Двенадцать лет рабства

           "Thisisnowayofdealingwiththem,whenfirstbroughtintothecountry. Itwillhaveaperniciousinfluence,andsetthemallrunningaway. Theswampswillbefullofthem. Alittlekindnesswouldbefarmoreeffectualinrestrainingthem,andrenderingthemobedient,thantheuseofsuchdeadlyweapons. Everyplanteronthebayoushouldfrownuponsuchinhumanity. Itisfortheinterestofalltodoso. Itisevidentenough,Mr.Tibeats,thatyouandPlattcannotlivetogether. Youdislikehim,andwouldnothesitatetokillhim,andknowingit,hewillrunfromyouagainthroughfearofhislife. Now,Tibeats,youmustsellhim,orhirehimout,atleast. Unlessyoudoso,Ishalltakemeasurestogethimoutofyourpossession." 

           InthisspiritFordaddressedhimtheremainderofthedistance. Iopenednotmymouth. Onreachingtheplantationtheyenteredthegreathouse,whileIrepairedtoEliza’scabin. Theslaveswereastonishedtofindmethere,onreturningfromthefield,supposingIwasdrowned. Thatnight,again,theygatheredaboutthecabintolistentothestoryofmyadventure. TheytookitforgrantedIwouldbewhipped,andthatitwouldbesevere,thewell-knownpenaltyofrunningawaybeingfivehundredlashes. 

           "Poorfellow,"saidEliza,takingmebythehand,"itwouldhavebeenbetterforyouifyouhaddrowned. Youhaveacruelmaster,andhewillkillyouyet,Iamafraid."