Двенадцать лет рабства

           Hewasleavingthefriendsandassociationsofhisyouth—everythingthatwasdearandprecioustohisheart—inallprobabilitynevertoreturn. HeandElizamingledtheirtearstogether,bemoaningtheircruelfate. Formyownpart,difficultasitwas,Iendeavoredtokeepupmyspirits. Iresolvedinmymindahundredplansofescape,andfullydeterminedtomaketheattemptthefirstdesperatechancethatoffered. Ihadbythistimebecomesatisfied,however,thatmytruepolicywastosaynothingfurtheronthesubjectofmyhavingbeenbornafreeman. Itwouldbutexposemetomal-treatment,anddiminishthechancesofliberation. 

           Aftersunriseinthemorningwewerecalledupondecktobreakfast. Burchtookourhand-cuffsoff,andwesatdowntotable. HeaskedElizaifshewouldtakeadram. Shedeclined,thankinghimpolitely. Duringthemealwewereallsilent—notawordpassedbetweenus. Amulattowomanwhoservedattableseemedtotakeaninterestinourbehalf—toldustocheerup,andnottobesocastdown. Breakfastover,thehand-cuffswererestored,andBurchorderedusoutonthesterndeck. Wesatdowntogetheronsomeboxes,stillsayingnothinginBurch’spresence. Occasionallyapassengerwouldwalkouttowherewewere,lookatusforawhile,thensilentlyreturn. 

           Itwasaverypleasantmorning. Thefieldsalongtheriverwerecoveredwithverdure,farinadvanceofwhatIhadbeenaccustomedtoseeatthatseasonoftheyear. Thesunshoneoutwarmly;thebirdsweresinginginthetrees. Thehappybirds—Ienviedthem. Iwishedforwingslikethem,thatImightcleavetheairtowheremybirdlingswaitedvainlyfortheirfather’scoming,inthecoolerregionoftheNorth.