Competition In Human Things
IT is enough to inform the reader that Romescos and Mr. M'Fadden were not only rival bidders1 for this very desirable piece of preaching property, but, being near neighbours, had become inveterate2 enemies and fierce political opponents. The former, a reckless trader in men, women, and children, was a daring, unprincipled, and revengeful man, whose occupation seldom called him to his plantation3; while the latter was notorious as a hard master and a cruel tyrant4, who exacted a larger amount of labour from his negroes than his fellow planters, and gave them less to eat. His opinion was, that a peck of corn a week was quite enough for a negro; and this was his systematic5 allowance;--but he otherwise tempted6 the appetites of his property, by driving them, famished7, to the utmost verge8 of necessity. Thus driven to predatory acts in order to sustain life, the advantages offered by Romescos' swamp-generally well sprinkled with swine-were readily appropriated to a very good use.
Under covert9 of Romescos' absence, Mr. M'Fadden had no very scrupulous10 objection to his negroes foraging11 the amply provided swamp,--provided, however, they did the thing on the sly, were careful whose porker they dispatched, and said nothing to him about the eating. In fact, it was simply a matter of economy with Mr. M'Fadden; and as Romescos had a great number of the obstinate13 brutes14, it saved the trouble of raising such undignified stock. Finding, however, that neighbour M'Fadden, or his predatory negroes-such they were called-were laying claim to more than a generous share of their porkships, Romescos thought it high time to put the thing down by a summary process. But what particularly "riled" Romescos in this affair of the hogs15 was, that M'Fadden's negroes were not content with catching17 them in an honourable18 way, but would do it through the agency of nasty cur-dogs, which he always had despised, and held as unfit even to hunt niggers with. Several times had he expressed his willingness to permit a small number of his grunters to be captured for the benefit of his neighbour's half-starved negroes, provided, always, they were hunted with honourable hound-dogs. He held such animals in high esteem19, while curs he looked upon with utter contempt; he likened the one to the chivalrous20 old rice-planter, the other to a pettifogging schoolmaster fit for nothing but to be despised and shot. With these feelings he (Romescos) declared his intention to kill the very first negro he caught in his swamp with cur-dogs; and he kept his word. Lying in ambush21, he would await their approach, and, when most engaged in appropriating the porkers, rush from his hiding-place, shoot the dogs, and then take a turn at the more exhilarating business of shooting the negroes. He would, with all possible calmness, command the frightened property to approach and partake of his peculiar22 mixture, administered from his double-barrel gun.
That the reader may better understand Romescos' process of curing this malady23 of his neighbour's negroes, we will give it as related by himself. It is a curious mode of dispatching negro property; the reader, however, cannot fail to comprehend it. "Plantin' didn't suit my notions o' gittin' rich, ye see, so I spec'lates in nigger property, and makes a better thing on't. But there's philosophy about the thing, and a body's got t' know the hang on't afore he can twist it out profitably; so I keeps a sort of a plantation just to make a swell24; cos ye got to make a splash to be anybody down south. Can't be a gentleman, ye see, 'cept ye plants cotton and rice; and then a feller what's got a plantation in this kind of a way can be a gentleman, and do so many other bits of trade to advantage. The thing works like the handle of a pump; and then it makes a right good place for raising young niggers, and gettin' old uns trimmed up. With me, the worst thing is that old screwdriver26, M'Fadden, what don't care no more for the wear and tear of a nigger than nothin', and drives 'em like as many steam-engines he thinks he can keep going by feeding on saw-dust. He han't no conception o' nigger constitution, and is just the worst sort of a chap that ever cum south to get a fortune. Why, look right at his niggers: they look like crows after corn-shuckin. Don't give 'em no meat, and the critters must steal somethin' t' keep out o' the bone-yard. Well, I argers the case with Mack, tells him how t'll be atween he and me on this thing, and warns him that if he don't chunk27 more corn and grease into his niggers, there 'll be a ruptous fuss. But he don't stand on honour, as I does, especially when his property makes a haul on my swamp of shoats. I an't home often; so the hogs suffer; and Mack's niggers get the pork. This 'ere kind o' business"--Romescos maintains the serious dignity of himself the while--"don't go down nohow with me; so Mack and me just has a bit of a good-natured quarrel; and from that we gets at daggers29' points, and I swears how I'll kill the first nigger o' his'n what steals hogs o' mine. Wouldn't a cared a sous, mark ye, but it cum crossways on a feller's feelins to think how the 'tarnal niggers had no more sense than t' hunt hogs o' mine with cur-dogs: bin30 hounds, honourable dogs, or respectable dogs what 'll do to hunt niggers with, wouldn't a cared a toss about it; but-when-I-hears-a cur-dog yelp31, oh! hang me if it don't set my sensations all on pins, just as somethin' was crucifyin' a feller. I warns and talks, and then pleads like a lawyer what's got a bad case; but all to no end o' reformin' Mack's morals,--feller han't got no sense o' reform in him. So I sets my niggers on the scent32-it gives 'em some fun-and swears I'll kill a nigger for every hog16 he steals. This I concludes on; and I never backs out when once I fixes a conclusion.
"Hears the infernal cur-dog's yelp, yelp, yelp, down in the swamp; then I creeps through the jungle so sly, lays low till the fellers cum up, all jumpin'-pig ahead, then dogs, niggers follerin', puffin' and blowin', eyes poppin' out, 'most out o' breath, just as if they tasted the sparerib afore they'd got the critter.
"Well, ye see, I know'd all the ins and outs of the law,--keeps mighty33 shy about all the judicial34 quibbles on't,--never takes nobody with me whose swearin' would stand muster35 in a court of law. All right on that score (Romescos exults36 in his law proficiency). I makes sure o' the dogs fust, ollers keepin' the double-barrel on the right eye for the best nigger in the lot. It would make the longest-faced deacon in the district laugh to see the fire flash out o' the nigger's big black eyes, when he sees the cur drop, knowin' how he'll get the next plugs souced into him. It's only natural, cos it would frighten a feller what warn't used to it just to see what a thunder-cloud of agitation37 the nigger screws his black face into. And then he starts to run, and puts it like streaks38 o' cannon-balls chased by express lightnin'.
"'Stand still, ye thievin' varmint! hold up,--bring to a mooring39: take the mixture according to Gunter!' I shouts. The way the nigger pulls up, begs, pleads, and says things what'll touch a feller's tender feelins, aint no small kind of an institution. 'Twould just make a man what had stretchy conscience think there was somethin' crooked40 somewhere. 'Well, boys,' says I, feeling a little soft about the stomach, 'seeing how it's yer Boss what don't feed ye, I'll be kind o' good, and give ye a dose of the mixture in an honourable way.' Then I loads t'other barrel, the feller's eyes flashin' streaks of blue lightnin' all the time, lookin' at how I rams41 it down, chunk! 'Now, boys,' says I, when the plugs shot is all ready, 'there's system 'bout12 this ere thing a' mine--t'aint killin' ye I wants,--don't care a copper42 about that (there an't no music in that), but must make it bring the finances out a' yer master's pocket. That's the place where he keeps all his morals. Now, run twenty paces and I'll gin ye a fair chance! The nigger understands me, ye see, and moves off, as if he expected a thunderbolt at his heel, lookin' back and whining43 like a puppy what's lost his mother. Just when he gets to an honourable distance,--say twenty paces, according to fighting rule,--I draws up, takes aim, and plumps the plugs into him. The way the critter jumps reminds me of a circus rider vaultin' and turnin' sumersets. You'd think he was inginrubber 'lectrified. A'ter all, I finds these playin' doses don't do; they don't settle things on the square. So I tries a little stronger mixture, which ends in killin' three o' Mack's niggers right up smooth. But the best on't is that Mack finds he han't no proof, goes right into it and kills three o' my prime fat niggers: that makes us bad friends on every score. But he got a nigger ahead o' me a'ter awhile, and I ware44 detarmined to straighten accounts, if it was by stealin' the odds45. Them ar's my principles, and that's just the way I settles accounts with folks what don't do the square thing in the way o' nigger property."
Thus the two gentlemen lived in the terror of internal war; and Romescos, seeing such a fine piece of property pass into the hands of his antagonist46, resolved on squaring accounts by stealing the preacher,--an act Mr. M'Fadden least expected.
The candidates' festival offered every facility for carrying this singular coup-d'etat into effect. Hence, with the skilful47 assistance of Nath. Nimrod, and Dan Bengal, Harry48 was very precipitately49 and dexterously50 passed over to the chances of a new phase of slave life.
Ellen waited patiently for Harry's return until it became evident some ill-luck had befallen him. Lantern in hand, she proceeds to the pen in search. No Harry is to be found there; Mr. M'Fadden's common negroes only are there, and they sleep sweetly and soundly. What can have befallen him? She conjectures51 many things, none of which are the right. The lock is upon the door; all is still outside; no traces of kidnapping can be found. She knows his faithfulness,-- knows he would not desert his master unless some foul52 means had been used to decoy him into trouble. She returns to the house and acquaints her master.
Straggling members, who had met to enjoy the generous political banquet, and who still remain to see the night "through" with appropriate honour, are apprised53 of the sudden disappearance54 of this very valuable piece of property. They are ready for any turn of excitement,--anything for "topping off" with a little amusement; and to this end they immediately gather round mine host in a party of pursuit. Romescos-he must make his innocence55 more imposing-has been conspicuous56 during the night, at times expressing sympathy for Mr. M'Fadden, and again assuring the company that he has known fifty worse cases cured. In order to make this better understood, he will pay the doctor's bill if M'Fadden dies. Mine host has no sooner given the alarm than Romescos expresses superlative surprise. He was standing57 in the centre of a conclave58 of men, whom he harangues59 on the particular political points necessary for the candidates to support in order to maintain the honour of the State; now he listens to mine host as he recounts the strange absence of the preacher, pauses and combs his long red beard with his fingers, looks distrustfully, and then says, with a quaintness60 that disarmed61 suspicion, "Nigger-like!-preacher or angel, nigger will be nigger! The idea o' makin' the black rascals62 preachers, thinkin' they won't run away! Now, fellers, that ar' chap's skulkin' about, not far off, out among the pines; and here's my two dogs"-he points to his dogs, stretched on the floor-"what'll scent him and bring him out afore ten minutes! Don't say a word to Mack about it; don't let it 'scape yer fly-trap, cos they say he's got a notion o' dying, and suddenly changed his feelins 'bout nigger tradin'. There's no tellin' how it would affect the old democrat63 if he felt he warnt goin' to slip his breeze. This child"-Romescos refers to himself-"felt just as Mack does more nor a dozen times, when Davy Jones looked as if he was making slight advances: a feller soon gets straight again, nevertheless. It's only the difference atween one's feelings about makin' money when he's well, and thinkin' how he made it when he's about to bid his friends good morning and leave town for awhile. Anyhow, there aint no dodging64 now, fellers! We got to hunt up the nigger afore daylight, so let us take a drop more and be moving." He orders the landlord to set on the decanters,--they join in a social glass, touch glasses to the recovery of the nigger, and then rush out to the pursuit. Romescos heads the party. With dogs, horses, guns, and all sorts of negro-hunting apparatus65, they scour66 the pinegrove, the swamp, and the heather. They make the pursuit of man full of interest to those who are fond of the chase; they allow their enthusiasm to bound in unison67 with the sharp baying of the dogs.
For more than two hours is this exhilarating sport kept up. It is sweet music to their ears; they have been trained (educated) to the fascination68 of a man-hunt, and dogs and men become wearied with the useless search.
Romescos declares the nigger is near at hand: he sees the dogs curl down their noses; he must be somewhere in a hole or jungle of the swamp, and, with more daylight and another dog or two, his apprehension69 is certain. He makes a halt on the brow of a hill, and addresses his fellow-hunters from the saddle. In his wisdom on nigger nature he will advise a return to the tavern-for it is now daylight-where they will spend another hour merrily, and then return brightened to the pursuit. Acting70 on this advice, friends and foes-both join as good fellows in the chase for a nigger-followed his retreat as they had his advance.
"No nigger preacher just about this circle, Major!" exclaims Romescos, addressing mine host, as he puts his head into the bar-room, on his return. "Feller's burrowed71 somewhere, like a coon: catch him on the broad end of morning, or I'll hang up my old double-barrel," he concludes, shaking his head, and ordering drink for the party at his expense.
The morning advanced, however, and nothing was to be seen of Romescos: he vanished as suddenly from among them as Harry had from the pen. Some little surprise is expressed by the knowing ones; they whisper among themselves, while mine host reaches over the counter, cants his head solicitously72, and says:--"What's that, gentlemen?"
In this dilemma73 they cannot inform mine host; they must continue the useless chase without Romescos' valuable services. And here we must leave mine host preparing further necessaries for capturing the lost property, that he may restore it to its owner so soon as he shall become convalescent, and turn to Harry.
Like a well-stowed bale of merchandise, to be delivered at a stated place within a specified74 time, he was rolled in bagging, and not permitted to see the direction in which he was being driven. When the pursuing party started from the crossing, Romescos took the lead in order to draw it in an opposite direction, and keep the dogs from the trail. This would allow the stolen clergyman to get beyond their reach. When daylight broke upon the capturers they were nearly twenty miles beyond the reach of the pursuers, approaching an inn by the road side. The waggon76 suddenly stopped, and Harry found himself being unrolled from his winding77 sheet by the hands of two strangers. Lifting him to his feet, they took him from the waggon, loosed the chains from his legs, led him into the house, and placed him in a dark back room. Here, his head being uncovered, he looks upon his captors with an air of confusion and distrust. "Ye know me too, I reckon, old feller, don't ye?" enquires78 one of the men, with a sardonic79 grin, as he lifts his hat with his left hand, and scratches his head with his right.
"Yes, mas'r; there's no mistakin on ye!" returns Harry, shaking his head, as they release the chains from his hands. He at length recognises the familiar faces of Dan Bengal and Nath. Nimrod. Both have figured about Marston's plantation, in the purchase and sale of negroes.
"Ye had a jolly good ride, old feller, had'nt ye?" says Bengal, exultingly80, looking Harry in the face, shrugging his shoulders, and putting out his hand to make his friendship.
Harry has no reply to make; but rubs his face as if he is not quite satisfied with his new apartment, and wants to know a little more of the motive81 of the expedition. "Mas'r! I don't seem to know myself, nor nothin'. Please tell me where I am going to, and who is to be my master? It will relieve my double troubles," he says, casting an enquiring82 look at Nimrod.
"Shook up yer parson-thinkin' some, I reckon, did'nt it, old chap?" returns Nimrod, laughing heartily83, but making no further reply. He thinks it was very much like riding in a railroad backwards84.
"Did my sick mas'r sell me to you?" again he enquires.
"No business o' yourn, that ain't; yer nigger-knowin ought to tell you how ye'd got into safe hands. We'll push along down south as soon as ye gets some feed. Put on a straight face, and face the music like a clever deacon, and we'll do the square in selling ye to a Boss what 'll let ye preach now and then. (Nimrod becomes very affectionate). Do the thing up righteous, and when yer sold there 'll be a five-dollar shiner for yerself. (He pats him on the head, and puts his arm over his shoulder.) Best t' have a little shot in a body's own pocket; now, shut up yer black bread-trap, and don't go makin a fuss about where yer goin' to: that's my business!"
Harry pauses as if in contemplation; he is struggling against his indignation excited by such remarks. He knew his old master's weaknesses, enjoyed his indulgences; but he had never been made to feel so acutely how degraded he could be as a mere85 article of trade. It would have been some consolation86 to know which way he was proceeding87, and why he had been so suddenly snatched from his new owner. Fate had not ordained88 this for him; oh no! He must resign himself without making any further enquiries; he must be nothing more than a nigger--happy nigger happily subdued89! Seating himself upon the floor, in a recumbent position, he drops his face on his knees,--is humbled90 among the humblest. He is left alone for some time, while his captors, retiring into an adjoining room, hold a consultation91.
Breakfast is being prepared, and much conversation is kept up in an inaudible tone of voice. Harry has an instinctive92 knowledge that it is about him, for he hears the words, "Peter! Peter!" his name must be transmogrified into "Peter!" In another minute he hears dishes rattling93 on the table, and Bengal distinctly complimenting the adjuncts, as he orders some for the nigger preacher. This excites his anxiety; he feels like placing his ear at the keyhole,--doing a little evesdropping. He is happily disappointed, however, for the door opens, and a black boy bearing a dish of homony enters, and, placing it before him, begs that he will help himself. Harry takes the plate and sets it beside him, as the strange boy watches him with an air of commiseration94 that enlists95 his confidence. "Ain't da'h somefin mo' dat I can bring ye?" enquires the boy, pausing for an answer.
"Nothing,--nothing more!"
Harry will venture to make some enquiries about the locality. "Do you belong to master what live here?" He puts out his hand, takes the other by the arm.
"Hard tellin who I belongs to. Buckra man own 'em to-day; ain't sartin if he own 'em to-morrow, dough96. What country-born nigger is you?"
"Down country! My poor old master's gone, and now I'm goin'; but God only knows where to. White man sell all old Boss's folks in a string,--my old woman and children among the rest. My heart is with them, God bless them!"
"Reckon how ya' had a right good old Boss what larn ye somethin." The boy listens to Harry with surprise. "Don't talk like dat down dis a way; no country-born nigger put in larn'd wods so, nohow," returns the boy, with a look of curious admiration97.
"But you harn't told me what place this is?"
"Dis 'ouse! e' ant nowhare when Buckra bring nigger what he want to sell, and don' want nobody to know whar e' bring him from. Dat man what bring ye here be great Buckra. De 'h way he lash25 nigger whin e' don do jist so!" The boy shakes his head with a warning air.
"How did you get here? There must be roads leading in some directions?"
"Roads runnin' every which way, yand'r; and trou de woods anyway, but mighty hard tellin whar he going to, he is. Mas'r Boss don lef 'e nigger know how 'e bring'um, nor how he takes 'um way. Guess da 'h gwine to run ye down country, so God bless you," says the boy, shaking him by the hand, and taking leave.
"Well! if I only knew which way I was going I should feel happy; because I could then write to my old master, somewhere or somehow. And I know my good friend Missus Rosebrook will buy me for her plantation,--I know she will. She knows my feelings, and in her heart wouldn't see me abused, she wouldn't! I wish I knew who my master is, where I am, and to whom I'm going to be sold next. I think new master has stolen me, thinking old master was going to die," Harry mutters to himself, commencing his breakfast, but still applying his listening faculties98 to the conversation in the next room. At length, after a long pause, they seem to have finished breakfast and taken up the further consideration of his sale.
"I don't fear anything of the kind! Romescos is just the keenest fellow that can be scared up this side of Baltimore. He never takes a thing o' this stamp in hand but what he puts it through," says Bengal, in a whispering tone.
"True! the trouble's in his infernal preaching; that's the devil of niggers having intelligence. Can do anything in our way with common niggers what don't know nothin'; but when the critters can do clergy75, and preach, they'll be sending notes to somebody they know as acquaintances. An intelligent nigger's a bad article when ye want to play off in this way," replies the other, curtly99.
"Never mind," returns Bengal, "can't ollers transpose a nigger, as easy as turnin' over a sixpence, specially28 when he don't have his ideas brightened. Can't steer100 clar on't. Larnin's mighty dangerous to our business, Nath.-better knock him on the head at once; better end him and save a sight of trouble. It'll put a stopper on his preaching, this pesks exercisin' his ideas."
A third interrupts. "Thinks such a set of chicken-hearted fellows won't do when it comes to cases of 'mergency like this. He will just make clergyman Peter Somebody the deacon; and with this honorary title he'll put him through to Major Wiley's plantation, when he'll be all right down in old Mississippi. The Colonel and he, understanding the thing, can settle it just as smooth as sunrise. The curate is what we call a right clever fellow, would make the tallest kind of a preacher, and pay first-rate per centage on himself." Bengal refers to Harry. His remarks are, indeed, quite applicable. "I've got the dockerment, ye see, all prepared; and we'll put him through without a wink," he concludes, in a measured tone of voice.
The door of Harry's room opens, and the three enter together. "Had a good breakfast, old feller, hain't ye?" says Nimrod, approaching with hand extended, and patting him on the head with a child's playfulness. "I kind o' likes the looks on ye" (a congratulatory smile curls over his countenance), "old feller; and means to do the square thing in the way o' gettin' on ye a good Boss. Put on the Lazarus, and no nigger tricks on the road. I'm sorry to leave ye on the excursion, but here's the gentleman what'll see ye through,--will put ye through to old Mississip just as safe as if ye were a nugget of gold." Nimrod introduces Harry to a short gentleman with a bald head, and very smooth, red face. His dress is of brown homespun, a garb101 which would seem peculiar to those who do the villainy of the peculiar institution. The gentleman has a pair of handcuffs in his left hand, with which he will make his pious102 merchandise safe. Stepping forward, he places the forefinger103 of his right hand on the preacher's forehead, and reads him a lesson which he must get firm into his thinking shell. It is this. "Now, at this very time, yer any kind of a nigger; but a'ter this ar' ye got to be a Tennessee nigger, raised in a pious Tennessee family. And yer name is Peter-Peter-Peter!-don't forget the Peter: yer a parson, and ought t' keep the old apostle what preached in the marketplace in yer noddle. Peter, ye see, is a pious name, and Harry isn't; so ye must think Peter and sink Harry."
"What do I want to change my name for? Old master give me that name long time ago!"
"None o' yer business; niggers ain't t' know the philosophy of such things. No nigger tricks, now!" interrupts Bengal, quickly, drawing his face into savage104 contortions105. At this the gentleman in whose charge he will proceed steps forward and places the manacles on Harry's hands with the coolness and indifference106 of one executing the commonest branch of his profession. Thus packed and baled for export, he is hurried from the house into a two-horse waggon, and driven off at full speed. Bengal watches the waggon as it rolls down the highway and is lost in the distance. He laughs heartily, thinks how safe he has got the preacher, and how much hard cash he will bring. God speed the slave on his journey downward, we might add.
It will be needless for us to trace them through the many incidents of their journey; our purpose will be served when we state that his new guardian107 landed him safely at the plantation of Major Wiley, on the Tallahatchee River, Mississippi, on the evening of the fourth day after their departure, having made a portion of their passage on the steamer Ohio. By some process unknown to Harry he finds himself duly ingratiated among the major's field hands, as nothing more than plain Peter. He is far from the high-road, far from his friends, without any prospect108 of communicating with his old master. The major, in his way, seems a well-disposed sort of man, inclined to "do right" by his negroes, and willing to afford them an opportunity of employing their time after task, for their own benefit. And yet it is evident that he must in some way be connected with Graspum and his party, for there is a continual interchange of negroes to and from his plantation. This, however, we must not analyse too closely, but leave to the reader's own conjectures, inasmuch as Major Wiley is a very distinguished109 gentleman, and confidently expects a very prominent diplomatic appointment under the next administration.
Harry, in a very quiet way, sets himself about gaining a knowledge of his master's opinions on religion, as well as obtaining his confidence by strict fidelity110 to his interests. So far does he succeed, that in a short time he finds himself holding the respectable and confidential111 office of master of stores. Then he succeeds in inducing his master to hear him preach a sermon to his negroes. The major is perfectly112 willing to allow him the full exercise of his talents, and is moved to admiration at his fervency113, his aptitude114, his knowledge of the Bible, and the worth there must be in such a piece of clergy property. Master Wiley makes his man the offer of purchasing his time, which Harry, under the alias115 of Peter, accepts, and commences his mission of preaching on the neighbouring plantations116.
Ardently117 and devoutedly does he pursue his mission of Christianity among his fellow-bondmen; but he has reaped little of the harvest to himself, his master having so increased the demand for his time that he can scarcely save money enough to purchase clothes. At first he was only required to pay six dollars a week; now, nothing less than ten is received. It is a happy premium118 on profitable human nature; and through it swings the strongest hinge of that cursed institution which blasts alike master and slave. Major Wiley is very chivalrous, very hospitable119, and very eminent120 for his many distinguished qualifications; but his very pious piece of property must pay forty-seven per cent. annual tribute for the very hospitable privilege of administering the Word of God to his brother bondmen. Speak not of robed bishops121 robbing Christianity in a foreign land, ye men who deal in men, and would rob nature of its tombstone! Ye would rob the angels did their garments give forth122 gold.
The poor fellow's income, depending, in some measure, upon small presents bestowed123 by the negroes to whom he preached, was scarcely enough to bring him out at the end of the week, and to be thus deprived of it seemed more than his spirits could bear. Again and again had he appealed to his master for justice; but there was no justice for him,--his appeals proved as fruitless as the wind, on his master's callous124 sensibilities. Instead of exciting compassion125, he only drew upon him his master's prejudices; he was threatened with being sold, if he resisted for a day the payment of wages for his own body. Hence he saw but one alternative left-one hope, one smile from a good woman, who might, and he felt would, deliver him; that was in writing to his good friend, Mrs. Rosebrook, whose generous heart he might touch through his appeals for mercy. And yet there was another obstacle; the post-office might be ten miles off, and his master having compelled him to take the name of Peter Wiley, how was he to get a letter to her without the knowledge of his master? Should his letter be intercepted126, his master, a strict disciplinarian, would not only sell him farther south, but inflict127 the severest punishment. Nevertheless, there was one consolation left; his exertions128 on behalf of the slaves, and his earnestness in promoting the interests of their masters, had not passed unnoticed with the daughter of a neighbouring planter (this lady has since distinguished herself for sympathy with the slave), who became much interested in his welfare. She had listened to his exhortations129 with admiration; she had listened to his advice on religion, and become his friend and confidant. She would invite him to her father's house, sit for hours at his side, and listen with breathless attention to his pathos130, his display of natural genius. To her he unfolded his deep and painful troubles; to her he looked for consolation; she was the angel of light guiding him on his weary way, cheering his drooping131 soul on its journey to heaven. To her he disclosed how he had been called to the bedside of his dying master; how, previously132, he had been sold from his good old master, Marston, his wife, his children; how he was mysteriously carried off and left in the charge of his present master, who exacts all he can earn.
The simple recital133 of his story excites the genial134 feelings of the young lady; she knows some foul transaction is associated with his transition, and at once tenders her services to release him. But she must move cautiously, for even Harry's preaching is in direct violation135 of the statutes136; and were she found aiding in that which would unfavourably affect the interests of his master she would be subjected to serious consequences-perhaps be invited to spend a short season at the sheriff's hotel, commonly called the county gaol137. However, there was virtue138 in the object to be served, and feeling that whatever else she could do to relieve him would be conferring a lasting139 benefit on a suffering mortal, she will brave the attempt.
"Tell me he is not a man, but a slave! tell me a being with such faculties should be thus sunken beneath the amenities140 of freedom! that man may barter141 almighty142 gifts for gold! trample143 his religion into dust, and turn it into dollars and cents! What a mockery is this against the justice of heaven! When this is done in this our happy land of happy freedom, scoffers may make it their foot-ball, and kings in their tyranny may point the finger of scorn at us, and ask us for our honest men, our cherished freedom!
"Woman can do something, if she will; let me see what I can do to relieve this poor oppressed," she exclaims one day, after he has consulted her on the best means of relief. "I will try."
Woman knows the beatings of the heart; she can respond more quickly to its pains and sorrows. Our youthful missionary144 will sit down and write a letter to Mrs. Rosebrook-she will do something, the atmosphere of slavery will hear of her yet-it will!
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bidders
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inveterate
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| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
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3
plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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4
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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5
systematic
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| adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的 | |
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6
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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7
famished
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| adj.饥饿的 | |
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8
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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9
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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11
foraging
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| v.搜寻（食物），尤指动物觅（食）( forage的现在分词 )；（尤指用手）搜寻（东西） | |
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12
bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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13
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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14
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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15
hogs
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| n.（尤指喂肥供食用的）猪( hog的名词复数 )；（供食用的）阉公猪；彻底地做某事；自私的或贪婪的人 | |
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16
hog
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| n.猪；馋嘴贪吃的人；vt.把…占为己有，独占 | |
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17
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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18
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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19
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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20
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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21
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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22
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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23
malady
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| n.病，疾病(通常做比喻) | |
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24
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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25
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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26
screwdriver
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| n.螺丝起子；伏特加橙汁鸡尾酒 | |
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27
chunk
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| n.厚片，大块，相当大的部分（数量） | |
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28
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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29
daggers
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| 匕首，短剑( dagger的名词复数 ) | |
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30
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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31
yelp
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| vi.狗吠 | |
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32
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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33
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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34
judicial
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| adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的 | |
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35
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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36
exults
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的第三人称单数 ) | |
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37
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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38
streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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39
mooring
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| n.停泊处；系泊用具，系船具；下锚v.停泊，系泊（船只）(moor的现在分词) | |
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40
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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41
rams
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| n.公羊( ram的名词复数 )；(R-)白羊（星）座；夯；攻城槌v.夯实（土等）( ram的第三人称单数 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
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42
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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43
whining
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| n. 抱怨，牢骚 v. 哭诉，发牢骚 | |
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44
ware
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| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
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45
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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46
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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47
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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48
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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49
precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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50
dexterously
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| adv.巧妙地，敏捷地 | |
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51
conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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52
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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53
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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54
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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55
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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56
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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57
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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58
conclave
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| n.秘密会议，红衣主教团 | |
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59
harangues
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| n.高谈阔论的长篇演讲( harangue的名词复数 )v.高谈阔论( harangue的第三人称单数 ) | |
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60
quaintness
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| n.离奇有趣，古怪的事物 | |
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61
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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62
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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63
democrat
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| n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员 | |
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64
dodging
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| n.避开，闪过，音调改变v.闪躲( dodge的现在分词 )；回避 | |
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65
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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66
scour
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| v.搜索；擦，洗，腹泻，冲刷 | |
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67
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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68
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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69
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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70
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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71
burrowed
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| v.挖掘（洞穴），挖洞( burrow的过去式和过去分词 )；翻寻 | |
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72
solicitously
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| adv.热心地，热切地 | |
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73
dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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74
specified
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| adj.特定的 | |
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75
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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76
waggon
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| n.运货马车，运货车；敞篷车箱 | |
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77
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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78
enquires
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| 打听( enquire的第三人称单数 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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79
sardonic
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| adj.嘲笑的，冷笑的，讥讽的 | |
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80
exultingly
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| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
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81
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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82
enquiring
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| a.爱打听的，显得好奇的 | |
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83
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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84
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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85
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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86
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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87
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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88
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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89
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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90
humbled
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| adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低 | |
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91
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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92
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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93
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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94
commiseration
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| n.怜悯，同情 | |
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95
enlists
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| v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的第三人称单数 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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96
dough
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| n.生面团；钱，现款 | |
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97
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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98
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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99
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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100
steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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101
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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102
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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103
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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104
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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105
contortions
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| n.扭歪，弯曲；扭曲，弄歪，歪曲( contortion的名词复数 ) | |
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106
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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107
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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108
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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109
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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110
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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111
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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112
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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113
fervency
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| n.热情的；强烈的；热烈 | |
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114
aptitude
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| n.(学习方面的)才能，资质，天资 | |
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115
alias
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| n.化名；别名；adv.又名 | |
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116
plantations
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| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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117
ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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118
premium
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| n.加付款；赠品；adj.高级的；售价高的 | |
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119
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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120
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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121
bishops
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| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
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122
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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123
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
callous
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| adj.无情的，冷淡的，硬结的，起老茧的 | |
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125
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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126
intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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127
inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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128
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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129
exhortations
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| n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 )；极力推荐；（正式的）演讲；（宗教仪式中的）劝诫 | |
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130
pathos
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| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
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131
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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132
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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133
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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134
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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135
violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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136
statutes
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| 成文法( statute的名词复数 )； 法令； 法规； 章程 | |
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137
gaol
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| n.(jail)监狱；(不加冠词)监禁；vt.使…坐牢 | |
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138
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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139
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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140
amenities
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| n.令人愉快的事物；礼仪；礼节；便利设施；礼仪( amenity的名词复数 )；便利设施；（环境等的）舒适；（性情等的）愉快 | |
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141
barter
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| n.物物交换，以货易货，实物交易 | |
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142
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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143
trample
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| vt.踩，践踏；无视，伤害，侵犯 | |
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144
missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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