Двенадцать лет рабства

           Agreatmanysuggestionswerenowmade,andagreatdealofconversationtookplacebetweenus,astothemostsafeandpropercoursetopursueonreceiptofthefreepapers. Theywouldstandbetweenhimandharm,incasewewereovertakenandarrestedleavingthecountryaltogether. Itwouldbenoinfringementoflaw,howevermuchitmightprovokeindividualhostility,toassistafreemantoregainhisfreedom. 

           AttheendoffourweekshewasagainatMarksville,butnoanswerhadarrived. Iwassorelydisappointed,butstillreconciledmyselfwiththereflectionthatsufficientlengthoftimehadnotyetelapsed—thattheremighthavebeendelays—andthatIcouldnotreasonablyexpectonesosoon. Six,seven,eight,andtenweekspassedby,however,andnothingcame. IwasinafeverofsuspensewheneverBassvisitedMarksville,andcouldscarcelyclosemyeyesuntilhisreturn. Finallymymaster’shousewasfinished,andthetimecamewhenBassmustleaveme. ThenightbeforehisdepartureIwaswhollygivenuptodespair. Ihadclungtohimasadrowningmanclingstothefloatingspar,knowingifitslipsfromhisgrasphemustforeversinkbeneaththewaves. Theall-glorioushope,uponwhichIhadlaidsucheagerhold,wascrumblingtoashesinmyhands. Ifeltasifsinkingdown,down,amidstthebitterwatersofSlavery,fromtheunfathomabledepthsofwhichIshouldneverriseagain. 

           Thegenerousheartofmyfriendandbenefactorwastouchedwithpityatthesightofmydistress.