第3章

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。