1850
CONTENTS
HERBIRTHANDPARENTAGE
ACCOMMODATIONS
HERBROTHERSANDSISTERS
HERRELIGIOUSINSTRUCTION
THEAUCTION
DEATHOFMAU-MAUBETT
LASTDAYSOFBOMEFREE
DEATHOFBOMEFREE
COMMENCEMENTOFISABELLA’STRIALSINLIFE
TRIALSCONTINUED
HERSTANDINGWITHHERNEWMASTERANDMISTRESS
ISABELLA’SMARRIAGE
ISABELLAASAMOTHER
SLAVEHOLDER’SPROMISES
HERESCAPE
ILLEGALSALEOFHERSON
ITISOFTENDARKESTJUSTBEFOREDAWN
DEATHOFMRS。ELIZAFOWLER
ISABELLA’SRELIGIOUSEXPERIENCE
NEWTRIALS
FINDINGABROTHERANDSISTER
GLEANINGS
THEMATTHIASDELUSION
FASTING
THECAUSEOFHERLEAVINGTHECITY
THECONSEQUENCESOFREFUSINGATRAVELLERANIGHT’SLODGING
SOMEOFHERVIEWSANDREASONINGS
THESECONDADVENTDOCTRINES
ANOTHERCAMP-MEETING
LASTINTERVIEWWITHHERMASTER
CERTIFICATESOFCHARACTER
NARRATIVEOFSOJOURNERTRUTH
HERBIRTHANDPARENTAGE。
THEsubjectofthisbiography，SOJOURNERTRUTH，asshenowcallsherself-butwhosename，originally，wasIsabella-wasborn，asnearasshecannowcalculate，betweentheyears1797and1800。ShewasthedaughterofJamesandBetsey，slavesofoneColonelArdinburgh，Hurley，UlsterCounty，NewYork。
ColonelArdinburghbelongedtothatclassofpeoplecalledLowDutch。
Ofherfirstmaster，shecangivenoaccount，asshemusthavebeenamereinfantwhenhedied;andshe，withherparentsandsometenortwelveotherfellowhumanchattels，becamethelegalpropertyofhisson，CharlesArdinburgh。Shedistinctlyremembershearingherfatherandmothersay，thattheirlotwasafortunateone，asMasterCharleswasthebestofthefamily，-being，comparativelyspeaking，akindmastertohisslaves。
JamesandBetseyhaving，bytheirfaithfulness，docility，andrespectfulbehavior，wonhisparticularregard，receivedfromhimparticularfavors-amongwhichwasalotofland，lyingbackontheslopeofamountain，where，byimprovingthepleasanteveningsandSundays，theymanagedtoraisealittletobacco，corn，orflax;whichtheyexchangedforextras，inthearticlesoffoodorclothingforthemselvesandchildren。ShehasnoremembrancethatSaturdayafternoonwaseveraddedtotheirowntime，asitisbysomemastersintheSouthernStates。
ACCOMMODATIONS。
AmongIsabella’searliestrecollectionswastheremovalofhermaster，CharlesArdinburgh，intohisnewhouse，whichhehadbuiltforahotel，soonafterthedeceaseofhisfather。Acellar，underthishotel，wasassignedtohisslaves，astheirsleepingapartment，-alltheslaveshepossessed，ofbothsexes，sleeping（asisquitecommoninastateofslavery）inthesameroom。Shecarriesinhermind，tothisday，avividpictureofthisdismalchamber;itsonlylightsconsistingofafewpanesofglass，throughwhichshethinksthesunnevershone，butwiththricereflectedrays;andthespacebetweenthelooseboardsofthefloor，andtheunevenearthbelow，wasoftenfilledwithmudandwater，theuncomfortablesplashingsofwhichwereasannoyingasitsnoxiousvaporsmusthavebeenchillingandfataltohealth。Sheshudders，evennow，asshegoesbackinmemory，andrevisitsthiscellar，andseesitsinmates，ofbothsexesandallages，sleepingonthosedampboards，likethehorse，withalittlestrawandablanket;
andshewondersnotattherheumatisms，andfever-sores，andpalsies，thatdistortedthelimbsandrackedthebodiesofthosefellow-slavesinafter-life。Still，shedoesnotattributethiscruelty-forcrueltyitcertainlyis，tobesounmindfulofthehealthandcomfortofanybeing，leavingentirelyoutofsighthismoreimportantpart，hiseverlastinginterests，-somuchtoanyinnateorconstitutionalcrueltyofthemaster，astothatgiganticinconsistency，thatinheritedhabitamongslaveholders，ofexpectingawillingandintelligentobediencefromtheslave，becauseheisaMAN-atthesametimeeverythingbelongingtothesoul-harrowingsystemdoesitsbesttocrushthelastvestigeofamanwithinhim;andwhenitiscrushed，andoftenbefore，heisdeniedthecomfortsoflife，onthepleathatheknowsneitherthewantnortheuseofthem，andbecauseheisconsideredtobelittlemoreorlittlelessthanabeast。
HERBROTHERSANDSISTERS。
Isabella’sfatherwasverytallandstraight，whenyoung，whichgavehimthenameof’Bomefree’-lowDutchfortree-atleast，thisisSOJOURNER’spronunciationofit-andbythisnameheusuallywent。Themostfamiliarappellationofhermotherwas’Mau-mauBett。’Shewasthemotherofsometenortwelvechildren;thoughSojournerisfarfromknowingtheexactnumberofherbrothersandsisters;shebeingtheyoungest，saveone，andallolderthanherselfhavingbeensoldbeforeherremembrance。Shewasprivilegedtobeholdsixofthemwhilesheremainedaslave。
Ofthetwothatimmediatelyprecededherinage，aboyoffiveyears，andagirlofthree，whoweresoldwhenshewasaninfant，sheheardmuch;andshewishesthatallwhowouldfainbelievethatslaveparentshavenotnaturalaffectionfortheiroffspringcouldhavelistenedasshedid，whileBomefreeandMau-mauBett，-theirdarkcellarlightedbyablazingpine-knot，-wouldsitforhours，recallingandrecountingeveryendearing，aswellasharrowingcircumstancethattaxedmemorycouldsupply，fromthehistoriesofthosedeardepartedones，ofwhomtheyhadbeenrobbed，andforwhomtheirheartsstillbled。Amongtherest，theywouldrelatehowthelittleboy，onthelastmorninghewaswiththem，arosewiththebirds，kindledafire，callingforhisMau-mauto’come，forallwasnowreadyforher’-littledreamingofthedreadfulseparationwhichwassonearathand，butofwhichhisparentshadanuncertain，butallthemorecruelforeboding。Therewassnowontheground，atthetimeofwhichwearespeaking;andalargeold-fashionedsleighwasseentodriveuptothedoorofthelateCol。
Ardinburgh。Thiseventwasnoticedwithchildishpleasurebytheunsuspiciousboy;butwhenhewastakenandputintothesleigh，andsawhislittlesisteractuallyshutandlockedintothesleighbox，hiseyeswereatonceopenedtotheirintentions;and，likeafrighteneddeerhesprangfromthesleigh，andrunningintothehouse，concealedhimselfunderabed。Butthisavailedhimlittle。Hewasre-conveyedtothesleigh，andseparatedforeverfromthosewhomGodhadconstitutedhisnaturalguardiansandprotectors，andwhoshouldhavefoundhim，inreturn，astayandastafftothemintheirdecliningyears。ButImakenocommentsonfactslikethese，knowingthattheheartofeveryslaveparentwillmakeitsowncomments，involuntarilyandcorrectly，assoonaseachheartshallmakethecaseitsown。
Thosewhoarenotparentswilldrawtheirconclusionsfromthepromptingsofhumanityandphilanthropy：-these，enlightenedbyreasonandrevelation，arealsounerring。
HERRELIGIOUSINSTRUCTION。
IsabellaandPeter，heryoungestbrother，remained，withtheirparents，thelegalpropertyofCharlesArdinburghtillhisdecease，whichtookplacewhenIsabellawasnearnineyearsold。
Afterthisevent，shewasoftensurprisedtofindhermotherintears;
andwhen，inhersimplicity，sheinquired，’Mau-mau，whatmakesyoucry？’shewouldanswer，’Oh，mychild，Iamthinkingofyourbrothersandsistersthathavebeensoldawayfromme。’Andshewouldproceedtodetailmanycircumstancesrespectingthem。ButIsabellalongsinceconcludedthatitwastheimpendingfateofheronlyremainingchildren，whichhermotherbuttoowellunderstood，eventhen，thatcalledupthosememoriesfromthepast，andmadethemcrucifyherheartafresh。
Intheevening，whenhermother’sworkwasdone，shewouldsitdownunderthesparklingvaultofheaven，andcallingherchildrentoher，wouldtalktothemoftheonlyBeingthatcouldeffectuallyaidorprotectthem。HerteachingsweredeliveredinLowDutch，heronlylanguage，and，translatedintoEnglish，rannearlyasfollows：-
’Mychildren，thereisaGod，whohearsandseesyou。’’AGod，mau-mau！
Wheredoeshelive？’askedthechildren。’Helivesinthesky，’shereplied;’andwhenyouarebeaten，orcruellytreated，orfallintoanytrouble，youmustaskhelpofhim，andhewillalwayshearandhelpyou。’ShetaughtthemtokneelandsaytheLord’sPrayer。Sheentreatedthemtorefrainfromlyingandstealing，andtostrivetoobeytheirmasters。
Attimes，agroanwouldescapeher，andshewouldbreakoutinthelanguageofthePsalmist-’OhLord，howlong？’’OhLord，howlong？’AndinreplytoIsabella’squestion-’Whatailsyou，mau-mau？’heronlyanswerwas，’Oh，agooddealailsme’-’Enoughailsme。’Thenagain，shewouldpointthemtothestars，andsay，inherpeculiarlanguage，’Thosearethesamestars，andthatisthesamemoon，thatlookdownuponyourbrothersandsisters，andwhichtheyseeastheylookuptothem，thoughtheyareeversofarawayfromus，andeachother。’
Thus，inherhumbleway，didsheendeavortoshowthemtheirHeavenlyFather，astheonlybeingwhocouldprotectthemintheirperilouscondition;atthesametime，shewouldstrengthenandbrightenthechainoffamilyaffection，whichshetrustedextendeditselfsufficientlytoconnectthewidelyscatteredmembersofherpreciousflock。TheseinstructionsofthemotherweretreasuredupandheldsacredbyIsabella，asourfuturenarrativewillshow。
THEAUCTION。
Atlength，thenever-to-be-forgottendayoftheterribleauctionarrived，whenthe’slaves，horses，andothercattle’ofCharlesArdinburgh，deceased，weretobeputunderthehammer，andagainchangemasters。NotonlyIsabellaandPeter，buttheirmother，werenowdestinedtotheauctionblock，andwouldhavebeenstruckoffwiththeresttothehighestbidder，butforthefollowingcircumstance：A
questionaroseamongtheheirs，’WhoshallbeburdenedwithBomefree，whenwehavesentawayhisfaithfulMau-mauBett？’Hewasbecomingweakandinfirm;hislimbswerepainfullyrheumaticanddistorted-morefromexposureandhardshipthanfromoldage，thoughhewasseveralyearsolderthanMau-mauBett：hewasnolongerconsideredofvalue，butmustsoonbeaburdenandcaretosomeone。Aftersomecontentiononthepointatissue，nonebeingwillingtobeburdenedwithhim，itwasfinallyagreed，asmostexpedientfortheheirs，thatthepriceofMau-mauBettshouldbesacrificed，andshereceiveherfreedom，onconditionthatshetakecareofandsupportherfaithfulJames，-
faithful，notonlytoherasahusband，butproverbiallyfaithfulasaslavetothosewhowouldnotwillinglysacrificeadollarforhiscomfort，nowthathehadcommencedhisdescentintothedarkvaleofdecrepitudeandsuffering。Thisimportantdecisionwasreceivedasjoyfulnewsindeedtoourancientcouple，whoweretheobjectsofit，andwhoweretryingtopreparetheirheartsforaseverestruggle，andonealtogethernewtothem，astheyhadneverbeforebeenseparated;
for，thoughignorant，helpless，crushedinspirit，andweigheddownwithhardshipandcruelbereavement，theywerestillhuman，andtheirhumanheartsbeatwithinthemwithastrueanaffectionasevercausedahumanhearttobeat。Andtheiranticipatedseparationnow，inthedeclineoflife，afterthelastchildhadbeentornfromthem，musthavebeentrulyappalling。Anotherprivilegewasgrantedthem-thatofremainingoccupantsofthesamedark，humidcellarIhavebeforedescribed：otherwise，theyweretosupportthemselvesastheybestcould。Andashermotherwasstillabletodoconsiderablework，andherfatheralittle，theygotonforsometimeverycomfortably。Thestrangerswhorentedthehousewerehumanepeople，andverykindtothem;theywerenotrich，andownednoslaves。Howlongthisstateofthingscontinued，weareunabletosay，asIsabellahadnotthensufficientlycultivatedherorganoftimetocalculateyears，orevenweeksorhours。ButshethinkshermothermusthavelivedseveralyearsafterthedeathofMasterCharles。Sheremembersgoingtovisitherparentssomethreeorfourtimesbeforethedeathofhermother，andagooddealoftimeseemedtohertointervenebetweeneachvisit。
Atlengthhermother’shealthbegantodecline-afever-soremadeitsravagesononeofherlimbs，andthepalsybegantoshakeherframe;
still，sheandJamestotteredabout，pickingupalittlehereandthere，which，addedtothemitescontributedbytheirkindneighbors，sufficedtosustainlife，anddrivefaminefromthedoor。
DEATHOFMAU-MAUBETT。
Onemorning，inearlyautumn，（fromthereasonabovementioned，wecannottellwhatyear，）Mau-mauBetttoldJamesshewouldmakehimaloafofrye-bread，andgetMrs。Simmons，theirkindneighbor，tobakeitforthem，asshewouldbakethatforenoon。Jamestoldherhehadengagedtorakeafterthecartforhisneighborsthatmorning;butbeforehecommenced，hewouldpoleoffsomeapplesfromatreenear，whichtheywereallowedtogather;andifshecouldgetsomeofthembakedwiththebread，itwouldgiveanicerelishfortheirdinner。Hebeatofftheapples，andsoonafter，sawMau-mauBettcomeoutandgatherthemup。
Attheblowingofthehornfordinner，hegropedhiswayintohiscellar，anticipatinghishumble，butwarmandnourishingmeal;when，lo！insteadofbeingcheeredbythesightandodoroffresh-bakedbreadandthesavoryapples，hiscellarseemedmorecheerlessthanusual，andatfirstneithersightnorsoundmeteyeorear。But，ongropinghiswaythroughtheroom，hisstaff，whichheusedasapioneertogobefore，andwarnhimofdanger，seemedtobeimpededinitsprogress，andalow，gurgling，chokingsoundproceededfromtheobjectbeforehim，givinghimthefirstintimationofthetruthasitwas，thatMau-mauBett，hisbosomcompanion，theonlyremainingmemberofhislargefamily，hadfalleninafitofthepalsy，andlayhelplessandsenselessontheearth！Whoamongus，locatedinpleasanthomes，surroundedwitheverycomfort，andsomanykindandsympathizingfriends，canpicturetoourselvesthedarkanddesolatestateofpooroldJames-penniless，weak，lame，andnearlyblind，ashewasatthemomenthefoundhiscompanionwasremovedfromhim，andhewasleftaloneintheworld，withnoonetoaid，comfort，orconsolehim？forsheneverrevivedagain，andlivedonlyafewhoursafterbeingdiscoveredsenselessbyherpoorbereavedJames。
LASTDAYSOFBOMEFREE。
IsabellaandPeterwerepermittedtoseetheremainsoftheirmotherlaidintheirlastnarrowdwelling，andtomaketheirbereavedfatheralittlevisit，eretheyreturnedtotheirservitude。Andmostpiteouswerethelamentationsofthepooroldman，when，atlast，theyalsowereobligedtobidhim\"Farewell！\"JuanFernandes，onhisdesolateisland，wasnotsopitiableanobjectasthispoorlameman。Blindandcrippled，hewastoosuperannuatedtothinkforamomentoftakingcareofhimself，andhegreatlyfearednopersonswouldinterestthemselvesinhisbehalf。’Oh，’hewouldexclaim，’IhadthoughtGodwouldtakemefirst，-Mau-mauwassomuchsmarterthanI，andcouldgetaboutandtakecareofherself;-andIamsoold，andsohelpless。Whatistobecomeofme？Ican’tdoanythinganymore-mychildrenareallgone，andhereIamlefthelplessandalone。’’Andthen，asIwastakingleaveofhim，’saidhisdaughter，inrelatingit，’heraisedhisvoice，andcriedaloudlikeachild-Oh，howheDIDcry！IHEARitnow-andrememberitaswellasifitwerebutyesterday-pooroldman！！！HethoughtGodhaddoneitall-andmyheartbledwithinmeatthesightofhismisery。Hebeggedmetogetpermissiontocomeandseehimsometimes，whichIreadilyandheartilypromisedhim。’Butwhenallhadlefthim，theArdinburghs，havingsomefeelingleftfortheirfaithfulandfavoriteslave，’tookturnsabout’inkeepinghim-
permittinghimtostayafewweeksatonehouse，andthenawhileatanother，andsoaround。If，whenhemadearemoval，theplacewherehewasgoingwasnottoofaroff，hetookuphislineofmarch，staffinhand，andaskedfornoassistance。Ifitwastwelveortwentymiles，theygavehimaride。Whilehewaslivinginthisway，Isabellawastwicepermittedtovisithim。Anothertimeshewalkedtwelvemiles，andcarriedherinfantinherarmstoseehim，butwhenshereachedtheplacewhereshehopedtofindhim，hehadjustleftforaplacesometwentymilesdistant，andsheneversawhimmore。Thelasttimeshedidseehim，shefoundhimseatedonarock，bytheroadside，alone，andfarfromanyhouse。HewasthenmigratingfromthehouseofoneArdinburghtothatofanother，severalmilesdistant。Hishairwaswhitelikewool-hewasalmostblind-andhisgaitwasmoreacreepthanawalk-buttheweatherwaswarmandpleasant，andhedidnotdislikethejourney。WhenIsabellaaddressedhim，herecognizedhervoice，andwasexceedinggladtoseeher。Hewasassistedtomountthewagon，wascarriedbacktothefamouscellarofwhichwehavespoken，andtheretheyheldtheirlastearthlyconversation。Heagain，asusual，bewailedhisloneliness，-spokeintonesofanguishofhismanychildren，saying，\"Theyarealltakenawayfromme！Ihavenownotonetogivemeacupofcoldwater-whyshouldIliveandnotdie？\"
Isabella，whoseheartyearnedoverherfather，andwhowouldhavemadeanysacrificetohavebeenabletobewith，andtakecareofhim，triedtocomfort，bytellinghimthat’shehadheardthewhitefolkssay，thatalltheslavesintheStatewouldbefreedintenyears，andthatthenshewouldcomeandtakecareofhim。’’IwouldtakejustasgoodcareofyouasMau-mauwould，ifshewashere’-continuedIsabel。’Oh，mychild，’repliedhe，’Icannotlivethatlong。’’Oh，do，daddy，dolive，andIwilltakesuchgoodcareofyou，’washerrejoinder。Shenowsays，’Why，Ithoughtthen，inmyignorance，thathecouldlive，ifhewould。Ijustasmuchthoughtso，asIeverthoughtanythinginmylife-andIinsistedonhisliving：butheshookhishead，andinsistedhecouldnot。’
ButbeforeBomefree’sgoodconstitutionwouldyieldeithertoage，exposure，orastrongdesiretodie，theArdinburghsagaintiredofhim，andofferedfreedomtotwooldslaves-Caesar，brotherofMau-mauBett，andhiswifeBetsy-onconditionthattheyshouldtakecareofJames。（Iwasabouttosay，’theirbrother-in-law’-butasslavesareneitherhusbandsnorwivesinlaw，theideaoftheirbeingbrothers-in-lawistrulyludicrous。）Andalthoughtheyweretoooldandinfirmtotakecareofthemselves，（Caesarhavingbeenafflictedforalongtimewithfever-sores，andhiswifewiththejaundice），theyeagerlyacceptedtheboonoffreedom，whichhadbeenthelife-longdesireoftheirsouls-thoughatatimewhenemancipationwastothemlittlemorethandestitution，andwasafreedommoretobedesiredbythemasterthantheslave。Sojournerdeclaresoftheslavesintheirignorance，that’theirthoughtsarenolongerthanherfinger。’
DEATHOFBOMEFREE。
Arudecabin，inalonewood，farfromanyneighbors，wasgrantedtoourfreedfriends，astheonlyassistancetheywerenowtoexpect。
Bomefree，fromthistime，foundhispoorneedshardlysupplied，ashisnewproviderswerescarceabletoadministertotheirownwants。
However，thetimedrewnearwhenthingsweretobedecidedlyworseratherthanbetter;fortheyhadnotbeentogetherlong，beforeBettydied，andshortlyafter，Caesarfollowedherto’thatbournefromwhencenotravellerreturns’-leavingpoorJamesagaindesolate，andmorehelplessthaneverbefore;as，thistime，therewasnokindfamilyinthehouse，andtheArdinburghsnolongerinvitedhimtotheirhomes。
Yet，lone，blindandhelplessashewas，Jamesforatimelivedon。
Oneday，anagedcoloredwoman，namedSoan，calledathisshanty，andJamesbesoughther，inthemostmovingmanner，evenwithtears，totarryawhileandwashandmendhimup，sothathemightoncemorebedecentandcomfortable;forhewassufferingdreadfullywiththefilthandverminthathadcollecteduponhim。
Soanwasherselfanemancipatedslave，oldandweak，withnoonetocareforher;andshelackedthecouragetoundertakeajobofsuchseemingmagnitude，fearingshemightherselfgetsick，andperishtherewithoutassistance;andwithgreatreluctance，andaheartswellingwithpity，assheafterwardsdeclared，shefeltobligedtoleavehiminhiswretchednessandfilth。Andshortlyafterhervisit，thisfaithfulslave，thisdesertedwreckofhumanity，wasfoundonhismiserablepallet，frozenandstiffindeath。Thekindangelhadcomeatlast，andrelievedhimofthemanymiseriesthathisfellow-manhadheapeduponhim。Yes，hehaddied，chilledandstarved，withnonetospeakakindlyword，ordoakindlydeedforhim，inthatlastdreadofhourofneed！
ThenewsofhisdeathreachedtheearsofJohnArdinburgh，agrandsonoftheoldColonel;andhedeclaredthat’Bomefree，whohadeverbeenakindandfaithfulslave，shouldnowhaveagoodfuneral。’Andnow，gentlereader，whatthinkyouconstitutedagoodfuneral？Answer-someblackpaintforthecoffin，and-ajugofardentspirits！Whatacompensationforalifeoftoil，ofpatientsubmissiontorepeatedrobberiesofthemostaggravatedkind，and，also，farmorethanmurderousneglect！！Mankindoftenvainlyattemptstoatoneforunkindnessorcrueltytotheliving，byhonoringthesameafterdeath;
butJohnArdinburghundoubtablymeanthispotofpaintandjugofwhiskyshouldactasanopiateonhisslaves，ratherthanonhisownsearedconscience。
COMMENCEMENTOFISABELLA’STRIALSINLIFE。
Havingseenthesadendofherparents，sofarasitrelatestothisearthlylife，wewillreturnwithIsabellatothatmemorableauctionwhichthreatenedtoseparateherfatherandmother。Aslaveauctionisaterribleaffairtoitsvictims，anditsincidentsandconsequencesaregravenontheirheartsaswithapenofburningsteel。
Atthismemorabletime，Isabellawasstruckoff，forthesumofonehundreddollars，tooneJohnNealy，ofUlsterCounty，NewYork;andshehasanimpressionthatinthissaleshewasconnectedwithalotofsheep。Shewasnownineyearsofage，andhertrialsinlifemaybedatedfromthisperiod。Shesays，withemphasis，’Nowthewarbegun。’
ShecouldonlytalkDutch-andtheNealyscouldonlytalkEnglish。Mr。
NealycouldunderstandDutch，butIsabelandhermistresscouldneitherofthemunderstandthelanguageoftheother-andthis，ofitself，wasaformidableobstacleinthewayofagoodunderstandingbetweenthem，andforsometimewasafruitfulsourceofdissatisfactiontothemistress，andofpunishmentandsufferingtoIsabella。Shesays，’Iftheysentmeforafrying-pan，notknowingwhattheymeant，perhapsI
carriedthempot-hooksandtrammels。Then，oh！howangrymistresswouldbewithme！’Thenshesuffered’terribly-terribly’，withthecold。Duringthewinterherfeetwerebadlyfrozen，forwantofpropercovering。Theygaveheraplentytoeat，andalsoaplentyofwhippings。OneSundaymorning，inparticular，shewastoldtogotothebarn;ongoingthere，shefoundhermasterwithabundleofrods，preparedintheembers，andboundtogetherwithcords。Whenhehadtiedherhandstogetherbeforeher，hegaveherthemostcruelwhippingshewasevertorturedwith。Hewhippedhertillthefleshwasdeeplylacerated，andthebloodstreamedfromherwounds-andthescarsremaintothepresentday，totestifytothefact。’Andnow，’shesays，’whenIhear’emtellofwhippingwomenonthebareflesh，itmakesmyfleshcrawl，andmyveryhairriseonmyhead！Oh！myGod！’shecontinues，’whatawayisthisoftreatinghumanbeings？’Inthosehoursofherextremity，shedidnotforgettheinstructionsofhermother，togotoGodinallhertrials，andeveryaffliction;andshenotonlyremembered，butobeyed：goingtohim，’andtellinghimall-andaskingHimifHethoughtitwasright，’andbegginghimtoprotectandshieldherfromherpersecutors。
Shealwaysaskedwithanunwaveringfaiththatsheshouldreceivejustwhatshepleadedfor，-’Andnow，’shesays，’thoughitseemscurious，I
donotremembereveraskingforanythingbutwhatIgotit。AndI
alwaysreceiveditasananswertomyprayers。WhenIgotbeaten，I
neverknewitlongenoughtogobeforehandtopray;andIalwaysthoughtthatifIonlyhadhadtimetopraytoGodforhelp，Ishouldhaveescapedthebeating。’ShehadnoideaGodhadanyknowledgeofherthoughts，savewhatshetoldhim;orheardherprayers，unlesstheywerespokenaudibly。Andconsequently，shecouldnotprayunlessshehadtimeandopportunitytogobyherself，whereshecouldtalktoGodwithoutbeingoverheard。
TRIALSCONTINUED。
WhenshehadbeenatMr。Nealy’sseveralmonths，shebegantobegGodmostearnestlytosendherfathertoher，andassoonasshecommencedtopray，shebeganasconfidentlytolookforhiscoming，and，ereitwaslong，tohergreatjoy，hecame。Shehadnoopportunitytospeaktohimofthetroublesthatweighedsoheavilyonherspirit，whileheremained;butwhenheleft，shefollowedhimtothegate，andunburdenedherhearttohim，inquiringifhecouldnotdosomethingtogetheranewandbetterplace。Inthiswaytheslavesoftenassisteachother，byascertainingwhoarekindtotheirslaves，comparatively;andthenusingtheirinfluencetogetsuchanonetohireorbuytheirfriends;andmasters，oftenfrompolicy，aswellasfromlatenthumanity，allowthosetheyareabouttosellorlet，tochoosetheirownplaces，ifthepersonstheyhappentoselectformastersareconsideredsafepay。Hepromisedtodoallhecould，andtheyparted。But，everyday，aslongasthesnowlasted，（fortherewassnowonthegroundatthetime，）shereturnedtothespotwheretheyseparated，andwalkinginthetracksherfatherhadmadeinthesnow，repeatedherprayerthat’Godwouldhelpherfathergetheranewandbetterplace。’
Alongtimehadnotelapsed，whenafishermanbythenameofScriverappearedatMr。Nealy’s，andinquiredofIsabel’ifshewouldliketogoandlivewithhim。’Sheeagerlyanswered’Yes，’andnothingdoubtingbuthewassentinanswertoherprayer;andshesoonstartedoffwithhim，walkingwhileherode;forhehadboughtheratthesuggestionofherfather，payingonehundredandfivedollarsforher。
HealsolivedinUlsterCounty，butsomefiveorsixmilesfromMr。
Nealy’s。
Scriver，besidesbeingafisherman，keptatavernfortheaccommodationofpeopleofhisownclass-forhiswasarude，uneducatedfamily，exceedinglyprofaneintheirlanguage，but，onthewhole，anhonest，kindandwell-disposedpeople。
Theyownedalargefarm，butleftitwhollyunimproved;attendingmainlytotheirvocationsoffishingandinn-keeping。Isabelladeclaresshecanilldescribethekindoflifesheledwiththem。Itwasawild，out-of-doorkindoflief。Shewasexpectedtocarryfish，tohoecorn，tobringrootsandherbsfromthewoodsforbeers，gototheStrandforagallonofmolassesorliquorasthecasemightrequire，and’browsearound，’assheexpressesit。Itwasalifethatsuitedherwellforthetime-beingasdevoidofhardshiporterrorasitwasofimprovement;aneedwhichhadnotyetbecomeawant。Insteadofimprovingatthisplace，morally，sheretrograded，astheirexampletaughthertocurse;anditwasherethatshetookherfirstoath。
Afterlivingwiththemforaboutayearandahalf，shewassoldtooneJohnJ。Dumont，forthesumofseventypounds。Thiswasin1810。Mr。
Dumontlivedinthesamecountyasherformermasters，inthetownofNewPaltz，andsheremainedwithhimtillashorttimeprevioustoheremancipationbytheState，in1828。
HERSTANDINGWITHHERNEWMASTERANDMISTRESS。
HadMrs。Dumontpossessedthatveinofkindnessandconsiderationfortheslaves，soperceptibleinherhusband’scharacter，Isabellawouldhavebeenascomfortablehere，asonehadbestbe，ifonemustbeaslave。Mr。Dumonthadbeennursedintheverylapofslavery，andbeingnaturallyamanofkindfeelings，treatedhisslaveswithalltheconsiderationhedidhisotheranimals，andmore，perhaps。ButMrs。
Dumont，whohadbeenbornandeducatedinanon-slaveholdingfamily，and，likemanyothers，usedonlytowork-people，who，underthemoststimulatingofhumanmotives，werewillingtoputforththeireveryenergy，couldnothavepatiencewiththecreepinggait，thedullunderstanding，orseeanycauseforthelistlessmannersandcareless，slovenlyhabitsofthepoordown-troddenoutcast-entirelyforgettingthateveryhighandefficientmotivehadbeenremovedfarfromhim;andthat，hadnothisveryintellectbeencrushedoutofhim，theslavewouldfindlittlegroundforaughtbuthopelessdespondency。Fromthissourcearosealongseriesoftrialsinthelifeofourheroine，whichwemustpassoverinsilence;somefrommotivesofdelicacy，andothers，becausetherelationofthemmightinflictundeservedpainonsomenowliving，whomIsabelremembersonlywithesteemandlove;
therefore，thereaderwillnotbesurprisedifournarrativeappearssomewhattameatthispoint，andmayrestassuredthatitisnotforwantoffacts，asthemostthrillingincidentsofthisportionofherlifearefromvariousmotivessuppressed。
Onecomparativelytriflingincidentshewishesrelated，asitmadeadeepimpressiononhermindatthetime-showing，asshethinks，howGodshieldstheinnocent，andcausesthemtotriumphovertheirenemies，andalsohowshestoodbetweenmasterandmistress。Inherfamily，Mrs。Dumontemployedtwowhitegirls，oneofwhom，namedKate，evincedadispositionto’lorditover’Isabel，and，inheremphaticlanguage，’togrindherdown’。Hermasteroftenshieldedherfromtheattacksandaccusationsofothers，praisingherforherreadinessandabilitytowork，andthesepraisesseemedtofosteraspiritofhostilitytoher，inthemindsofMrs。Dumontandherwhiteservant，thelatterofwhomtookeveryopportunitytocryupherfaults，lessenherintheesteemofhermasterandincreaseagainstherthedispleasureofhermistress，whichwasalreadymorethansufficientforIsabel’scomfort。
Hermasterinsistedthatshecoulddoasmuchworkashalfadozencommonpeople，anddoitwell，too;whilsthermistressinsistedthatthefirstwastrue，onlybecauseitevercamefromherhandbuthalfperformed。Agooddealoffeelingarosefromthisdifferenceofopinion，whichwasgettingtoratheranuncomfortableheight，when，allatonce，thepotatoesthatIsabelcookedforbreakfastassumedadingy，dirtylook。Hermistressblamedherseverely，askinghermastertoobserve’afinespecimenofBell’swork！’-adding，’itisthewayallherworkisdone。’Hermasterscoldedalsothistime，andcommandedhertobemorecarefulinfuture。Katejoinedwithzestinthecensures，andwasveryharduponher。Isabellathoughtthatshehaddoneallshewellcouldtohavethemnice;
andbecamequitedistressedattheirappearances，andwonderedwhatsheshoulddotoavoidthem。Inthisdilemma，GertrudeDumont（Mr。D。’seldestchild，agood，kind-heartedgirloftenyears，whopitiedIsabelsincerely），whensheheardthemallblamehersounsparingly，cameforward，offeringhersympathyandassistance;andwhenabouttoretiretobed，onthenightofIsabella’shumiliation，sheadvancedtoIsabel，andtoldher，ifshewouldwakeherearlynextmorning，shewouldgetupandattendtoherpotatoesforher，whileshe（Isabella）wenttomilking，andtheywouldseeiftheycouldnothavethemnice，andnothave’Poppee，’herwordforfather，and’Matty，’herwordformother，andallof’em，scoldingsoterribly。
Isabellagladlyavailedherselfofthiskindness，whichtouchedhertotheheart，amidsomuchofanoppositespirit。WhenIsabellahadputthepotatoesovertoboil，Gettytoldhershewouldherselftendthefire，whileIsabelmilked。Shehadnotlongbeenseatedbythefire，inperformanceofherpromise，whenKateentered，andrequestedGertrudetogooutoftheroomanddosomethingforher，whichsherefused，stillkeepingherplaceinthecorner。Whilethere，Katecamesweepingaboutthefire，caughtupachip，liftedsomeasheswithit，anddashedthemintothekettle。Nowthemysterywassolved，theplotdiscovered！Katewasworkingalittletoofastatmakinghermistress’swordsgood，atshowingthatMrs。Dumontandherselfwereontherightsideofthedispute，andconsequentlyatgainingpoweroverIsabella。Yes，shewasquitetoofast，inasmuchasshehadoverlookedthelittlefigureofjustice，whichsatinthecomer，withscalesnicelybalanced，waitingtogivealltheirdues。
Butthetimehadcomewhenshewastobeoverlookednolonger。ItwasGetty’sturntospeaknow。’OhPoppee！ohPoppee！’saidshe，’Katehasbeenputtingashesinamongthepotatoes！Isawherdoit！Lookatthosethatfellontheoutsideofthekettle！Youcannowseewhatmadethepotatoessodingyeverymorning，thoughBellwashedthemclean！’Andsherepeatedherstorytoeverynewcomer，tillthefraudwasmadeaspublicasthecensureofIsabellahadbeen。Hermistresslookedblank，andremaineddumb-hermastermutteredsomethingwhichsoundedverylikeanoath-andpoorKatewassochop-fallen，shelookedlikeaconvictedcriminal，whowouldgladlyhavehidherself，（nowthatthebasenesswasout，）toconcealhermortifiedprideanddeepchagrin。
ItwasafinetriumphforIsabellaandhermaster，andshebecamemoreambitiousthanevertopleasehim;andhestimulatedherambitionbyhiscommendation，andbyboastingofhertohisfriends，tellingthemthat’thatwench’（pointingtoIsabel）
’isbettertomethanaman-forshewilldoagoodfamily’swashinginthenight，andbereadyinthemorningtogointothefield，whereshewilldoasmuchatrakingandbindingasmybesthands。’Herambitionanddesiretopleaseweresogreat，thatsheoftenworkedseveralnightsinsuccession，sleepingonlyshortsnatches，asshesatinherchair;andsomenightsshewouldnotallowherselftotakeanysleep，savewhatshecouldgetrestingherselfagainstthewall，fearingthatifshesatdown，shewouldsleeptoolong。Theseextraexertionstoplease，andthepraisesconsequentuponthem，broughtuponherheadtheenvyofherfellow-slaves，andtheytauntedherwithbeingthe’whitefolks’
nigger。’Ontheotherhand，shereceivedthelargershareoftheconfidenceofhermaster，andmanysmallfavorsthatwerebythemunattainable。Iaskedherifhermaster，Dumont，everwhippedher？Sheanswered，’Ohyes，hesometimeswhippedmesoundly，thoughnevercruelly。AndthemostseverewhippingheevergivemewasbecauseIwascrueltoacat。’AtthistimeshelookeduponhermasterasaGod;andbelievedthatheknewofandcouldseeheratalltimes，evenasGodhimself。Andsheusedsometimestoconfessherdelinquencies，fromtheconvictionthathealreadyknewthem，andthatsheshouldfarebetterifsheconfessedvoluntarily：andifanyonetalkedtoheroftheinjusticeofherbeingaslave，sheansweredthemwithcontempt，andimmediatelytoldhermaster。Shethenfirmlybelievedthatslaverywasrightandhonorable。Yetshenowseesveryclearlythefalsepositiontheywereallin，bothmastersandslaves;andshelooksback，withutterastonishment，attheabsurdityoftheclaimssoarrogantlysetupbythemasters，overbeingsdesignedbyGodtobeasfreeaskings;andattheperfectstupidityoftheslave，inadmittingforonemomentthevalidityoftheseclaims。
Inobediencetohermother’sinstructions，shehadeducatedherselftosuchasenseofhonesty，that，whenshehadbecomeamother，shewouldsometimeswhipherchildwhenitcriedtoherforbread，ratherthangiveitapiecesecretly，lestitshouldlearntotakewhatwasnotitsown！Andthewriterofthisknows，frompersonalobservation，thattheslaveholdersoftheSouthfeelittobeareligiousdutytoteachtheirslavestobehonest，andnevertotakewhatisnottheirown！Ohconsistency，artthounotajewel？YetIsabellagloriesinthefactthatshewasfaithfulandtruetohermaster;shesays，’ItmademetruetomyGod’-meaning，thatithelpedtoforminheracharacterthatlovedtruth，andhatedalie，andhadsavedherfromthebitterpainsandfearsthataresuretofollowinthewakeofinsincerityandhypocrisy。
Assheadvancedinyears，anattachmentsprungupbetweenherselfandaslavenamedRobert。Buthismaster，anEnglishmanbythenameofCatlin，anxiousthatnoone’spropertybuthisownshouldbeenhancedbytheincreaseofhisslaves，forbadeRobert’svisitstoIsabella，andcommandedhimtotakeawifeamonghisfellow-servants。Notwithstandingthisinterdiction，Robert，followingthebentofhisinclinations，continuedhisvisitstoIsabel，thoughverystealthily，and，ashebelieved，withoutexcitingthesuspicionofhismaster;butoneSaturdayafternoon，hearingthatBellwasill，hetookthelibertytogoandseeher。Thefirstintimationshehadofhisvisitwastheappearanceofhermaster，inquiring’ifshehadseenBob。’Onheransweringinthenegative，hesaidtoher，’Ifyouseehim，tellhimtotakecareofhimself，fortheCatlinsareafterhim。’Almostatthatinstant，Bobmadehisappearance;andthefirstpeoplehemetwerehisoldandhisyoungmasters。Theywereterriblyenragedatfindinghimthere，andtheeldestbegancursing，andcallinguponhissonto’Knockdownthed-dblackrascal’;atthesametime，theybothfelluponhimliketigers，beatinghimwiththeheavyendsoftheircanes，bruisingandmanglinghisheadandfaceinthemostawfulmanner，andcausingtheblood，whichstreamedfromhiswounds，tocoverhimlikeaslaughteredbeast，constitutinghimamostshockingspectacle。Mr。Dumontinterposedatthispoint，tellingtheruffianstheycouldnolongerthusspillhumanbloodonhispremises-hewouldhave’noniggerskilledthere。’TheCatlinsthentookaropetheyhadtakenwiththemforthepurpose，andtiedBob’shandsbehindhiminsuchamanner，thatMr。Dumontinsistedonlooseningthecord，declaringthatnobruteshouldbetiedinthatmanner，wherehewas。Andastheyledhimaway，likethegreatestofcriminals，themorehumaneDumontfollowedthemtotheirhomes，asRobert’sprotector;andwhenhereturned，hekindlywenttoBell，ashecalledher，tellingherhedidnotthinktheywouldstrikehimanymore，astheirwrathhadgreatlycooledbeforeheleftthem。Isabellahadwitnessedthisscenefromherwindow，andwasgreatlyshockedatthemurderoustreatmentofpoorRobert，whomshetrulyloved，andwhoseonlycrime，intheeyeofhispersecutors，washisaffectionforher。Thisbeating，andweknownotwhataftertreatment，completelysubduedthespiritofitsvictim，forRobertventurednomoretovisitIsabella，butlikeanobedientandfaithfulchattel，tookhimselfawifefromthehouseofhismaster。RobertdidnotlivemanyyearsafterhislastvisittoIsabel，buttookhisdeparturetothatcountry，where’theyneithermarrynoraregiveninmarriage，’andwheretheoppressorcannotmolest。
ISABELLA’SMARRIAGE。
Subsequently，Isabellawasmarriedtoafellow-slave，namedThomas，whohadpreviouslyhadtwowives，oneofwhom，ifnotboth，hadbeentornfromhimandsoldfaraway。Anditismorethanprobable，thathewasnotonlyallowedbutencouragedtotakeanotherateachsuccessivesale。Isayitisprobable，becausethewriterofthisknowsfrompersonalobservation，thatsuchisthecustomamongslaveholdersatthepresentday;andthatinatwentymonths’residenceamongthem，weneverknewanyonetoopenthelipagainstthepractice;andwhenweseverelycensuredit，theslaveholderhadnothingtosay;andtheslavepleadedthat，underexistingcircumstances，hecoulddonobetter。
Suchanabominablestateofthingsissilentlytolerated，tosaytheleast，byslaveholders-denyitwhomay。Andwhatisthatreligionthatsanctions，evenbyitssilence，allthatisembracedinthe’PeculiarInstitution？’IftherecanbeanythingmorediametricallyopposedtothereligionofJesus，thantheworkingofthissoul-killingsystem-whichisastrulysanctionedbythereligionofAmericaasareherministersandchurches-wewishtobeshownwhereitcanbefound。
Wehavesaid，IsabellawasmarriedtoThomas-shewas，afterthefashionofslavery，oneoftheslavesperformingtheceremonyforthem;asnotrueministerofChristcanperform，asinthepresenceofGod，whatheknowstobeamerefarce，amockmarriage，unrecognisedbyanycivillaw，andliabletobeannulledanymoment，whentheinterestorcapriceofthemastershoulddictate。
Withwhatfeelingsmustslaveholdersexpectustolistentotheirhorrorofamalgamationinprospect，whiletheyarewellawarethatweknowhowcalmlyandquietlytheycontemplatethepresentstateoflicentiousnesstheirownwickedlawshavecreated，notonlyasitregardstheslave，butasitregardsthemoreprivilegedportionofthepopulationoftheSouth？
Slaveholdersappeartometotakethesamenoticeofthevicesoftheslave，asonedoesoftheviciousdispositionofhishorse。
Theyareoftenaninconvenience;furtherthanthat，theycarenottotroublethemselvesaboutthematter。
ISABELLAASAMOTHER。
Inprocessoftime，Isabellafoundherselfthemotheroffivechildren，andsherejoicedinbeingpermittedtobetheinstrumentofincreasingthepropertyofheroppressors！Think，dearreader，withoutablush，ifyoucan，foronemoment，ofamotherthuswillingly，andwithpride，layingherownchildren，the’fleshofherflesh，’onthealtarofslavery-asacrificetothebloodyMoloch！Butwemustrememberthatbeingscapableofsuchsacrificesarenotmothers;theyareonly’things，’
’chattels，’’property。’
Butsincethattime，thesubjectofthisnarrativehasmadesomeadvancesfromastateofchattelismtowardsthatofawomanandamother;andshenowlooksbackuponherthoughtsandfeelingsthere，inherstateofignoranceanddegradation，asonedoesonthedarkimageryofafitfuldream。Onemomentitseemsbutafrightfulillusion;againitappearsaterriblereality。IwouldtoGoditwerebutadreamymyth，andnot，asitnowstands，ahorridrealitytosomethreemillionsofchattelizedhumanbeings。