第5章
Hisconversionwasnottochangehisrelationtowardmen——atanyratenottowardBLACKmen——buttowardGod。Myfaith，Iconfess，wasnotgreat。Therewassomethinginhisappearancethat，inmymind，castadoubtoverhisconversion。StandingwhereIdid，I
couldseehiseverymovement。Iwatchednarrowlywhileheremainedinthelittlepen；andalthoughIsawthathisfacewasextremelyred，andhishairdisheveled，andthoughIheardhimgroan，andsawastraytearhaltingonhischeek，asifinquiring“whichwayshallIgo？“——Icouldnotwhollyconfideinthegenuinenessofhisconversion。Thehesitatingbehaviorofthattear-dropanditsloneliness，distressedme，andcastadoubtuponthewholetransaction，ofwhichitwasapart。Butpeoplesaid，_“Capt。Auldhadcomethrough，“_anditwasformetohopeforthebest。Iwasboundtodothis，incharity，forI，too，wasreligious，andhadbeeninthechurchfullthreeyears，althoughnowIwasnotmorethansixteenyearsold。Slaveholdersmay，sometimes，haveconfidenceinthepietyofsomeoftheirslaves；buttheslavesseldomhaveconfidenceinthepietyoftheirmasters。_“Hecantgotoheavenwithourbloodinhisskirts_，“isasettledpointinthecreedofeveryslave；risingsuperiortoallteachingtothecontrary，andstandingforeverasafixedfact。ThehighestevidencetheslaveholdercangivetheslaveofhisacceptancewithGod，istheemancipationofhisslaves。ThisisproofthatheiswillingtogiveupalltoGod，andforthesakeofGod。Nottodothis，was，inmyestimation，andintheopinionofalltheslaves，anevidenceofhalf-
heartedness，andwhollyinconsistentwiththeideaofgenuineconversion。Ihadread，also，somewhereintheMethodistDiscipline，thefollowingquestionandanswer:
“_Question_。Whatshallbedonefortheextirpationofslavery？
“_Answer_。Wedeclarethatwearemuchaseverconvincedofthegreatevilofslavery；therefore，noslaveholdershallbeeligibletoanyofficialstationinourchurch。“
Thesewordssoundedinmyearsforalongtime，anden<153FAITH
ANDWORKSATVARIANCE>couragedmetohope。But，asIhavebeforesaid，Iwasdoomedtodisappointment。MasterThomasseemedtobeawareofmyhopesandexpectationsconcerninghim。Ihavethought，beforenow，thathelookedatmeinanswertomyglances，asmuchastosay，“Iwillteachyou，youngman，that，thoughIhavepartedwithmysins，Ihavenotpartedwithmysense。Ishallholdmyslaves，andgotoheaventoo。“
Possibly，toconvinceusthatwemustnotpresume_toomuch_uponhisrecentconversion，hebecamerathermorerigidandstringentinhisexactions。Therealwayswasascarcityofgoodnatureabouttheman；butnowhiswholecountenancewas_soured_overwiththeseemingsofpiety。Hisreligion，therefore，neithermadehimemancipatehisslaves，norcausedhimtotreatthemwithgreaterhumanity。Ifreligionhadanyeffectonhischaracteratall，itmadehimmorecruelandhatefulinallhisways。Thenaturalwickednessofhishearthadnotbeenremoved，butonlyreinforced，bytheprofessionofreligion。DoIjudgehimharshly？Godforbid。Facts_are_facts。Capt。Auldmadethegreatestprofessionofpiety。Hishousewas，literally，ahouseofprayer。Inthemorning，andintheevening，loudprayersandhymnswereheardthere，inwhichbothhimselfandhiswifejoined；yet，_nomoremeal_wasbroughtfromthemill，_nomoreattention_waspaidtothemoralwelfareofthekitchen；andnothingwasdonetomakeusfeelthattheheartofMasterThomaswasonewhitbetterthanitwasbeforehewentintothelittlepen，oppositetothepreachers"stand，onthecampground。
Ourhopes(foundedonthediscipline)soonvanished；fortheauthoritieslethimintothechurch_atonce_，andbeforehewasoutofhistermof_probation_，Iheardofhisleadingclass！Hedistinguishedhimselfgreatlyamongthebrethren，andwassoonanexhorter。HisprogresswasalmostasrapidasthegrowthofthefabledvineofJack"sbean。Nomanwasmoreactivethanhe，inrevivals。Hewouldgomanymilestoassistincarryingthemon，andingettingoutsidersinterestedinreligion。Hishousebeing<154>oneoftheholiest，ifnotthehappiestinSt。Michael"s，becamethe“preachers"home。“ThesepreachersevidentlylikedtoshareMasterThomas"shospitality；forwhilehe_starvedus_，he_stuffed_them。Threeorfouroftheseambassadorsofthegospel——accordingtoslavery——havebeenthereatatime；alllivingonthefatoftheland，whilewe，inthekitchen，werenearlystarving。Notoftendidwegetasmileofrecognitionfromtheseholymen。Theyseemedalmostasunconcernedaboutourgettingtoheaven，astheywereaboutourgettingoutofslavery。
Tothisgeneralchargetherewasoneexception——theRev。GEORGE
COOKMAN。UnlikeRev。Messrs。Storks，Ewry，Hickey，HumphreyandCooper(allwhomwereontheSt。Michael"scircuit)hekindlytookaninterestinourtemporalandspiritualwelfare。Oursoulsandourbodieswereallalikesacredinhissight；andhereallyhadagooddealofgenuineanti-slaveryfeelingmingledwithhiscolonizationideas。Therewasnotaslaveinourneighborhoodthatdidnotlove，andalmostvenerate，Mr。Cookman。
Itwasprettygenerallybelievedthathehadbeenchieflyinstrumentalinbringingoneofthelargestslaveholders——Mr。
SamuelHarrison——inthatneighborhood，toemancipateallhisslaves，and，indeed，thegeneralimpressionwas，thatMr。Cookmanhadlaboredfaithfullywithslaveholders，wheneverhemetthem，toinducethemtoemancipatetheirbondmen，andthathedidthisasareligiousduty。Whenthisgoodmanwasatourhouse，wewereallsuretobecalledintoprayersinthemorning；andhewasnotslowinmakinginquiriesastothestateofourminds，noringivingusawordofexhortationandofencouragement。
Greatwasthesorrowofalltheslaves，whenthisfaithfulpreacherofthegospelwasremovedfromtheTalbotcountycircuit。Hewasaneloquentpreacher，andpossessedwhatfewministers，southofMasonDixon"sline，possess，or_dare_toshow，viz:awarmandphilanthropicheart。TheMr。Cookman，ofwhomIspeak，wasanEnglishmanbybirth，andperishedwhileonhiswaytoEngland，onboardtheill-fated“President“。Couldthethousandsofslaves<155THESABBATHSCHOOL>inMarylandknowthefateofthegoodman，towhosewordsofcomforttheyweresolargelyindebted，theywouldthankmefordroppingatearonthispage，inmemoryoftheirfavoritepreacher，friendandbenefactor。
But，letmereturntoMasterThomas，andtomyexperience，afterhisconversion。InBaltimore，Icould，occasionally，getintoaSabbathschool，amongthefreechildren，andreceivelessons，withtherest；but，havingalreadylearnedbothtoreadandtowrite，Iwasmoreofateacherthanapupil，eventhere。When，however，IwentbacktotheEasternShore，andwasatthehouseofMasterThomas，Iwasneitherallowedtoteach，nortobetaught。Thewholecommunity——withbutasingleexception，amongthewhites——frowneduponeverythinglikeimpartinginstructioneithertoslavesortofreecoloredpersons。Thatsingleexception，apiousyoungman，namedWilson，askedme，oneday，ifIwouldliketoassisthiminteachingalittleSabbathschool，atthehouseofafreecoloredmaninSt。Michael"s，namedJamesMitchell。Theideawastomeadelightfulone，andItoldhimI
wouldgladlydevoteasmuchofmySabbathasIcouldcommand，tothatmostlaudablework。Mr。Wilsonsoonmusteredupadozenoldspellingbooks，andafewtestaments；andwecommencedoperations，withsometwentyscholars，inourSundayschool。
Here，thoughtI，issomethingworthlivingfor；hereisanexcellentchanceforusefulness；andIshallsoonhaveacompanyofyoungfriends，loversofknowledge，likesomeofmyBaltimorefriends，fromwhomInowfeltpartedforever。
OurfirstSabbathpasseddelightfully，andIspenttheweekafterveryjoyously。IcouldnotgotoBaltimore，butIcouldmakealittleBaltimorehere。Atoursecondmeeting，IlearnedthattherewassomeobjectiontotheexistenceoftheSabbathschool；
and，sureenough，wehadscarcelygotatwork——_goodwork_，simplyteachingafewcoloredchildrenhowtoreadthegospeloftheSonofGod——wheninrushedamob，headedbyMr。WrightFairbanksandMr。GarrisonWest——twoclass-leaders<156>——andMasterThomas；who，armedwithsticksandothermissiles，droveusoff，andcommandedusnevertomeetforsuchapurposeagain。
Oneofthispiouscrewtoldme，thatasformypart，IwantedtobeanotherNatTurner；andifIdidnotlookout，Ishouldgetasmanyballsintome，asNatdidintohim。ThusendedtheinfantSabbathschool，inthetownofSt。Michael"s。ThereaderwillnotbesurprisedwhenIsay，thatthebreakingupofmySabbathschool，bytheseclass-leaders，andprofessedlyholymen，didnotservetostrengthenmyreligiousconvictions。ThecloudovermySt。Michael"shomegrewheavierandblackerthanever。
ItwasnotmerelytheagencyofMasterThomas，inbreakingupanddestroyingmySabbathschool，thatshookmyconfidenceinthepowerofsouthernreligiontomakemenwiserorbetter；butIsawinhimallthecrueltyandmeanness，_after_hisconversion，whichhehadexhibitedbeforehemadeaprofessionofreligion。
Hiscrueltyandmeannesswereespeciallydisplayedinhistreatmentofmyunfortunatecousin，Henny，whoselamenessmadeheraburdentohim。Ihavenoextraordinarypersonalhardusagetowardmyselftocomplainof，againsthim，butIhaveseenhimtieupthelameandmaimedwoman，andwhipherinamannermostbrutal，andshocking；andthen，withblood-chillingblasphemy，hewouldquotethepassageofscripture，“Thatservantwhichknewhislord"swill，andpreparednothimself，neitherdidaccordingtohiswill，shallbebeatenwithmanystripes。“Masterwouldkeepthislaceratedwomantiedupbyherwrists，toaboltinthejoist，three，fourandfivehoursatatime。Hewouldtieherupearlyinthemorning，whipherwithacowskinbeforebreakfast；
leavehertiedup；gotohisstore，and，returningtohisdinner，repeatthecastigation；layingontheruggedlash，onfleshalreadymaderawbyrepeatedblows。Heseemeddesiroustogetthepoorgirloutofexistence，or，atanyrate，offhishands。
Inproofofthis，heafterwardsgaveherawaytohissisterSarah(Mrs。Cline)but，asinthecaseofMaster<157BARBAROUS
TREATMENTOFHENNY>Hugh，Hennywassoonreturnedonhishands。
Finally，uponapretensethathecoulddonothingwithher(Iusehisownwords)he“setheradrift，totakecareofherself。“
Herewasarecentlyconvertedman，holding，withtightgrasp，thewell-framed，andablebodiedslaveslefthimbyoldmaster——thepersons，who，infreedom，couldhavetakencareofthemselves；
yet，turningloosetheonlycrippleamongthem，virtuallytostarveanddie。
Nodoubt，hadMasterThomasbeenasked，bysomepiousnorthernbrother，_why_hecontinuedtosustaintherelationofaslaveholder，tothosewhomheretained，hisanswerwouldhavebeenpreciselythesameasmanyotherreligiousslaveholdershavereturnedtothatinquiry，viz:“Iholdmyslavesfortheirowngood。“
BadasmyconditionwaswhenIlivedwithMasterThomas，Iwassoontoexperiencealifefarmoregoadingandbitter。ThemanydifferencesspringingupbetweenmyselfandMasterThomas，owingtotheclearperceptionIhadofhischaracter，andtheboldnesswithwhichIdefendedmyselfagainsthiscapriciouscomplaints，ledhimtodeclarethatIwasunsuitedtohiswants；thatmycitylifehadaffectedmeperniciously；that，infact，ithadalmostruinedmeforeverygoodpurpose，andhadfittedmeforeverythingthatwasbad。Oneofmygreatestfaults，oroffenses，wasthatoflettinghishorsegetaway，andgodowntothefarmbelongingtohisfather-in-law。Theanimalhadalikingforthatfarm，withwhichIfullysympathized。WheneverIletitout，itwouldgodashingdowntheroadtoMr。Hamilton"s，asifgoingonagrandfrolic。Myhorsegone，ofcourseImustgoafterit。
Theexplanationofourmutualattachmenttotheplaceisthesame；thehorsefoundtheregoodpasturage，andIfoundthereplentyofbread。Mr。Hamiltonhadhisfaults，butstarvinghisslaveswasnotamongthem。Hegavefood，inabundance，andthat，too，ofanexcellentquality。InMr。Hamilton"scook——AuntMary——Ifoundamostgenerousandconsideratefriend。Sheneverallowedmetogotherewithoutgivingmebreadenough<158>tomakegoodthedeficienciesofadayortwo。MasterThomasatlastresolvedtoenduremybehaviornolonger；hecouldneitherkeepme，norhishorse，welikedsowelltobeathisfather-in-
law"sfarm。Ihadnowlivedwithhimnearlyninemonths，andhehadgivenmeanumberofseverewhippings，withoutanyvisibleimprovementinmycharacter，ormyconduct；andnowhewasresolvedtoputmeout——ashesaid——“_tobebroken。“_
Therewas，intheBaySide，verynearthecampground，wheremymastergothisreligiousimpressions，amannamedEdwardCovey，whoenjoyedtheexecratedreputation，ofbeingafirstratehandatbreakingyoungNegroes。ThisCoveywasapoorman，afarmrenter；andthisreputation(hatefulasitwastotheslavesandtoallgoodmen)was，atthesametime，ofimmenseadvantagetohim。Itenabledhimtogethisfarmtilledwithverylittleexpense，comparedwithwhatitwouldhavecosthimwithoutthismostextraordinaryreputation。SomeslaveholdersthoughtitanadvantagetoletMr。Coveyhavethegovernmentoftheirslavesayearortwo，almostfreeofcharge，forthesakeoftheexcellenttrainingsuchslavesgotunderhishappymanagement！Likesomehorsebreakers，notedfortheirskill，whoridethebesthorsesinthecountrywithoutexpense，Mr。Coveycouldhaveunderhim，themostfierybloodsoftheneighborhood，forthesimplerewardofreturningthemtotheirowners，_wellbroken_。AddedtothenaturalfitnessofMr。Coveyforthedutiesofhisprofession，hewassaidto“enjoyreligion，“andwasasstrictinthecultivationofpiety，ashewasinthecultivationofhisfarm。
Iwasmadeawareofhischaracterbysomewhohadbeenunderhishand；andwhileIcouldnotlookforwardtogoingtohimwithanypleasure，IwasgladtogetawayfromSt。Michael"s。IwassureofgettingenoughtoeatatCovey"s，evenifIsufferedinotherrespects。_This_，toahungryman，isnotaprospecttoberegardedwithindifference。
CHAPTERXV
Covey，theNegroBreakerJOURNEYTOMYNEWMASTER"S——MEDITATIONSBYTHEWAY——VIEWOF
COVEY"SRESIDENCE——THEFAMILY——MYAWKWARDNESSASAFIELDHAND——A
CRUELBEATING——WHYITWASGIVEN——DESCRIPTIONOFCOVEY——FIRST
ADVENTUREATOXDRIVING——HAIRBREADTHESCAPES——OXANDMANALIKE
PROPERTY——COVEY"SMANNEROFPROCEEDINGTOWHIP——HARDLABORBETTER
THANTHEWHIPFORBREAKINGDOWNTHESPIRIT——CUNNINGANDTRICKERY
OFCOVEY——FAMILYWORSHIP——SHOCKINGCONTEMPTFORCHASTITY——IAM
BROKENDOWN——GREATMENTALAGITATIONINCONTRASTINGTHEFREEDOMOF
THESHIPSWITHHISOWNSLAVERY——ANGUISHBEYONDDESCRIPTION。
ThemorningofthefirstofJanuary，1834，withitschillingwindandpinchingfrost，quiteinharmonywiththewinterinmyownmind，foundme，withmylittlebundleofclothingontheendofastick，swungacrossmyshoulder，onthemainroad，bendingmywaytowardCovey"s，whitherIhadbeenimperiouslyorderedbyMasterThomas。Thelatterhadbeenasgoodashisword，andhadcommittedme，withoutreserve，tothemasteryofMr。EdwardCovey。EightortenyearshadnowpassedsinceIhadbeentakenfrommygrandmother"scabin，inTuckahoe；andtheseyears，forthemostpart，IhadspentinBaltimore，where——asthereaderhasalreadyseen——Iwastreatedwithcomparativetenderness。Iwasnowabouttosoundprofounderdepthsinslavelife。Therigorsofafield，lesstolerablethanthefieldofbattle，awaitedme。
Mynewmasterwasnotoriousforhisfierceandsavagedisposition，andmyonlyconsolationingoingtolive<160>withhimwas，thecertaintyoffindinghimpreciselyasrepresentedbycommonfame。Therewasneitherjoyinmyheart，norelasticityinmystep，asIstartedinsearchofthetyrant"shome。
StarvationmademegladtoleaveThomasAuld"s，andthecruellashmademedreadtogotoCovey"s。Escapewasimpossible；so，heavyandsad，Ipacedthesevenmiles，whichseparatedCovey"shousefromSt。Michael"s——thinkingmuchbythesolitaryway——
aversetomycondition；but_thinking_wasallIcoulddo。Likeafishinanet，allowedtoplayforatime，Iwasnowdrawnrapidlytotheshore，securedatallpoints。“Iam，“thoughtI，“butthesportofapowerwhichmakesnoaccount，eitherofmywelfareorofmyhappiness。ByalawwhichIcanclearlycomprehend，butcannotevadenorresist，Iamruthlesslysnatchedfromthehearthofafondgrandmother，andhurriedawaytothehomeofamysterious`oldmaster；"againIamremovedfromthere，toamasterinBaltimore；thenceamIsnatchedawaytotheEasternShore，tobevaluedwiththebeastsofthefield，and，withthem，dividedandsetapartforapossessor；thenIamsentbacktoBaltimore；andbythetimeIhaveformednewattachments，andhavebeguntohopethatnomorerudeshocksshalltouchme，adifferencearisesbetweenbrothers，andIamagainbrokenup，andsenttoSt。Michael"s；andnow，fromthelatterplace，Iamfootingmywaytothehomeofanewmaster，where，Iamgiventounderstand，that，likeawildyoungworkinganimal，Iamtobebrokentotheyokeofabitterandlife-longbondage。“
Withthoughtsandreflectionslikethese，Icameinsightofasmallwood-coloredbuilding，aboutamilefromthemainroad，which，fromthedescriptionIhadreceived，atstarting，Ieasilyrecognizedasmynewhome。TheChesapeakebay——uponthejuttingbanksofwhichthelittlewood-coloredhousewasstanding——whitewithfoam，raisedbytheheavynorth-westwind；PoplarIsland，coveredwithathick，blackpineforest，standingoutamidthishalfocean；andKentPoint，stretchingitssandy，desert-likeshoresoutintothefoam-cestedbay——wereallin<161COVEY"S
RESIDENCE——THEFAMILY>sight，anddeepenedthewildanddesolateaspectofmynewhome。
ThegoodclothesIhadbroughtwithmefromBaltimorewerenowwornthin，andhadnotbeenreplaced；forMasterThomaswasaslittlecarefultoprovideusagainstcold，asagainsthunger。
Metherebyanorthwind，sweepingthroughanopenspaceoffortymiles，Iwasgladtomakeanyport；and，therefore，Ispeedilypressedontothelittlewood-coloredhouse。ThefamilyconsistedofMr。andMrs。Covey；MissKemp(abroken-backedwoman)asisterofMrs。Covey；WilliamHughes，cousintoEdwardCovey；Caroline，thecook；BillSmith，ahiredman；andmyself。
BillSmith，BillHughes，andmyself，weretheworkingforceofthefarm，whichconsistedofthreeorfourhundredacres。Iwasnow，forthefirsttimeinmylife，tobeafieldhand；andinmynewemploymentIfoundmyselfevenmoreawkwardthanagreencountryboymaybesupposedtobe，uponhisfirstentranceintothebewilderingscenesofcitylife；andmyawkwardnessgavememuchtrouble。Strangeandunnaturalasitmayseem，Ihadbeenatmynewhomebutthreedays，beforeMr。Covey(mybrotherintheMethodistchurch)gavemeabitterforetasteofwhatwasinreserveforme。Ipresumehethought，thatsincehehadbutasingleyearinwhichtocompletehiswork，thesoonerhebegan，thebetter。Perhapshethoughtthatbycomingtoblowsatonce，weshouldmutuallybetterunderstandourrelations。Buttowhatevermotive，directorindirect，thecausemaybereferred，I
hadnotbeeninhispossessionthreewholedays，beforehesubjectedmetoamostbrutalchastisement。Underhisheavyblows，bloodflowedfreely，andwaleswereleftonmybackaslargeasmylittlefinger。Thesoresonmyback，fromthisflogging，continuedforweeks，fortheywerekeptopenbytheroughandcoarseclothwhichIworeforshirting。Theoccasionanddetailsofthisfirstchapterofmyexperienceasafieldhand，mustbetold，thatthereadermayseehowunreasonable，aswellashowcruel，mynewmaster，Covey，was。<162>ThewholethingIfoundtobecharacteristicoftheman；andIwasprobablytreatednoworsebyhimthanscoresofladswhohadpreviouslybeencommittedtohim，forreasonssimilartothosewhichinducedmymastertoplacemewithhim。But，herearethefactsconnectedwiththeaffair，preciselyastheyoccurred。
OnoneofthecoldestdaysofthewholemonthofJanuary，1834，I
wasordered，atdaybreak，togetaloadofwood，fromaforestabouttwomilesfromthehouse。Inordertoperformthiswork，Mr。Coveygavemeapairofunbrokenoxen，for，itseems，hisbreakingabilitieshadnotbeenturnedinthisdirection；andI
mayremark，inpassing，thatworkinganimalsinthesouth，areseldomsowelltrainedasinthenorth。Indueform，andwithallproperceremony，Iwasintroducedtothishugeyokeofunbrokenoxen，andwascarefullytoldwhichwas“Buck，“andwhichwas“Darby“——whichwasthe“inhand，“andwhichwasthe“offhand“ox。ThemasterofthisimportantceremonywasnolessapersonthanMr。Covey，himself；andtheintroductionwasthefirstofthekindIhadeverhad。Mylife，hitherto，hadledmeawayfromhornedcattle，andIhadnoknowledgeoftheartofmanagingthem。Whatwasmeantbythe“inox，“asagainstthe“offox，“whenbothwereequallyfastenedtoonecart，andunderoneyoke，Icouldnotveryeasilydivine；andthedifference，impliedbythenames，andthepeculiardutiesofeach，werealike_Greek_tome。Whywasnotthe“offox“calledthe“inox？“
Whereandwhatisthereasonforthisdistinctioninnames，whenthereisnoneinthethingsthemselves？Afterinitiatingmeintothe_“woa，““back““gee，““hither“_——theentirespokenlanguagebetweenoxenanddriver——Mr。Coveytookarope，abouttenfeetlongandoneinchthick，andplacedoneendofitaroundthehornsofthe“inhandox，“andgavetheotherendtome，tellingmethatiftheoxenstartedtorunaway，asthescampknewtheywould，Imustholdontotheropeandstopthem。Ineednottellanyonewhoisacquaintedwitheitherthestrengthofthedispositionofanuntamedox，thatthisorder<163FIRST
ADVENTUREATOXDRIVING>wasaboutasunreasonableasacommandtoshoulderamadbull！Ihadneverdrivenoxenbefore，andIwasasawkward，asadriver，asitispossibletoconceive。Itdidnotanswerformetopleadignorance，toMr。Covey；therewassomethinginhismannerthatquiteforbadethat。Hewasamantowhomaslaveseldomfeltanydispositiontospeak。Cold，distant，morose，withafacewearingallthemarksofcaptiousprideandmalicioussternness，herepelledalladvances。Coveywasnotalargeman；hewasonlyaboutfivefeetteninchesinheight，Ishouldthink；shortnecked，roundshoulders；ofquickandwirymotion，ofthinandwolfishvisage；withapairofsmall，greenish-grayeyes，setwellbackunderaforeheadwithoutdignity，andconstantlyinmotion，andfloatinghispassions，ratherthanhisthoughts，insight，butdenyingthemutteranceinwords。Thecreaturepresentedanappearancealtogetherferociousandsinister，disagreeableandforbidding，intheextreme。Whenhespoke，itwasfromthecornerofhismouth，andinasortoflightgrowl，likeadog，whenanattemptismadetotakeabonefromhim。Thefellowhadalreadymademebelievehimeven_worse_thanhehadbeenpresented。Withhisdirections，andwithoutstoppingtoquestion，Istartedforthewoods，quiteanxioustoperformmyfirstexploitindriving，inacreditablemanner。Thedistancefromthehousetothewoodsgateafullmile，Ishouldthink——waspassedoverwithverylittledifficulty；foralthoughtheanimalsran，Iwasfleetenough，intheopenfield，tokeeppacewiththem；especiallyastheypulledmealongattheendoftherope；but，onreachingthewoods，I
wasspeedilythrownintoadistressingplight。Theanimalstookfright，andstartedoffferociouslyintothewoods，carryingthecart，fulltilt，againsttrees，overstumps，anddashingfromsidetoside，inamanneraltogetherfrightful。AsIheldtherope，Iexpectedeverymomenttobecrushedbetweenthecartandthehugetrees，amongwhichtheyweresofuriouslydashing。
Afterrunningthusforseveralminutes，myoxenwere，finally，broughttoastand，byatree，againstwhichtheydashed<164>themselveswithgreatviolence，upsettingthecart，andentanglingthemselvesamongsundryyoungsaplings。Bytheshock，thebodyofthecartwasflunginonedirection，andthewheelsandtongueinanother，andallinthegreatestconfusion。ThereIwas，allalone，inathickwood，towhichIwasastranger；mycartupsetandshattered；myoxenentangled，wild，andenraged；
andI，poorsoul！butagreenhand，tosetallthisdisorderright。Iknewnomoreofoxenthantheoxdriverissupposedtoknowofwisdom。Afterstandingafewmomentssurveyingthedamageanddisorder，andnotwithoutapresentimentthatthistroublewoulddrawafteritothers，evenmoredistressing，Itookoneendofthecartbody，and，byanextraoutlayofstrength，I
liftedittowardtheaxle-tree，fromwhichithadbeenviolentlyflung；andaftermuchpullingandstraining，Isucceededingettingthebodyofthecartinitsplace。Thiswasanimportantstepoutofthedifficulty，anditsperformanceincreasedmycouragefortheworkwhichremainedtobedone。Thecartwasprovidedwithanax，atoolwithwhichIhadbecomeprettywellacquaintedintheshipyardatBaltimore。Withthis，Icutdownthesaplingsbywhichmyoxenwereentangled，andagainpursuedmyjourney，withmyheartinmymouth，lesttheoxenshouldagaintakeitintotheirsenselessheadstocutupacaper。Myfearsweregroundless。Theirspreewasoverforthepresent，andtherascalsnowmovedoffassoberlyasthoughtheirbehaviorhadbeennaturalandexemplary。OnreachingthepartoftheforestwhereIhadbeen，thedaybefore，choppingwood，Ifilledthecartwithaheavyload，asasecurityagainstanotherrunningaway。But，theneckofanoxisequalinstrengthtoiron。Itdefiesallordinaryburdens，whenexcited。Tameanddociletoaproverb，when_well_trained，theoxisthemostsullenandintractableofanimalswhenbuthalfbrokentotheyoke。
Inowsaw，inmysituation，severalpointsofsimilaritywiththatoftheoxen。Theywereproperty，sowasI；theyweretobe<165SENTBACKTOTHEWOODS>broken，sowasI。Coveywastobreakme，Iwastobreakthem；breakandbebroken——suchislife。
Halfthedayalreadygone，andmyfacenotyethomeward！Itrequiredonlytwoday"sexperienceandobservationtoteachme，thatsuchapparentwasteoftimewouldnotbelightlyoverlookedbyCovey。Ithereforehurriedtowardhome；but，onreachingthelanegate，Imetwiththecrowningdisasterfortheday。Thisgatewasafairspecimenofsouthernhandicraft。Thereweretwohugeposts，eighteeninchesindiameter，roughhewedandsquare，andtheheavygatewassohungononeofthese，thatitopenedonlyabouthalftheproperdistance。Onarrivinghere，itwasnecessaryformetoletgotheendoftheropeonthehornsofthe“inhandox；“andnowassoonasthegatewasopen，andIletgoofittogettherope，again，offwentmyoxen——makingnothingoftheirload——fulltilt；andindoingsotheycaughtthehugegatebetweenthewheelandthecartbody，literallycrushingittosplinters，andcomingonlywithinafewinchesofsubjectingmetoasimilarcrushing，forIwasjustinadvanceofthewheelwhenitstrucktheleftgatepost。Withthesetwohair-breadthescape，IthoughtIcouldsucessfully{sic}explaintoMr。Coveythedelay，andavertapprehendedpunishment。IwasnotwithoutafainthopeofbeingcommendedforthesternresolutionwhichI
haddisplayedinaccomplishingthedifficulttask——ataskwhich，Iafterwardslearned，evenCoveyhimselfwouldnothaveundertaken，withoutfirstdrivingtheoxenforsometimeintheopenfield，preparatorytotheirgoingintothewoods。But，inthisIwasdisappointed。Oncomingtohim，hiscountenanceassumedanaspectofrigiddispleasure，and，asIgavehimahistoryofthecasualtiesofmytrip，hiswolfishface，withhisgreenisheyes，becameintenselyferocious。“Gobacktothewoodsagain，“hesaid，mutteringsomethingelseaboutwastingtime。I
hastilyobeyed；butIhadnotgonefaronmyway，whenIsawhimcomingafterme。Myoxennowbehavedthemselveswithsingular<166>propriety，opposingtheirpresentconducttomyrepresentationoftheirformerantics。Ialmostwished，nowthatCoveywascoming，theywoulddosomethinginkeepingwiththecharacterIhadgiventhem；butno，theyhadalreadyhadtheirspree，andtheycouldaffordnowtobeextragood，readilyobeyingmyorders，andseemingtounderstandthemquiteaswellasIdidmyself。Onreachingthewoods，mytormentor——whoseemedallthewaytoberemarkinguponthegoodbehaviorofhisoxen——
cameuptome，andorderedmetostopthecart，accompanyingthesamewiththethreatthathewouldnowteachmehowtobreakgates，andidleawaymytime，whenhesentmetothewoods。
Suitingtheactiontotheword，Coveypacedoff，inhisownwiryfashion，toalarge，blackgumtree，theyoungshootsofwhicharegenerallyusedforox_goads_，theybeingexceedinglytough。
Threeofthese_goads_，fromfourtosixfeetlong，hecutoff，andtrimmedup，withhislargejack-knife。Thisdone，heorderedmetotakeoffmyclothes。TothisunreasonableorderImadenoreply，butsternlyrefusedtotakeoffmyclothing。“Ifyouwillbeatme，“thoughtI，“youshalldosoovermyclothes。“Aftermanythreats，whichmadenoimpressiononme，herushedatmewithsomethingofthesavagefiercenessofawolf，toreoffthefewandthinlywornclothesIhadon，andproceededtowearout，onmyback，theheavygoadswhichhehadcutfromthegumtree。
Thisfloggingwasthefirstofaseriesoffloggings；andthoughverysevere，itwaslesssothanmanywhichcameafterit，andthese，foroffensesfarlighterthanthegatebreakingIremainedwithMr。Coveyoneyear(IcannotsayI_lived_withhim)andduringthefirstsixmonthsthatIwasthere，Iwaswhipped，eitherwithsticksorcowskins，everyweek。Achingbonesandasorebackweremyconstantcompanions。Frequentasthelashwasused，Mr。Coveythoughtlessofit，asameansofbreakingdownmyspirit，thanthatofhardandlongcontinuedlabor。Heworkedmesteadily，uptothepointofmypowersofendurance。Fromthedawnofdayinthemorning，tillthedark<167CUNNINGANDTRICKERYOFCOVEY>nesswascompleteintheevening，Iwaskeptathardwork，inthefieldorthewoods。Atcertainseasonsoftheyear，wewereallkeptinthefieldtillelevenandtwelveo"clockatnight。Atthesetimes，Coveywouldattendusinthefield，andurgeusonwithwordsorblows，asitseemedbesttohim。Hehad，inhislife，beenanoverseer，andhewellunderstoodthebusinessofslavedriving。Therewasnodeceivinghim。Heknewjustwhatamanorboycoulddo，andheheldbothtostrictaccount。Whenhepleased，hewouldworkhimself，likeaveryTurk，makingeverythingflybeforehim。Itwas，however，scarcelynecessaryforMr。Coveytobereallypresentinthefield，tohavehisworkgoonindustriously。Hehadthefacultyofmakingusfeelthathewasalwayspresent。Byaseriesofadroitlymanagedsurprises，whichhepracticed，Iwaspreparedtoexpecthimatanymoment。Hisplanwas，nevertoapproachthespotwherehishandswereatwork，inanopen，manlyanddirectmanner。NothiefwasevermoreartfulinhisdevicesthanthismanCovey。Hewouldcreepandcrawl，inditchesandgullies；hidebehindstumpsandbushes，andpracticesomuchofthecunningoftheserpent，thatBillSmithandI——betweenourselves——nevercalledhimbyanyothernamethan_“thesnake。“_
Wefanciedthatinhiseyesandhisgaitwecouldseeasnakishresemblance。OnehalfofhisproficiencyintheartofNegrobreaking，consisted，Ishouldthink，inthisspeciesofcunning。
Wewereneversecure。Hecouldseeorhearusnearlyallthetime。Hewas，tous，behindeverystump，tree，bushandfenceontheplantation。Hecarriedthiskindoftrickerysofar，thathewouldsometimesmounthishorse，andmakebelievehewasgoingtoSt。Michael"s；and，inthirtyminutesafterward，youmightfindhishorsetiedinthewoods，andthesnake-likeCoveylyingflatintheditch，withhisheadliftedaboveitsedge，orinafencecorner，watchingeverymovementoftheslaves！Ihaveknownhimwalkuptousandgiveusspecialorders，astoourwork，inadvance，asifhewereleavinghomewithaviewtobeingabsentseveraldays；andbeforehegothalfwaytothe<168>house，hewouldavailhimselfofourinattentiontohismovements，toturnshortonhisheels，concealhimselfbehindafencecorneroratree，andwatchusuntilthegoingdownofthesun。Meanandcontemptibleasisallthis，itisinkeepingwiththecharacterwhichthelifeofaslaveholderiscalculatedtoproduce。Thereisnoearthlyinducement，intheslave"scondition，toincitehimtolaborfaithfully。Thefearofpunishmentisthesolemotiveforanysortofindustry，withhim。Knowingthisfact，astheslaveholderdoes，andjudgingtheslavebyhimself，henaturallyconcludestheslavewillbeidlewheneverthecauseforthisfearisabsent。Hence，allsortsofpettydeceptionsarepracticed，toinspirethisfear。
But，withMr。Covey，trickerywasnatural。Everythingintheshapeoflearningorreligion，whichhepossessed，wasmadetoconformtothissemi-lyingpropensity。Hedidnotseemconsciousthatthepracticehadanythingunmanly，baseorcontemptibleaboutit。Itwasapartofanimportantsystem，withhim，essentialtotherelationofmasterandslave。IthoughtIsaw，inhisveryreligiousdevotions，thiscontrollingelementofhischaracter。Alongprayeratnightmadeupfortheshortprayerinthemorning；andfewmencouldseemmoredevotionalthanhe，whenhehadnothingelsetodo。
Mr。Coveywasnotcontentwiththecoldstyleoffamilyworship，adoptedinthesecoldlatitudes，whichbeginandendwithasimpleprayer。No！thevoiceofpraise，aswellasofprayer，mustbeheardinhishouse，nightandmorning。Atfirst，Iwascalledupontobearsomepartintheseexercises；buttherepeatedflogginggivenmebyCovey，turnedthewholethingintomockery。Hewasapoorsinger，andmainlyreliedonmeforraisingthehymnforthefamily，andwhenIfailedtodoso，hewasthrownintomuchconfusion。Idonotthinkthatheeverabusedmeonaccountofthesevexations。Hisreligionwasathingaltogetherapartfromhisworldlyconcerns。Heknewnothingofitasaholyprinciple，directingandcontrollinghisdailylife，<169SHOCKINGCONTEMPTFORCHASTITY>makingthelatterconformtotherequirementsofthegospel。Oneortwofactswillillustratehischaracterbetterthanavolumeofgeneralties{sic}。
Ihavealreadysaid，orimplied，thatMr。EdwardCoveywasapoorman。Hewas，infact，justcommencingtolaythefoundationofhisfortune，asfortuneisregardedinaslavestate。Thefirstconditionofwealthandrespectabilitythere，beingtheownershipofhumanproperty，everynerveisstrained，bythepoorman，toobtainit，andverylittleregardishadtothemannerofobtainingit。Inpursuitofthisobject，piousasMr。Coveywas，heprovedhimselftobeasunscrupulousandbaseastheworstofhisneighbors。Inthebeginning，hewasonlyable——ashesaid——
“tobuyoneslave；“and，scandalousandshockingasisthefact，heboastedthatheboughthersimply“_asabreeder_。“Buttheworstisnottoldinthisnakedstatement。Thisyoungwoman(Carolinewashername)wasvirtuallycompelledbyMr。Coveytoabandonherselftotheobjectforwhichhehadpurchasedher；andtheresultwas，thebirthoftwinsattheendoftheyear。Atthisadditiontohishumanstock，bothEdwardCoveyandhiswife，Susan，wereecstaticwithjoy。Noonedreamedofreproachingthewoman，oroffindingfaultwiththehiredman——BillSmith——thefatherofthechildren，forMr。Coveyhimselfhadlockedthetwouptogethereverynight，thusinvitingtheresult。
ButIwillpursuethisrevoltingsubjectnofurther。Nobetterillustrationoftheunchasteanddemoralizingcharacterofslaverycanbefound，thanisfurnishedinthefactthatthisprofessedlyChristianslaveholder，amidstallhisprayersandhymns，wasshamelesslyandboastfullyencouraging，andactuallycompelling，inhisownhouse，undisguisedandunmitigatedfornication，asameansofincreasinghishumanstock。Imayremarkhere，that，whilethisfactwillbereadwithdisgustandshameatthenorth，itwillbe_laughedat_，assmartandpraiseworthyinMr。Covey，atthesouth；foramanisnomorecondemnedthereforbuyingawomananddevotinghertothislifeofdishonor，<170>thanforbuyingacow，andraisingstockfromher。Thesamerulesareobserved，withaviewtoincreasingthenumberandqualityoftheformer，asofthelatter。
IwillherereproducewhatIsaidofmyownexperienceinthiswretchedplace，morethantenyearsago:
Ifatanyonetimeofmylife，morethananother，Iwasmadetodrinkthebitterestdregsofslavery，thattimewasduringthefirstsixmonthsofmystaywithMr。Covey。Wewereworkedallweathers。Itwasnevertoohotortoocold；itcouldneverrain，blow，snow，orhailtoohardforustoworkinthefield。Work，work，work，wasscarcelymoretheorderofthedaythanthenight。Thelongestdaysweretooshortforhim，andtheshortestnightsweretoolongforhim。IwassomewhatunmanageablewhenI
firstwentthere；butafewmonthsofhisdisciplinetamedme。
Mr。Coveysucceededinbreakingme。Iwasbrokeninbody，soulandspirit。Mynaturalelasticitywascrushed；myintellectlanguished；thedispositiontoreaddeparted；thecheerfulsparkthatlingeredaboutmyeyedied；thedarknightofslaveryclosedinuponme；andbeholdamantransformedintoabrute！
Sundaywasmyonlyleisuretime。Ispentthisinasortofbeast-likestupor，betweensleepandwake，undersomelargetree。
Attimes，Iwouldriseup，aflashofenergeticfreedomwoulddartthroughmysoul，accompaniedwithafaintbeamofhope，flickeredforamoment，andthenvanished。Isankdownagain，mourningovermywretchedcondition。Iwassometimespromptedtotakemylife，andthatofCovey，butwaspreventedbyacombinationofhopeandfear。Mysufferingsonthisplantationseemnowlikeadreamratherthanasternreality。
OurhousestoodwithinafewrodsoftheChesapeakebay，whosebroadbosomwaseverwhitewithsailsfromeveryquarterofthehabitableglobe。Thosebeautifulvessels，robedinpurestwhite，sodelightfultotheeyeoffreemen，weretomesomanyshroudedghosts，toterrifyandtormentmewiththoughtsofmywretchedcondition。Ihaveoften，inthedeepstillnessofasummer"sSabbath，stoodallaloneuponthebanksofthatnoblebay，andtraced，withsaddenedheartandtearfuleye，thecountlessnumberofsailsmovingofftothemightyocean。Thesightofthesealwaysaffectedmepowerfully。Mythoughtswouldcompelutterance；andthere，withnoaudiencebuttheAlmighty，Iwouldpouroutmysoul"scomplaintinmyrudeway，withanapostrophetothemovingmultitudeofships:
“Youareloosedfromyourmoorings，andfree；Iamfastinmychains，andamaslave！Youmovemerrilybeforethegentlegale，andIsadlybeforethebloodywhip！Youarefreedom"sswift-
wingedangels，thatflyaroundtheworld；Iamconfinedinbandsofiron！O，thatIwerefree！O，thatIwereononeofyourgallantdecks，andunderyourprotectingwing！Alas！betwixtme<171ANGUISHBEYONDDESCRIPTION>andyoutheturbidwatersroll。
Goon，goon。OthatIcouldalsogo！CouldIbutswim！IfI
couldfly！O，whywasIbornaman，ofwhomtomakeabrute！
Thegladshipisgone；shehidesinthedimdistance。Iamleftinthehottesthellofunendingslavery。OGod，saveme！God，deliverme！Letmebefree！IsthereanyGod？WhyamIaslave？Iwillrunaway。Iwillnotstandit。Getcaught，orgetclear，I"lltryit。Ihadaswelldiewithagueaswithfever。Ihaveonlyonelifetolose。Ihadaswellbekilledrunningasdiestanding。Onlythinkofit；onehundredmilesstraightnorth，andIamfree！Tryit？Yes！Godhelpingme，I
will。ItcannotbethatIshallliveanddieaslave。Iwilltaketothewater。Thisverybayshallyetbearmeintofreedom。
Thesteamboatssteeredinanorth-eastcoastfromNorthPoint。I
willdothesame；andwhenIgettotheheadofthebay，Iwillturnmycanoeadrift，andwalkstraightthroughDelawareintoPennsylvania。WhenIgetthere，Ishallnotberequiredtohaveapass；Iwilltravelwithoutbeingdisturbed。Letbutthefirstopportunityoffer，andcomewhatwill，Iamoff。Meanwhile，I
willtrytobearupundertheyoke。Iamnottheonlyslaveintheworld。WhyshouldIfret？Icanbearasmuchasanyofthem。Besides，Iambutaboy，andallboysareboundtosomeone。ItmaybethatmymiseryinslaverywillonlyincreasemyhappinesswhenIgetfree。Thereisabetterdaycoming。“
IshallneverbeabletonarratethementalexperiencethroughwhichitwasmylottopassduringmystayatCovey"s。Iwascompletelywrecked，changedandbewildered；goadedalmosttomadnessatonetime，andatanotherreconcilingmyselftomywretchedcondition。Everythinginthewayofkindness，whichI
hadexperiencedatBaltimore；allmyformerhopesandaspirationsforusefulnessintheworld，andthehappymomentsspentintheexercisesofreligion，contrastedwithmythenpresentlot，butincreasedmyanguish。
Isufferedbodilyaswellasmentally。Ihadneithersufficienttimeinwhichtoeatortosleep，exceptonSundays。Theoverwork，andthebrutalchastisementsofwhichIwasthevictim，combinedwiththatever-gnawingandsoul-devouringthought——“_I
amaslave——aslaveforlife——aslavewithnorationalgroundtohopeforfreedom_“——renderedmealivingembodimentofmentalandphysicalwretchedness。
CHAPTERXVI
AnotherPressureoftheTyrant"sViceEXPERIENCEATCOVEY"SSUMMEDUP——FIRSTSIXMONTHSSEVERERTHAN
THESECOND——PRELIMINARIESTOTHECHANCE——REASONSFORNARRATING
THECIRCUMSTANCES——SCENEINTREADINGYARD——TAKENILL——UNUSUAL
BRUTALITYOFCOVEY——ESCAPETOST。MICHAEL"S——THEPURSUIT——
SUFFERINGINTHEWOODS——DRIVENBACKAGAINTOCOVEY"S——BEARINGOF
MASTERTHOMAS——THESLAVEISNEVERSICK——NATURALTOEXPECTSLAVES
TOFEIGNSICKNESS——LAZINESSOFSLAVEHOLDERS。
Theforegoingchapter，withallitshorridincidentsandshockingfeatures，maybetakenasafairrepresentationofthefirstsixmonthsofmylifeatCovey"s。Thereaderhasbuttorepeat，inhisownmind，onceaweek，thesceneinthewoods，whereCoveysubjectedmetohismercilesslash，tohaveatrueideaofmybitterexperiencethere，duringthefirstperiodofthebreakingprocessthroughwhichMr。Coveycarriedme。Ihavenohearttorepeateachseparatetransaction，inwhichIwasvictimofhisviolenceandbrutality。Suchanarrationwouldfillavolumemuchlargerthanthepresentone。Iaimonlytogivethereaderatruthfulimpressionofmyslavelife，withoutunnecessarilyaffectinghimwithharrowingdetails。
AsIhaveelsewhereintimatedthatmyhardshipsweremuchgreaterduringthefirstsixmonthsofmystayatCovey"s，thanduringtheremainderoftheyear，andasthechangeinmyconditionwasowingtocauseswhichmayhelpthereadertoabetterunderstandingofhumannature，whensubjectedtotheterribleextremitiesofslavery，Iwillnarratethecircumstancesofthis<173SCENEINTHETREADINGYARD>change，althoughImayseemtherebytoapplaudmyowncourage。Youhave，dearreader，seenmehumbled，degraded，brokendown，enslaved，andbrutalized，andyouunderstandhowitwasdone；nowletusseetheconverseofallthis，andhowitwasbroughtabout；andthiswilltakeusthroughtheyear1834。
OnoneofthehottestdaysofthemonthofAugust，oftheyearjustmentioned，hadthereaderbeenpassingthroughCovey"sfarm，hemighthaveseenmeatwork，inwhatistherecalledthe“treadingyard“——ayarduponwhichwheatistroddenoutfromthestraw，bythehorses"feet。Iwasthere，atwork，feedingthe“fan，“orratherbringingwheattothefan，whileBillSmithwasfeeding。OurforceconsistedofBillHughes，BillSmith，andaslavebythenameofEli；thelatterhavingbeenhiredforthisoccasion。Theworkwassimple，andrequiredstrengthandactivity，ratherthananyskillorintelligence，andyet，tooneentirelyunusedtosuchwork，itcameveryhard。Theheatwasintenseandoverpowering，andtherewasmuchhurrytogetthewheat，troddenoutthatday，throughthefan；since，ifthatworkwasdoneanhourbeforesundown，thehandswouldhave，accordingtoapromiseofCovey，thathouraddedtotheirnight"srest。I
wasnotbehindanyoftheminthewishtocompletetheday"sworkbeforesundown，and，hence，Istruggledwithallmymighttogettheworkforward。Thepromiseofonehour"sreposeonaweekday，wassufficienttoquickenmypace，andtospurmeontoextraendeavor。Besides，wehadallplannedtogofishing，andI
certainlywishedtohaveahandinthat。ButIwasdisappointed，andthedayturnedouttobeoneofthebitterestIeverexperienced。Aboutthreeo"clock，whilethesunwaspouringdownhisburningrays，andnotabreezewasstirring，Ibrokedown；mystrengthfailedme；Iwasseizedwithaviolentachingofthehead，attendedwithextremedizziness，andtremblingineverylimb。Findingwhatwascoming，andfeelingitwouldneverdotostopwork，Inervedmyselfup，andstaggeredonuntilIfellbythesideofthewheatfan，feelingthattheearthhadfallen<174>uponme。Thisbroughttheentireworktoadeadstand。
Therewasworkforfour；eachonehadhisparttoperform，andeachpartdependedontheother，sothatwhenonestopped，allwerecompelledtostop。Covey，whohadnowbecomemydread，aswellasmytormentor，wasatthehouse，aboutahundredyardsfromwhereIwasfanning，andinstantly，uponhearingthefanstop，hecamedowntothetreadingyard，toinquireintothecauseofourstopping。BillSmithtoldhimIwassick，andthatIwasunablelongertobringwheattothefan。
Ihad，bythistime，crawledaway，underthesideofapost-and-
railfence，intheshade，andwasexceedingill。Theintenseheatofthesun，theheavydustrisingfromthefan，thestooping，totakeupthewheatfromtheyard，togetherwiththehurrying，togetthrough，hadcausedarushofbloodtomyhead。
Inthiscondition，CoveyfindingoutwhereIwas，cametome；
and，afterstandingovermeawhile，heaskedmewhatthematterwas。ItoldhimaswellasIcould，foritwaswithdifficultythatIcouldspeak。Hethengavemeasavagekickintheside，whichjarredmywholeframe，andcommandedmetogetup。Themanhadobtainedcompletecontroloverme；andifhehadcommandedmetodoanypossiblething，Ishould，inmythenstateofmind，haveendeavoredtocomply。Imadeanefforttorise，butfellbackintheattempt，beforegainingmyfeet。Thebrutenowgavemeanotherheavykick，andagaintoldmetorise。Iagaintriedtorise，andsucceededingainingmyfeet；butuponstoopingtogetthetubwithwhichIwasfeedingthefan，Iagainstaggeredandfelltotheground；andImusthavesofallen，hadIbeensurethatahundredbulletswouldhavepiercedme，astheconsequence。Whiledown，inthissadcondition，andperfectlyhelpless，themercilessNegrobreakertookupthehickoryslab，withwhichHugheshadbeenstrikingoffthewheattoalevelwiththesidesofthehalfbushelmeasure(averyhardweapon)andwiththesharpedgeofit，hedealtmeaheavyblowonmyheadwhichmadealargegash，andcausedthebloodtorunfreely，saying，<175ESCAPETOST。MICHAEL"S>atthesametime，“If_youhavegottheheadache，I"llcureyou_。“Thisdone，heorderedmeagaintorise，butImadenoefforttodoso；forIhadmadeupmymindthatitwasuseless，andthattheheartlessmonstermightnowdohisworst；hecouldbutkillme，andthatmightputmeoutofmymisery。Findingmeunabletorise，orratherdespairingofmydoingso，Coveyleftme，withaviewtogettingonwiththeworkwithoutme。Iwasbleedingveryfreely，andmyfacewassooncoveredwithmywarmblood。Cruelandmercilessaswasthemotivethatdealtthatblow，dearreader，thewoundwasfortunateforme。Bleedingwasnevermoreefficacious。Thepaininmyheadspeedilyabated，andIwassoonabletorise。Coveyhad，asIhavesaid，nowleftmetomyfate；andthequestionwas，shallIreturntomywork，orshallIfindmywaytoSt。Michael"s，andmakeCapt。AuldacquaintedwiththeatrociouscrueltyofhisbrotherCovey，andbeseechhimtogetmeanothermaster？
Rememberingtheobjecthehadinview，inplacingmeunderthemanagementofCovey，andfurther，hiscrueltreatmentofmypoorcrippledcousin，Henny，andhismeannessinthematteroffeedingandclothinghisslaves，therewaslittlegroundtohopeforafavorablereceptionatthehandsofCapt。ThomasAuld。
Nevertheless，IresolvedtogostraighttoCapt。Auld，thinkingthat，ifnotanimatedbymotivesofhumanity，hemightbeinducedtointerfereonmybehalffromselfishconsiderations。“Hecannot，“thoughtI，“allowhispropertytobethusbruisedandbattered，marredanddefaced；andIwillgotohim，andtellhimthesimpletruthaboutthematter。“InordertogettoSt。
Michael"s，bythemostfavorableanddirectroad，Imustwalksevenmiles；andthis，inmysadcondition，wasnoeasyperformance。Ihadalreadylostmuchblood；Iwasexhaustedbyoverexertion；mysidesweresorefromtheheavyblowsplantedtherebythestoutbootsofMr。Covey；andIwas，ineveryway，inanunfavorableplightforthejourney。Ihoweverwatchedmychance，whilethecruelandcunningCoveywaslookinginanoppositedirection，andstarted<176>off，acrossthefield，forSt。Michael"s。Thiswasadaringstep；ifitfailed，itwouldonlyexasperateCovey，andincreasetherigorsofmybondage，duringtheremainderofmytermofserviceunderhim；butthestepwastaken，andImustgoforward。Isucceededingettingnearlyhalfwayacrossthebroadfield，towardthewoods，beforeMr。Coveyobservedme。Iwasstillbleeding，andtheexertionofrunninghadstartedthebloodafresh。_“Comeback！Comeback！“_
vociferatedCovey，withthreatsofwhathewoulddoifIdidnotreturninstantly。But，disregardinghiscallsandhisthreats，I
pressedontowardthewoodsasfastasmyfeeblestatewouldallow。Seeingnosignsofmystopping，Coveycausedhishorsetobebroughtoutandsaddled，asifheintendedtopursueme。Theracewasnowtobeanunequalone；and，thinkingImightbeoverhauledbyhim，ifIkeptthemainroad，Iwalkednearlythewholedistanceinthewoods，keepingfarenoughfromtheroadtoavoiddetectionandpursuit。But，Ihadnotgonefar，beforemylittlestrengthagainfailedme，andIlaiddown。Thebloodwasstilloozingfromthewoundinmyhead；and，foratime，I
sufferedmorethanIcandescribe。ThereIwas，inthedeepwoods，sickandemaciated，pursuedbyawretchwhosecharacterforrevoltingcrueltybeggarsallopprobriousspeech——bleeding，andalmostbloodless。Iwasnotwithoutthefearofbleedingtodeath。Thethoughtofdyinginthewoods，allalone，andofbeingtorntopiecesbythebuzzards，hadnotyetbeenrenderedtolerablebymymanytroublesandhardships，andIwasgladwhentheshadeofthetrees，andthecooleveningbreeze，combinedwithmymattedhairtostoptheflowofblood。Afterlyingthereaboutthreequartersofanhour，broodingoverthesingularandmournfullottowhichIwasdoomed，mymindpassingoverthewholescaleorcircleofbeliefandunbelief，fromfaithintheoverrulingprovidenceofGod，totheblackestatheism，IagaintookupmyjourneytowardSt。Michael"s，morewearyandsadthaninthemorningwhenIleftThomasAuld"sforthehomeofMr。
Covey。Iwasbare-footedandbare-headed，andin<177BEARINGOF
MASTERTHOMAS>myshirtsleeves。Thewaywasthroughbogsandbriers，andItoremyfeetoftenduringthejourney。Iwasfullfivehoursingoingthesevenoreightmiles；partly，becauseofthedifficultiesoftheway，andpartly，becauseofthefeeblenessinducedbymyillness，bruisesandlossofblood。Ongainingmymaster"sstore，Ipresentedanappearanceofwretchednessandwoe，fittedtomoveanybutaheartofstone。
Fromthecrownofmyheadtothesoleofmyfeet，thereweremarksofblood。Myhairwasallclottedwithdustandblood，andthebackofmyshirtwasliterallystiffwiththesame。Briersandthornshadscarredandtornmyfeetandlegs，leavingbloodmarksthere。HadIescapedfromadenoftigers，IcouldnothavelookedworsethanIdidonreachingSt。Michael"s。Inthisunhappyplight，Iappearedbeforemyprofessedly_Christian_
master，humblytoinvoketheinterpositionofhispowerandauthority，toprotectmefromfurtherabuseandviolence。Ihadbeguntohope，duringthelatterpartofmytediousjourneytowardSt。Michael"s，thatCapt。AuldwouldnowshowhimselfinanoblerlightthanIhadeverbeforeseenhim。Iwasdisappointed。Ihadjumpedfromasinkingshipintothesea；I
hadfledfromthetigertosomethingworse。Itoldhimallthecircumstances，aswellasIcould；howIwasendeavoringtopleaseCovey；howhardIwasatworkinthepresentinstance；howunwillingIsunkdownundertheheat，toilandpain；thebrutalmannerinwhichCoveyhadkickedmeintheside；thegashcutinmyhead；myhesitationabouttroublinghim(Capt。Auld)withcomplaints；but，thatnowIfeltitwouldnotbebestlongertoconcealfromhimtheoutragescommittedonmefromtimetotimebyCovey。Atfirst，masterThomasseemedsomewhataffectedbythestoryofmywrongs，buthesoonrepressedhisfeelingsandbecamecoldasiron。Itwasimpossible——asIstoodbeforehimatthefirst——forhimtoseemindifferent。Idistinctlysawhishumannatureassertingitsconvictionagainsttheslavesystem，whichmadecaseslikemine_possible；_but，asIhavesaid，humanityfellbeforethesystematictyrannyofslavery。Hefirstwalked<178>thefloor，apparentlymuchagitatedbymystory，andthesadspectacleIpresented；but，presently，itwas_his_turntotalk。Hebeganmoderately，byfindingexcusesforCovey，andendingwithafulljustificationofhim，andapassionatecondemnationofme。“HehadnodoubtIdeservedtheflogging。
HedidnotbelieveIwassick；Iwasonlyendeavoringtogetridofwork。Mydizzinesswaslaziness，andCoveydidrighttoflogme，ashehaddone。“Afterthusfairlyannihilatingme，androusinghimselfbyhisowneloquence，hefiercelydemandedwhatI
wished_him_todointhecase！
Withsuchacompleteknock-downtoallmyhopes，ashehadgivenme，andfeeling，asIdid，myentiresubjectiontohispower，I
hadverylittlehearttoreply。Imustnotaffirmmyinnocenceoftheallegationswhichhehadpiledupagainstme；forthatwouldbeimpudence，andwouldprobablycalldownfreshviolenceaswellaswrathuponme。Theguiltofaslaveisalways，andeverywhere，presumed；andtheinnocenceoftheslaveholderortheslaveemployer，isalwaysasserted。Thewordoftheslave，againstthispresumption，isgenerallytreatedasimpudence，worthyofpunishment。“Doyoucontradictme，yourascal？“isafinalsilencerofcounterstatementsfromthelipsofaslave。
Calmingdownalittleinviewofmysilenceandhesitation，and，perhaps，fromarapidglanceatthepictureofmiseryI
presented，heinquiredagain，“whatIwouldhavehimdo？“Thusinvitedasecondtime，ItoldMasterThomasIwishedhimtoallowmetogetanewhomeandtofindanewmaster；that，assureasI
wentbacktolivewithMr。Coveyagain，Ishouldbekilledbyhim；thathewouldneverforgivemycomingtohim(Capt。Auld)
withacomplaintagainsthim(Covey)；that，sinceIhadlivedwithhim，healmostcrushedmyspirit，andIbelievedthathewouldruinmeforfutureservice；thatmylifewasnotsafeinhishands。This，MasterThomas_(mybrotherinthechurch)_
regardedas“nonsence{sic}。““TherewasnodangerofMr。Covey"skillingme；hewasagoodman，industriousandreligious，andhewouldnotthinkof<179THESLAVEISNEVERSICK>removingmefromthathome；“besides，“saidheandthisIfoundwasthemostdistressingthoughtofalltohim——“ifyoushouldleaveCoveynow，thatyouryearhasbuthalfexpired，Ishouldloseyourwagesfortheentireyear。YoubelongtoMr。Coveyforoneyear，andyou_mustgoback_tohim，comewhatwill。YoumustnottroublemewithanymorestoriesaboutMr。Covey；andifyoudonotgoimmediatelyhome，Iwillgetholdofyoumyself。“ThiswasjustwhatIexpected，whenIfoundhehad_prejudged_thecaseagainstme。“But，Sir，“Isaid，“Iamsickandtired，andI
cannotgethometo-night。“Atthis，heagainrelented，andfinallyheallowedmetoremainallnightatSt。Michael"s；butsaidImustbeoffearlyinthemorning，andconcludedhisdirectionsbymakingmeswallowahugedoseof_epsomsalts_——
abouttheonlymedicineeveradministeredtoslaves。
ItwasquitenaturalforMasterThomastopresumeIwasfeigningsicknesstoescapework，forheprobablythoughtthatwere_he_
intheplaceofaslavewithnowagesforhiswork，nopraiseforwelldoing，nomotivefortoilbutthelash——hewouldtryeverypossibleschemebywhichtoescapelabor。IsayIhavenodoubtofthis；thereasonis，thattherearenot，underthewholeheavens，asetofmenwhocultivatesuchanintensedreadoflaborasdotheslaveholders。Thechargeoflazinessagainsttheslaveiseverontheirlips，andisthestandingapologyforeveryspeciesofcrueltyandbrutality。Thesemenliterally“bindheavyburdens，grievoustobeborne，andlaythemonmen"sshoulders；butthey，themselves，willnotmovethemwithoneoftheirfingers。“
Mykindreadersshallhave，inthenextchapter——whattheywereled，perhaps，toexpecttofindinthis——namely:anaccountofmypartialdisenthrallmentfromthetyrannyofCovey，andthemarkedchangewhichitbroughtabout。
CHAPTERXVII
TheLastFloggingASLEEPLESSNIGHT——RETURNTOCOVEY"S——PURSUEDBYCOVEY——THECHASE
DEFEATED——VENGEANCEPOSTPONED——MUSINGSINTHEWOODS——THE
ALTERNATIVE——DEPLORABLESPECTACLE——NIGHTINTHEWOODS——EXPECTED
ATTACK——ACCOSTEDBYSANDY，AFRIEND，NOTAHUNTER——SANDY"S
HOSPITALITY——THE“ASHCAKE“SUPPER——THEINTERVIEWWITHSANDY——HIS
ADVICE——SANDYACONJURERASWELLASACHRISTIAN——THEMAGICROOT——
STRANGEMEETINGWITHCOVEY——HISMANNER——COVEY"SSUNDAYFACE——MY
DEFENSIVERESOLVE——THEFIGHT——THEVICTORY，ANDITSRESULTS。
Sleepitselfdoesnotalwayscometothereliefofthewearyinbody，andthebrokeninspirit；especiallywhenpasttroublesonlyforeshadowcomingdisasters。Thelasthopehadbeenextinguished。Mymaster，whoIdidnotventuretohopewouldprotectmeas_aman_，hadevennowrefusedtoprotectmeas_hisproperty；_andhadcastmeback，coveredwithreproachesandbruises，intothehandsofastrangertothatmercywhichwasthesoulofthereligionheprofessed。Maythereaderneverspendsuchanightasthatallottedtome，previoustothemorningwhichwastoheraldmyreturntothedenofhorrorsfromwhichI
hadmadeatemporaryescape。
Iremainedallnight——sleepIdidnot——atSt。Michael"s；andinthemorning(Saturday)Istartedoff，accordingtotheorderofMasterThomas，feelingthatIhadnofriendonearth，anddoubtingifIhadoneinheaven。IreachedCovey"saboutnineo"clock；andjustasIsteppedintothefield，beforeIhadreachedthehouse，Covey，truetohissnakishhabits，dartedoutatme<181RETURNTOCOVEY"S>fromafencecorner，inwhichhehadsecretedhimself，forthepurposeofsecuringme。Hewasamplyprovidedwithacowskinandarope；andheevidentlyintendedto_tiemeup_，andtowreakhisvengeanceonmetothefullestextent。Ishouldhavebeenaneasyprey，hadhesucceededingettinghishandsuponme，forIhadtakennorefreshmentsincenoononFriday；andthis，togetherwiththepelting，excitement，andthelossofblood，hadreducedmystrength。I，however，dartedbackintothewoods，beforetheferocioushoundcouldgetholdofme，andburiedmyselfinathicket，wherehelostsightofme。Thecorn-fieldaffordedmecover，ingettingtothewoods。Butforthetallcorn，Coveywouldhaveovertakenme，andmademehiscaptive。Heseemedverymuchchagrinedthathedidnotcatchme，andgaveupthechase，veryreluctantly；forI
couldseehisangrymovements，towardthehousefromwhichhehadsallied，onhisforay。
Well，nowIamclearofCovey，andofhiswrathfullash，forpresent。Iaminthewood，buriedinitssombergloom，andhushedinitssolemnsilence；hidfromallhumaneyes；shutinwithnatureandnature"sGod，andabsentfromallhumancontrivances。Herewasagoodplacetopray；toprayforhelpfordeliverance——aprayerIhadoftenmadebefore。ButhowcouldIpray？Coveycouldpray——Capt。Auldcouldpray——Iwouldfainpray；butdoubts(arisingpartlyfrommyownneglectofthemeansofgrace，andpartlyfromtheshamreligionwhicheverywhereprevailed，castinmymindadoubtuponallreligion，andledmetotheconvictionthatprayerswereunavailinganddelusive)
preventedmyembracingtheopportunity，asareligiousone。
Life，initself，hadalmostbecomeburdensometome。Allmyoutwardrelationswereagainstme；Imuststayhereandstarve(I
wasalreadyhungry)orgohometoCovey"s，andhavemyfleshtorntopieces，andmyspirithumbledunderthecruellashofCovey。
Thiswasthepainfulalternativepresentedtome。Thedaywaslongandirksome。Myphysicalconditionwasdeplorable。Iwasweak，fromthetoilsofthepreviousday，andfromthewantof<182>foodandrest；andhadbeensolittleconcernedaboutmyappearance，thatIhadnotyetwashedthebloodfrommygarments。
Iwasanobjectofhorror，eventomyself。Life，inBaltimore，whenmostoppressive，wasaparadisetothis。WhathadIdone，whathadmyparentsdone，thatsuchalifeasthisshouldbemine？Thatday，inthewoods，Iwouldhaveexchangedmymanhoodforthebrutehoodofanox。
Nightcame。Iwasstillinthewoods，unresolvedwhattodo。
Hungerhadnotyetpinchedmetothepointofgoinghome，andI
laidmyselfdownintheleavestorest；forIhadbeenwatchingforhuntersallday，butnotbeingmolestedduringtheday，I
expectednodisturbanceduringthenight。IhadcometotheconclusionthatCoveyrelieduponhungertodrivemehome；andinthisIwasquitecorrect——thefactsshowedthathehadmadenoefforttocatchme，sincemorning。
Duringthenight，Iheardthestepofamaninthewoods。HewascomingtowardtheplacewhereIlay。Apersonlyingstillhastheadvantageoveronewalkinginthewoods，inthedaytime，andthisadvantageismuchgreateratnight。Iwasnotabletoengageinaphysicalstruggle，andIhadrecoursetothecommonresortoftheweak。Ihidmyselfintheleavestopreventdiscovery。But，asthenightramblerinthewoodsdrewnearer，I
foundhimtobea_friend_，notanenemy；itwasaslaveofMr。
WilliamGroomes，ofEaston，akindheartedfellow，named“Sandy。“
SandylivedwithMr。Kempthatyear，aboutfourmilesfromSt。
Michael"s。He，likemyselfhadbeenhiredoutbytheyear；but，unlikemyself，hadnotbeenhiredouttobebroken。Sandywasthehusbandofafreewoman，wholivedinthelowerpartof_“PotpieNeck，“_andhewasnowonhiswaythroughthewoods，toseeher，andtospendtheSabbathwithher。
AssoonasIhadascertainedthatthedisturberofmysolitudewasnotanenemy，butthegood-heartedSandy——amanasfamousamongtheslavesoftheneighborhoodforhisgoodnature，asforhisgoodsenseIcameoutfrommyhidingplace，andmade<183THE
ASHCAKESUPPER>myselfknowntohim。Iexplainedthecircumstancesofthepasttwodays，whichhaddrivenmetothewoods，andhedeeplycompassionatedmydistress。Itwasaboldthingforhimtoshelterme，andIcouldnotaskhimtodoso；
for，hadIbeenfoundinhishut，hewouldhavesufferedthepenaltyofthirty-ninelashesonhisbareback，ifnotsomethingworse。ButSandywastoogeneroustopermitthefearofpunishmenttopreventhisrelievingabrotherbondmanfromhungerandexposure；and，therefore，onhisownmotion，Iaccompaniedhimtohishome，orrathertothehomeofhiswife——forthehouseandlotwerehers。Hiswifewascalledup——foritwasnowaboutmidnight——afirewasmade，someIndianmealwassoonmixedwithsaltandwater，andanashcakewasbakedinahurrytorelievemyhunger。Sandy"swifewasnotbehindhiminkindness——bothseemedtoesteemitaprivilegetosuccorme；for，althoughIwashatedbyCoveyandbymymaster，Iwaslovedbythecoloredpeople，because_they_thoughtIwashatedformyknowledge，andpersecutedbecauseIwasfeared。Iwasthe_only_slave_now_inthatregionwhocouldreadandwrite。Therehadbeenoneotherman，belongingtoMr。HughHamilton，whocouldread(hisnamewas“Jim“)，buthe，poorfellow，had，shortlyaftermycomingintotheneighborhood，beensoldofftothefarsouth。IsawJimironed，inthecart，tobecarriedtoEastonforsale——pinionedlikeayearlingfortheslaughter。Myknowledgewasnowtheprideofmybrotherslaves；and，nodoubt，Sandyfeltsomethingofthegeneralinterestinmeonthataccount。Thesupperwassoonready，andthoughIhavefeastedsince，withhonorables，lordmayorsandaldermen，overthesea，mysupperonashcakeandcoldwater，withSandy，wasthemeal，ofallmylife，mostsweettomytaste，andnowmostvividinmymemory。
Supperover，SandyandIwentintoadiscussionofwhatwas_possible_forme，undertheperilsandhardshipswhichnowovershadowedmypath。Thequestionwas，mustIgobacktoCovey，ormustInowtempttorunaway？Uponacarefulsurvey，thelatterwasfoundtobeimpossible；forIwasonanarrowneckofland，<184>everyavenuefromwhichwouldbringmeinsightofpursuers。TherewastheChesapeakebaytotheright，and“Pot-
pie“rivertotheleft，andSt。Michael"sanditsneighborhoodoccupyingtheonlyspacethroughwhichtherewasanyretreat。
IfoundSandyanoldadvisor。Hewasnotonlyareligiousman，butheprofessedtobelieveinasystemforwhichIhavenoname。
HewasagenuineAfrican，andhadinheritedsomeoftheso-calledmagicalpowers，saidtobepossessedbyAfricanandeasternnations。Hetoldmethathecouldhelpme；that，inthoseverywoods，therewasanherb，whichinthemorningmightbefound，possessingallthepowersrequiredformyprotection(Iputhisthoughtsinmyownlanguage)；andthat，ifIwouldtakehisadvice，hewouldprocuremetherootoftheherbofwhichhespoke。Hetoldmefurther，thatifIwouldtakethatrootandwearitonmyrightside，itwouldbeimpossibleforCoveytostrikemeablow；thatwiththisrootaboutmyperson，nowhitemancouldwhipme。Hesaidhehadcarrieditforyears，andthathehadfullytesteditsvirtues。Hehadneverreceivedablowfromaslaveholdersincehecarriedit；andheneverexpectedtoreceiveone，forhealwaysmeanttocarrythatrootasaprotection。HeknewCoveywell，forMrs。CoveywasthedaughterofMr。Kemp；andhe(Sandy)hadheardofthebarbaroustreatmenttowhichIwassubjected，andhewantedtodosomethingforme。
Nowallthistalkabouttheroot，wastome，veryabsurdandridiculous，ifnotpositivelysinful。Iatfirstrejectedtheideathatthesimplecarryingarootonmyrightside(aroot，bytheway，overwhichIwalkedeverytimeIwentintothewoods)
couldpossessanysuchmagicpowerasheascribedtoit，andI
was，therefore，notdisposedtocumbermypocketwithit。Ihadapositiveaversiontoallpretendersto_“divination。“_Itwasbeneathoneofmyintelligencetocountenancesuchdealingswiththedevil，asthispowerimplied。But，withallmylearning——itwasreallypreciouslittle——Sandywasmorethanamatchforme。
“Mybooklearning，“hesaid，“hadnotkeptCoveyoffme“(apowerful<185THEMAGICROOT>argumentjustthen)andheentreatedme，withflashingeyes，totrythis。Ifitdidmenogood，itcoulddomenoharm，anditwouldcostmenothing，anyway。
Sandywassoearnest，andsoconfidentofthegoodqualitiesofthisweed，that，topleasehim，ratherthanfromanyconvictionofitsexcellence，Iwasinducedtotakeit。HehadbeentomethegoodSamaritan，andhad，almostprovidentially，foundme，andhelpedmewhenIcouldnothelpmyself；howdidIknowbutthatthehandoftheLordwasinit？Withthoughtsofthissort，I
tooktherootsfromSandy，andputtheminmyrighthandpocket。
Thiswas，ofcourse，Sundaymorning。Sandynowurgedmetogohome，withallspeed，andtowalkupbravelytothehouse，asthoughnothinghadhappened。IsawinSandytoodeepaninsightintohumannature，withallhissuperstition，nottohavesomerespectforhisadvice；andperhaps，too，aslightgleamorshadowofhissuperstitionhadfallenuponme。Atanyrate，I
startedofftowardCovey"s，asdirectedbySandy。Having，thepreviousnight，pouredmygriefsintoSandy"sears，andgothimenlistedinmybehalf，havingmadehiswifeasharerinmysorrows，andhaving，also，becomewellrefreshedbysleepandfood，Imovedoff，quitecourageously，towardthemuchdreadedCovey"s。Singularlyenough，justasIenteredhisyardgate，I
methimandhiswife，dressedintheirSundaybest——lookingassmilingasangels——ontheirwaytochurch。ThemannerofCoveyastonishedme。Therewassomethingreallybenignantinhiscountenance。Hespoketomeasneverbefore；toldmethatthepigshadgotintothelot，andhewishedmetodrivethemout；
inquiredhowIwas，andseemedanalteredman。ThisextraordinaryconductofCovey，reallymademebegintothinkthatSandy"sherbhadmorevirtueinitthanI，inmypride，hadbeenwillingtoallow；and，hadthedaybeenotherthanSunday，I
shouldhaveattributedCovey"salteredmannersolelytothemagicpoweroftheroot。Isuspected，however，thatthe_Sabbath_，andnotthe_root_，wastherealexplanationofCovey"smanner。Hisreligionhinderedhimfrombreakingthe<186>Sabbath，butnotfrombreakingmyskin。Hehadmorerespectforthe_day_thanforthe_man_，forwhomthedaywasmercifullygiven；forwhilehewouldcutandslashmybodyduringtheweek，hewouldnothesitate，onSunday，toteachmethevalueofmysoul，orthewayoflifeandsalvationbyJesusChrist。