionaccomplishedthepurpose。Emmelinedidnotfaint，andsucceededinplunging，withCassy，intoapartofthelabyrinthofswamp，sodeepanddarkthatitwasperfectlyhopelessforLegreetothinkoffollowingthem，withoutassistance。
“Well，”saidhe，chucklingbrutally；“atanyrate，they’vegotthemselvesintoatrapnow—thebaggage！They’resafeenough。Theyshallsweatforit！”
“Hulloa，there！Sambo！Quimbo！Allhands！”calledLegree，comingtothequarters，whenthemenandwomenwerejustreturningfromwork。“There’stworunawaysintheswamps。I’llgivefivedollarstoanyniggerascatches’em。Turnoutthedogs！TurnoutTiger，andFury，andtherest！”
Thesensationproducedbythisnewswasimmediate。Manyofthemensprangforward，officiously，tooffertheirservices，eitherfromthehopeofthereward，orfromthatcringingsubserviencywhichisoneofthemostbalefuleffectsofslavery。Someranoneway，andsomeanother。Somewereforgettingflambeauxofpine-knots。Somewereuncouplingthedogs，whosehoarse，savagebayaddednotalittletotheanimationofthescene。
“Mas’r，shallweshoot’em，ifcan’tcotch’em？”saidSambo，towhomhismasterbroughtoutarifle。
“YoumayfireonCass，ifyoulike；it’stimeshewasgonetothedevil，whereshebelongs；butthegal，not，”saidLegree。“Andnow，boys，bespryandsmart。Fivedollarsforhimthatgets’em；andaglassofspiritstoeveryoneofyou，anyhow。”
Thewholeband，withtheglareofblazingtorches，andwhoop，andshout，andsavageyell，ofmanandbeast，proceededdowntotheswamp，followed，atsomedistance，byeveryservantinthehouse。Theestablishmentwas，ofaconsequence，whollydeserted，whenCassyandEmmelineglidedintoitthebackway。Thewhoopingandshoutsoftheirpursuerswerestillfillingtheair；and，lookingfromthesitting-roomwindows，CassyandEmmelinecouldseethetroop，withtheirflambeaux，justdispersingthemselvesalongtheedgeoftheswamp。
“Seethere！”saidEmmeline，pointingtoCassy；“thehuntisbegun！Lookhowthoselightsdanceabout！Hark！thedogs！Don’tyouhear？Ifwewereonlythere，ourchanceswouldn’tbeworthapicayune。O，forpity’ssake，dolet’shideourselves。Quick！”
“There’snooccasionforhurry，”saidCassy，coolly；“theyarealloutafterthehunt，—that’stheamusementoftheevening！We’llgoupstairs，byandby。Meanwhile，”saidshe，deliberatelytakingakeyfromthepocketofacoatthatLegreehadthrowndowninhishurry，“meanwhileIshalltakesomethingtopayourpassage。
Sheunlockedthedesk，tookfromitarollofbills，whichshecountedoverrapidly。
“O，don’tlet’sdothat！”saidEmmeline。
“Don’t！”saidCassy；“whynot？Wouldyouhaveusstarveintheswamps，orhavethatthatwillpayourwaytothefreestates。Moneywilldoanything，girl。”And，asshespoke，sheputthemoneyinherbosom。
“Itwouldbestealing，”saidEmmeline，inadistressedwhisper。
“Stealing！”saidCassy，withascornfullaugh。“Theywhostealbodyandsoulneedn’ttalktous。Everyoneofthesebillsisstolen，—stolenfrompoor，starving，sweatingcreatures，whomustgotothedevilatlast，forhisprofit。Lethimtalkaboutstealing！Butcome，wemayaswellgoupgarret；I’vegotastockofcandlesthere，andsomebookstopassawaythetime。Youmaybeprettysuretheywon’tcometheretoinquireafterus。Iftheydo，I’llplayghostforthem。”
WhenEmmelinereachedthegarret，shefoundanimmensebox，inwhichsomeheavypiecesoffurniturehadoncebeenbrought，turnedonitsside，sothattheopeningfacedthewall，orrathertheeaves。Cassylitasmalllamp，andcreepingroundundertheeaves，theyestablishedthemselvesinit。Itwasspreadwithacoupleofsmallmattressesandsomepillows；aboxnearbywasplentifullystoredwithcandles，provisions，andalltheclothingnecessarytotheirjourney，whichCassyhadarrangedintobundlesofanastonishinglysmallcompass。
“There，”saidCassy，asshefixedthelampintoasmallhook，whichshehaddrivenintothesideoftheboxforthatpurpose；“thisistobeourhomeforthepresent。Howdoyoulikeit？”
“Areyousuretheywon’tcomeandsearchthegarret？”
“I’dliketoseeSimonLegreedoingthat，”saidCassy。“No，indeed；hewillbetoogladtokeepaway。Astotheservants，theywouldanyofthemstandandbeshot，soonerthanshowtheirfaceshere。”
Somewhatreassured，Emmelinesettledherselfbackonherpillow。
“Whatdidyoumean，Cassy，bysayingyouwouldkillme？”shesaid，simply。
“Imeanttostopyourfainting，”saidCassy，“andIdiddoit。AndnowItellyou，Emmeline，youmustmakeupyourmindnottofaint，letwhatwillcome；there’snosortofneedofit。IfIhadnotstoppedyou，thatwretchmighthavehadhishandsonyounow。”
Emmelineshuddered。
Thetworemainedsometimeinsilence。CassybusiedherselfwithaFrenchbook；Emmeline，overcomewiththeexhaustion，fellintoadoze，andsleptsometime。Shewasawakenedbyloudshoutsandoutcries，thetrampofhorses’feet，andthebayingofdogs。Shestartedup，withafaintshriek。
“Onlythehuntcomingback，”saidCassy，coolly；“neverfear。Lookoutofthisknot-hole。Don’tyousee’emalldownthere？Simonhastogiveup，forthisnight。Look，howmuddyhishorseis，flouncingaboutintheswamp；thedogs，too，lookrathercrestfallen。Ah，mygoodsir，you’llhavetotrytheraceagainandagain，—thegameisn’tthere。”
“O，don’tspeakaword！”saidEmmeline；“whatiftheyshouldhearyou？”
“Iftheydohearanything，itwillmakethemveryparticulartokeepaway，”saidCassy。“Nodanger；wemaymakeanynoiseweplease，anditwillonlyaddtotheeffect。”
Atlengththestillnessofmidnightsettleddownoverthehouse。Legree，cursinghisillluck，andvowingdirevengeanceonthemorrow，wenttobed。
1Prov。4:19。
TheMartyr
“DeemnotthejustbyHeavenforgot！
Thoughlifeitscommongiftsdeny，—
Though，withacrushedandbleedingheart，
Andspurnedofman，hegoestodie！
ForGodhathmarkedeachsorrowingday，
Andnumberedeverybittertear，
Andheaven’slongyearsofblissshallpay
Forallhischildrensufferhere。”
Bryant。1
Thelongestwaymusthaveitsclose，—thegloomiestnightwillwearontoamorning。Aneternal，inexorablelapseofmomentsiseverhurryingthedayoftheeviltoaneternalnight，andthenightofthejusttoaneternalday。Wehavewalkedwithourhumblefriendthusfarinthevalleyofslavery；firstthroughfloweryfieldsofeaseandindulgence，thenthroughheart-breakingseparationsfromallthatmanholdsdear。Again，wehavewaitedwithhiminasunnyisland，wheregeneroushandsconcealedhischainswithflowers；and，lastly，wehavefollowedhimwhenthelastrayofearthlyhopewentoutinnight，andseenhow，intheblacknessofearthlydarkness，thefirmamentoftheunseenhasblazedwithstarsofnewandsignificantlustre。
Themorning-starnowstandsoverthetopsofthemountains，andgalesandbreezes，notofearth，showthatthegatesofdayareunclosing。
TheescapeofCassyandEmmelineirritatedthebeforesurlytemperofLegreetothelastdegree；andhisfury，aswastobeexpected，felluponthedefencelessheadofTom。Whenhehurriedlyannouncedthetidingsamonghishands，therewasasuddenlightinTom’seye，asuddenupraisingofhishands，thatdidnotescapehim。Hesawthathedidnotjointhemusterofthepursuers。Hethoughtofforcinghimtodoit；but，havinghad，ofold，experienceofhisinflexibilitywhencommandedtotakepartinanydeedofinhumanity，hewouldnot，inhishurry，stoptoenterintoanyconflictwithhim。
Tom，therefore，remainedbehind，withafewwhohadlearnedofhimtopray，andofferedupprayersfortheescapeofthefugitives。
WhenLegreereturned，baffledanddisappointed，allthelong-workinghatredofhissoultowardshisslavebegantogatherinadeadlyanddesperateform。Hadnotthismanbravedhim，—steadily，powerfully，resistlessly，—eversinceheboughthim？Wastherenotaspiritinhimwhich，silentasitwas，burnedonhimlikethefiresofperdition？
“Ihatehim！”saidLegree，thatnight，ashesatupinhisbed；“Ihatehim！Andisn’theMINE？Can’tIdowhatIlikewithhim？Who’stohinder，Iwonder？”AndLegreeclenchedhisfist，andshookit，asifhehadsomethinginhishandsthathecouldrendinpieces。
But，then，Tomwasafaithful，valuableservant；and，althoughLegreehatedhimthemoreforthat，yettheconsiderationwasstillsomewhatofarestrainttohim。
Thenextmorning，hedeterminedtosaynothing，asyet；toassembleaparty，fromsomeneighboringplantations，withdogsandguns；tosurroundtheswamp，andgoaboutthehuntsystematically。Ifitsucceeded，wellandgood；ifnot，hewouldsummonTombeforehim，and—histeethclenchedandhisbloodboiled—thenhewouldbreakthefellowdown，or—therewasadireinwardwhisper，towhichhissoulassented。
Yesaythattheinterestofthemasterisasufficientsafeguardfortheslave。Inthefuryofman’smadwill，hewillwittingly，andwithopeneye，sellhisownsoultothedeviltogainhisends；andwillhebemorecarefulofhisneighbor’sbody？
“Well，”saidCassy，thenextday，fromthegarret，asshereconnoitredthroughtheknot-hole，“thehunt’sgoingtobeginagain，today！”
Threeorfourmountedhorsemenwerecurvettingabout，onthespaceinfrontofthehouse；andoneortwoleashesofstrangedogswerestrugglingwiththenegroeswhoheldthem，bayingandbarkingateachother。
Themenare，twoofthem，overseersofplantationsinthevicinity；andothersweresomeofLegree’sassociatesatthetavern-barofaneighboringcity，whohadcomefortheinterestofthesport。Amorehard-favoredset，perhaps，couldnotbeimagined。Legreewasservingbrandy，profusely，roundamongthem，asalsoamongthenegroes，whohadbeendetailedfromthevariousplantationsforthisservice；foritwasanobjecttomakeeveryserviceofthiskind，amongthenegroes，asmuchofaholidayaspossible。
Cassyplacedherearattheknot-hole；and，asthemorningairblewdirectlytowardsthehouse，shecouldoverhearagooddealoftheconversation。Agravesneerovercastthedark，severegravityofherface，asshelistened，andheardthemdivideouttheground，discusstherivalmeritsofthedogs，giveordersaboutfiring，andthetreatmentofeach，incaseofcapture。
Cassydrewback；and，claspingherhands，lookedupward，andsaid，“O，greatAlmightyGod！weareallsinners；butwhathavewedone，morethanalltherestoftheworld，thatweshouldbetreatedso？”
Therewasaterribleearnestnessinherfaceandvoice，asshespoke。
“Ifitwasn’tforyou，child，”shesaid，lookingatEmmeline，“I’dgoouttothem；andI’dthankanyoneofthemthatwouldshootmedown；forwhatusewillfreedombetome？Canitgivemebackmychildren，ormakemewhatIusedtobe？”
Emmeline，inherchild-likesimplicity，washalfafraidofthedarkmoodsofCassy。Shelookedperplexed，butmadenoanswer。Sheonlytookherhand，withagentle，caressingmovement。
“Don’t！”saidCassy，tryingtodrawitaway；“you’llgetmetolovingyou；andInevermeantoloveanything，again！”
“PoorCassy！”saidEmmeline，“don’tfeelso！IftheLordgivesusliberty，perhapshe’llgiveyoubackyourdaughter；atanyrate，I’llbelikeadaughtertoyou。IknowI’llneverseemypooroldmotheragain！Ishallloveyou，Cassy，whetheryoulovemeornot！”
Thegentle，child-likespiritconquered。Cassysatdownbyher，putherarmroundherneck，strokedhersoft，brownhair；andEmmelinethenwonderedatthebeautyofhermagnificenteyes，nowsoftwithtears。
“O，Em！”saidCassy，“I’vehungeredformychildren，andthirstedforthem，andmyeyesfailwithlongingforthem！Here！here！”shesaid，strikingherbreast，“it’salldesolate，allempty！IfGodwouldgivemebackmychildren，thenIcouldpray。”
“Youmusttrusthim，Cassy，”saidEmmeline；“heisourFather！”
“Hiswrathisuponus，”saidCassy；“hehasturnedawayinanger。”
“No，Cassy！Hewillbegoodtous！LetushopeinHim，”saidEmmeline，—“Ialwayshavehadhope。”
Thehuntwaslong，animated，andthorough，butunsuccessful；and，withgrave，ironicexultation，CassylookeddownonLegree，as，wearyanddispirited，healightedfromhishorse。
“Now，Quimbo，”saidLegree，ashestretchedhimselfdowninthesitting-room，“youjestgoandwalkthatTomuphere，rightaway！Theoldcussisatthebottomofthisyerwholematter；andI’llhaveitoutofhisoldblackhide，orI’llknowthereasonwhy！”
SamboandQuimbo，both，thoughhatingeachother，werejoinedinonemindbyanolesscordialhatredofTom。Legreehadtoldthem，atfirst，thathehadboughthimforageneraloverseer，inhisabsence；andthishadbegunanillwill，ontheirpart，whichhadincreased，intheirdebasedandservilenatures，astheysawhimbecomingobnoxioustotheirmaster’sdispleasure。Quimbo，therefore，departed，withawill，toexecutehisorders。
Tomheardthemessagewithaforewarningheart；forheknewalltheplanofthefugitives’escape，andtheplaceoftheirpresentconcealment；—heknewthedeadlycharacterofthemanhehadtodealwith，andhisdespoticpower。ButhefeltstronginGodtomeetdeath，ratherthanbetraythehelpless。
Hesathisbasketdownbytherow，and，lookingup，said，“IntothyhandsIcommendmyspirit！Thouhastredeemedme，ohLordGodoftruth！”andthenquietlyyieldedhimselftotherough，brutalgraspwithwhichQuimboseizedhim。
“Ay，ay！”saidthegiant，ashedraggedhimalong；ye’llcotchit，now！I’llboun’Mas’r’sback’suphigh！Nosneakingout，now！Tellye，ye’llgetit，andnomistake！Seehowye’lllook，now，helpin’Mas’r’sniggerstorunaway！Seewhatye’llget！”
Thesavagewordsnoneofthemreachedthatear！—ahighervoicetherewassaying，“Fearnotthemthatkillthebody，and，afterthat，havenomorethattheycando。”Nerveandboneofthatpoorman’sbodyvibratedtothosewords，asiftouchedbythefingerofGod；andhefeltthestrengthofathousandsoulsinone。Ashepassedalong，thetrees。andbushes，thehutsofhisservitude，thewholesceneofhisdegradation，seemedtowhirlbyhimasthelandscapebytherushingear。Hissoulthrobbed，—hishomewasinsight，—andthehourofreleaseseemedathand。
“Well，Tom！”saidLegree，walkingup，andseizinghimgrimlybythecollarofhiscoat，andspeakingthroughhisteeth，inaparoxysmofdeterminedrage，“doyouknowI’vemadeupmymindtoKILLyou？”
“It’sverylikely，Mas’r，”saidTom，calmly。
“Ihave，”saidLegree，withagrim，terriblecalmness，“done—just—that—thing，Tom，unlessyou’lltellmewhatyouknowabouttheseyergals！”
Tomstoodsilent。
“D’yehear？”saidLegree，stamping，witharoarlikethatofanincensedlion。“Speak！”
“Ihan’tgotnothingtotell，Mas’r，”saidTom，withaslow，firm，deliberateutterance。
“Doyoudaretotellme，yeoldblackChristian，yedon’tknow？”saidLegree。
Tomwassilent。
“Speak！”thunderedLegree，strikinghimfuriously。Doyouknowanything？”
“Iknow，Mas’r；butIcan’ttellanything。Icandie！”
Legreedrewinalongbreath；and，suppressinghisrage，tookTombythearm，and，approachinghisfacealmosttohis，said，inaterriblevoice，“Hark’e，Tom！—yethink，’causeI’veletyouoffbefore，Idon’tmeanwhatIsay；but，thistime，I’vemadeupmymind，andcountedthecost。You’vealwaysstooditoutagain’me:now，I’llconquerye，orkillye！—oneort’other。I’llcounteverydropofbloodthereisinyou，andtake’em，onebyone，tillyegiveup！”
Tomlookeduptohismaster，andanswered，“Mas’r，ifyouwassick，orintrouble，ordying，andIcouldsaveye，I’dgiveyemyheart’sblood；and，iftakingeverydropofbloodinthispooroldbodywouldsaveyourprecioussoul，I’dgive’emfreely，astheLordgavehisforme。O，Mas’r！don’tbringthisgreatsinonyoursoul！Itwillhurtyoumorethan’twillme！Dotheworstyoucan，mytroubles’llbeoversoon；but，ifyedon’trepent，yourswon’tneverend！”
Likeastrangesnatchofheavenlymusic，heardinthelullofatempest，thisburstoffeelingmadeamoment’sblankpause。Legreestoodaghast，andlookedatTom；andtherewassuchasilence，thatthetickoftheoldclockcouldbeheard，measuring，withsilenttouch，thelastmomentsofmercyandprobationtothathardenedheart。
Itwasbutamoment。Therewasonehesitatingpause，—oneirresolute，relentingthrill，—andthespiritofevilcameback，withseven-foldvehemence；andLegree，foamingwithrage，smotehisvictimtotheground。
Scenesofbloodandcrueltyareshockingtoourearandheart。Whatmanhasnervetodo，manhasnotnervetohear。Whatbrother-manandbrother-Christianmustsuffer，cannotbetoldus，eveninoursecretchamber，itsoharrowsthesoul！Andyet，ohmycountry！thesethingsaredoneundertheshadowofthylaws！O，Christ！thychurchseesthem，almostinsilence！
But，ofold，therewasOnewhosesufferingchangedaninstrumentoftorture，degradationandshame，intoasymbolofglory，honor，andimmortallife；and，whereHisspiritis，neitherdegradingstripes，norblood，norinsults，canmaketheChristian’slaststrugglelessthanglorious。
Washealone，thatlongnight，whosebrave，lovingspiritwasbearingup，inthatoldshed，againstbuffetingandbrutalstripes？
Nay！TherestoodbyhimOne，—seenbyhimalone，—“likeuntotheSonofGod。”
Thetempterstoodbyhim，too，—blindedbyfurious，despoticwill，—everymomentpressinghimtoshunthatagonybythebetrayaloftheinnocent。Butthebrave，trueheartwasfirmontheEternalRock。LikehisMaster，heknewthat，ifhesavedothers，himselfhecouldnotsave；norcouldutmostextremitywringfromhimwords，saveofprayersandholytrust。
“He’smostgone，Mas’r，”saidSambo，touched，inspiteofhimself，bythepatienceofhisvictim。
“Payaway，tillhegivesup！Giveittohim！—giveittohim！”shoutedLegree。I’lltakeeverydropofbloodhehas，unlessheconfesses！”
Tomopenedhiseyes，andlookeduponhismaster。“Yepoormiserablecritter！”hesaid，“thereain’tnomoreyecando！Iforgiveye，withallmysoul！”andhefaintedentirelyaway。
“Ib’lieve，mysoul，he’sdonefor，finally，”saidLegree，steppingforward，tolookathim。“Yes，heis！Well，hismouth’sshutup，atlast，—that’sonecomfort！”
Yes，Legree；butwhoshallshutupthatvoiceinthysoul？thatsoul，pastrepentance，pastprayer，pasthope，inwhomthefirethatnevershallbequenchedisalreadyburning！
YetTomwasnotquitegone。Hiswondrouswordsandpiousprayershadstruckupontheheartsoftheimbrutedblacks，whohadbeentheinstrumentsofcrueltyuponhim；and，theinstantLegreewithdrew，theytookhimdown，and，intheirignorance，soughttocallhimbacktolife，—asifthatwereanyfavortohim。
“Sartin，we’sbeendoin’adreffulwickedthing！”saidSambo；“hopesMas’r’llhaveto’countforit，andnotwe。”
Theywashedhiswounds，—theyprovidedarudebed，ofsomerefusecotton，forhimtoliedownon；andoneofthem，stealinguptothehouse，beggedadrinkofbrandyofLegree，pretendingthathewastired，andwanteditforhimself。Hebroughtitback，andpoureditdownTom’sthroat。
“O，Tom！”saidQuimbo，“we’sbeenawfulwickedtoye！”
“Iforgiveye，withallmyheart！”saidTom，faintly。
“O，Tom！dotelluswhoisJesus，anyhow？”saidSambo；—“Jesus，that’sbeenastandin’byyouso，allthisnight！—Whoishe？”
Thewordrousedthefailing，faintingspirit。HepouredforthafewenergeticsentencesofthatwondrousOne，—hislife，hisdeath，hiseverlastingpresence，andpowertosave。
Theywept，—boththetwosavagemen。
“Whydidn’tIneverhearthisbefore？”saidSambo；“butIdobelieve！—Ican’thelpit！LordJesus，havemercyonus！”
“Poorcritters！”saidTom，“I’dbewillingtobar’allIhave，ifit’llonlybringyetoChrist！O，Lord！givemethesetwomoresouls，Ipray！”
Thatprayerwasanswered！
1ThispoemdoesnotappearinthecollectedworksofWilliamCullenBryant，norinthecollectedpoemsofhisbrother，JohnHowardBryant。Itwasprobablycopiedfromanewspaperormagazine。
