Двенадцать лет рабства

           Ilearnedtheparticularsrelativetoherdeparturefromthisworld,fromsomeofCompton’sslaves,whohadcomeoverRedRivertothebayou,toassistyoungMadamTannerduringthe"busyseason." Shebecameatlength,theysaid,utterlyhelpless,forseveralweekslyingonthegroundfloorinadilapidatedcabin,dependentuponthemercyofherfellow-thrallsforanoccasionaldropofwater,andamorseloffood. Hermasterdidnot"knockheronthehead,"asissometimesdonetoputasufferinganimaloutofmisery,butleftherunprovidedfor,andunprotected,tolingerthroughalifeofpainandwretchednesstoitsnaturalclose. Whenthehandsreturnedfromthefieldonenighttheyfoundherdead! Duringtheday,theAngeloftheLord,whomovethinvisiblyoveralltheearth,gatheringinhisharvestofdepartingsouls,hadsilentlyenteredthecabinofthedyingwoman,andtakenherfromthence. Shewasfreeatlast! 

           Nextday,rollingupmyblanket,IstartedonmyreturntotheBigCane. Aftertravelingfivemiles,ataplacecalledHuffPower,theever-presentTibeatsmetmeintheroad. HeinquiredwhyIwasgoingbacksosoon,andwheninformedIwasanxioustoreturnbythetimeIwasdirected,hesaidIneedgonofartherthanthenextplantation,ashehadthatdaysoldmetoEdwinEpps. Wewalkeddownintotheyard,wherewemetthelattergentleman,whoexaminedme,andaskedmetheusualquestionspropoundedbypurchasers. Havingbeendulydeliveredover,Iwasorderedtothequarters,andatthesametimedirectedtomakeahoeandaxehandleformyself.