CHAPTERXVII
CLOTELLE。
THEcurtainrisessevenyearsafterthedeathofIsabella。Duringthatinterval,Henry,findingthatnothingcouldinducehismother-in-lawtorelinquishherholdonpoorlittleClotelle,andnotlikingtocontendwithoneonwhomafuturefortunedepended,graduallylostallinterestinthechild,andlefthertoherfate。
AlthoughMrs。MillertreatedClotellewithadegreeofharshnessscarcelyequalled,whenappliedtoonesotenderinyears,stillthechildgreweverydaymorebeautiful,andherhair,thoughkeptcloselycut,seemedtohaveimprovedinitssoft,silk-likeappearance。Nowtwelveyearsofage,andmorethanusuallywell-developed,herharsholdmistressbegantoviewherwithajealouseye。
HenryandGertrudehadjustreturnedfromWashington,wherethehusbandhadbeenonhisdutiesasamemberofCongress,andwherehehadremainedduringtheprecedingthreeyearswithoutreturninghome。Itwasonabeautifulevening,justattwilight,whileseatedathisparlorwindow,thatHenrysawayoungwomanpassbyandgointothekitchen。Notawareofeverhavingseenthepersonbefore,hemadeanerrandintothecook’sdepartmenttoseewhothegirlwas。He,however,metherinthehall,asshewasaboutgoingout。
\"Whomdidyouwishtosee?\"heinquired。
\"MissGertrude,\"wasthereply。
\"Whatdidyouwanttoseeherfor?\"heagainasked。
\"MymistresstoldmetogiveherandMasterHenryhercompliments,andaskthemtocomeoverandspendtheevening。\"
\"Whoisyourmistress?\"heeagerlyinquired。
\"Mrs。Miller,sir,\"respondedthegirl。
\"Andwhat’syourname?\"askedHenry,withatremblingvoice。
\"Clotelle,sir,\"wasthereply。
Theastonishedfatherstoodcompletelyamazed,lookingatthenowwomanlyformofherwho,inhishappierdays,hehadtakenonhiskneewithsomuchfondnessandalacrity。ItwasthenthathesawhisownandIsabella’sfeaturescombinedinthebeautifulfacethathewasthenbeholding。Itwasthenthathewascarriedbacktothedayswhenwithawoman’sdevotion,poorIsabellahungabouthisneckandtoldhimhowlonelywerethehoursinhisabsence。Hecouldstanditnolonger。Tearsrushedtohiseyes,andturninguponhisheel,hewentbacktohisownroom。ItwasthenthatIsabellawasrevenged;andshenodoubtlookedsmilinglydownfromherhomeinthespirit-landonthescenebelow。
OnGertrude’sreturnfromhershoppingtour,shefoundHenryinamelancholymood,andsoonlearneditscause。AsGertrudehadbornehimnochildren,itwasbutnatural,thatheshouldnowfeelhislovecenteringinClotelle,andhenowintimatedtohiswifehisdeterminationtoremovehisdaughterfromthehandsofhismother-in-law。
WhenthisnewsreachedMrs。Miller,throughherdaughter,shebecamefuriouswithrage,andcallingClotelleintoherroom,strippedhershouldersbareandfloggedherinthepresenceofGertrude。
Itwasnearlyaweekafterthepoorgirlhadbeensoseverelywhippedandfornocausewhatever,thatherfatherlearnedofthecircumstancethroughoneoftheservants。Withadegreeofboldnessunusualforhim,heimmediatelywenttohismother-in-lawanddemandedhischild。Butitwastoolate,——shewasgone。Towhatplaceshehadbeensentnoonecouldtell,andMrs。Millerrefusedtogiveanyinformationwhateverrelativetothegirl。
ItwasthenthatLinwoodfeltdeepesttheeviloftheinstitutionunderwhichhewasliving;forheknewthathisdaughterwouldbeexposedtoallthevicesprevalentinthatpartofthecountrywheremarriageisnotrecognizedinconnectionwiththatclass。
CHAPTERXVIII
ASLAVE-HUNTINGPARSON。
ITwasadelightfuleveningafteracloudlessday,withthesettingsunreflectinghisgoldenraysonthesurroundinghillswhichwerecoveredwithabeautifulgreensward,andtheluxuriantverdurethatformstheconstantgarbofthetropics,thatthesteamerColumbiaranintothedockatNatchez,andbeganunloadingthecargo,takinginpassengersandmakingreadytoproceedonhervoyagetoNewOrleans。Theplankconnectingtheboatwiththeshorehadscarcelybeensecuredinitsplace,whenagood-lookingmanaboutfiftyyearsofage,withawhiteneck-tie,andapairofgold-rimmedglasseson,wasseenhurryingonboardthevessel。
Justatthatmomentcouldbeseenastoutmanwithhisfacepittedwiththesmall-pox,makinghiswayuptotheabove-mentionedgentleman。
\"Howdoyoudo,mydearsir?thisisMr。Wilson,Ibelieve,\"saidtheshortman,atthesametimetakingfromhismouthalargechewoftobacco,andthrowingitdownontheship’sdeck。
\"Youhavetheadvantageofme,sir,\"repliedthetallman。
\"Why,don’tyouknowme?MynameisJennings;Isoldyouasplendidnegrowomansomeyearsago。\"
\"Yes,yes,\"answeredtheNatchezman。\"Irememberyounow,forthewomandiedinafewmonths,andInevergottheworthofmymoneyoutofher。\"
\"Icouldnothelpthat,\"returnedtheslave-trader;\"shewasassoundasaroachwhenIsoldhertoyou。\"
\"Oh,yes,\"repliedtheparson,\"Iknowshewas;butnowIwantayounggirl,fitforhouseuse,——onethatwilldotowaitonalady。\"
\"Iamyourman,\"saidJennings,\"justfollowme,\"continuedhe,\"andIwillshowyouthefairestlittlecritteryoueversaw。\"Andthetwopassedtothesternoftheboattowherethetraderhadbetweenfiftyandsixtyslaves,thegreaterportionbeingwomen。
\"There,\"saidJennings,asabeautifulyoungwomanshrunkbackwithmodesty。\"There,sir,istheverygalthatwasmadeforyou。Ifshehadbeenmadetoyourorder,shecouldnothavesuitedyoubetter。\"
\"Indeed,sir,isnotthatyoungwomanwhite?\"inquiredtheparson。
\"Oh,no,sir;sheisnowhiterthanyousee!\"
\"Butissheaslave?\"askedthepreacher。
\"Yes,\"saidthetrader,\"IboughtherinRichmond,andshecomesfromanexcellentfamily。ShewasraisedbySquireMiller,andhermistresswasoneofthemostpiousladiesinthatcity,Imaysay;
shewasthesaltoftheearth,astheministerssay。\"
\"ButsheresemblesinsomerespectAgnes,thewomanIboughtfromyou,\"saidMr。Wilson。AshesaidthenameofAgnes,theyoungwomanstartedasifshehadbeenstruck。Herpulseseemedtoquicken,butherfacealternatelyflushedandturnedpale,andtearstrembleduponhereyelids。Itwasanameshehadheardhermothermention,anditbroughttohermemorythosedays,——thosehappydays,whenshewassolovedandcaressed。ThisyoungwomanwasClotelle,thegranddaughterofAgnes。Thepreacher,onlearningthefact,purchasedher,andtookherhome,feelingthathisdaughterGeorgianawouldprizeherveryhighly。ClotellefoundinGeorgianamoreasisterthanamistress,who,unknowntoherfather,taughttheslave-girlhowtoread,anddidmuchtowardimprovingandrefiningClotelle’smanners,forherownsake。Likehermotherfondofflowers,the\"VirginiaMaid,\"asshewassometimescalled,spentmanyofherleisurehoursinthegarden。
Besidetheflowerswhichsprangupfromthefertilityofsoilunplantedandunattended,therewastheheliotrope,sweet-pea,andcup-rose,transplantedfromtheislandofCuba。InhernewhomeClotellefoundherselfsalutedonallsidesbythefragranceofthemagnolia。WhenshewentwithheryoungmistresstothePoplarFarm,asshesometimesdid,nature’swildluxuriancegreetedher,wherevershecasthereyes。
Therustlingcitron,lime,andorange,shadymangowithitsfruitsofgold,andthepalmetto’sumbrageousbeauty,allwelcomedthechildofsorrow。Whenatthefarm,Huckelby,theoverseer,kepthiseyeonClotelleifwithinsightofher,forheknewshewasaslave,andnodoubthopedthatshemightsomedayfallintohishands。Butsheshrankfromhislooksasshewouldhavedonefromthecharmoftherattlesnake。Thenegro-driveralwaystriedtoinsinuatehimselfintothegoodopinionofGeorgianaandthecompanythatshebrought。KnowingthatMissWilsonathearthatedslavery,hewasevertryingtoshowthattheslavesunderhischargewerehappyandcontented。Oneday,whenGeorgianaandsomeofherConnecticutfriendswerethere,theoverseercalledalltheslavesuptothe\"greathouse,\"andsetsomeoftheyoungonestodancing。Afterawhilewhiskeywasbroughtinandadramgiventoeachslave,inreturnforwhichtheywereexpectedtogiveatoast,orsingashortpieceofhisowncomposition;whenitcametoJack’sturnhesaid,——
\"Thebigbeeflieshigh,thelittlebeemakesthehoney:theblackfolksmakethecotton,andthewhitefolksgetsthemoney。\"
Ofcourse,theoverseerwasnotatallelatedwiththesentimentcontainedinJack’stoast。Mr。Wilsonhadlatelypurchasedayoungmantoassistaboutthehouseandtoactascoachman。Thisslave,whosenamewasJerome,wasofpureAfricanorigin,wasperfectlyblack,veryfine-looking,tall,slim,anderectasanyonecouldpossiblybe。Hisfeatureswerenotbad,lipsthin,noseprominent,handsandfeetsmall。Hisbrilliantblackeyeslighteduphiswholecountenance。Hishairwhichwasnearlystraight,hungincurlsuponhisloftybrow。GeorgeCombeorFowlerwouldhaveselectedhisheadforamodel。Hewasbraveanddaring,stronginperson,fieryinspirit,yetkindandtrueinhisaffections,earnestinhisdoctrines。Clotellehadbeenattheparson’sbutafewweekswhenitwasobservedthatamutualfeelinghadgrownupbetweenherandJerome。Astimerolledon,theybecamemoreandmoreattachedtoeachother。Aftersatisfyingherselfthatthesetworeallyloved,Georgianaadvisedtheirmarriage。ButJeromecontemplatedhisescapeatsomefutureday,andthereforefearedthatifmarrieditmightmilitateagainstit。Hehoped,also,tobeabletogetClotelleawaytoo,anditwasthishopethatkepthimfromtryingtoescapebyhimself。DantedidnotmorelovehisBeatrice,SwifthisStella,WallerhisSaccharissa,GoldsmithhisJessamybride,orBumshisMary,thandidJeromehisClotelle。
Unknowntoherfather,MissWilsoncouldpermitthesetwoslavestoenjoymoreprivilegesthananyoftheotherservants。TheyoungmistresstaughtClotelle,andthelatterimpartedherinstructionstoherlover,untilbothcouldreadsoastobewellunderstood。
Jeromefelthissuperiority,andalwaysdeclaredthatnomastershouldeverfloghim。Awareofhishighspiritanddetermination,Clotellewasinconstantfearlestsomedifficultymightarisebetweenherloverandhismaster。
OnedayMr。Wilson,beingsomewhatoutoftemperandirritatedatwhathewaspleasedtocallJerome’sinsolence,orderedhimtofollowhimtothebarntobeflogged。Theyoungslaveobeyedhismaster,butthosewhosawhimatthemomentfeltthathewouldnotsubmittobewhipped。
\"No,sir,\"repliedJerome,ashismastertoldhimtotakeoffhiscoat:\"Iwillserveyou,MasterWilson,Iwilllaborforyoudayandnight,ifyoudemandit,butIwillnotbewhipped。\"
Thiswastoomuchforawhitemantostandfromanegro,andthepreacherseizedhisslavebythethroat,intendingtochokehim。
Butforoncehefoundhismatch。Jeromeknockedhimdown,andthenescapedthroughtheback-yardtothestreet,andfromthencetothewoods。
Recoveringsomewhatfromtheeffectofhisfall,theparsonregainedhisfeetandstartedinpursuitofthefugitive。Finding,however,thattheslavewasbeyondhisreach,heatonceresolvedtoputthedogsonhistrack。Tabor,thenegro-catcher,wassentfor,andinlessthananhour,eightortenmen,includingtheparson,wereinthewoodswithhounds,tryingthetrails。Thesedogswillattackanegroattheirmaster’sbidding;andclingtohimasthebull-dogwillclingtoabeast。Manyarethespeculationsastowhetherthenegrowillbesecuredaliveordead,whenthesedogsoncegetonhistrack。Wheneverthereistobeanegrohunt,thereisnolackofparticipants。Manygotoenjoythefunwhichitissaidtheyderivefromthesescenes。
Thecompanyhadbeeninthewoodsbutashorttimeeretheygotonthetrackoftwofugitives,oneofwhomwasJerome。Theslavesimmediatelybenttheirstepstowardtheswamp,withthehopethatthedogs,whenputupontheirscentwouldbeunabletofollowthemthroughthewater。
TheslavesthentookastraightcoursefortheBatonRougeandBayouSararoad,aboutfourmilesdistant。Nearerandnearerthewhimperingpackpressedon;theirdelusionbeginstodispel。Allatoncethetruthflashesuponthemindsofthefugitiveslikeaglareoflight,——’tisTaborwithhisdogs!
Thescentbecomeswarmerandwarmer,andwhatwasatfirstanirregularcrynowdeepensintooneceaselessroar,astherelentlesspackpressesonafteritshumanprey。
Theyatlastreachtheriver,andinthenegroesplunge,followedbythecatch-dog。Jeromeiscaughtandisoncemoreinthehandsofhismaster,whiletheotherpoorfellowfindsawaterygrave。
Theyreturn,andthepreachersendshisslavetojail。
CHAPTERXIX
THETRUEHEROINE。
INvaindidGeorgianatrytoconsoleClotelle,whenthelatterheard,throughoneoftheotherslaves,thatMr。WilsonhadstartedwiththedogsinpursuitofJerome。Thepoorgirlwellknewthathewouldbecaught,andthatseverepunishment,ifnotdeath,wouldbetheresultofhiscapture。Itwasthereforewithaheartfilledwiththedeepestgriefthattheslave-girlheardthefootstepsofhermasteronhisreturnfromthechase。Thedoggedandsternmannerofthepreacherforbadeevenhisdaughterinquiringastothesuccessofhispursuit。Georgianasecretlyhopedthatthefugitivehadnotbeencaught;shewisheditforthesakeoftheslave,andmoreespeciallyforhermaid-servant,whomsheregardedmoreasacompanionthanamenial。ButthenewsofthecaptureofJeromesoonspreadthroughtheparson’shousehold,andfounditswaytotheearsoftheweepingandheart-strickenClotelle。
ThereverendgentlemanhadnotbeenhomemorethananhourerecomeofhisparishionerscalledtoknowiftheyshouldnottakethenegrofromtheprisonandexecuteLynchlawuponhim。
\"Nonegroshouldbepermittedtoliveafterstrikingawhiteman;
letustakehimandhanghimatonce,\"remarkedanelderly-lookingman,whosegrayhairsthinlycoveredthecrownofhishead。
\"Ithinkthedeaconisright,\"saidanotherofthecompany;\"ifourslavesareallowedtosetthewilloftheirmastersatdefiance,therewillbenogettingalongwiththem,——aninsurrectionwillbethenextthingwehearof。\"
\"No,no,\"saidthepreacher;\"Iamwillingtoletthelawtakeitscourse,asitprovidesforthepunishmentofaslavewithdeathifhestrikeshismaster。Wehadbetterletthecourtdecidethequestion。Moreover,asaChristianandGod-fearingpeople,weoughttosubmittothedictatesofjustice。Shouldwetakethisman’slifebyforce,anAll-wiseProvidencewouldholdusresponsiblefortheact。\"
Thecompanythenquietlywithdrew,showingthatthepreacherhadsomeinfluencewithhispeople。
\"This\"saidMr。Wilson,whenleftalonewithhisdaughter,——\"this,mydearGeorgiana,istheresultofyourkindnesstothenegroes。
Youhavespoiledeveryoneaboutthehouse。Ican’twhiponeofthem,withoutbeingindangerofhavingmylifetaken。\"
\"Iamsure,papa,\"repliedtheyounglady,——\"IamsureIneverdidanythingintentionallytoinduceanyoftheservantstodisobeyyourorders。\"
\"No,mydear,\"saidMr。Wilson,\"butyouaretookindtothem。Now,thereisClotelle,——thatgirliscompletelyspoiled。Shewalksaboutthehousewithasdignifiedanairasifshewasmistressofthepremises。Byandbyyouwillbesorryforthisfoolishnessofyours。\"
\"But,\"answeredGeorgiana,\"Clotellehasasuperiormind,andGodintendedhertoholdahigherpositioninlifethanthatofaservant。\"
\"Yes,mydear,anditwasyourlettingherknowthatshewasintendedforabetterstationinsocietythatisspoilingher。
Alwayskeepanegroinignoranceofwhatyouconceivetobehisabilities,\"returnedtheparson。
ItwaslateontheSaturdayafternoon,followingthecaptureofJeromethat,whileMr。Wilsonwasseatedinhisstudypreparinghissermonforthenextday,GeorgianaenteredtheroomandaskedinanexcitedtoneifitweretruethatJeromewastobehangedonthefollowingThursday。
Theministerinformedherthatsuchwasthedecisionofthecourt。
\"Then,\"saidshe,\"Clotellewilldieofgrief。\"
\"Whatbusinesshasshetodieofgrief?\"returnedthefather,hiseyesatthemomentflashingfire。
\"Shehasneithereatennorsleptsincehewascaptured,\"repliedGeorgians;\"andIamcertainthatshewillnotlivethroughthis。\"
\"Icannotbedisturbednow,\"saidtheparson;\"Imustgetmysermonreadyforto-morrow。Iexpecttohavesomestrangerstopreachto,andmust,therefore,prepareasermonthatwilldomecredit。\"
WhilethemanofGodspoke,heseemedtosaytohimself,——
\"Withdevotion’svisage,andpiousactions,Wedosugaroverthedevilhimself。\"
GeorgianadidallinherpowertosoothethefeelingsofClotelle,andtoinducehertoputhertrustinGod。Unknowntoherfather,sheallowedthepoorgirltogoeveryeveningtothejailtoseeJerome,andduringthesevisits,despiteherowngrief,Clotellewouldtrytocomfortherloverwiththehopethatjusticewouldbemetedouttohiminthespirit-land。
Thusthetimepassedon,andthedaywasfastapproachingwhentheslavewastodie。Havingheardthatsomesecretmeetinghadbeenheldbythenegroes,previoustotheattemptofMr。Wilsontofloghisslave,itoccurredtoamagistratethatJeromemightknowsomethingoftheintendedrevolt。Heaccordinglyvisitedtheprisontoseeifhecouldlearnanythingfromhim,butalltonopurpose。Havinggivenupallhopesofescape,Jeromehadresolvedtodielikeabraveman。Whenquestionedastowhetherheknewanythingofaconspiracyamongtheslavesagainsttheirmasters,hereplied,——
\"DoyousupposethatIwouldtellyouifIdid?\"
\"Butifyouknowanything,\"remarkedthemagistrate,\"andwilltellus,youmaypossiblyhaveyourlifespared。\"
\"Life,\"answeredthedoomedman,\"isworthnoughttoaslave。Whatrighthasaslavetohimself,hiswife,orhischildren?Wearekeptinheathenishdarkness,bylawsespeciallyenactedtomakeourinstructionacriminaloffence;andourbones,sinews,blood,andnervesareexposedinthemarketforsale。
\"MylibertyisofasmuchconsequencetomeasMr。Wilson’sistohim。Iamassensitivetofeelingashe。IfImistakenot,thedaywillcomewhenthenegrowilllearnthathecangethisfreedombyfightingforit;andshouldthattimearrive,thewhiteswillbesorrythattheyhavehatedussoshamefully。Iamfreetosaythat,couldIlivemylifeoveragain,IwouldusealltheenergieswhichGodhasgivenmetogetupaninsurrection。\"
EveryonepresentseemedstartledandamazedattheintelligencewithwhichthisdescendantofAfricaspoke。
\"He’saverydangerousman,\"remarkedone。
\"Yes,\"saidanother,\"hegotsomebook-learningsomewhere,andthathasspoiledhim。\"
AneffortwasthenmadetolearnfromJeromewherehehadlearnedtoread,buttheblackrefusedtogiveanyinformationonthesubject。
ThesunwasjustgoingdownbehindthetreesasClotelleenteredtheprisontoseeJeromeforthelasttime。HewastodieonthenextdayHerfacewasbentuponherhands,andthegushingtearswereforcingtheirwaythroughherfingers。Withbeatingheartandtremblinghands,evincingthedeepestemotion,shethrewherarmsaroundherlover’sneckandembracedhim。But,promptedbyherheart’sunchanginglove,shehadinherownmindaplanbywhichshehopedtoeffecttheescapeofhimtowhomshehadpledgedherheartandhand。Whiletheoverchargedcloudswhichhadhungoverthecityduringthedaybroke,andtherainfellintorrents,amidthemostterrificthunderandlightning,ClotellerevealedtoJeromeherplanforhisescape。
\"Dressyourselfinmyclothes,\"saidshe,\"andyoucaneasilypassthejailer。\"
ThisJeromeatfirstdeclineddoing。Hedidnotwishtoplaceaconfidinggirlinapositionwhere,inallprobability,shewouldhavetosuffer;butbeingassuredbytheyounggirlthatherlifewouldnotbeindanger,heresolvedtomaketheattempt。Clotellebeingverytall,itwasnotprobablethatthejailerwoulddiscoveranydifferenceinthem。
Atthismoment,shetookfromherpocketabunchofkeysandunfastenedthepadlock,andfreedhimfromthefloor。
\"Come,girl,itistimeforyoutogo,\"saidthejailer,asJeromewasholdingthealmostfaintinggirlbythehand。
BeingalreadyattiredinClotelle’sclothes,thedisguisedmanembracedtheweepinggirl,puthishandkerchieftohisface,andpassedoutofthejail,withoutthekeeper’sknowingthathisprisonerwasescapinginadisguiseandundercoverofthenight。
CHAPTERXX
THEHEROOFMANYADVENTURES。
JEROMEhadscarcelypassedtheprison-gates,erehereproachedhimselfforhavingtakensuchastep。ThereseemedtohimnohopeofescapeoutoftheState,andwhatwasafewhoursordaysatmost,oflifetohim,when,byobtainingit,anotherhadbeensacrificed。Hewasontheeveofreturning,whenhethoughtofthelastwordsutteredbyClotelle。\"Bebraveanddetermined,andyouwillstillbefree。\"Thewordssoundedlikeacharminhisearsandhewentboldlyforward。
Clotellehadprovidedasuitofmen’sclothesandhadplacedthemwhereherlovercouldgetthem,ifheshouldsucceedingettingout。
ReturningtoMr。Wilson’sbarn,thefugitivechangedhisapparel,andagainretracedhisstepsintothestreet。ToreachtheFreeStatesbytravellingbynightandlyingbyduringtheday,fromaStatesofarsouthasMississippi,noonewouldthinkforamomentofattemptingtoescape。Toremaininthecitywouldbeasuicidalstep。Thedeepsoundoftheescapeofsteamfromaboat,whichwasatthatmomentascendingtheriver,brokeupontheearsoftheslave。\"Ifthatboatisgoinguptheriver,\"saidhe,\"whynotI
concealmyselfonboard,andtrytoescape?\"Hewentatoncetothesteamboatlanding,wheretheboatwasjustcomingin。\"BoundforLouisville,\"saidthecaptain,toonewhowasmakinginquiries。Asthepassengerswererushingonboard,Jeromefollowedthem,andproceedingtowheresomeofthehandswerestowingawaybalesofgoods,hetookholdandaidedthem。
\"Jumpdownintothehold,there,andhelpthemen,\"saidthematetothefugitive,supposingthat,likemanypersons,hewasworkinghiswayuptheriver。Onceinthehullamongtheboxes,theslaveconcealedhimself。Wearyhours,andatlastdays,passedwithouteitherwaterorfoodwiththehiddenslave。Morethanoncedidheresolvetolethiscasebeknown;buttheknowledgethathewouldbesentbacktoNatchezkepthimfromdoingso。Atlast,withlipsparchedandfeveredtoacrisp,thepoormancrawledoutintothefreight-room,andbeganwanderingabout。Thehatcheswereon,andtheroomdark。Therehappenedtobeonboardaweddingparty,and,abox,containingsomeofthebridalcake,withseveralbottlesofportwine,wasnearJerome。Hefoundthebox,openedit,andhelpedhimself。Ineightdays,theboattiedupatthewharfattheplaceofherdestination。Itwaslateatnight;theboat’screw,withthesingleexceptionofthemanonwatch,wereonshore。
Thehatcheswereoff,andthefugitivequietlymadehiswayondeckandjumpedonshore。Themansawthefugitive,buttoolatetoseizehim。
StillinaSlaveState,Jeromewasatalosstoknowhowheshouldproceed。Hehadwithhimafewdollars,enoughtopayhiswaytoCanada,ifhecouldfindaconveyance。Thefugitiveprocuredsuchfoodashewantedfromoneofthemanyeating-houses,andthen,followingthedirectionoftheNorthStar,hepassedoutofthecity,andtooktheroadleadingtoCovington。KeepingneartheOhioRiver,JeromesoonfoundanopportunitytocrossoverintotheStateofIndiana。ButlibertywasamerenameinthelatterState,andthefugitivelearned,fromsomecoloredpersonsthathemet,thatitwasnotsafetotravelbydaylight。Whilemakinghiswayonenight,withnothingtocheerhimbuttheprospectoffreedominthefuture,hewaspounceduponbythreemenwhowerelyinginwaitforanotherfugitive,anadvertisementofwhomtheyhadreceivedthroughthemail。InvaindidJerometellthemthathewasnotaslave。True,theyhadnotcaughtthemantheyexpected;but,iftheycouldmakethisslavetellfromwhatplacehehadescaped,theyknewthatagoodpricewouldbepaidthemforthenegro’sarrest。
Torturedbytheslave-catchers,tomakehimrevealthenameofhismasterandtheplacefromwhencehehadescaped,JeromegavethemafictitiousnameinVirginia,andsaidthathismasterwouldgivealargereward,andmanifestedawillingnesstoreturntohis\"oldboss。\"Bythismisrepresentation,thefugitive,hopedtohaveanotherchanceofgettingaway。Alluredwiththeprospectofalargesumoftheneedful,theslave-catchersstartedbackwiththeirvictim。Stoppingonthesecondnightataninn,onthebanksoftheOhioRiver,thekidnappers,inlieuofasuitableplaceinwhichtoconfinetheirprizeduringthenight,chainedhimtothebed-postoftheirsleeping-chamber。Thewhitemenwerelateinretiringtorest,afteraneveningspentindrinking。Atdeadofnight,whenallwasstill,theslavearosefromthefloor,uponwhichhehadbeenlying,lookedaroundandsawthatMorpheushadpossessionofhiscaptors。Foronce,thoughthe,thebrandybottlehasdoneanoblework。Withpalpitatingheartandtremblinglimbs,heviewedhisposition。Thedoorwasfast,butthewarmweatherhadcompelledthemtoleavethewindowopen。Ifhecouldbutgethischainsoff,hemightescapethroughthewindowtothepiazza。
Thesleepers’clotheshunguponchairsbythebedside。Theslavethoughtofthepadlock-key,examinedthepockets,andfoundit。Thechainsweresoonoff,andthenegrostealthilymakinghiswaytothewindow。Hestopped,andsaidtohimself,\"Thesemenarevillains;theyareenemiestoallwho,likeme,aretryingtobefree。ThenwhynotIteachthemalesson?\"Hethendressedhimselfinthebestsuit,hunghisownworn-outandtatteredgarmentsonthesamechair,andsilentlypassedthroughthewindowtothepiazza,andlethimselfdownbyoneofthepillars,andstartedoncemorefortheNorth。
Daylightcameuponthefugitivebeforehehadselectedahiding-placefortheday,andhewaswalkingatarapidrate,inhopesofsoonreachingsomewoodlandorforest。Thesunhadjustbeguntoshowitself,whenthefugitivewasastoundedatseeingbehindhim,inthedistance,twomenuponhorseback。Takingaroadtotheright,theslavesawbeforehimafarmhouse,andsonearwashetoitthatheobservedtwomeninfrontofitlookingathim。Itwastoolatetoturnback。Thekidnapperswerebehindhim——strangemenbeforehim。Thoseintherearheknewtobeenemies,whilehehadnoideaofwhatprincipleswerethefarmers。
Thelatteralsosawthewhitemencoming,andcalledtothefugitivetocomethatway。Thebroad-brimmedhatsthatthefarmersworetoldtheslavethattheywereQuakers。
Jeromehadseensomeofthesepeoplepassingupanddowntheriver,whenemployedonasteamerbetweenNatchezandNewOrleans,andhadheardthattheydislikedslavery。He,therefore,hastenedtowardthedrab-coatedmen,who,onhisapproach,openedthebarn-door,andtoldhimto\"runin。\"
WhenJeromeenteredthebarn,thetwofarmersclosedthedoor,remainingoutsidethemselves,toconfronttheslave-catchers,whonowcameupanddemandedadmission,feelingthattheyhadtheirpreysecure。
\"Theecan’tentermypremises,\"saidoneoftheFriends,inratheramusicalvoice。
Thenegro-catchersurgedtheirclaimtotheslave,andintimatedthat,unlesstheywereallowedtosecurehim,theywouldforcetheirwayin。Bythistime,severalotherQuakershadgatheredaroundthebarn-door。Unfortunatelyforthekidnappers,andmostfortunatelyforthefugitive,theFriendshadjustbeenholdingaquarterlymeetingintheneighborhood,andanumberofthemhadnotyetreturnedtotheirhomes。
Aftersometalk,themenindrabpromisedtoadmitthehunters,providedtheyprocuredanofficerandasearch-warrantfromajusticeofthepeace。Oneoftheslave-catcherswaslefttoseethatthefugitivedidnotgetaway,whiletheotherswentinpursuitofanofficer。Inthemeantime,theownerofthebarnsentforahammerandnails,andbegannailingupthebarn-door。
Afteranhourinsearchofthemanofthelaw,theyreturnedwithanofficerandawarrant。TheQuakerdemandedtoseethepaper,and,afterlookingatitforsometime,calledtohissontogointothehouseforhisglasses。ItwasalongtimebeforeAuntRuthfoundtheleathercase,andwhenshedid,theglasseswantedwipingbeforetheycouldbeused。Aftercomfortablyadjustingthemonhisnose,hereadthewarrantoverleisurely。
\"Come,Mr。Dugdale,wecan’twaitallday,\"’saidtheofficer。
\"Well,willtheereaditforme?\"returnedtheQuaker。
Theofficercomplied,andthemanindrabsaid,——
\"Yes,theemaygoin,now。Iaminclinedtothrownoobstaclesinthewayoftheexecutionofthelawoftheland。\"
Onapproachingthedoor,themenfoundsomefortyorfiftynailsinit,inthewayoftheirprogress。
\"Lendmeyourhammerandachisel,ifyouplease,Mr。Dugdale,\"
saidtheofficer。
\"Pleasereadthatpaperoveragain,willthee?\"askedtheQuaker。
Theofficeroncemorereadthewarrant。
\"IseenothingtherewhichsaysImustfurnishtheewithtoolstoopenmydoor。Iftheewantsahammer,theemustgoelsewhereforit;Itelltheeplainly,theecan’thavemine。\"
Theimplementsforopeningthedoorareatlengthobtainedandafteranotherhalf-hour,theslave-catchersareinthebarn。ThreehoursisalongtimeforaslavetobeinthehandsofQuakers。
Thehayisturnedover,andthebarnisvisitedineverypart;butstilltherunawayisnotfound。UncleJosephhasaglowuponhiscountenance;Ephraimshakeshisheadknowingly;littleElijahisaperfectknow-nothing,and,ifyoulooktowardthehouse,youwillseeAuntRuth’ssmilingface,readytoannouncethatbreakfastisready。
\"Theniggerisnotinthisbarn,\"saidtheofficer。
\"Iknowheisnot,\"quietlyansweredtheQuaker。
\"Whatwereyounailingupyourdoorfor,then,asifyouwereafraidwewouldenter?\"inquiredoneofthekidnappers。
\"IcandowhatIpleasewithmyowndoor,can’tI,\"saidtheQuaker。
Thesecretwasout;thefugitivehadgoneinatthefrontdoorandoutattheback;andthereadingofthewarrant,nailingupofthedoor,andotherpreliminariesoftheQuaker,wastogivethefugitivetimeandopportunitytoescape。
Itwasnowlateinthemorning,andtheslave-catcherswerealongwayfromhome,andthehorseswerejadedbytherapidmannerinwhichtheyhadtravelled。TheFriends,inhighglee,returnedtothehouseforbreakfast;themanofthelaw,aftertakinghisfee,wenthome,andthekidnappersturnedback,muttering,\"Betterlucknexttime。\"
CHAPTERXXI
SELF-SACRIFICE。
Nowinherseventeenthyear,Clotelle’spersonalappearancepresentedagreatcontrasttothetimewhenshelivedwitholdMrs。Miller。Hertallandwell-developedfigure;herlong,silkyblackhair,fallingincurlsdownherswan-likeneck;herbright,blackeyeslightingupherolive-tintedface,andasetofteeththataTuscaroramightenvy,shewasapictureoftropical-ripenedbeauty。Attimes,therewasaheavenlysmileuponhercountenance,whichwouldhavewarmedtheheartofananchorite。Suchwasthepersonalappearanceofthegirlwhowasnowinprisonbyherownacttosavethelifeofanother。Wouldshebehangedinhisstead,orwouldshereceiveadifferentkindofpunishment?ThesequestionsClotelledidnotaskherself。Open,frank,free,andgeneroustoafault,shealwaysthoughtofothers,neverofherownwelfare。
ThelongstayofClotellecausedsomeuneasinesstoMissWilson;
yetshedarednottellherfather,forhehadforbiddentheslave-girl’sgoingtotheprisontoseeherlover。Whiletheclockonthechurchnearbywasstrikingeleven,GeorgianacalledSam,andsenthimtotheprisoninsearchofClotelle。
\"Thegirlwentawayfromhereateighto’clock,\"wasthejailer’sanswertotheservant’sinquiries。
ThereturnofSamwithouthavingfoundthegirlsaddenedtheheartoftheyoungmistress。\"Sure,then,\"saidshe,\"thepoorheart-brokenthinghasmadewaywithherself。\"
Still,shewaitedtillmorningbeforebreakingthenewsofClotelle’sabsencetoherfather。
Thejailerdiscovered,thenextmorning,tohisutterastonishment,thathisprisonerwaswhiteinsteadofblack,andhisfirstimpressionwasthatthechangeofcomplexionhadtakenplaceduringthenight,throughfearofdeath。Butthisconjecturewassoondissipated;forthedark,glowingeyes,thesablecurlsupontheloftybrow,andthemild,sweetvoicethatansweredhisquestions,informedhimthattheprisonerbeforehimwasanotherbeing。
Onlearning,inthemorning,thatClotellewasinjaildressedinmaleattire,MissWilsonimmediatelysentclothestohertomakeachangeinherattire。Newsoftheheroicanddaringactoftheslave-girlspreadthroughthecitywithelectricspeed。
\"Iwillselleveryniggerontheplace,\"saidtheparson,atthebreak-fast-table,——\"Iwillsellthemall,andgetanewlot,andwhipthemeveryday。\"
PoorGeorgianaweptforthesafetyofClotelle,whileshefeltgladthatJeromehadescaped。Invaindidtheytrytoextortfromthegirlthewhereaboutsofthemanwhoseescapeshehadeffected。Shewasnotawarethathehadfledonasteamer,andwhenquestioned,shereplied,——
\"Idon’tknow;andifIdidIwouldnottellyou。Icarenotwhatyoudowithme,ifJeromebutescapes。\"
Thesmilewithwhichsheutteredthesewordsfinelyillustratedthepoet’smeaning,whenhesays,——
\"Afearfulgiftuponthyheartislaid,Woman——thepowertosufferandtolove。\"
Hersweetsimplicityseemedtodarethemtolaytheirroughhandsamidhertremblingcurls。
Threedaysdidtheheroicyoungwomanremaininprison,tobegazedatbyanunfeelingcrowd,drawnthereoutofcuriosity。Theintelligencecametoheratlastthatthecourthaddecidedtospareherlife,onconditionthatsheshouldbewhipped,sold,andsentoutoftheStatewithintwenty-fourhours。
Thisorderofthecourtshewouldhavecaredbutlittlefor,hadshenotbeensincerelyattachedtoheryoungmistress。
\"Dotryandsellhertosomeonewhowilluseherwell,\"saidGeorgianatoherfather,ashewasabouttakinghishattoleavethehouse。
\"Ishallnottroublemyselftodoanysuchthing,\"repliedthehard-heartedparson。\"Ileavethefindingofamasterforherwiththeslave-dealer。\"
Bathedintears,Miss。Wilsonpacedherroomintheabsenceofherfather。FormanymonthsGeorgianahadbeeninadecline,andanylittletroublewouldlayheronasickbedfordays。Shewas,therefore,poorlyabletobearthelossofthiscompanion,whomshesodearlyloved。
Mr。WilsonhadinformedhisdaughterthatClotellewastobeflogged;andwhenFelicecameinandinformedhermistressthatthepoorgirlhadjustreceivedfiftylashesonherbareperson,theyoungladyfaintedandfellonthefloor。Theservantsplacedtheirmistressonthesofa,andwentinpursuitoftheirmaster。
Littledidthepreacherthink,onreturningtohisdaughter,thatheshouldsoonbebereftofher;yetsuchwastobehislot。A
blood-vesselhadbeenruptured,andthethreephysicianswhowerecalledintoldthefatherthathemustpreparetolosehischild。
Thatmoralcourageandcalmness,whichwashergreatcharacteristic,didnotforsakeGeorgianainherhourofdeath。Shehadeverbeenkindtotheslavesunderhercharge,andtheylovedandrespectedher。Atherrequest,theservantswereallbroughtintoherroom,andtookalastfarewelloftheirmistress。Seldom,ifever,wastherewitnessedamoretouchingscenethanthis。Therelaytheyoungwoman,paleandfeeble,withdeathstampeduponhercountenance,surroundedbythesonsanddaughtersofAfrica,someofwhomhadbeenseparatedfromeveryearthlytie,andthemostofwhosepersonshadbeentornandgashedbythenegro-whip。Somewereupontheirkneesatthebedside,othersstandingaround,andallweeping。
Deathisaleveler;andneitherage,sex,wealth,norcondition,canavertwhenheispermittedtostrike。Themostbeautifulflowersmustsoonfadeanddroopanddie。So,also,withman;hisdaysareasuncertainasthepassingbreeze。Thishourheglowsintheblushofhealthandvigor,butthenext,hemaybecountedwiththenumbernomoreknownonearth。Oh,whatasilencepervadedthehousewhenthisyoungflowerwasgone!Inthemidstofthebuoyancyofyouth,thischerishedonehaddroopedanddied。Deepwerethesoundsofgriefandmourningheardinthatstatelydwellingwhenthestrickenfriends,whoseofficeithadbeentonurseandsoothethewearysufferer,beheldherpaleandmotionlessinthesleepofdeath。
WhocanimaginethefeelingwithwhichpoorClotellereceivedtheintelligenceofherkindfriend’sdeath?Thedeepgashesofthecruelwhiphadprostratedthelovelyformofthequadroon,andshelayuponherbedofstrawinthedarkcell。Thespeculatorhadboughther,buthadpostponedherremovaltillsheshouldrecover。
Herbenefactresswasdead,and——
\"Hopewitheringfled,andmercysighedfarewell。\"
\"IsJeromesafe?\"shewouldaskherselfcontinually。Ifherlovercouldhavebutknownofthesufferingsofthatsweetflower,——
thatpolyanthusoverwhichhehadsooftenbeeninhisdreams,——。
hewouldthenhavelearnedthatshewasworthyofhislove。
Itwasmorethanafortnightbeforetheslave-tradercouldtakehisprizetomorecomfortablequarters。LikeAlcibiades,whodefacedtheimagesofthegodsandexpectedtobepardonedonthegroundofeccentricity,somenwhoabuseGod’simagehopetoescapethevengeanceofhiswrathunderthepleathatthelawsanctionstheiratrociousdeeds。
CHAPTERXXII
LOVEATFIRSTSIGHTANDWHATFOLLOWED。
ItwasabeautifulSundayinSeptember,withacloudlesssky,andtheraysofthesunparchingthealreadythirstyearth,thatClotellestoodatanupperwindowinSlater’sslave-peninNewOrleans,gaspingforabreathoffreshair。Thebellsofthirtychurcheswerecallingthepeopletothedifferentplacesofworship。CrowdswereseenwendingtheirwaytothehousesofGod;
onefollowedbyanegroboycarryinghismaster’sBible;anotherfollowedbyhermaid-servantholdingthemistress’fan;athirdsupportinganumbrellaoverhismaster’sheadtoshieldhimfromtheburningsun。Baptistsimmersed,Presbyterianssprinkled,Methodistsshouted,andEpiscopaliansreadtheirprayers,whileministersofthevarioussectspreachedthatChristdiedforall。
Thechimingofthebellsseemedtomockthesighsanddeepgroansofthefortyhumanbeingsthenincarceratedintheslave-pen。
TheseimprisonedchildrenofGodweremanyofthemMethodists,someBaptists,andothersclaimingtobelieveinthefaithofthePresbyteriansandEpiscopalians。
0h,withwhatanxietydidthesecreaturesawaitthecloseofthatSabbath,andthedawnofanotherday,thatshoulddeliverthemfromthosedismalandclosecells。Slowlythedaypassedaway,andoncemoretheeveningbreezefounditswaythroughthebarredwindowsoftheprisonthatcontainedtheseinjuredsonsanddaughtersofAmerica。TheclockonthecalaboosehadjuststrucknineonMondaymorning,whenhundredsofpersonswereseenthreadingthegatesanddoorsofthenegro-pen。Itwasthesamegangthathadthedaypreviousbeensteppingtothetuneandkeepingtimewiththemusicalchurchbells。TheirBibleswerenotwiththem,theirprayer-bookswereleftathome,andeventheirlongandsolemnfaceshadbeenlaidasidefortheweek。Theyhadcometotheman-markettomaketheirpurchases。Methodistswereinsearchoftheirbrethren。Baptistswerelookingforthosethathadbeenimmersed,whilePresbyterianswerewillingtobuyfellowChristians,whethersprinkledornot。ThecrowdwassoongazingatandfeastingtheireyesuponthelovelyfeaturesofClotelle。
\"Sheishandsomer,\"mutteredonetohimself,\"thantheladythatsatinthepewnexttomeyesterday。\"
\"Iwouldthatmydaughterwashalfsopretty,\"thinksasecond。
Groupsareseentalkingineverypartofthevastbuilding,andthetopicon’Change,isthe\"beautifulquadroon。\"Byandby,atallyoungmanwithaforeignface,thecurlingmustacheprotrudingfromunderafinely-chiselednose,andhavingtheairofagentleman,passesby。Hisdarkhazeleyeisfastenedonthemaid,andhestopsforamoment;thestrangerwalksaway,butsoonreturns——helooks,heseestheyoungwomanwipeawaythesilenttearthatstealsdownheralabastercheek;hefeelsashamedthatheshouldgazesounmanlyontheblushingfaceofthewoman。Asheturnsuponhisheelhetakesouthiswhitehankerchiefandwipeshiseyes。Itmaybethathehaslostasister,amother,orsomedearonetowhomhewasbetrothed。Againhecomes,andthequadroonhidesherface。Shehasheardthatforeignersmakebadmasters,andsheshunshispiercinggaze。Againhegoesawayandthenreturns。Hetakesalastlookandthenwalkshurriedlyoff。
Thedaywearsaway,butlongbeforethetimeofclosingthesalethetallyoungmanoncemoreenterstheslave-pen。Helooksineverydirectionforthebeautifulslave,butsheisnotthere——
shehasbeensold!Hegoestothetraderandinquires,butheistoolate,andhethereforereturnstohishotel。
HavingenteredamilitaryschoolinPariswhenquiteyoung,andsoonafterbeensentwiththeFrencharmytoIndia,AntoineDevenanthadneverdabbledinmattersoflove。Heviewedallwomenfromthesamestand-point——respectedthemfortheirvirtues,andoftenspokeofthegoodnessofheartofthesex,butneverdreamedoftakingtohimselfawife。TheunequalledbeautyofClotellehaddazzledhiseyes,andeverylookthatshegavewasadaggerthatwenttohisheart。Hefeltashortnessofbreath,hisheartpalpitated,hisheadgrewdizzy,andhislimbstrembled;butheknewnotitscause。Thiswasthefirststageof\"loveatfirstsight。\"
Hewhobowstotheshrineofbeautywhenbeckonedbythismysteriousagentseldomregretsit。Devenantreproachedhimselffornothavingmadeinquiriesconcerningthegirlbeforeheleftthemarketinthemorning。Hisstayinthecitywastobeshort,andtheyellowfeverwasraging,whichcausedhimtofeellikemakingastillearlierdeparture。Thediseaseappearedinaformunusuallysevereandrepulsive。Itseizeditsvictimsfromamongstthemosthealthyofthecitizens。Thedisorderbeganinthebrainbyoppressivepainaccompaniedorfollowedbyfever。Fieryveinsstreakedtheeye,thefacewasinflamedanddyedofadarkdullredcolor;theearsfromtimetotimerangpainfully。Nowmucoussecretionssurchargedthetongueandtookawaythepowerofspeech;
nowthesickonespoke,butinspeakinghadforesightofdeath。
Whentheviolenceofthediseaseapproachedtheheart,thegumswereblackened。Thesleepbroken,troubledbyconvulsions,orbyfrightfulvisions,wasworsethanthewakinghours;andwhenthereasonsankunderadeliriumwhichhaditsseatinthebrain,reposeutterlyforsookthepatient’scouch。Theprogressofthefeverwithinwasmarkedbyyellowishspots,whichspreadoverthesurfaceofthebody。Ifthen,ahappycrisiscamenot,allhopewasgone。Soonthebreathinfectedtheairwithafetidodor,thelipswereglazed,despairpainteditselfintheeyes,andsobs,withlongintervalsofsilence,formedtheonlylanguage。Fromeachsideofthemouth,spreadfoamtingedwithblackandburntblood。Bluestreaksmingledwiththeyellowallovertheframe。Allremedieswereuseless。Thiswastheyellowfever。Thedisorderspreadalarmandconfusionthroughoutthecity。Onanaveragemorethanfourhundreddieddaily。Inthemidstofdisorderandconfusion,deathheapedvictimsonvictims。Friendfollowedfriendinquicksuccession。Thesickwereavoidedfromthefearofcontagion,andforthesamereasonthedeadwereleftunburied。
Nearlytwothousanddeadbodieslayuncoveredintheburial-
ground,withonlyhereandtherealittlelimethrownoverthem,topreventtheairbecominginfected。Thenegro,whosehomeisinahotclimate,wasnotproofagainstthedisease。Manyplantationshadtosuspendtheirworkforwantofslavestotaketheplacesofthosewhohadbeentakenoffbythefever。
CHAPTERXXIII
MEETINGOFTHECOUSINS。
THEclockinthehallhadscarcelyfinishedstrikingthreewhenMr。
Taylorenteredhisowndwelling,afineresidenceinCampStreet,NewOrleans,followedbytheslave-girlwhomhehadjustpurchasedatthenegro-pen。Clotellelookedaroundwildlyasshepassedthroughthehallintothepresenceofhernewmistress。Mrs。
Taylorwasmuchpleasedwithherservant’sappearance,andcongratulatedherhusbandonhisjudiciouschoice。
\"But,\"saidMrs。Taylor,afterClotellehadgoneintothekitchen,\"howmuchshelookslikeMissJaneMorton。\"
\"Indeed,\"repliedthehusband,\"Ithought,themomentIsawherthatshelookedliketheMortons。\"
\"IamsureIneversawtwofacesmorealikeinmylife,thanthatgirl’sandJaneMorton’s,\"continuedMrs。Taylor。
Dr。Morton,thepurchaserofMaron,theyoungestdaughterofAgnes,andsistertoIsabella,hadresidedinCampStreet,neartheTaylors,formorethaneightyears,andthefamilieswereonveryintimateterms,andvisitedeachotherfrequently。EveryonespokeofClotelle’scloseresemblancetotheMortons,andespeciallytotheeldestdaughter。Indeed,twosisterscouldhardlyhavebeenmorealike。Thelarge,darkeyes,black,silk-likehair,tall,gracefulfigure,andmouldoftheface,werethesame。
ThemorningfollowingClotelle’sarrivalinhernewhome,Mrs。
Taylorwasconversinginalowtonewithherhusband,andbothwiththeireyesfollowingClotelleasshepassedthroughtheroom。
\"Sheisfarabovethestationofaslave,\"remarkedthelady。\"I
sawher,lastnight,whenremovingsomebooks,openoneandstandoveritamomentasifshewasreading;andsheisaswhiteasI
am。Ialmostsorryyouboughther。\"
Atthisjuncturethefrontdoor-bellrang,andClotellehurriedthroughtheroomtoanswerit。
\"MissMorton,\"saidtheservantasshereturnedtothemistress’
room。
\"Askhertowalkin,\"respondedthemistress。
\"Now,mydear,\"saidMrs。Taylortoherhusband,\"justlookandseeifyoudonotnoticeamarkedresemblancebetweenthecountenancesofJaneandClotelle。\"
MissMortonenteredtheroomjustasMrs。Taylorceasedspeaking。
\"HaveyouheardthattheJamisonsaredownwiththefever?\"
inquiredtheyounglady,afteraskingaboutthehealthoftheTaylors。
\"No,Ihadnot;Iwasinhopesitwouldnotgetintoourstreet;\"
repliedMrs。Taylor。
AllthiswhileMr。andMrs。TaylorwerekeenlyscrutinizingtheirvisitorandClotelleandeventhetwoyoungwomenseemedtobeconsciousthattheywereinsomewaytheobjectsofmorethanusualattention。
MissMortonhadscarcelydepartedbeforeMrs。TaylorbeganquestioningClotelleconcerningherearlychildhood,andbecamemorethaneversatisfiedthattheslave-girlwasinsomewayconnectedwiththeMortons。
Everyhourbroughtfreshnewsoftheravagesofthefever,andtheTaylorscommencedpreparingtoleavetown。AsMr。Taylorcouldnotgoatonce,itwasdeterminedthathiswifeshouldleavewithouthim,accompaniedbyhernewmaidservant。JustasMrs。TaylorandClotelleweresteppingintothecarriage,theywereinformedthatDr。Mortonwasdownwiththeepidemic。
Itwasabeautifulday,withafinebreezeforthetimeofyear,thatMrs。Taylorandherservantfoundthemselvesinthecabinofthesplendidnewsteamer\"Walk-in-the-Water,\"boundfromNewOrleanstoMobile。Everyberthintheboatwadoccupiedbypersonsfleeingfromthefearfulcontagionthatwascarryingoffitshundredsdaily。
Lateintheday,asClotellewasstandingatoneofthewindowsoftheladies’saloon,shewasastonishedtoseenearher,andwitheyesfixedintentlyuponher,thetallyoungstrangerwhomshehadobservedintheslave-marketafewdaysbefore。Sheturnedhastilyaway,buttheheatedcabinandthewantoffreshairsoondroveheragaintothewindow。Theyounggentlemanagainappeared,andcomingtotheendofthesaloon,spoketotheslave-girlinbrokenEnglish。Thisconfirmedherinherpreviousopinionthathewasaforeigner,andsherejoicedthatshehadnotfallenintohishands。
\"Iwanttotalkwithyou,\"saidthestranger。
\"Whatdoyouwantwithme?\"sheinquired。
\"Iamyourfriend,\"heanswered。\"Isawyouintheslave-marketlastweek,andregrettedthatIdidnotspeaktoyouthen。I
returnedintheevening,butyouwasgone。\"
Clotellelookedindignantlyatthestranger,andwasaboutleavingthewindowagainwhenthequiveringofhislipsandthetremblingofhisvoicestruckherattentionandcausedhertoremain。
\"Iintendedtobuyyouandmakeyoufreeandhappy,butIwastoolate,\"continuedhe。
\"Whydoyouwishtomakemefree?\"inquiredthegirl。
\"BecauseIoncehadanonlyandlovelysister,whodiedthreeyearsagoinFrance,andyouaresomuchlikeherthathadInotknownofherdeathIshouldcertainlyhavetakenyouforher。\"
\"HowevermuchImayresembleyoursister,youareawarethatIamnotshe;why,then,takesomuchinterestinonewhomyouhaveneverseenbeforeandmayneverseeagain?\"
\"Thelove,\"saidhe,\"whichIhadformysisteristransferredtoyou。\"
Clotellehadallalongsuspectedthatthemanwasaknave,andthisprofessionofloveatonceconfirmedherinthatbelief。Shethereforeimmediatelyturnedawayandlefthim。
Hourselapsed。Twilightwasjust\"lettingdownhercurtainandpinningitwithastar,\"astheslave-girlseatedherselfonasofabythewindow,andbeganmeditatinguponhereventfulhistory,meanwhilewatchingthewhitewavesastheyseemedtosportwitheachotherinthewakeofthenoblevessel,withtherisingmoonreflectingitssilverraysuponthesplendidscene,whentheforeigneroncemoreappearednearthewindow。Althoughagitatedforfearhermistresswouldseehertalkingtoastranger,andbeangry,Clotellestillthoughtshesawsomethinginthecountenanceoftheyoungmanthattoldherhewassincere,andshedidnotwishtohurthisfeelings。
\"Whypersistinyourwishtotalkwithme?\"shesaid,asheagainadvancedandspoketoher。
\"Iwishtopurchaseyouandmakeyouhappy,\"returnedhe。
\"ButIamnotforsalenow,\"shereplied。\"Mypresentmistresswillnotsellme,andifyouwishedtodosoeversomuchyoucouldnot。\"
\"Then,\"saidhe,\"ifIcannotbuyyou,whenthesteamerreachesMobile,flywithme,andyoushallbefree。\"
\"Icannotdoit,\"saidClotelle;andshewasjustleavingthestrangerwhenhetookfromhispocketapieceofpaperandthrustitintoherhand。
Afterreturningtoherroom,sheunfoldedthepaper,andfound,toherutterastonishmentthatitcontainedaonehundreddollarnoteontheBankoftheUnitedStates。Thefirstimpulseofthegirlwastoreturnthepaperanditscontentsimmediatelytothegiver,butexaminingthepapermoreclosely,shesawinfaintpencil-marks,\"Rememberthisisfromonewholovesyou。\"Anotherthoughtwastogiveittohermistress,andshereturnedtothesaloonforthatpurpose;butonfindingMrs。Taylorengagedinconversationwithsomeladies,shedidnotdeemitpropertointerrupther。
Again,therefore,Clotelleseatedherselfbythewindow,andagainthestrangerpresentedhimself。Sheimmediatelytookthepaperfromherpocket,andhandedittohim;buthedeclinedtakingit,saying,——
\"No,keepit;itmaybeofsomeservicetoyouwhenIamfaraway。\"
\"WouldthatIcouldunderstandyou,\"saidtheslave。
\"BelievethatIamsincere,andthenyouwillunderstandme,\"
returnedtheyoungman。\"Wouldyouratherbeaslavethanbefree?\"inquiredhe,withtearsthatglistenedintheraysofthemoon。
\"No,\"saidshe,\"Iwantmyfreedom,butImustliveavirtuouslife。\"
\"Then,ifyouwouldbefreeandhappy,gowithme。WeshallbeinMobileintwohours,andwhenthepassengersaregoingonshore,youtakemyarm。Haveyourfacecoveredwithaveil,andyouwillnotbeobserved。WewilltakepassageimmediatelyforFrance;youcanpassasmysister,andIpledgeyoumyhonorthatIwillmarryyouassoonaswearriveinFrance。\"
Thissolemnpromise,coupledwithwhathadpreviouslybeensaid,gaveClotelleconfidenceintheman,andsheinstantlydeterminedtogowithhim。\"Butthen,\"thoughtshe,\"whatifIshouldbedetected?Iwouldbeforeverruined,forIwouldbesold,andinallprobabilityhavetoendmydaysonacotton,rice,orsugarplantation。\"However,thethoughtoffreedominthefutureoutweighedthisdanger,andherresolvewastaken。
Dressingherselfinsomeofherbestclothes,andplacingherveiledbonnetwhereshecouldgetitwithouttheknowledgeofhermistress,Clotelleawaitedwithaheartfilledwiththedeepestemotionsandanxietythemomentwhenshewastotakeastepwhichseemedsorash,andwhichwouldeithermakeorruinherforever。
TheshipswhichleaveMobileforEuropelieaboutthirtymilesdownthebay,andpassengersaretakendownfromthecityinsmallvessels。The\"Walk-in-the-Water\"hadjustmadeherlinesfast,andthepassengerswerehurryingonshore,whenatallgentlemanwithaladyathissidedescendedthestage-plank,andsteppedonthewharf。ThiswasAntoineDevenantandClotelle。
CHAPTERXXIV
THELAWANDITSVICTIM。
THEdeathofDr。Morton,onthethirddayofhisillness,camelikeashockuponhiswifeanddaughters。Thecorpsehadscarcelybeencommittedtoitsmotherearthbeforenewandunforeseendifficultiesappearedtothem。BythelawsoftheSlaveStates,thechildrenfollowtheconditionoftheirmother。Ifthemotherisfree,thechildrenarefree;ifaslave,thechildrenareslaves。BeingunacquaintedwiththeSoutherncode,andnoonepresumingthatMarionhadanynegrobloodinherveins,Dr。Mortonhadnotgiventhesubjectasinglethought。Thewomanwhomhelovedandregardedashiswifewas,afterall,nothingmorethanaslavebythelawsoftheState。Whatwouldhavebeenhisfeelingshadheknownthatathisdeathhiswifeandchildrenwouldbeconsideredashisproperty?Yetsuchwasthecase。Likemostmenofmeansatthattime,Dr。Mortonwasdeeplyengagedinspeculation,andthoughgenerallyconsideredwealthy,wasverymuchinvolvedinhisbusinessaffairs。
AfterthediseasewithwhichDr。Mortonhadsosuddenlydiedhadtosomeextentsubsided,Mr。JamesMorton,abrotherofthedeceased,wenttoNewOrleanstosettleuptheestate。Onhisarrivalthere,hewaspleasedwithandfeltproudofhisnieces,andinvitedthemtoreturnwithhimtoVermont,littledreamingthathisbrotherhadmarriedaslave,andthathiswidowanddaughterswouldbeclaimedassuch。Thegirlsthemselveshadneverheardthattheirmotherhadbeenaslave,andthereforeknewnothingofthedangerhangingovertheirheads。
AninventoryofthepropertyofthedeceasedwasmadeoutbyMr。
Morton,andplacedinthehandsofthecreditors。Thesepreliminariesbeingarranged,theladies,withtheirrelative,concludedtoleavethecityandresideforafewdaysonthebanksofLakePonchartrain,wheretheycouldenjoyafreshairthatthecitydidnotafford。Astheywereabouttakingthecars,however,anofficerarrestedthewholeparty——theladiesasslaves,andthegentlemanuponthechargeofattemptingtoconcealthepropertyofhisdeceasedbrother。Mr。Mortonwasoverwhelmedwithhorrorattheideaofhisniecesbeingclaimedasslaves,andaskedfortime,thathemightsavethemfromsuchafate。HeevenofferedtomortgagehislittlefarminVermontfortheamountwhichyoungslave-womenoftheirageswouldfetch。Butthecreditorspleadedthattheywerean\"extraarticle,\"andwouldsellformorethancommonslaves,andmustthereforebesoldatauction。
Theunclewasthereforecompelledtogivethemuptotheofficersofthelaw,andtheywereseparatedfromhim。Jane,theoldestofthegirls,aswehavebeforementioned,wasveryhandsome,bearingacloseresemblancetohercousinClotelle。Alreka,thoughnotashandsomeashersister,wasneverthelessabeautifulgirl,andbothhadalltheaccomplishmentsthatwealthandstationcouldprocure。
Thoughonlyinherfifteenthyear,AlrekahadbecomestronglyattachedtoVolneyLapie,ayoungFrenchman,astudentinherfather’soffice。Thisattachmentwasreciprocated,althoughthepovertyoftheyoungmanandtheextremeyouthofthegirlhadcausedtheirfeelingstobekeptfromtheyounglady’sparents。
Thedayofsalecame,andMr。Mortonattended,withthehopethateitherthemagnanimityofthecreditorsorhisownlittlefarminVermontmightsavehisniecesfromthefatethatawaitedthem。Hishope,however,wasinvain。Thefeelingsofallpresentseemedtobelostinthegeneralwishtobecomethepossessoroftheyoungladies,whostoodtrembling,blushing,andweepingasthenumerousthronggazedatthem,orastheintendedpurchaserexaminedthegracefulproportionsoftheirfairandbeautifulframes。NeitherthepresenceoftheunclenoryoungLapiecouldatalllessenthegrosslanguageoftheofficers,orstaytherudehandsofthosewhowishedtoexaminethepropertythusofferedforsale。Afterafiercecontestbetweenthebidders,thegirlsweresold,onefortwothousandthreehundred,andtheotherfortwothousandthreehundredandfiftydollars。Hadthesegirlsbeenboughtforservantsonly,theywouldinallprobabilityhavebroughtnotmorethanninehundredorathousanddollarseach。Hereweretwobeautifulyounggirls,accustomedtothefondestindulgence,surroundedbyalltherefinementsoflife,andwiththetimidityandgentlenesswhichsuchalifewouldnaturallyproduce,barteredawaylikecattleinthemarketsofSmithfieldorNewYork。
Themother,whowasalsotohavebeensold,happilyfollowedherhusbandtothegrave,andwassparedthepangsofabrokenheart。
Thepurchaseroftheyoungladiesleftthemarketintriumph,andtheuncle,withaheavyheart,startedforhisNewEnglandhome,withnoearthlyprospectofeverbeholdinghisniecesagain。
Theseizureoftheyoungladiesasslaveswastheresultoftheadministrator’shavingfoundamongDr。Morton’spapersthebill-of-saleofMarionwhichhehadtakenwhenhepurchasedher。
Hehaddoubtlessintendedtoliberateherwhenhemarriedher,buthadneglectedfromtimetotimetohavetheproperpapersmadeout。Sadwastheresultofthisnegligence。