Who Is Safe Against The Power?
THE cholera1 raging on Marston's plantation2, had excited Graspum's fears. His pecuniary3 interests were above every other consideration-he knew no higher object than the accumulation of wealth; and to ascertain4 the precise nature and extent of the malady5 he had sent Romescos to reconnoitre.
Returning to the long-room at Graspum's slave-pen, we must introduce the reader to scenes which take place on the night following that upon which Romescos secured the bill of sale at Marston's mansion6.
Around the table we have before described sit Graspum and some dozen of his clan7. Conspicuous8 among them is Dan Bengal, and Nath Nimrod, whom we described as running into the room unceremoniously, holding by the hair the head of a negro, and exulting10 over it as a prize of much value. They are relating their adventures, speculating over the prospects11 of trade, comparing notes on the result of making free trash human property worth something! They all manifest the happiest of feelings, have a language of their own, converse12 freely; at times sprinkle their conversation with pointed13 oaths. They are conversant14 with the business affairs of every planter in the State, know his liabilities, the condition of his negroes, his hard cases, his bad cases, his runaways15, and his prime property. Their dilations on the development of wenches, shades of colour, qualities of stock suited to the various markets-from Richmond to New Orleans-disclose a singular foresight17 into the article of poor human nature.
"There's nothing like pushing our kind of business, specially18 whin ye gits it where ye can push profitably," speaks Bengal, his fiery19 red eyes glaring over the table as he droops20 his head sluggishly21, and, sipping22 his whiskey, lets it drip over his beard upon his bosom23; "if 't warn't for Anthony's cunnin' we'd have a pesky deal of crooked24 law to stumble through afore we'd get them rich uns upset."
My reader must know that southern law and justice for the poor succumb25 to popular feeling in all slave atmospheres; and happy is the fellow who can work his way through slavedom without being dependent upon the one or brought under the influence of the other.
Graspum, in reply to Bengal, feels that gentlemen in the "nigger business" should respect themselves. He well knows there exists not the best feeling in the world between them and the more exclusive aristocracy, whose feelings must inevitably26 be modified to suit the democratic spirit of the age. He himself enjoys that most refined society, which he asserts to be strong proof of the manner in which democracy is working its way to distinction. Our business, he says, hath so many avenues that it has become positively27 necessary that some of them should be guarded by men of honour, dignity, and irreproachable28 conduct. Now, he has sent Anthony Romescos to do some watching on the sly, at Marston's plantation; but there is nothing dishonourable in that, inasmuch as the victim is safe in his claws. Contented30 with these considerations, Graspum puffs31 his cigar very composedly. From slave nature, slave-seeking adventures, and the intricacies of the human-property-market, they turn to the discussion of state rights, of freedom in its broadest and most practical sense. And, upon the principle of the greatest despot being foremost to discuss what really constitutes freedom, which, however, he always argues in an abstract sense, Nimrod was loudest and most lavish32 in his praises of a protective government--a government that would grant great good justice to the white man only. It matters little to Nimrod which is the greater nigger; he believes in the straight principles of right in the white man. It is not so much how justice is carried out when menial beings form a glorious merchandise; but it is the true essence of liberty, giving men power to keep society all straight, to practice liberty very liberally. "Ye see, now, Graspum," he quaintly33 remarks, as he takes up the candle to light his cigar, "whatever ye do is right, so long as the law gives a feller a right to do it. 'Tisn't a bit o' use to think how a man can be too nice in his feelings when a hundred or two's to be made on nigger property what's delicate, t'aint! A feller feels sore once in a while, a' cos his conscience is a little touchy34 now and then; but it won't do to give way to it-conscience don't bring cash. When ye launches out in the nigger-trading business ye must feel vengeance35 agin the brutes36, and think how it's only trade; how it's perfectly37 legal-and how it's encouraged by the Governor's proclamations. Human natur's human natur'; and when ye can turn a penny at it, sink all the in'ard inclinations38. Just let the shiners slide in, it don't matter a tenpence where ye got 'em. Trade's everything! you might as well talk about patriotism39 among crowned heads,--about the chivalry40 of commerce: cash makes consequence, and them's what makes gentlemen, south."
They welcome the spirits, although it has already made them soulless. The negro listens to a dialogue of singular import to himself; his eyes glistened41 with interest, as one by one they sported over the ignorance enforced upon the weak. One by one they threw their slouch hats upon the floor, drew closer in conclave43, forming a grotesque44 picture of fiendish faces. "Now, gentlemen," Graspum deigns45 to say, after a moment's pause, motioning to the decanter, "pass it along round when ye gets a turn about." He fills his glass and drinks, as if drink were a necessary accompaniment of the project before them. "This case of Marston's is a regular plumper; there's a spec to be made in that stock of stuff; and them bright bits of his own-they look like him-'ll make right smart fancy. Ther' developing just in the right sort of way to be valuable for market."
"There's movin' o' the shrewdest kind to be done there, Graspum! Where's the dockerment what 'll make 'um property, eh?" interrupted Nimrod, twisting the hair with which his face is covered into fantastic points.
"Oh, my good fellows, public opinion's the dockerment; with the bright side of public opinion! Public opinion whispers about Clotilda: it says she looks so much like that niece of Marston's, that you couldn't tell them apart. And they are like two pins, gentlemen; but then one's property and t'other's anything but property. One will bring something substantial in the market: I wouldn't say much about the other. But there's pride in the whole family, and where it's got into the niggers it's worth a few extra dollars. The Marstons and Roveros don't think much of we dealers46 when they don't want our money; but when they do we are cousins of the right stripe. However, these ere little aristocratic notions don't mount to much; they are bin49 generous blood-mixers, and now they may wince50 over it-"
Graspum is interrupted again. Bengal has been analysing his logic51, and rises to dispute the logic of his arguments. He is ready to stake his political faith, and all his common sense-of which he never fails to boast-that mixing the blood of the two races destroys the purity of the nigger, spiles the gauge52 of the market, detracts from real plantation property, and will just upset the growin' of young niggers. He is sure he knows just as much about the thing as anybody else, has never missed his guess, although folks say he aint no way clever at selection; and, rubbing his eyes after adjusting the long black hair that hangs down over his shoulders, he folds his arms with an independent air, and waits the rejoinder.
The dingy53 room breathes thick of deleterious fumes54; a gloom hangs over their meditations55, deep and treacherous56: it excites fear, not of the men, but of the horrors of their trade. A dim light hangs suspended from the ceiling: even the sickly shade contrasts strangely with their black purpose.
"Variety of shade, my dear Bengal, is none of our business. If you make a division you destroy the property and the principle. We don't represent the South: if we did, my stars! how the abolitionists would start up,--eh! Now, there's a right smart chance of big aristocrat48 folks in the district, and they think something of their niggers, and some are fools enough to think niggers have souls just as white as we. That's where the thing don't strike our morals alike. It's all right to let such folks represent us-that it is! It tells down north."
"I goes in for that! It puts a polished face on the brown side of things. That's the way I puts it on when I gets among the big 'uns on 'Change. I talks to one, shakes hands with another, touches my hat to the president of the bank; and then them what don't know thinks how I do a little in the taking a corner of notes line!" "In the same sly way that directors of banks do," interrupts a voice, sullenly58 and slow. It was long Joe Morphet, the constable's sponge, who did a little in the line of nigger trailing, and now and then acted as a contingent59 of Graspum. Joe had, silently and with great attention, listened to their consultations60, expecting to get a hook on at some point where his services would play at a profit; but it all seemed beyond his comprehension-amounted to nothing.
"There's something in Joe, gentlemen! But our genteelest folks don't alway do the genteelest things, arter all. Right-right! Joe's right!" Graspum has suddenly comprehended Joe's logic, and brightens up with the possession of a new idea, that at first was inclined to get crosswise in his mind, which he has drilled in the minor61 details of human nature rather than the political dignity of the state. Joe's ideas are ranging over the necessity of keeping up a good outside for the state; Graspum thinks only of keeping up the dignity of himself. "Well, give in, fellers; Joe's right clever. He's got head enough to get into Congress, and if polished up wouldn't make the worst feller that ever was sent: he wouldn't, to my certain knowledge. Joe's clever! What great men do with impunity62 little men have no scruples63 in following; what the state tolerates, knaves64 may play upon to their own advantage. To keep up the dignity of a slave state, slave dealers must keep up dignity among themselves: the one cannot live without the other. They must affect, and the state must put on, the dignity; and northerners what aint gentlemen must be taught to know that they aint gentlemen." This is the conclusion to which Graspum has arrived on the maturest reflection of a few minutes: it conforms with the opinion and dignity of slaveocracy-must be right, else the glorious Union, with the free-thinking north unfortunately attached, could never be preserved. It's the nut of a glorious compact which the south only must crack, and will crack. Graspum apologised for the thing having escaped his memory so long. He remembered that southerners left no stone unturned that could serve the policy of concentrating slave power; and he remembered that it was equally necessary to keep an eye to the feeling abroad. There were in America none but southern nobles,--no affable gentlemen who could do the grace of polite circles except themselves,--none who, through their bland65 manners, could do more to repel66 the awful descriptions given of southern society, nor who could not make strangers believe slaves were happy mortals, happily created to live in all the happiness of slave life. "There's nothing like putting our learned folks ahead-they're polished down for the purpose, you see-and letting them represent us when abroad; they puts a different sort of shine on things what our institution makes profitable. They don't always set good examples at home, but we can't control their tastes on small matters of that kind: and then, what a valuable offset67 it is, just to have the power of doing the free and easy gentleman, to be the brilliant companion, to put on the smooth when you go among nobility what don't understand the thing!" Graspum adds, with a cunning wink68.
"Pooh! pooh! such talk don't jingle69. You can't separate our aristocracy from mistress-keeping. It's a matter of romance with them,--a matter of romance, gentlemen, that's all. The south couldn't live without romance, she couldn't!" adds Nimrod, stretching back in his chair.
"And where did you get that broad idea from, Jakey? I kind o' likes that sort of philosophy," adds another.
"Philosophy! I reckon how there is deep and strong philosophy in that ar; but ye can't calc'late much on't when ye haint talents to bring it out. That point where the soul comes in is a puzzler on Yankees; but it takes our editors and parsons to put the arguments where the Yankees can't demolish70 them. Read the Richmond--, my grandmother of the day, if ye want to see the philosophy of niggers, and their souls. That editor is a philosopher; the world's got to learn his philosophy. Just take that preacher from New Jersey71, what preaches in All Saints; if he don't prove niggers aint no souls I'm a Dutchman, and dead at that! He gives 'em broadside logic, gentlemen; and if he hadn't been raised north he wouldn't bin so up on niggers when he cum south," was the quick rejoinder of our knowing expounder72, who, looking Graspum in the face, demanded to know if he was not correct. Graspum thinks it better to waste no more time in words, but to get at the particular piece of business for which they have been called together. He is a man of money,--a man of trade, ever willing to admit the philosophy of the man-market, but don't see the difference of honour between the aristocrat who sells his bits in the market, and the honourable29 dealer47 who gets but a commission for selling them. And there's something about the parson who, forgetting the sanctity of his calling, sanctifies everything pertaining73 to slavery. Conscience, he admits, is a wonderful thing fixed74 somewhere about the heart, and, in spite of all he can do, will trouble it once in a while. Marston-poor Marston!-he declares to be foolishly troubled with it, and it makes him commit grievous errors. And then, there's no understandin' it, because Marston has a funny way of keeping it under such a knotty-looking exterior75. Graspum declares he had nothing to do with the breaking out of the cholera, is very sorry for it,--only wants his own, just like any other honest man. He kind o' likes Marston, admits he is a sort of good fellow in his way; mighty76 careless though, wouldn't cheat anybody if he knew it, and never gave half a minute's thinking about how uncertain the world was. But the cholera-a dire57 disease among niggers-has broke out in all the fury of its ravages77; and it makes him think of his sick niggers and paying his debts. "You see, gentlemen-we are all gentlemen here," Graspum continues,--"a man must pay the penalty of his folly78 once in a while. It's the fate of great men as well as smaller ones; all are liable to it. That isn't the thing, though; it don't do to be chicken-hearted afore niggers, nor when yer dealing79 in niggers, nor in any kind o' business what ye want to make coin at. Marston 'll stick on that point, he will; see if he don't. His feelins' are troubling him: he knows I've got the assignment; and if he don't put them ar' white 'uns of his in the schedule, I'll snap him up for fraud,--I will-"
The conversation is here interrupted by a loud rap at the door, which is opened by the negro, who stands with his finger on the latch80. Romescos, in his slovenly81 garb82, presents himself with an air of self-assurance that marks the result of his enterprise. He is a prominent feature in all Graspum's great operations; he is desperate in serving his interests. Drawing a handkerchief from his pocket-it is printed with the stars and stripes of freedom-he calls it a New England rag, disdainfully denounces that area of unbelievers in slaveocracy, wipes his blistered83 face with it, advances to the table-every eye intently watching him-and pauses for breath.
"What success, Anthony? Tell us quickly," Graspum demands, extending his hand nervously84. "Anthony never fails! It's a fool who fails in our business," was the reply, delivered with great unconcern, and responded to with unanimous applause. A warrior85 returned from victory was Anthony,--a victory of villainy recorded in heaven, where the rewards will, at some day, be measured out with a just but awful retribution.
The bosom of his shirt lays broadly open: one by one they shake his hand, as he hastily unties86 the chequered cloth about his neck, pours out his drink of whiskey, seats himself in a chair, and deliberately87 places his feet upon the table. "Ther's nothin' like making a triangle of oneself when ye wants to feel so ye can blow comfortable," he says. "I done nothin' shorter than put all straight at Marston's last night. It was science, ye see, gents; and I done it up strictly88 according to science. A feller what aint cunnin', and don't know the nice work o' the law, can't do nothin' in the way o' science. It's just as you said"-addressing his remarks to Graspum,-- "Marston's slackin' out his conscience because he sees how things are goin' down hill with him. If that old hoss cholera don't clar off the nigger property, I'm no prophet. It'll carry 'em into glory; and glory, I reckon, isn't what you calls good pay, eh, Graspum? I overheard his intentions: he sees the black page before him; it troubles the chicken part of his heart. Feels mighty meek89 and gentle all at once; and, it's no lie, he begins to see sin in what he has done; and to make repentance90 good he's goin' to shove off that nabob stock of his, so the creditors91 can't lay paws upon it. Ye got to spring; Marston 'll get ahead of ye if he don't, old feller. This child 'll show him how he can't cum some o' them things while Squire92 Hobble and I'm on hand." Thus quaintly he speaks, pulling the bill of sale from a side-pocket, throwing it upon the table with an air of satisfaction amounting to exultation93. "Take that ar; put it where ye can put yer finger on't when the 'mergency comes." And he smiles to see how gratefully and anxiously Graspum receives it, reviews it, re-reviews it,--how it excites the joy of his nature. He has no soul beyond the love of gold, and the system of his bloody94 trade. It was that fatal instrument, great in the atmosphere of ungrateful law, bending some of nature's noblest beneath its seal of crimes. "It's from Silenus to Marston; rather old, but just the thing! Ah, you're a valuable fellow, Anthony." Mr. Graspum manifests his approbation95 by certain smiles, grimaces96, and shakes of the hand, while word by word he reads it, as if eagerly relishing97 its worth. "It's a little thing for a great purpose; it'll tell a tale in its time;" and he puts the precious scrip safely in his pocket, and rubbing his hands together, declares "that deserves a bumper98!" They fill up at Graspum's request, drink with social cheers, followed by a song from Nimrod, who pitches his tune99 to the words, "Come, landlord, fill the flowing bowl."
Nimrod finishes his song: Romescos takes the floor to tell a story about the old judge what hung the nigger a'cos he didn't want to spend his patience listening to the testimony100, and adjourned101 the court to go and take a drink at Sal Stiles's grocery. His description of the court, its high jurisdiction102, the dignity of the squire what sits as judge, how he drinks the three jurymen-freeholders-what are going to try a nigger, how they goes out and takes three drinks when the case gets about half way through, how the nigger winks103 and blinks when he sees the jury drunk, and hears the judge say there's only two things he likes to hang,--niggers and schoolmasters. But as it's no harm to kill schoolmasters-speaking in a southern sense-so Romescos thinks the squire who got the jury inebriated104 afore he sent the "nigger" to be hung doesn't mean the least harm when he evinces an abhorrence105 to the whole clan of schoolmaster trash. He turns to the old story of doing everything by system; ends by describing his method of drinking a whole jury. He has surprised Marston, got him on the hip106, where he can feather him or sciver him, and where things must be done sly. Public opinion, he whispers, may set folks moving, and then they'll all be down upon him like hawks107 after chickens. In his mind, the feller what pulls first comes off first best-if the law hounds are not too soon let loose! If they are, there will be a long drag, a small cage for the flock, and very few birds with feathers on. Romescos cares for nobody but the judge: he tells us how the judge and he are right good cronies, and how it's telling a good many dollars at the end of the year to keep on the best of terms with him, always taking him to drink when they meet. The judge is a wonderfully clever fellow, in Romescos' opinion; ranks among first-class drinkers; can do most anything, from hanging a nigger to clearing the fellow that killed the schoolmaster, and said he'd clear a dozen in two two's, if they'd kill off ever so many of the rubbish. It is well to make his favour a point of interest. The company are become tired of this sort of cantation; they have heard enough of high functionaries109, know quite enough of judges:--such things are in their line of business. Romescos must needs turn the conversation. "Well, taking it how I can entertain ye to most anything, I'll give ye a story on the secrets of how I used to run off Ingin remnants of the old tribes. 'Taint110 but a few years ago, ye know, when ther was a lot of Ingin and white, mixed stuff-some called it beautiful-down in Beaufort district. It was temptin' though, I reckon, and made a feller feel just as if he was runnin' it off to sell, every time it come in his way. Ye see, most on't was gal9 property, and that kind, ollers keeps the whole district in a hubbub111; everybody's offended, and there's so much delicacy112 about the ladies what come in contact with it. Yes, gentlemen! the ladies-I means the aristocracy's ladies-hate these copper-coloured Ingins as they would female devils. It didn't do to offend the delicacy of our ladies, ye see; so something must be done, but it was all for charity's sake. Squire Hornblower and me fixes a plan a'tween us: it was just the plan to do good for the town-we must always be kind, ye know, and try to do good-and save the dear good ladies a great deal of unnecessary pain.
"Now, the squire had law larnin', and I had cunnin'; and both put together made the thing work to a point. The scheme worked so nicely that we put twelve out of fifteen of 'em right into pocket-money in less than three years-"
"Hold a second, Romescos; how did you play the game so adroitly113, when they were all members of families living in the town? You're a remarkable114 fellow," Graspum interposes, stretching his arms, and twisting his sturdy figure over the side of his chair.
"That's what I was coming at. Ye see, whenever ye makes white trash what ain't slaved a nuisance, you makes it mightily115 unpopular; and when folks is unpopular the nuisance is easily removed, especially when ye can get pay for removing it. The law will be as tame as a mouse-nobody 'll say nothin'? Ingin and white rubbish is just alike-one's worth as little as t'other. Both's only fit to sell, sir!-worthless for any other purpose. Ye see, gentlemen, I'm something of a philosopher, and has strong faith in the doctrine116 of our popular governor, who believes it better to sell all poor whites into slavery. 'Tain't a free country where ye don't have the right to sell folks what don't provide for number one. I likes to hear our big folks talk so"-Anthony's face brightens-"'cause it gives a feller a chance for a free speculation117 in them lank118, lean rascals119; and, too, it would stop their rifle-shooting and corn-stealing-"
"You never try your hand at such hits-do you, Nathe?" Bengal interrupts, his fore-finger poised120 on his nose.
"Now, Dan," Anthony quaintly replies, "none o' yer pointed insinuations. 'Twouldn't be much harm if the varmin would only keep its mouth shut along the road. But when the critturs ar' got schoolmaster gumption121 it's mighty apt to get a feller into a tarnation snarl122. Schoolmaster gumption makes d-d bad niggers; and there's why I say it's best to hang schoolmasters. It's dangerous, 'cos it larns the critturs to writin' a scrawl123 now and then; and, unless ye knows just how much talent he's got, and can whitewash124 him yaller, it's plaguy ticklish125. When the brutes have larnin', and can write a little, they won't stay sold when ye sell 'em-that is, I mean, white riff-raff stuff; they ain't a bit like niggers and Ingins. And there's just as much difference a'tween the human natur of a white nigger and a poverty-bloated white as there is a'twixt philosophy and water-melons."
"You're drawing a long bow, Anthony," interrupts Graspum, with a suggestion that it were better to come to the point; and concludes by saying: "We don't care sevenpence about the worthless whites all over the State. They can't read nor write-except a few on 'em-and everybody knows it wouldn't do to give them learning-that wouldn't do! We want the way you cleared that nuisance out of Beaufort district so quick-that's what we want to hear."
"Well, ye'h sees, it took some keen play, some sly play, some dignity, and some talent; but the best thing of the whole was the squire's honour. He and me, ye see, joined partners--that is, he gets places for 'em away out o' town--you understand--places where I keeps a couple of the very best nags127 that ever stepped turf. And then he puts on the soft sauder, an' is so friendly to the critturs--gets 'em to come out with him to where he will make 'um nice house servants, and such things. He is good at planin', as all justices is, and would time it to arrive at midnight. I, havin' got a start, has all ready to meet him; so when he gives me the papers, I makes a bolt at full speed, and has 'um nowhere afore they knows it. And then, when they sees who it is, it don't do to make a fuss about it--don't! And then, they're so handsome, it ain't no trouble finding a market for 'em down Memphis way. It only takes forty-eight hours--the way things is done up by steam--from the time I clears the line until Timothy Portman signs the bond-that's five per cent. for him-and Ned Sturm does the swearin', and they're sold for a slap-up price--sent to where there's no muttering about it. That's one way we does it; and then, there's another. But, all in all, there's a right smart lot of other ways that will work their way into a talented mind. And when a feller gets the hang on it, and knows lawyer gumption, he can do it up smooth. You must strap128 'em down, chain 'em, look vengeance at 'em; and now and then, when the varmin will squeal129, spite of all the thrashin' ye can give 'em, box 'em up like rats, and put yer horses like Jehu until ye cl'ar the State. The more ye scars 'em the better-make 'em as whist as mice, and ye can run 'em through the rail-road, and sell 'um just as easy.
"There was another way I used to do the thing-it was a sort of an honourable way; but it used to take the talents of a senator to do it up square, so the dignity didn't suffer. Then the gals130 got shy of squire, 'cos them he got places for never cum back; and I know'd how 'twas best to leave two or three for a nest-egg. It was the way to do, in case some green should raise a fuss. But connected with these Ingin gals was one of the likleest yaller fellers that ever shined on a stand. Thar' was about twelve hundred dollars in him, I saw it just as straight, and felt it just as safe in my pocket; and then it made a feller's eyes glisten42 afore it was got out of him. I tell you what, boys, it's rather hard when ye comes to think on't." Anthony pauses for a moment, sharpens his eloquence131 with another drop of whiskey, and resumes his discourse132. "The feller shined all outside, but he hadn't head talents-though he was as cunnin' as a fox-and every time the squire tried an experiment to get him out o'town, the nigger would dodge133 like a wounded raccoon. 'Twarn't a bit of use for the squire-so he just gin it up. Then I trys a hand, ye see, comes the soft soap over him, in a Sam Slick kind of a way. I'se a private gentleman, and gets the fellers round to call me a sort of an aristocrat. Doing this 'ere makes me a nabob in the town-another time I'm from New York, and has monstrous134 letters of introduction to the squire. Then I goes among the niggers and comes it over their stupid; tells 'em how I'm an abolitionist in a kind of secret way-gets their confidence. And then I larns a right smart deal of sayings from the Bible-a nigger's curious on Christianity, ye see-and it makes him think ye belong to that school, sartin! All the deviltry in his black natur' 'll cum out then; and he'll do just what ye tells him. So, ye see, I just draws the pious136 over him, and then-like all niggers-I gets him to jine in what he calculates to be a nice little bit of roguery-running off."
Graspum becomes interested in the fine qualities of the prospective137 property, and must needs ask if he is bright and trim.
"Bright! I reckon he warn't nothin' else in a money sense-brighter nor most niggers, but mighty Inginy. Had the fierce of one and the cunnin' of t'other. Tom Pridgeon and me has an understandin' about the thing; and Tom's such a ripper for tradin' in nigger property-he is about the only devil niggers can imagine; and they delight to play tricks on Tom. Well, the nigger and me's good friends, right to the point; a good trick is to be played off on Tom, who buys the nigger in confidence; the nigger is to run off when he gets to Savannah, and Tom is to be indicted138 for running off 'free niggers.' I'se a great Christian135, and joins heart and hand with the darkey; we takes our walks together, reads together, prays together. And then 'tain't long afore I becomes just the best white man in his estimation. Knowing when Tom makes up his gang, I proposes a walk in the grove139 to the nigger. 'Thank ye, sir,' says he, in an Ingin kind of way, and out we goes, sits down, talks pious, sings hymns140, and waits to see the rascally141 nigger-trader come along. Presently Tom makes his appearance, with a right smart lot of extra prime property. The nigger and me marches down the road just like master and servant, and stops just when we meets Tom. You'd laughed to see Tom and me do the stranger, 'Well, mister,' says I, 'how's trade in your line?-there's mighty good prices for cotton just now; an' I 'spose 't keeps the market stiff up in your line!'"
'Well, no,' says Tom: 'a feller can turn a good penny in the way o' fancy articles, just now; but 'tain't the time for prime plantation-stock. Planters are all buying, and breeders down Virginia way won't give a feller a chance to make a shaving. It drives a feller hard up, ye see, and forces more business in running the free 'uns.'
'Why, stranger! what on 'arth do you mean by that 'ar;-wouldn't ye get straightened if you'd git catched at that business?'
'Oh, nothing, nothing! I forgot what I was saying,' says Tom, just as if he was scared at what he had let slip.
'I say, trader, ye got the brightest assortment142 of property thar' I seen for many a day: you don't call them gals slaves, do you? Down where I cum from, our folks wouldn't know 'em from white folks.' I tell you, boys, he had some bits that would o' made yer heart cum straight up.
'But I say, mister, I kind 'a like yer horse property-somehow he's full blood,' says I.
'Yes,' says Tom; 'he's one o' the best critturs to drive niggers with that ye ever did see; and he's beat the best horse on the Columbia course, twice.'
'Well, now; seein' how I likes the animal, about how much do ye'h set him at?' says I.
'Well! can't part with the nag126 nohow; seems as if he knowed a nigger, and understands the business right up.'
'But, you see, I'se got a bit of nigger property here what ye'h don't pick up every day for the Memphis trade,' says I, looking at the feller, who played his part right up to the hilt.
'Well, I don't mind strikin' a trade,' says Tom: 'but you see my nag's worth a little risin' a thousand dollars.'
'I don't doubt that, stranger,' says I: 'but ye'h sees this 'ar piece of property o' mine is worth more 'an twelve hundred. You don't come across such a looking chap every day. There's a spec. in him, in any market down south,' says I; and I puts my hands on the nigger and makes him show out, just as if Tom and me was striking for a trade. So Tom examines him, as if he was green in nigger business, and he and me strangers just come from t'other side of moon shadows.
'Well, now,' says Tom, 'it's mighty likely property, and seeing it's you, jist name a trade.'
'Put down the nag and two hundred dollars, and I'll sign the bill of sale, for a swap143.' And Tom plants down the dimes144, and takes the nigger. When Tom gets him to Savannah, he plunks him into jail, and keeps him locked up in a cell until he is ready to start south. I promises the nigger half of the spiles; but I slips an X
Ten dollars. into his hand, and promises him the rest when he gets back-when he does! And ye see how Tom just tryced him up to the cross and put thirty-nine to his bare skin when he talked about being free, in Savannah; and gagged him when he got his Ingin up. Warn't that doing the thing up slick, fellers?" exclaimed Romescos, chuckling145 over the sport.
"It warn't nothing else. That's what I calls catching146 a nigger in his own trap," said one. "That's sarvin' him right; I go for sellin' all niggers and Ingins," said another. "Free niggers have no souls, and are impediments to personal rights in a free country," said a third.
"Ye'h see, there's such an infernal lot of loose corners about our business, that it takes a feller what has got a big head to do all the things smooth, in a legal way; and it's so profitable all round that it kind o' tempts147 a feller, once in a while, to do things he don't feel just right in; but then a glass of old monongahela brings ye'h all straight in yer feelins again, a'ter a few minutes," said Romescos.
"It's an amusing business; a man's got to have nerve and maxim148, if he wants to make a fortune at it. But-now, gentlemen, we'll take another round," said Graspum, stopping short. "Anthony, tell us how you work it when you want to run a free nigger down Maryland way."
"There ain't no trouble about that," replied Romescos, quickly. "You see," he continued, squinting149 his eye, and holding his glass between his face and the light. "Shut out all hope first, and then prime legal gentlemen along the road, and yer sartin to make safe business. I has chaps what keeps their eye on all the free bits, and makes good fellers with 'em; niggers think they'r the right stripe friends; and then they gives 'em jobs once in a while, and tobacco, and whiskey. So when I gets all fixed for a run, some on 'm gets the nigger into a sly spot, and then we pounces150 upon him like a hawk108 on a chicken-gags him, and screws him up in the chains, head and feet,--boxes him up, too, and drives him like lightning until I meets Tilman at the cross-roads; and then I just has a document
"A forged bill of sale, all ready, which I gives to Till, and he puts his nags in-a pair what can take the road from anything about-and the way he drives, just to make the nigger forget where he's going, and think he's riding in a balloon on his way to glory. Just afore Til. gets to the boat, ye see, he takes the headchains off-so the delicate-hearted passengers won't let their feelins get kind-a out o' sorts. Once in a while the nigger makes a blubber about being free, to the captain,--and if he's fool enough t' take any notice on't then there's a fuss; but that's just the easiest thing to get over, if ye only know the squire, and how to manage him. You must know the pintes of the law, and ye must do the clean thing in the 'tin' way with the squire; and then ye can cut 'em right off by makin' t'other pintes make 'em mean nothing. Once in a while t'll do to make the nigger a criminal, and then there's no trouble in't, 'cos ye can ollers git the swearin' done cheap. Old Captain Smith used to get himself into a scrape a heap o' times by listenin' to free nigger stories, till he gets sick and would kick every nigger what came to him about being free. He takes the law in his hands with a nigger o' mine once, and hands him over to a city policeman as soon as we lands. He didn't understand the thing, ye see, and I jist puts an Ten dollars into the pole's hand, what he takes the hint at. 'Now, ye'll take good care on the feller," says I, giving him a wink. "And he just keeps broad off from the old hard-faced mayor, and runs up to the squire's, who commits him on his own committimus. Then I gets Bob Blanker to stand 'all right' with the squire, who's got all the say in the matter, when it's done so. I cuts like lightenin' on to far down Mississippi, and there gets Sam Slang, just one o' the keenest fellers in that line, about. Sam's a hotel-keeper all at once, and I gets him up afore the Mississippi squire; and as Sam don't think much about the swearin' and the squire ain't particular, so he makes a five: we proves straight off how the crittur's Sam's runaway16, gets the dockerment and sends to Bob Blanker, who puts a blinder on the squire's eye, and gets an order to the old jailor, who must give him up, when he sees the squire's order. You see, it's larnin' the secret, that's the thing, and the difference between common law and nigger law; and the way to work the matter so the squire will have it all in his own fingers, and don't let the old judge get a pick. Squire makes it square, hands the nigger over to Bob, Bob puts fifty cuts on his hide, makes him as clever as a kitten, and ships him off down south afore he has time to wink. Then, ye sees, I goes back as independent as a senator from Arkansas, and sues Captain Smith for damages in detainin' the property, and I makes him pay a right round sum, what larns him never to try that agin."
Thus Romescos concludes the details of his nefarious151 trade, amid cheers and bravos. The party are in ecstasies152, evincing a singular merriment at the issue. There is nothing like liberty--liberty to do what you please, to turn freedom into barbarity! They gloat over the privileges of a free country; and, as Romescos recounts each proceeding153,--tracing it into the lowest depths of human villainy, they sing songs to right, justice, freedom-they praise the bounties154 of a great country. How different is the picture below! Beneath this plotting conclave, devising schemes to defraud155 human nature of its rights, to bring poverty and disgrace upon happy families-all in accordance with the law-are chained in narrow cells poor mortals, hoping for an end to their dreary156 existence, pining under the weight of pinions157 dashing their very souls into endless despair. A tale of freedom is being told above, but their chains of death clank in solemn music as the midnight revelry sports with the very agony of their sorrows. Oh! who has made their lives a wanton jest?-can it be the will of heaven, or is it the birthright of a downtrodden race? They look for to-morrow, hope reverberates158 one happy thought, it may bring some tidings of joy; but again they sink, as that endless gloom rises before them. Hope fades from their feelings, from the bleeding heart for which compassion159 is dead. The tyrant's heart is of stone; what cares he for their supplications, their cries, their pleadings to heaven; such things have no dollars for him!
Arranging the preliminaries necessary for proceeding with Marston's affairs, they agreed to the plans, received orders from Graspum in reference to their proceedings160 on the following day, and retired161 to their homes, singing praises to great good laws, and the freedom of a free country.
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1
cholera
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| n.霍乱 | |
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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3
pecuniary
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| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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malady
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| n.病，疾病(通常做比喻) | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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conversant
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| adj.亲近的，有交情的，熟悉的 | |
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15
runaways
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| （轻而易举的）胜利( runaway的名词复数 ) | |
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16
runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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18
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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19
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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20
droops
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的名词复数 ) | |
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sluggishly
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| adv.懒惰地；缓慢地 | |
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22
sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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23
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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24
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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25
succumb
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| v.屈服，屈从；死 | |
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26
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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irreproachable
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| adj.不可指责的，无过失的 | |
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29
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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30
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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31
puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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32
lavish
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| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
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quaintly
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| adv.古怪离奇地 | |
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34
touchy
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| adj.易怒的；棘手的 | |
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35
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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36
brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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inclinations
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| 倾向( inclination的名词复数 )； 倾斜； 爱好； 斜坡 | |
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39
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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40
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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41
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
glisten
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| vi.（光洁或湿润表面等）闪闪发光，闪闪发亮 | |
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43
conclave
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| n.秘密会议，红衣主教团 | |
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44
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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45
deigns
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的第三人称单数 ) | |
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46
dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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48
aristocrat
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| n.贵族，有贵族气派的人，上层人物 | |
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49
bin
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| n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件 | |
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50
wince
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| n.畏缩，退避，（因痛苦，苦恼等)面部肌肉抽动；v.畏缩，退缩，退避 | |
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51
logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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52
gauge
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| v.精确计量；估计；n.标准度量；计量器 | |
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53
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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54
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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55
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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56
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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57
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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58
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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59
contingent
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| adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队 | |
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60
consultations
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| n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找 | |
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61
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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62
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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63
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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64
knaves
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| n.恶棍，无赖( knave的名词复数 )；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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65
bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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66
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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67
offset
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| n.分支，补偿；v.抵消，补偿 | |
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68
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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69
jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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70
demolish
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| v.拆毁(建筑物等)，推翻(计划、制度等) | |
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71
jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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72
expounder
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| 陈述者，说明者 | |
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73
pertaining
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| 与…有关系的，附属…的，为…固有的(to) | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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77
ravages
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| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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80
latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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81
slovenly
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| adj.懒散的，不整齐的，邋遢的 | |
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82
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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83
blistered
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| adj.水疮状的，泡状的v.（使）起水泡( blister的过去式和过去分词 )；（使表皮等）涨破，爆裂 | |
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84
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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85
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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86
unties
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| 松开，解开( untie的第三人称单数 )； 解除，使自由； 解决 | |
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87
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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89
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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91
creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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92
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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94
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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96
grimaces
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| n.（表蔑视、厌恶等）面部扭曲，鬼脸( grimace的名词复数 )v.扮鬼相，做鬼脸( grimace的第三人称单数 ) | |
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97
relishing
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| v.欣赏( relish的现在分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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98
bumper
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| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
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99
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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100
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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101
adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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102
jurisdiction
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| n.司法权，审判权，管辖权，控制权 | |
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103
winks
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| v.使眼色( wink的第三人称单数 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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104
inebriated
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| adj.酒醉的 | |
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105
abhorrence
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| n.憎恶；可憎恶的事 | |
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106
hip
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| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
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107
hawks
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| 鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物 | |
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108
hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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109
functionaries
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| n.公职人员，官员( functionary的名词复数 ) | |
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110
taint
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| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
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111
hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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112
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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113
adroitly
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| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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114
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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115
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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116
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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117
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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118
lank
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| adj.瘦削的；稀疏的 | |
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119
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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120
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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121
gumption
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| n.才干 | |
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122
snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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123
scrawl
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| vt.潦草地书写；n.潦草的笔记，涂写 | |
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124
whitewash
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| v.粉刷，掩饰；n.石灰水，粉刷，掩饰 | |
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125
ticklish
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| adj.怕痒的；问题棘手的；adv.怕痒地；n.怕痒，小心处理 | |
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126
nag
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| v.(对…)不停地唠叨；n.爱唠叨的人 | |
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127
nags
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| n.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的名词复数 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责v.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的第三人称单数 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责 | |
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128
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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129
squeal
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| v.发出长而尖的声音；n.长而尖的声音 | |
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130
gals
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| abbr.gallons （复数）加仑（液量单位）n.女孩，少女( gal的名词复数 ) | |
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131
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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132
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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133
dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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134
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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135
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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136
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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137
prospective
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| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
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138
indicted
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| 控告，起诉( indict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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139
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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140
hymns
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 ) | |
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141
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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142
assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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143
swap
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| n.交换；vt.交换，用...作交易 | |
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144
dimes
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| n.（美国、加拿大的）10分铸币( dime的名词复数 ) | |
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145
chuckling
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
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146
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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147
tempts
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| v.引诱或怂恿（某人）干不正当的事( tempt的第三人称单数 )；使想要 | |
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148
maxim
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| n.格言，箴言 | |
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149
squinting
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| 斜视( squint的现在分词 )； 眯着眼睛； 瞟； 从小孔或缝隙里看 | |
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150
pounces
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| v.突然袭击( pounce的第三人称单数 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
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151
nefarious
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| adj.恶毒的，极坏的 | |
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152
ecstasies
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| 狂喜( ecstasy的名词复数 )； 出神； 入迷； 迷幻药 | |
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153
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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154
bounties
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| （由政府提供的）奖金( bounty的名词复数 )； 赏金； 慷慨； 大方 | |
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155
defraud
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| vt.欺骗，欺诈 | |
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156
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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157
pinions
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的第三人称单数 ) | |
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158
reverberates
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的第三人称单数 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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159
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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160
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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161
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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