第13章

TheVictory

“ThanksbeuntoGod，whogivethusthevictory。”1

Havenotmanyofus，inthewearywayoflife，felt，insomehours，howfareasieritweretodiethantolive？

Themartyr，whenfacedevenbyadeathofbodilyanguishandhorror，findsintheveryterrorofhisdoomastrongstimulantandtonic。Thereisavividexcitement，athrillandfervor，whichmaycarrythroughanycrisisofsufferingthatisthebirth-hourofeternalgloryandrest。

Buttolive，—towearon，dayafterday，ofmean，bitter，low，harassingservitude，everynervedampenedanddepressed，everypoweroffeelinggraduallysmothered，—thislongandwastingheart-martyrdom，thisslow，dailybleedingawayoftheinwardlife，dropbydrop，hourafterhour，—thisisthetruesearchingtestofwhattheremaybeinmanorwoman。

WhenTomstoodfacetofacewithhispersecutor，andheardhisthreats，andthoughtinhisverysoulthathishourwascome，hisheartswelledbravelyinhim，andhethoughthecouldbeartortureandfire，bearanything，withthevisionofJesusandheavenbutjustastepbeyond；but，whenhewasgone，andthepresentexcitementpassedoff，camebackthepainofhisbruisedandwearylimbs，—camebackthesenseofhisutterlydegraded，hopeless，forlornestate；andthedaypassedwearilyenough。

Longbeforehiswoundswerehealed，Legreeinsistedthatheshouldbeputtotheregularfield-work；andthencamedayafterdayofpainandweariness，aggravatedbyeverykindofinjusticeandindignitythattheill-willofameanandmaliciousmindcoulddevise。Whoever，inourcircumstances，hasmadetrialofpain，evenwithallthealleviationswhich，forus，usuallyattendit，mustknowtheirritationthatcomeswithit。Tomnolongerwonderedatthehabitualsurlinessofhisassociates；nay，hefoundtheplacid，sunnytemper，whichhadbeenthehabitudeofhislife，brokeninon，andsorelystrained，bytheinroadsofthesamething。HehadflatteredhimselfonleisuretoreadhisBible；buttherewasnosuchthingasleisurethere。Intheheightoftheseason，Legreedidnothesitatetopressallhishandsthrough，Sundaysandweek-daysalike。Whyshouldn’the？—hemademorecottonbyit，andgainedhiswager；andifitworeoutafewmorehands，hecouldbuybetterones。Atfirst，TomusedtoreadaverseortwoofhisBible，bytheflickerofthefire，afterhehadreturnedfromhisdailytoil；but，afterthecrueltreatmenthereceived，heusedtocomehomesoexhausted，thathisheadswamandhiseyesfailedwhenhetriedtoread；andhewasfaintostretchhimselfdown，withtheothers，inutterexhaustion。

Isitstrangethatthereligiouspeaceandtrust，whichhadupbornehimhitherto，shouldgivewaytotossingsofsoulanddespondentdarkness？Thegloomiestproblemofthismysteriouslifewasconstantlybeforehiseyes，—soulscrushedandruined，eviltriumphant，andGodsilent。ItwasweeksandmonthsthatTomwrestled，inhisownsoul，indarknessandsorrow。HethoughtofMissOphelia’slettertohisKentuckyfriends，andwouldprayearnestlythatGodwouldsendhimdeliverance。Andthenhewouldwatch，dayafterday，inthevaguehopeofseeingsomebodysenttoredeemhim；and，whennobodycame，hewouldcrushbacktohissoulbitterthoughts，—thatitwasvaintoserveGod，thatGodhadforgottenhim。HesometimessawCassy；andsometimes，whensummonedtothehouse，caughtaglimpseofthedejectedformofEmmeline，butheldverylittlecommunionwitheither；infact，therewasnotimeforhimtocommunewithanybody。

Oneevening，hewassitting，inutterdejectionandprostration，byafewdecayingbrands，wherehiscoarsesupperwasbaking。Heputafewbitsofbrushwoodonthefire，andstrovetoraisethelight，andthendrewhiswornBiblefromhispocket。Therewereallthemarkedpassages，whichhadthrilledhissoulsooften，—wordsofpatriarchsandseers，poetsandsages，whofromearlytimehadspokencouragetoman，—voicesfromthegreatcloudofwitnesseswhoeversurroundusintheraceoflife。Hadthewordlostitspower，orcouldthefailingeyeandwearysensenolongeranswertothetouchofthatmightyinspiration？Heavilysighing，heputitinhispocket。Acoarselaughrousedhim；helookedup，—Legreewasstandingoppositetohim。

“Well，oldboy，”hesaid，“youfindyourreligiondon’twork，itseems！IthoughtIshouldgetthatthroughyourwool，atlast！”

Thecrueltauntwasmorethanhungerandcoldandnakedness。Tomwassilent。

“Youwereafool，”saidLegree；“forImeanttodowellbyyou，whenIboughtyou。YoumighthavebeenbetteroffthanSambo，orQuimboeither，andhadeasytimes；and，insteadofgettingcutupandthrashed，everydayortwo，yemighthavehadlibertytolorditround，andcutuptheotherniggers；andyemighthavehad，nowandthen，agoodwarmingofwhiskeypunch。Come，Tom，don’tyouthinkyou’dbetterbereasonable？—heavethataroldpackoftrashinthefire，andjoinmychurch！”

“TheLordforbid！”saidTom，fervently。

“YouseetheLordan’tgoingtohelpyou；ifhehadbeen，hewouldn’thaveletmegetyou！Thisyerreligionisallamessoflyingtrumpery，Tom。Iknowallaboutit。Ye’dbetterholdtome；I’msomebody，andcandosomething！”

“No，Mas’r，”saidTom；“I’llholdon。TheLordmayhelpme，ornothelp；butI’llholdtohim，andbelievehimtothelast！”

“Themorefoolyou！”saidLegree，spittingscornfullyathim，andspurninghimwithhisfoot。“Nevermind；I’llchaseyoudown，yet，andbringyouunder，—you’llsee！”andLegreeturnedaway。

Whenaheavyweightpressesthesoultothelowestlevelatwhichenduranceispossible，thereisaninstantanddesperateeffortofeveryphysicalandmoralnervetothrowofftheweight；andhencetheheaviestanguishoftenprecedesareturntideofjoyandcourage。SowasitnowwithTom。Theatheistictauntsofhiscruelmastersunkhisbeforedejectedsoultothelowestebb；and，thoughthehandoffaithstillheldtotheeternalrock，itwasanumb，despairinggrasp。Tomsat，likeonestunned，atthefire。Suddenlyeverythingaroundhimseemedtofade，andavisionrosebeforehimofonecrownedwiththorns，buffetedandbleeding。Tomgazed，inaweandwonder，atthemajesticpatienceoftheface；thedeep，patheticeyesthrilledhimtohisinmostheart；hissoulwoke，as，withfloodsofemotion，hestretchedouthishandsandfelluponhisknees，—when，gradually，thevisionchanged:thesharpthornsbecameraysofglory；and，insplendorinconceivable，hesawthatsamefacebendingcompassionatelytowardshim，andavoicesaid，“Hethatovercomethshallsitdownwithmeonmythrone，evenasIalsoovercome，andamsetdownwithmyFatheronhisthrone。”

HowlongTomlaythere，heknewnot。Whenhecametohimself，thefirewasgoneout，hisclotheswerewetwiththechillanddrenchingdews；butthedreadsoul-crisiswaspast，and，inthejoythatfilledhim，henolongerfelthunger，cold，degradation，disappointment，wretchedness。Fromhisdeepestsoul，hethathourloosedandpartedfromeveryhopeinlifethatnowis，andofferedhisownwillanunquestioningsacrificetotheInfinite。Tomlookeduptothesilent，ever-livingstars，—typesoftheangelichostswhoeverlookdownonman；andthesolitudeofthenightrungwiththetriumphantwordsofahymn，whichhehadsungofteninhappierdays，butneverwithsuchfeelingasnow:

“Theearthshallbedissolvedlikesnow，

Thesunshallceasetoshine；

ButGod，whocalledmeherebelow，

Shallbeforevermine。

“Andwhenthismortallifeshallfail，

Andfleshandsenseshallcease，

Ishallpossesswithintheveil

Alifeofjoyandpeace。

“Whenwe’vebeentheretenthousandyears，

Brightshininglikethesun，

We’venolessdaystosingGod’spraise

Thanwhenwefirstbegun。”

Thosewhohavebeenfamiliarwiththereligioushistoriesoftheslavepopulationknowthatrelationslikewhatwehavenarratedareverycommonamongthem。Wehaveheardsomefromtheirownlips，ofaverytouchingandaffectingcharacter。Thepsychologisttellsusofastate，inwhichtheaffectionsandimagesofthemindbecomesodominantandoverpowering，thattheypressintotheirservicetheoutwardimagining。Whoshallmeasurewhatanall-pervadingSpiritmaydowiththesecapabilitiesofourmortality，orthewaysinwhichHemayencouragethedespondingsoulsofthedesolate？IfthepoorforgottenslavebelievesthatJesushathappearedandspokentohim，whoshallcontradicthim？DidHenotsaythathis，mission，inallages，wastobindupthebroken-hearted，andsetatlibertythemthatarebruised？

Whenthedimgrayofdawnwoketheslumbererstogoforthtothefield，therewasamongthosetatteredandshiveringwretchesonewhowalkedwithanexultanttread；forfirmerthanthegroundhetrodonwashisstrongfaithinAlmighty，eternallove。Ah，Legree，tryallyourforcesnow！Utmostagony，woe，degradation，want，andlossofallthings，shallonlyhastenontheprocessbywhichheshallbemadeakingandapriestuntoGod！

Fromthistime，aninviolablesphereofpeaceencompassedthelowlyheartoftheoppressedone，—anever-presentSaviourhalloweditasatemple。Pastnowthebleedingofearthlyregrets；pastitsfluctuationsofhope，andfear，anddesire；thehumanwill，bent，andbleeding，andstrugglinglong，wasnowentirelymergedintheDivine。Soshortnowseemedtheremainingvoyageoflife，—sonear，sovivid，seemedeternalblessedness，—thatlife’suttermostwoesfellfromhimunharming。

Allnoticedthechangeinhisappearance。Cheerfulnessandalertnessseemedtoreturntohim，andaquietnesswhichnoinsultorinjurycouldruffleseemedtopossesshim。

“Whatthedevil’sgotintoTom？”LegreesaidtoSambo。“Awhileagohewasalldowninthemouth，andnowhe’speartasacricket。”

“Dunno，Mas’r；gwinetorunoff，mebbe。”

“Liketoseehimtrythat，”saidLegree，withasavagegrin，“wouldn’twe，Sambo？”

“Guesswewould！Haw！haw！ho！”saidthesootygnome，laughingobsequiously。“Lord，defun！Toseehimstickin’indemud，—chasin’andtarin’throughdebushes，dogsaholdin’ontohim！Lord，Ilaughedfittosplit，datartimewecotchedMolly。Ithoughtthey’dahadherallstrippedupaforeIcouldget’emoff。Shecar’sdemarkso’datarspreeyet。”

“Ireckonshewill，tohergrave，”saidLegree。“Butnow，Sambo，youlooksharp。Ifthenigger’sgotanythingofthissortgoing，triphimup。”

“Mas’r，letmelonefordat，”saidSambo，“I’lltreedecoon。Ho，ho，ho！”

ThiswasspokenasLegreewasgettingonhishorse，togototheneighboringtown。Thatnight，ashewasreturning，hethoughthewouldturnhishorseandrideroundthequarters，andseeifallwassafe。

Itwasasuperbmoonlightnight，andtheshadowsofthegracefulChinatreeslayminutelypencilledontheturfbelow，andtherewasthattransparentstillnessintheairwhichitseemsalmostunholytodisturb。Legreewasalittledistancefromthequarters，whenheheardthevoiceofsomeonesinging。Itwasnotausualsoundthere，andhepausedtolisten。Amusicaltenorvoicesang，

“WhenIcanreadmytitleclear

Tomansionsintheskies，

I’llbidfarewelltoeveryfear，

Andwipemyweepingeyes

“Shouldearthagainstmysoulengage，

Andhellishdartsbehurled，

ThenIcansmileatSatan’srage，

Andfaceafrowningworld。

“Letcareslikeawilddelugecome，

Andstormsofsorrowfall，

MayIbutsafelyreachmyhome，

Mygod，myHeaven，myAll。”2

“Soho！”saidLegreetohimself，“hethinksso，doeshe？HowIhatethesecursedMethodisthymns！Here，younigger，”saidhe，comingsuddenlyoutuponTom，andraisinghisriding-whip，“howdareyoubegettin’upthisyerrow，whenyououghttobeinbed？Shutyeroldblackgash，andgetalonginwithyou！”

“Yes，Mas’r，”saidTom，withreadycheerfulness，asherosetotoin。

LegreewasprovokedbeyondmeasurebyTom’sevidenthappiness；andridinguptohim，belaboredhimoverhisheadandshoulders。

“There，youdog，”hesaid，“seeifyou’llfeelsocomfortable，afterthat！”

Buttheblowsfellnowonlyontheouterman，andnot，asbefore，ontheheart。Tomstoodperfectlysubmissive；andyetLegreecouldnothidefromhimselfthathispoweroverhisbondthrallwassomehowgone。And，asTomdisappearedinhiscabin，andhewheeledhishorsesuddenlyround，therepassedthroughhismindoneofthosevividflashesthatoftensendthelightningofconscienceacrossthedarkandwickedsoul。HeunderstoodfullwellthatitwasGodwhowasstandingbetweenhimandhisvictim，andheblasphemedhim。Thatsubmissiveandsilentman，whomtaunts，northreats，norstripes，norcruelties，coulddisturb，rousedavoicewithinhim，suchasofoldhisMasterrousedinthedemoniacsoul，saying，“Whathavewetodowiththee，thouJesusofNazareth？—artthoucometotormentusbeforethetime？”

Tom’swholesouloverflowedwithcompassionandsympathyforthepoorwretchesbywhomhewassurrounded。Tohimitseemedasifhislife-sorrowswerenowover，andasif，outofthatstrangetreasuryofpeaceandjoy，withwhichhehadbeenendowedfromabove，helongedtopouroutsomethingforthereliefoftheirwoes。Itistrue，opportunitieswerescanty；but，onthewaytothefields，andbackagain，andduringthehoursoflabor，chancesfellinhiswayofextendingahelping-handtotheweary，thedisheartenedanddiscouraged。Thepoor，worn-down，brutalizedcreatures，atfirst，couldscarcecomprehendthis；but，whenitwascontinuedweekafterweek，andmonthaftermonth，itbegantoawakenlong-silentchordsintheirbenumbedhearts。Graduallyandimperceptiblythestrange，silent，patientman，whowasreadytobeareveryone’sburden，andsoughthelpfromnone，—whostoodasideforall，andcamelast，andtookleast，yetwasforemosttosharehislittleallwithanywhoneeded，—themanwho，incoldnights，wouldgiveuphistatteredblankettoaddtothecomfortofsomewomanwhoshiveredwithsickness，andwhofilledthebasketsoftheweakeronesinthefield，attheterribleriskofcomingshortinhisownmeasure，—andwho，thoughpursuedwithunrelentingcrueltybytheircommontyrant，neverjoinedinutteringawordofrevilingorcursing，—thisman，atlast，begantohaveastrangepoweroverthem；and，whenthemorepressingseasonwaspast，andtheywereallowedagaintheirSundaysfortheirownuse，manywouldgathertogethertohearfromhimofJesus。Theywouldgladlyhavemettohear，andpray，andsing，insomeplace，together；butLegreewouldnotpermitit，andmorethanoncebrokeupsuchattempts，withoathsandbrutalexecrations，—sothattheblessednewshadtocirculatefromindividualtoindividual。Yetwhocanspeakthesimplejoywithwhichsomeofthosepooroutcasts，towhomlifewasajoylessjourneytoadarkunknown，heardofacompassionateRedeemerandaheavenlyhome？Itisthestatementofmissionaries，that，ofallracesoftheearth，nonehavereceivedtheGospelwithsucheagerdocilityastheAfrican。Theprincipleofrelianceandunquestioningfaith，whichisitsfoundation，ismoreanativeelementinthisracethananyother；andithasoftenbeenfoundamongthem，thatastrayseedoftruth，borneonsomebreezeofaccidentintoheartsthemostignorant，hassprungupintofruit，whoseabundancehasshamedthatofhigherandmoreskilfulculture。

Thepoormulattowoman，whosesimplefaithhadbeenwell-nighcrushedandoverwhelmed，bytheavalancheofcrueltyandwrongwhichhadfallenuponher，felthersoulraisedupbythehymnsandpassagesofHolyWrit，whichthislowlymissionarybreathedintoherearinintervals，astheyweregoingtoandreturningfromwork；andeventhehalf-crazedandwanderingmindofCassywassoothedandcalmedbyhissimpleandunobtrusiveinfluences。

Stungtomadnessanddespairbythecrushingagoniesofalife，Cassyhadoftenresolvedinhersoulanhourofretribution，whenherhandshouldavengeonheroppressoralltheinjusticeandcrueltytowhichshehadbeenwitness，orwhichshehadinherownpersonsuffered。

Onenight，afterallinTom’scabinweresunkinsleep，hewassuddenlyarousedbyseeingherfaceattheholebetweenthelogs，thatservedforawindow。Shemadeasilentgestureforhimtocomeout。

Tomcameoutthedoor。Itwasbetweenoneandtwoo’clockatnight，—broad，calm，stillmoonlight。Tomremarked，asthelightofthemoonfelluponCassy’slarge，blackeyes，thattherewasawildandpeculiarglareinthem，unliketheirwontedfixeddespair。

“Comehere，FatherTom，”shesaid，layinghersmallhandonhiswrist，anddrawinghimforwardwithaforceasifthehandwereofsteel；“comehere，—I’venewsforyou。”

“What，MisseCassy？”saidTom，anxiously。

“Tom，wouldn’tyoulikeyourliberty？”

“Ishallhaveit，Misse，inGod’stime，”saidTom。“Ay，butyoumayhaveittonight，”saidCassy，withaflashofsuddenenergy。“Comeon。”

Tomhesitated。

“Come！”saidshe，inawhisper，fixingherblackeyesonhim。“Comealong！He’sasleep—sound。Iputenoughintohisbrandytokeephimso。IwishI’dhadmore，—Ishouldn’thavewantedyou。Butcome，thebackdoorisunlocked；there’sanaxethere，Iputitthere，—hisroomdoorisopen；I’llshowyoutheway。

I’dadoneitmyself，onlymyarmsaresoweak。Comealong！”

“Notfortenthousandworlds，Misse！”saidTom，firmly，stoppingandholdingherback，asshewaspressingforward。

“Butthinkofallthesepoorcreatures，”saidCassy。“Wemightsetthemallfree，andgosomewhereintheswamps，andfindanisland，andlivebyourselves；I’veheardofitsbeingdone。Anylifeisbetterthanthis。”

“No！”saidTom，firmly。“No！goodnevercomesofwickedness。I’dsoonerchopmyrighthandoff！”

“ThenIshalldoit，”saidCassy，turning。

“O，MisseCassy！”saidTom，throwinghimselfbeforeher，“forthedearLord’ssakethatdiedforye，don’tsellyourprecioussoultothedevil，thatway！Nothingbutevilwillcomeofit。TheLordhasn’tcalledustowrath。Wemustsuffer，andwaithistime。”

“Wait！”saidCassy。“Haven’tIwaited？—waitedtillmyheadisdizzyandmyheartsick？Whathashemademesuffer？Whathashemadehundredsofpoorcreaturessuffer？Isn’thewringingthelife-bloodoutofyou？I’mcalledon；theycallme！Histime’scome，andI’llhavehisheart’sblood！”

“No，no，no！”saidTom，holdinghersmallhands，whichwereclenchedwithspasmodicviolence。“No，yepoor，lostsoul，thatyemustn’tdo。Thedear，blessedLordnevershednobloodbuthisown，andthathepouredoutforuswhenwewasenemies。Lord，helpustofollowhissteps，andloveourenemies。”

“Love！”saidCassy，withafierceglare；“lovesuchenemies！Itisn’tinfleshandblood。”

“No，Misse，itisn’t，”saidTom，lookingup；“butHegivesittous，andthat’sthevictory。Whenwecanloveandprayoverallandthroughall，thebattle’spast，andthevictory’scome，—glorybetoGod！”And，withstreamingeyesandchokingvoice，theblackmanlookeduptoheaven。

Andthis，ohAfrica！latestcalledofnations，—calledtothecrownofthorns，thescourge，thebloodysweat，thecrossofagony，—thisistobethyvictory；bythisshaltthoureignwithChristwhenhiskingdomshallcomeonearth。

ThedeepfervorofTom’sfeelings，thesoftnessofhisvoice，histears，felllikedewonthewild，unsettledspiritofthepoorwoman。Asoftnessgatheredovertheluridfiresofhereye；shelookeddown，andTomcouldfeeltherelaxingmusclesofherhands，asshesaid，

“Didn’tItellyouthatevilspiritsfollowedme？O！FatherTom，Ican’tpray，—IwishIcould。Ineverhaveprayedsincemychildrenweresold！Whatyousaymustberight，Iknowitmust；butwhenItrytopray，Icanonlyhateandcurse。Ican’tpray！”

“Poorsoul！”saidTom，compassionately。“Satandesirestohaveye，andsiftyeaswheat。IpraytheLordforye。O！MisseCassy，turntothedearLordJesus。Hecametobindupthebroken-hearted，andcomfortallthatmourn。”

Cassystoodsilent，whilelarge，heavytearsdroppedfromherdowncasteyes。

“MisseCassy，”saidTom，inahesitatingtone，aftersurveyingherinsilence，“ifyeonlycouldgetawayfromhere，—ifthethingwaspossible，—I’d’viseyeandEmmelinetodoit；thatis，ifyecouldgowithoutblood-guiltiness，—nototherwise。”

“Wouldyoutryitwithus，FatherTom？”

“No，”saidTom；“timewaswhenIwould；buttheLord’sgivenmeaworkamongtheseyerpoorsouls，andI’llstaywith’emandbearmycrosswith’emtilltheend。It’sdifferentwithyou；it’sasnaretoyou，—it’smore’nyoucanstand，—andyou’dbettergo，ifyoucan。”

“Iknownowaybutthroughthegrave，”saidCassy。“There’snobeastorbirdbutcanfindahomesomewhere；eventhesnakesandthealligatorshavetheirplacestoliedownandbequiet；butthere’snoplaceforus。Downinthedarkestswamps，theirdogswillhuntusout，andfindus。Everybodyandeverythingisagainstus；eventheverybeastssideagainstus，—andwhereshallwego？”

Tomstoodsilent；atlengthhesaid，

“HimthatsavedDanielinthedenoflions，—thatsavesthechildreninthefieryfurnace，—Himthatwalkedonthesea，andbadethewindsbestill，—He’saliveyet；andI’vefaithtobelievehecandeliveryou。Tryit，andI’llpray，withallmymight，foryou。”

Bywhatstrangelawofmindisitthatanidealongoverlooked，andtroddenunderfootasauselessstone，suddenlysparklesoutinnewlight，asadiscovereddiamond？

Cassyhadoftenrevolved，forhours，allpossibleorprobableschemesofescape，anddismissedthemall，ashopelessandimpracticable；butatthismomentthereflashedthroughhermindaplan，sosimpleandfeasibleinallitsdetails，astoawakenaninstanthope。

“FatherTom，I’lltryit！”shesaid，suddenly。

“Amen！”saidTom；“theLordhelpye！”

1ICor。15:57。

2“OnMyJourneyHome，”hymnbyIsaacWatts，foundinmanyofthesoutherncountrysongbooksoftheantebellumperiod。

TheStratagem

“Thewayofthewickedisasdarkness；heknowethnotatwhathestumbleth。”1

ThegarretofthehousethatLegreeoccupied，likemostothergarrets，wasagreat，desolatespace，dusty，hungwithcobwebs，andlitteredwithcast-offlumber。Theopulentfamilythathadinhabitedthehouseinthedaysofitssplendorhadimportedagreatdealofsplendidfurniture，someofwhichtheyhadtakenawaywiththem，whilesomeremainedstandingdesolateinmouldering，unoccupiedrooms，orstoredawayinthisplace。Oneortwoimmensepacking-boxes，inwhichthisfurniturewasbrought，stoodagainstthesidesofthegarret。Therewasasmallwindowthere，whichletin，throughitsdingy，dustypanes，ascanty，uncertainlightonthetall，high-backedchairsanddustytables，thathadonceseenbetterdays。Altogether，itwasaweirdandghostlyplace；but，ghostlyasitwas，itwantednotinlegendsamongthesuperstitiousnegroes，toincreaseitterrors。Somefewyearsbefore，anegrowoman，whohadincurredLegree’sdispleasure，wasconfinedthereforseveralweeks。Whatpassedthere，wedonotsay；thenegroesusedtowhisperdarklytoeachother；butitwasknownthatthebodyoftheunfortunatecreaturewasonedaytakendownfromthere，andburied；and，afterthat，itwassaidthatoathsandcursings，andthesoundofviolentblows，usedtoringthroughthatoldgarret，andmingledwithwailingsandgroansofdespair。Once，whenLegreechancedtooverhearsomethingofthiskind，heflewintoaviolentpassion，andsworethatthenextonethattoldstoriesaboutthatgarretshouldhaveanopportunityofknowingwhatwasthere，forhewouldchainthemupthereforaweek。Thishintwasenoughtorepresstalking，though，ofcourse，itdidnotdisturbthecreditofthestoryintheleast。

Gradually，thestaircasethatledtothegarret，andeventhepassage-waytothestaircase，wereavoidedbyeveryoneinthehouse，fromeveryonefearingtospeakofit，andthelegendwasgraduallyfallingintodesuetude。IthadsuddenlyoccurredtoCassytomakeuseofthesuperstitiousexcitability，whichwassogreatinLegree，forthepurposeofherliberation，andthatofherfellow-sufferer。

Thesleeping-roomofCassywasdirectlyunderthegarret。Oneday，withoutconsultingLegree，shesuddenlytookituponher，withsomeconsiderableostentation，tochangeallthefurnitureandappurtenancesoftheroomtooneatsomeconsiderabledistance。Theunder-servants，whowerecalledontoeffectthismovement，wererunningandbustlingaboutwithgreatzealandconfusion，whenLegreereturnedfromaride。

“Hallo！youCass！”saidLegree，“what’sinthewindnow？”

“Nothing；onlyIchoosetohaveanotherroom，”saidCassy，doggedly。

“Andwhatfor，pray？”saidLegree。

“Ichooseto，”saidCassy。

“Thedevilyoudo！andwhatfor？”

“I’dliketogetsomesleep，nowandthen。”

“Sleep！well，whathindersyoursleeping？”

“Icouldtell，Isuppose，ifyouwanttohear，”saidCassy，dryly。

“Speakout，youminx！”saidLegree。

“O！nothing。Isupposeitwouldn’tdisturbyou！Onlygroans，andpeoplescuffing，androllingroundonthegarre，floor，halfthenight，fromtwelvetomorning！”

“Peopleupgarret！”saidLegree，uneasily，butforcingalaugh；“whoarethey，Cassy？”

Cassyraisedhersharp，blackeyes，andlookedinthefaceofLegree，withanexpressionthatwentthroughhisbones，asshesaid，“Tobesure，Simon，whoarethey？I’dliketohaveyoutellme。Youdon’tknow，Isuppose！”

Withanoath，Legreestruckatherwithhisriding-whip；butsheglidedtooneside，andpassedthroughthedoor，andlookingback，said，“Ifyou’llsleepinthatroom，you’llknowallaboutit。Perhapsyou’dbettertryit！”andthenimmediatelysheshutandlockedthedoor。

Legreeblusteredandswore，andthreatenedtobreakdownthedoor；butapparentlythoughtbetterofit，andwalkeduneasilyintothesitting-room。Cassyperceivedthathershafthadstruckhome；and，fromthathour，withthemostexquisiteaddress，sheneverceasedtocontinuethetrainofinfluencesshehadbegun。

Inaknot-holeofthegarret，thathadopened，shehadinsertedtheneckofanoldbottle，insuchamannerthatwhentherewastheleastwind，mostdolefulandlugubriouswailingsoundsproceededfromit，which，inahighwind，increasedtoaperfectshriek，suchastocredulousandsuperstitiousearsmighteasilyseemtobethatofhorroranddespair。

Thesesoundswere，fromtimetotime，heardbytheservants，andrevivedinfullforcethememoryoftheoldghostlegend。Asuperstitiouscreepinghorrorseemedtofillthehouse；andthoughnoonedaredtobreatheittoLegree，hefoundhimselfencompassedbyit，asbyanatmosphere。

Nooneissothoroughlysuperstitiousasthegodlessman。TheChristianiscomposedbythebeliefofawise，all-rulingFather，whosepresencefillsthevoidunknownwithlightandorder；buttothemanwhohasdethronedGod，thespirit-landis，indeed，inthewordsoftheHebrewpoet，“alandofdarknessandtheshadowofdeath，”withoutanyorder，wherethelightisasdarkness。Lifeanddeathtohimarehauntedgrounds，filledwithgoblinformsofvagueandshadowydread。

LegreehadhadtheslumberingmoralelementsinhimrousedbyhisencounterswithTom，—roused，onlytoberesistedbythedeterminateforceofevil；butstilltherewasathrillandcommotionofthedark，innerworld，producedbyeveryword，orprayer，orhymn，thatreactedinsuperstitiousdread。

TheinfluenceofCassyoverhimwasofastrangeandsingularkind。Hewasherowner，hertyrantandtormentor。Shewas，asheknew，wholly，andwithoutanypossibilityofhelporredress，inhishands；andyetsoitis，thatthemostbrutalmancannotliveinconstantassociationwithastrongfemaleinfluence，andnotbegreatlycontrolledbyit。Whenhefirstboughther，shewas，asshesaid，awomandelicatelybred；andthenhecrushedher，withoutscruple，beneaththefootofhisbrutality。But，astime，anddebasinginfluences，anddespair，hardenedwomanhoodwithinher，andwakedthefiresoffiercerpassions，shehadbecomeinameasurehismistress，andhealternatelytyrannizedoveranddreadedher。

Thisinfluencehadbecomemoreharassinganddecided，sincepartialinsanityhadgivenastrange，weird，unsettledcasttoallherwordsandlanguage。

Anightortwoafterthis，Legreewassittingintheoldsitting-room，bythesideofaflickeringwoodfire，thatthrewuncertainglancesroundtheroom。Itwasastormy，windynight，suchasraiseswholesquadronsofnondescriptnoisesinricketyoldhouses。Windowswererattling，shuttersflapping，andwindcarousing，rumbling，andtumblingdownthechimney，and，everyonceinawhile，puffingoutsmokeandashes，asifalegionofspiritswerecomingafterthem。Legreehadbeencastingupaccountsandreadingnewspapersforsomehours，whileCassysatinthecorner；sullenlylookingintothefire。Legreelaiddownhispaper，andseeinganoldbooklyingonthetable，whichhehadnoticedCassyreading，thefirstpartoftheevening，tookitup，andbegantoturnitover。Itwasoneofthosecollectionsofstoriesofbloodymurders，ghostlylegends，andsupernaturalvisitations，which，coarselygotupandillustrated，haveastrangefascinationforonewhooncebeginstoreadthem。

Legreepoohedandpished，butread，turningpageafterpage，till，finally，afterreadingsomeway，hethrewdownthebook，withanoath。

“Youdon’tbelieveinghosts，doyou，Cass？”saidhe，takingthetongsandsettlingthefire。“Ithoughtyou’dmoresensethantoletnoisesscareyou。”

“NomatterwhatIbelieve，”saidCassy，sullenly。

“Fellowsusedtotrytofrightenmewiththeiryarnsatsea，”saidLegree。“Nevercomeitroundmethatway。I’mtootoughforanysuchtrash，tellye。”

Cassysatlookingintenselyathimintheshadowofthecorner。TherewasthatstrangelightinhereyesthatalwaysimpressedLegreewithuneasiness。

“Themnoiseswasnothingbutratsandthewind，”saidLegree。“Ratswillmakeadevilofanoise。Iusedtohear’emsometimesdownintheholdoftheship；andwind，—Lord’ssake！yecanmakeanythingouto’wind。”

CassyknewLegreewasuneasyunderhereyes，and，therefore，shemadenoanswer，butsatfixingthemonhim，withthatstrange，unearthlyexpression，asbefore。

“Come，speakout，woman，—don’tyouthinkso？”saidLegree。

“Canratswalkdownstairs，andcomewalkingthroughtheentry，andopenadoorwhenyou’velockeditandsetachairagainstit？”saidCassy；“andcomewalk，walk，walkingrightuptoyourbed，andputouttheirhand，so？”

CassykeptherglitteringeyesfixedonLegree，asshespoke，andhestaredatherlikeamaninthenightmare，till，whenshefinishedbylayingherhand，icycold，onhis，hesprungback，withanoath。

“Woman！whatdoyoumean？Nobodydid？”

“O，no，—ofcoursenot，—didIsaytheydid？”saidCassy，withasmileofchillingderision。

“But—did—haveyoureallyseen？—Come，Cass，whatisit，now，—speakout！”

“Youmaysleepthere，yourself，”saidCassy，“ifyouwanttoknow。”

“Diditcomefromthegarret，Cassy？”

“It，—what？”saidCassy。

“Why，whatyoutoldof—”

“Ididn’ttellyouanything，”saidCassy，withdoggedsullenness。

Legreewalkedupanddowntheroom，uneasily。

“I’llhavethisyerthingexamined。I’lllookintoit，thisverynight。I’lltakemypistols—”

“Do，”saidCassy；“sleepinthatroom。I’dliketoseeyoudoingit。Fireyourpistols，—do！”

Legreestampedhisfoot，andsworeviolently。

“Don’tswear，”saidCassy；“nobodyknowswhomaybehearingyou。Hark！Whatwasthat？”

“What？”saidLegree，starting。

AheavyoldDutchclock，thatstoodinthecorneroftheroom，began，andslowlystrucktwelve。

Forsomereasonorother，Legreeneitherspokenormoved；avaguehorrorfellonhim；whileCassy，withakeen，sneeringglitterinhereyes，stoodlookingathim，countingthestrokes。

“Twelveo’clock；wellnowwe’llsee，”saidshe，turning，andopeningthedoorintothepassage-way，andstandingasiflistening。

“Hark！What’sthat？”saidshe，raisingherfinger。

“It’sonlythewind，”saidLegree。“Don’tyouhearhowcursedlyitblows？”

“Simon，comehere，”saidCassy，inawhisper，layingherhandonhis，andleadinghimtothefootofthestairs:“doyouknowwhatthatis？Hark！”

Awildshriekcamepealingdownthestairway。Itcamefromthegarret。Legree’skneesknockedtogether；hisfacegrewwhitewithfear。

“Hadn’tyoubettergetyourpistols？”saidCassy，withasneerthatfrozeLegree’sblood。“It’stimethisthingwaslookedinto，youknow。I’dliketohaveyougoupnow；they’reatit。”

“Iwon’tgo！”saidLegree，withanoath。

“Whynot？Therean’tanysuchthingasghosts，youknow！Come！”andCassyflittedupthewindingstairway，laughing，andlookingbackafterhim。“Comeon。”

“Ibelieveyouarethedevil！”saidLegree。“Comebackyouhag，—comeback，Cass！Youshan’tgo！”

ButCassylaughedwildly，andfledon。Heheardheropentheentrydoorsthatledtothegarret。Awildgustofwindsweptdown，extinguishingthecandleheheldinhishand，andwithitthefearful，unearthlyscreams；theyseemedtobeshriekedinhisveryear。

Legreefledfranticallyintotheparlor，whither，inafewmoments，hewasfollowedbyCassy，pale，calm，coldasanavengingspirit，andwiththatsamefearfullightinhereye。

“Ihopeyouaresatisfied，”saidshe。

“Blastyou，Cass！”saidLegree。

“Whatfor？”saidCassy。“Ionlywentupandshutthedoors。What’sthematterwiththatgarret，Simon，doyousuppose？”saidshe。

“Noneofyourbusiness！”saidLegree。

“O，itan’t？Well，”saidCassy，“atanyrate，I’mgladIdon’tsleepunderit。”

Anticipatingtherisingofthewind，thatveryevening，Cassyhadbeenupandopenedthegarretwindow。Ofcourse，themomentthedoorswereopened，thewindhaddrafteddown，andextinguishedthelight。

ThismayserveasaspecimenofthegamethatCassyplayedwithLegree，untilhewouldsoonerhaveputhisheadintoalion’smouththantohaveexploredthatgarret。Meanwhile，inthenight，wheneverybodyelsewasasleep，Cassyslowlyandcarefullyaccumulatedthereastockofprovisionssufficienttoaffordsubsistenceforsometime；shetransferred，articlebyarticle，agreaterpartofherownandEmmeline’swardrobe。Allthingsbeingarranged，theyonlywaitedafittingopportunitytoputtheirplaninexecution。

BycajolingLegree，andtakingadvantageofagood-naturedinterval，Cassyhadgothimtotakeherwithhimtotheneighboringtown，whichwassituateddirectlyontheRedriver。Withamemorysharpenedtoalmostpreternaturalclearness，sheremarkedeveryturnintheroad，andformedamentalestimateofthetimetobeoccupiedintraversingit。

Atthetimewhenallwasmaturedforaction，ourreadersmay，perhaps，liketolookbehindthescenes，andseethefinalcoupd’etat。

Itwasnownearevening，Legreehadbeenabsent，onaridetoaneighboringfarm。FormanydaysCassyhadbeenunusuallygraciousandaccommodatinginherhumors；andLegreeandshehadbeen，apparently，onthebestofterms。Atpresent，wemaybeholdherandEmmelineintheroomofthelatter，busyinsortingandarrangingtwosmallbundles。

“There，thesewillbelargeenough，”saidCassy。Nowputonyourbonnet，andlet’sstart；it’sjustabouttherighttime。”

“Why，theycanseeusyet，”saidEmmeline。

“Imeantheyshall，”saidCassy，coolly。“Don’tyouknowthattheymusthavetheirchaseafterus，atanyrate？Thewayofthethingistobejustthis:—Wewillstealoutofthebackdoor，andrundownbythequarters。SamboorQuimbowillbesuretoseeus。Theywillgivechase，andwewillgetintotheswamp；then，theycan’tfollowusanyfurthertilltheygoupandgivethealarm，andturnoutthedogs，andsoon；and，whiletheyareblunderinground，andtumblingovereachother，astheyalwaysdo，youandIwillslipalongtothecreek，thatrunsbackofthehouse，andwadealonginit，tillwegetoppositethebackdoor。Thatwillputthedogsallatfault；forscentwon’tlieinthewater。Everyonewillrunoutofthehousetolookafterus，andthenwe’llwhipinatthebackdoor，andupintothegarret，whereI’vegotanicebedmadeupinoneofthegreatboxes。Wemuststayinthatgarretagoodwhile，for，Itellyou，hewillraiseheavenandearthafterus。He’llmustersomeofthoseoldoverseersontheotherplantations，andhaveagreathunt；andthey’llgoovereveryinchofgroundinthatswamp。Hemakesithisboastthatnobodyevergotawayfromhim。Solethimhuntathisleisure。”

“Cassy，howwellyouhaveplannedit！”saidEmmeline。“Whoeverwouldhavethoughtofit，butyou？”

TherewasneitherpleasurenorexultationinCassy’seyes，—onlyadespairingfirmness。

“Come，”shesaid，reachingherhandtoEmmeline。

Thetwofugitivesglidednoiselesslyfromthehouse，andflitted，throughthegatheringshadowsofevening，alongbythequarters。Thecrescentmoon，setlikeasilversignetinthewesternsky，delayedalittletheapproachofnight。AsCassyexpected，whenquitenearthevergeoftheswampsthatencircledtheplantation，theyheardavoicecallingtothemtostop。ItwasnotSambo，however，butLegree，whowaspursuingthemwithviolentexecrations。Atthesound，thefeeblerspiritofEmmelinegaveway；and，layingholdofCassy’sarm，shesaid，“O，Cassy，I’mgoingtofaint！”

“Ifyoudo，I’llkillyou！”saidCassy，drawingasmall，glitteringstiletto，andflashingitbeforetheeyesofthegirl。

Thediversionaccomplishedthepurpose。Emmelinedidnotfaint，andsucceededinplunging，withCassy，intoapartofthelabyrinthofswamp，sodeepanddarkthatitwasperfectlyhopelessforLegreetothinkoffollowingthem，withoutassistance。

“Well，”saidhe，chucklingbrutally；“atanyrate，they’vegotthemselvesintoatrapnow—thebaggage！They’resafeenough。Theyshallsweatforit！”

“Hulloa，there！Sambo！Quimbo！Allhands！”calledLegree，comingtothequarters，whenthemenandwomenwerejustreturningfromwork。“There’stworunawaysintheswamps。I’llgivefivedollarstoanyniggerascatches’em。Turnoutthedogs！TurnoutTiger，andFury，andtherest！”

Thesensationproducedbythisnewswasimmediate。Manyofthemensprangforward，officiously，tooffertheirservices，eitherfromthehopeofthereward，orfromthatcringingsubserviencywhichisoneofthemostbalefuleffectsofslavery。Someranoneway，andsomeanother。Somewereforgettingflambeauxofpine-knots。Somewereuncouplingthedogs，whosehoarse，savagebayaddednotalittletotheanimationofthescene。

“Mas’r，shallweshoot’em，ifcan’tcotch’em？”saidSambo，towhomhismasterbroughtoutarifle。

“YoumayfireonCass，ifyoulike；it’stimeshewasgonetothedevil，whereshebelongs；butthegal，not，”saidLegree。“Andnow，boys，bespryandsmart。Fivedollarsforhimthatgets’em；andaglassofspiritstoeveryoneofyou，anyhow。”

Thewholeband，withtheglareofblazingtorches，andwhoop，andshout，andsavageyell，ofmanandbeast，proceededdowntotheswamp，followed，atsomedistance，byeveryservantinthehouse。Theestablishmentwas，ofaconsequence，whollydeserted，whenCassyandEmmelineglidedintoitthebackway。Thewhoopingandshoutsoftheirpursuerswerestillfillingtheair；and，lookingfromthesitting-roomwindows，CassyandEmmelinecouldseethetroop，withtheirflambeaux，justdispersingthemselvesalongtheedgeoftheswamp。

“Seethere！”saidEmmeline，pointingtoCassy；“thehuntisbegun！Lookhowthoselightsdanceabout！Hark！thedogs！Don’tyouhear？Ifwewereonlythere，ourchanceswouldn’tbeworthapicayune。O，forpity’ssake，dolet’shideourselves。Quick！”

“There’snooccasionforhurry，”saidCassy，coolly；“theyarealloutafterthehunt，—that’stheamusementoftheevening！We’llgoupstairs，byandby。Meanwhile，”saidshe，deliberatelytakingakeyfromthepocketofacoatthatLegreehadthrowndowninhishurry，“meanwhileIshalltakesomethingtopayourpassage。

Sheunlockedthedesk，tookfromitarollofbills，whichshecountedoverrapidly。

“O，don’tlet’sdothat！”saidEmmeline。

“Don’t！”saidCassy；“whynot？Wouldyouhaveusstarveintheswamps，orhavethatthatwillpayourwaytothefreestates。Moneywilldoanything，girl。”And，asshespoke，sheputthemoneyinherbosom。

“Itwouldbestealing，”saidEmmeline，inadistressedwhisper。

“Stealing！”saidCassy，withascornfullaugh。“Theywhostealbodyandsoulneedn’ttalktous。Everyoneofthesebillsisstolen，—stolenfrompoor，starving，sweatingcreatures，whomustgotothedevilatlast，forhisprofit。Lethimtalkaboutstealing！Butcome，wemayaswellgoupgarret；I’vegotastockofcandlesthere，andsomebookstopassawaythetime。Youmaybeprettysuretheywon’tcometheretoinquireafterus。Iftheydo，I’llplayghostforthem。”

WhenEmmelinereachedthegarret，shefoundanimmensebox，inwhichsomeheavypiecesoffurniturehadoncebeenbrought，turnedonitsside，sothattheopeningfacedthewall，orrathertheeaves。Cassylitasmalllamp，andcreepingroundundertheeaves，theyestablishedthemselvesinit。Itwasspreadwithacoupleofsmallmattressesandsomepillows；aboxnearbywasplentifullystoredwithcandles，provisions，andalltheclothingnecessarytotheirjourney，whichCassyhadarrangedintobundlesofanastonishinglysmallcompass。

“There，”saidCassy，asshefixedthelampintoasmallhook，whichshehaddrivenintothesideoftheboxforthatpurpose；“thisistobeourhomeforthepresent。Howdoyoulikeit？”

“Areyousuretheywon’tcomeandsearchthegarret？”

“I’dliketoseeSimonLegreedoingthat，”saidCassy。“No，indeed；hewillbetoogladtokeepaway。Astotheservants，theywouldanyofthemstandandbeshot，soonerthanshowtheirfaceshere。”

Somewhatreassured，Emmelinesettledherselfbackonherpillow。

“Whatdidyoumean，Cassy，bysayingyouwouldkillme？”shesaid，simply。

“Imeanttostopyourfainting，”saidCassy，“andIdiddoit。AndnowItellyou，Emmeline，youmustmakeupyourmindnottofaint，letwhatwillcome；there’snosortofneedofit。IfIhadnotstoppedyou，thatwretchmighthavehadhishandsonyounow。”

Emmelineshuddered。

Thetworemainedsometimeinsilence。CassybusiedherselfwithaFrenchbook；Emmeline，overcomewiththeexhaustion，fellintoadoze，andsleptsometime。Shewasawakenedbyloudshoutsandoutcries，thetrampofhorses’feet，andthebayingofdogs。Shestartedup，withafaintshriek。

“Onlythehuntcomingback，”saidCassy，coolly；“neverfear。Lookoutofthisknot-hole。Don’tyousee’emalldownthere？Simonhastogiveup，forthisnight。Look，howmuddyhishorseis，flouncingaboutintheswamp；thedogs，too，lookrathercrestfallen。Ah，mygoodsir，you’llhavetotrytheraceagainandagain，—thegameisn’tthere。”

“O，don’tspeakaword！”saidEmmeline；“whatiftheyshouldhearyou？”

“Iftheydohearanything，itwillmakethemveryparticulartokeepaway，”saidCassy。“Nodanger；wemaymakeanynoiseweplease，anditwillonlyaddtotheeffect。”

Atlengththestillnessofmidnightsettleddownoverthehouse。Legree，cursinghisillluck，andvowingdirevengeanceonthemorrow，wenttobed。

1Prov。4:19。

TheMartyr

“DeemnotthejustbyHeavenforgot！

Thoughlifeitscommongiftsdeny，—

Though，withacrushedandbleedingheart，

Andspurnedofman，hegoestodie！

ForGodhathmarkedeachsorrowingday，

Andnumberedeverybittertear，

Andheaven’slongyearsofblissshallpay

Forallhischildrensufferhere。”

Bryant。1

Thelongestwaymusthaveitsclose，—thegloomiestnightwillwearontoamorning。Aneternal，inexorablelapseofmomentsiseverhurryingthedayoftheeviltoaneternalnight，andthenightofthejusttoaneternalday。Wehavewalkedwithourhumblefriendthusfarinthevalleyofslavery；firstthroughfloweryfieldsofeaseandindulgence，thenthroughheart-breakingseparationsfromallthatmanholdsdear。Again，wehavewaitedwithhiminasunnyisland，wheregeneroushandsconcealedhischainswithflowers；and，lastly，wehavefollowedhimwhenthelastrayofearthlyhopewentoutinnight，andseenhow，intheblacknessofearthlydarkness，thefirmamentoftheunseenhasblazedwithstarsofnewandsignificantlustre。

Themorning-starnowstandsoverthetopsofthemountains，andgalesandbreezes，notofearth，showthatthegatesofdayareunclosing。

TheescapeofCassyandEmmelineirritatedthebeforesurlytemperofLegreetothelastdegree；andhisfury，aswastobeexpected，felluponthedefencelessheadofTom。Whenhehurriedlyannouncedthetidingsamonghishands，therewasasuddenlightinTom’seye，asuddenupraisingofhishands，thatdidnotescapehim。Hesawthathedidnotjointhemusterofthepursuers。Hethoughtofforcinghimtodoit；but，havinghad，ofold，experienceofhisinflexibilitywhencommandedtotakepartinanydeedofinhumanity，hewouldnot，inhishurry，stoptoenterintoanyconflictwithhim。

Tom，therefore，remainedbehind，withafewwhohadlearnedofhimtopray，andofferedupprayersfortheescapeofthefugitives。

WhenLegreereturned，baffledanddisappointed，allthelong-workinghatredofhissoultowardshisslavebegantogatherinadeadlyanddesperateform。Hadnotthismanbravedhim，—steadily，powerfully，resistlessly，—eversinceheboughthim？Wastherenotaspiritinhimwhich，silentasitwas，burnedonhimlikethefiresofperdition？

“Ihatehim！”saidLegree，thatnight，ashesatupinhisbed；“Ihatehim！Andisn’theMINE？Can’tIdowhatIlikewithhim？Who’stohinder，Iwonder？”AndLegreeclenchedhisfist，andshookit，asifhehadsomethinginhishandsthathecouldrendinpieces。

But，then，Tomwasafaithful，valuableservant；and，althoughLegreehatedhimthemoreforthat，yettheconsiderationwasstillsomewhatofarestrainttohim。

Thenextmorning，hedeterminedtosaynothing，asyet；toassembleaparty，fromsomeneighboringplantations，withdogsandguns；tosurroundtheswamp，andgoaboutthehuntsystematically。Ifitsucceeded，wellandgood；ifnot，hewouldsummonTombeforehim，and—histeethclenchedandhisbloodboiled—thenhewouldbreakthefellowdown，or—therewasadireinwardwhisper，towhichhissoulassented。

Yesaythattheinterestofthemasterisasufficientsafeguardfortheslave。Inthefuryofman’smadwill，hewillwittingly，andwithopeneye，sellhisownsoultothedeviltogainhisends；andwillhebemorecarefulofhisneighbor’sbody？

“Well，”saidCassy，thenextday，fromthegarret，asshereconnoitredthroughtheknot-hole，“thehunt’sgoingtobeginagain，today！”

Threeorfourmountedhorsemenwerecurvettingabout，onthespaceinfrontofthehouse；andoneortwoleashesofstrangedogswerestrugglingwiththenegroeswhoheldthem，bayingandbarkingateachother。

Themenare，twoofthem，overseersofplantationsinthevicinity；andothersweresomeofLegree’sassociatesatthetavern-barofaneighboringcity，whohadcomefortheinterestofthesport。Amorehard-favoredset，perhaps，couldnotbeimagined。Legreewasservingbrandy，profusely，roundamongthem，asalsoamongthenegroes，whohadbeendetailedfromthevariousplantationsforthisservice；foritwasanobjecttomakeeveryserviceofthiskind，amongthenegroes，asmuchofaholidayaspossible。

Cassyplacedherearattheknot-hole；and，asthemorningairblewdirectlytowardsthehouse，shecouldoverhearagooddealoftheconversation。Agravesneerovercastthedark，severegravityofherface，asshelistened，andheardthemdivideouttheground，discusstherivalmeritsofthedogs，giveordersaboutfiring，andthetreatmentofeach，incaseofcapture。

Cassydrewback；and，claspingherhands，lookedupward，andsaid，“O，greatAlmightyGod！weareallsinners；butwhathavewedone，morethanalltherestoftheworld，thatweshouldbetreatedso？”

Therewasaterribleearnestnessinherfaceandvoice，asshespoke。

“Ifitwasn’tforyou，child，”shesaid，lookingatEmmeline，“I’dgoouttothem；andI’dthankanyoneofthemthatwouldshootmedown；forwhatusewillfreedombetome？Canitgivemebackmychildren，ormakemewhatIusedtobe？”

Emmeline，inherchild-likesimplicity，washalfafraidofthedarkmoodsofCassy。Shelookedperplexed，butmadenoanswer。Sheonlytookherhand，withagentle，caressingmovement。

“Don’t！”saidCassy，tryingtodrawitaway；“you’llgetmetolovingyou；andInevermeantoloveanything，again！”

“PoorCassy！”saidEmmeline，“don’tfeelso！IftheLordgivesusliberty，perhapshe’llgiveyoubackyourdaughter；atanyrate，I’llbelikeadaughtertoyou。IknowI’llneverseemypooroldmotheragain！Ishallloveyou，Cassy，whetheryoulovemeornot！”

Thegentle，child-likespiritconquered。Cassysatdownbyher，putherarmroundherneck，strokedhersoft，brownhair；andEmmelinethenwonderedatthebeautyofhermagnificenteyes，nowsoftwithtears。

“O，Em！”saidCassy，“I’vehungeredformychildren，andthirstedforthem，andmyeyesfailwithlongingforthem！Here！here！”shesaid，strikingherbreast，“it’salldesolate，allempty！IfGodwouldgivemebackmychildren，thenIcouldpray。”

“Youmusttrusthim，Cassy，”saidEmmeline；“heisourFather！”

“Hiswrathisuponus，”saidCassy；“hehasturnedawayinanger。”

“No，Cassy！Hewillbegoodtous！LetushopeinHim，”saidEmmeline，—“Ialwayshavehadhope。”

Thehuntwaslong，animated，andthorough，butunsuccessful；and，withgrave，ironicexultation，CassylookeddownonLegree，as，wearyanddispirited，healightedfromhishorse。

“Now，Quimbo，”saidLegree，ashestretchedhimselfdowninthesitting-room，“youjestgoandwalkthatTomuphere，rightaway！Theoldcussisatthebottomofthisyerwholematter；andI’llhaveitoutofhisoldblackhide，orI’llknowthereasonwhy！”

SamboandQuimbo，both，thoughhatingeachother，werejoinedinonemindbyanolesscordialhatredofTom。Legreehadtoldthem，atfirst，thathehadboughthimforageneraloverseer，inhisabsence；andthishadbegunanillwill，ontheirpart，whichhadincreased，intheirdebasedandservilenatures，astheysawhimbecomingobnoxioustotheirmaster’sdispleasure。Quimbo，therefore，departed，withawill，toexecutehisorders。

Tomheardthemessagewithaforewarningheart；forheknewalltheplanofthefugitives’escape，andtheplaceoftheirpresentconcealment；—heknewthedeadlycharacterofthemanhehadtodealwith，andhisdespoticpower。ButhefeltstronginGodtomeetdeath，ratherthanbetraythehelpless。

Hesathisbasketdownbytherow，and，lookingup，said，“IntothyhandsIcommendmyspirit！Thouhastredeemedme，ohLordGodoftruth！”andthenquietlyyieldedhimselftotherough，brutalgraspwithwhichQuimboseizedhim。

“Ay，ay！”saidthegiant，ashedraggedhimalong；ye’llcotchit，now！I’llboun’Mas’r’sback’suphigh！Nosneakingout，now！Tellye，ye’llgetit，andnomistake！Seehowye’lllook，now，helpin’Mas’r’sniggerstorunaway！Seewhatye’llget！”

Thesavagewordsnoneofthemreachedthatear！—ahighervoicetherewassaying，“Fearnotthemthatkillthebody，and，afterthat，havenomorethattheycando。”Nerveandboneofthatpoorman’sbodyvibratedtothosewords，asiftouchedbythefingerofGod；andhefeltthestrengthofathousandsoulsinone。Ashepassedalong，thetrees。andbushes，thehutsofhisservitude，thewholesceneofhisdegradation，seemedtowhirlbyhimasthelandscapebytherushingear。Hissoulthrobbed，—hishomewasinsight，—andthehourofreleaseseemedathand。

“Well，Tom！”saidLegree，walkingup，andseizinghimgrimlybythecollarofhiscoat，andspeakingthroughhisteeth，inaparoxysmofdeterminedrage，“doyouknowI’vemadeupmymindtoKILLyou？”

“It’sverylikely，Mas’r，”saidTom，calmly。

“Ihave，”saidLegree，withagrim，terriblecalmness，“done—just—that—thing，Tom，unlessyou’lltellmewhatyouknowabouttheseyergals！”

Tomstoodsilent。

“D’yehear？”saidLegree，stamping，witharoarlikethatofanincensedlion。“Speak！”

“Ihan’tgotnothingtotell，Mas’r，”saidTom，withaslow，firm，deliberateutterance。

“Doyoudaretotellme，yeoldblackChristian，yedon’tknow？”saidLegree。

Tomwassilent。

“Speak！”thunderedLegree，strikinghimfuriously。Doyouknowanything？”

“Iknow，Mas’r；butIcan’ttellanything。Icandie！”

Legreedrewinalongbreath；and，suppressinghisrage，tookTombythearm，and，approachinghisfacealmosttohis，said，inaterriblevoice，“Hark’e，Tom！—yethink，’causeI’veletyouoffbefore，Idon’tmeanwhatIsay；but，thistime，I’vemadeupmymind，andcountedthecost。You’vealwaysstooditoutagain’me:now，I’llconquerye，orkillye！—oneort’other。I’llcounteverydropofbloodthereisinyou，andtake’em，onebyone，tillyegiveup！”

Tomlookeduptohismaster，andanswered，“Mas’r，ifyouwassick，orintrouble，ordying，andIcouldsaveye，I’dgiveyemyheart’sblood；and，iftakingeverydropofbloodinthispooroldbodywouldsaveyourprecioussoul，I’dgive’emfreely，astheLordgavehisforme。O，Mas’r！don’tbringthisgreatsinonyoursoul！Itwillhurtyoumorethan’twillme！Dotheworstyoucan，mytroubles’llbeoversoon；but，ifyedon’trepent，yourswon’tneverend！”

Likeastrangesnatchofheavenlymusic，heardinthelullofatempest，thisburstoffeelingmadeamoment’sblankpause。Legreestoodaghast，andlookedatTom；andtherewassuchasilence，thatthetickoftheoldclockcouldbeheard，measuring，withsilenttouch，thelastmomentsofmercyandprobationtothathardenedheart。

Itwasbutamoment。Therewasonehesitatingpause，—oneirresolute，relentingthrill，—andthespiritofevilcameback，withseven-foldvehemence；andLegree，foamingwithrage，smotehisvictimtotheground。

Scenesofbloodandcrueltyareshockingtoourearandheart。Whatmanhasnervetodo，manhasnotnervetohear。Whatbrother-manandbrother-Christianmustsuffer，cannotbetoldus，eveninoursecretchamber，itsoharrowsthesoul！Andyet，ohmycountry！thesethingsaredoneundertheshadowofthylaws！O，Christ！thychurchseesthem，almostinsilence！

But，ofold，therewasOnewhosesufferingchangedaninstrumentoftorture，degradationandshame，intoasymbolofglory，honor，andimmortallife；and，whereHisspiritis，neitherdegradingstripes，norblood，norinsults，canmaketheChristian’slaststrugglelessthanglorious。

Washealone，thatlongnight，whosebrave，lovingspiritwasbearingup，inthatoldshed，againstbuffetingandbrutalstripes？

Nay！TherestoodbyhimOne，—seenbyhimalone，—“likeuntotheSonofGod。”

Thetempterstoodbyhim，too，—blindedbyfurious，despoticwill，—everymomentpressinghimtoshunthatagonybythebetrayaloftheinnocent。Butthebrave，trueheartwasfirmontheEternalRock。LikehisMaster，heknewthat，ifhesavedothers，himselfhecouldnotsave；norcouldutmostextremitywringfromhimwords，saveofprayersandholytrust。

“He’smostgone，Mas’r，”saidSambo，touched，inspiteofhimself，bythepatienceofhisvictim。

“Payaway，tillhegivesup！Giveittohim！—giveittohim！”shoutedLegree。I’lltakeeverydropofbloodhehas，unlessheconfesses！”

Tomopenedhiseyes，andlookeduponhismaster。“Yepoormiserablecritter！”hesaid，“thereain’tnomoreyecando！Iforgiveye，withallmysoul！”andhefaintedentirelyaway。

“Ib’lieve，mysoul，he’sdonefor，finally，”saidLegree，steppingforward，tolookathim。“Yes，heis！Well，hismouth’sshutup，atlast，—that’sonecomfort！”

Yes，Legree；butwhoshallshutupthatvoiceinthysoul？thatsoul，pastrepentance，pastprayer，pasthope，inwhomthefirethatnevershallbequenchedisalreadyburning！

YetTomwasnotquitegone。Hiswondrouswordsandpiousprayershadstruckupontheheartsoftheimbrutedblacks，whohadbeentheinstrumentsofcrueltyuponhim；and，theinstantLegreewithdrew，theytookhimdown，and，intheirignorance，soughttocallhimbacktolife，—asifthatwereanyfavortohim。

“Sartin，we’sbeendoin’adreffulwickedthing！”saidSambo；“hopesMas’r’llhaveto’countforit，andnotwe。”

Theywashedhiswounds，—theyprovidedarudebed，ofsomerefusecotton，forhimtoliedownon；andoneofthem，stealinguptothehouse，beggedadrinkofbrandyofLegree，pretendingthathewastired，andwanteditforhimself。Hebroughtitback，andpoureditdownTom’sthroat。

“O，Tom！”saidQuimbo，“we’sbeenawfulwickedtoye！”

“Iforgiveye，withallmyheart！”saidTom，faintly。

“O，Tom！dotelluswhoisJesus，anyhow？”saidSambo；—“Jesus，that’sbeenastandin’byyouso，allthisnight！—Whoishe？”

Thewordrousedthefailing，faintingspirit。HepouredforthafewenergeticsentencesofthatwondrousOne，—hislife，hisdeath，hiseverlastingpresence，andpowertosave。

Theywept，—boththetwosavagemen。

“Whydidn’tIneverhearthisbefore？”saidSambo；“butIdobelieve！—Ican’thelpit！LordJesus，havemercyonus！”

“Poorcritters！”saidTom，“I’dbewillingtobar’allIhave，ifit’llonlybringyetoChrist！O，Lord！givemethesetwomoresouls，Ipray！”

Thatprayerwasanswered！

1ThispoemdoesnotappearinthecollectedworksofWilliamCullenBryant，norinthecollectedpoemsofhisbrother，JohnHowardBryant。Itwasprobablycopiedfromanewspaperormagazine。