第3章

Iwasmadeacquaintedwithhiswifenotlessthanwithhimself。Theywerewellmatched，beingequallymeanandcruel。Iwasnow，forthefirsttimeduringaspaceofmorethansevenyears，madetofeelthepainfulgnawingsofhunger——asomethingwhichI

hadnotexperiencedbeforesinceIleftColonelLloyd’splantation。Itwenthardenoughwithmethen，whenIcouldlookbacktonoperiodatwhichIhadenjoyedasufficiency。ItwastenfoldharderafterlivinginMasterHugh’sfamily，whereIhadalwayshadenoughtoeat，andofthatwhichwasgood。IhavesaidMasterThomaswasameanman。

Hewasso。Nottogiveaslaveenoughtoeat，isregardedasthemostaggravateddevelopmentofmeannessevenamongslaveholders。Theruleis，nomatterhowcoarsethefood，onlylettherebeenoughofit。Thisisthetheory;andinthepartofMarylandfromwhichIcame，itisthegeneralpractice，——thoughtherearemanyexceptions。MasterThomasgaveusenoughofneithercoarsenorfinefood。Therewerefourslavesofusinthekitchen——mysisterEliza，myauntPriscilla，Henny，andmyself;andwewereal-

lowedlessthanahalfofabushelofcorn-mealperweek，andverylittleelse，eitherintheshapeofmeatorvegetables。Itwasnotenoughforustosubsistupon。Wewerethereforereducedtothewretchednecessityoflivingattheexpenseofourneighbors。Thiswedidbybeggingandstealing，whichevercamehandyinthetimeofneed，theonebeingconsideredaslegitimateastheother。Agreatmanytimeshavewepoorcreaturesbeennearlyperishingwithhunger，whenfoodinabundancelaymoulderinginthesafeandsmoke-house，andourpiousmistresswasawareofthefact;andyetthatmistressandherhusbandwouldkneeleverymorn-

ing，andpraythatGodwouldblesstheminbasketandstore！

Badasallslaveholdersare，weseldommeetonedestituteofeveryelementofcharactercommandingrespect。Mymasterwasoneofthisraresort。Idonotknowofonesinglenobleacteverperformedbyhim。Theleadingtraitinhischaracterwasmean-

ness;andiftherewereanyotherelementinhisnature，itwasmadesubjecttothis。Hewasmean;

and，likemostothermeanmen，helackedtheabilitytoconcealhismeanness。CaptainAuldwasnotbornaslaveholder。Hehadbeenapoorman，masteronlyofaBaycraft。Hecameintopossessionofallhisslavesbymarriage;andofallmen，adoptedslave-

holdersaretheworst。Hewascruel，butcowardly。

Hecommandedwithoutfirmness。Intheenforce-

mentofhisrules，hewasattimesrigid，andattimeslax。Attimes，hespoketohisslaveswiththefirmnessofNapoleonandthefuryofademon;atothertimes，hemightwellbemistakenforaninquirerwhohadlosthisway。Hedidnothingofhimself。Hemighthavepassedforalion，butforhisears。Inallthingsnoblewhichheattempted，hisownmeannessshonemostconspicuous。Hisairs，words，andactions，weretheairs，words，andactionsofbornslave-

holders，and，beingassumed，wereawkwardenough。

Hewasnotevenagoodimitator。Hepossessedallthedispositiontodeceive，butwantedthepower。

Havingnoresourceswithinhimself，hewascom-

pelledtobethecopyistofmany，andbeingsuch，hewasforeverthevictimofinconsistency;andofcon-

sequencehewasanobjectofcontempt，andwasheldassuchevenbyhisslaves。Theluxuryofhavingslavesofhisowntowaituponhimwassomethingnewandunpreparedfor。Hewasaslaveholderwith-

outtheabilitytoholdslaves。Hefoundhimselfin-

capableofmanaginghisslaveseitherbyforce，fear，orfraud。Weseldomcalledhim\"master;\"wegen-

erallycalledhim\"CaptainAuld，\"andwerehardlydisposedtotitlehimatall。Idoubtnotthatourconducthadmuchtodowithmakinghimappearawkward，andofconsequencefretful。Ourwantofreverenceforhimmusthaveperplexedhimgreatly。

Hewishedtohaveuscallhimmaster，butlackedthefirmnessnecessarytocommandustodoso。Hiswifeusedtoinsistuponourcallinghimso，buttonopurpose。InAugust，1832，mymasterattendedaMethodistcamp-meetingheldintheBay-side，Tal-

botcounty，andthereexperiencedreligion。Iin-

dulgedafainthopethathisconversionwouldleadhimtoemancipatehisslaves，andthat，ifhedidnotdothis，itwould，atanyrate，makehimmorekindandhumane。Iwasdisappointedinboththesere-

spects。Itneithermadehimtobehumanetohisslaves，nortoemancipatethem。Ifithadanyeffectonhischaracter，itmadehimmorecruelandhatefulinallhisways;forIbelievehimtohavebeenamuchworsemanafterhisconversionthanbefore。Priortohisconversion，herelieduponhisowndepravitytoshieldandsustainhiminhissavagebarbarity;

butafterhisconversion，hefoundreligioussanctionandsupportforhisslaveholdingcruelty。Hemadethegreatestpretensionstopiety。Hishousewasthehouseofprayer。Heprayedmorning，noon，andnight。Heverysoondistinguishedhimselfamonghisbrethren，andwassoonmadeaclass-leaderandexhorter。Hisactivityinrevivalswasgreat，andheprovedhimselfaninstrumentinthehandsofthechurchinconvertingmanysouls。Hishousewasthepreachers’home。Theyusedtotakegreatpleasureincomingtheretoputup;forwhilehestarvedus，hestuffedthem。Wehavehadthreeorfourpreachersthereatatime。ThenamesofthosewhousedtocomemostfrequentlywhileIlivedthere，wereMr。

Storks，Mr。Ewery，Mr。Humphry，andMr。Hickey。

IhavealsoseenMr。GeorgeCookmanatourhouse。

WeslaveslovedMr。Cookman。Webelievedhimtobeagoodman。Wethoughthiminstrumentalinget-

tingMr。SamuelHarrison，averyrichslaveholder，toemancipatehisslaves;andbysomemeansgottheimpressionthathewaslaboringtoeffecttheemanci-

pationofalltheslaves。Whenhewasatourhouse，weweresuretobecalledintoprayers。Whentheotherswerethere，weweresometimescalledinandsometimesnot。Mr。Cookmantookmorenoticeofusthaneitheroftheotherministers。Hecouldnotcomeamonguswithoutbetrayinghissympathyforus，and，stupidaswewere，wehadthesagacitytoseeit。

WhileIlivedwithmymasterinSt。Michael’s，therewasawhiteyoungman，aMr。Wilson，whoproposedtokeepaSabbathschoolfortheinstructionofsuchslavesasmightbedisposedtolearntoreadtheNewTestament。Wemetbutthreetimes，whenMr。WestandMr。Fairbanks，bothclass-leaders，withmanyothers，cameuponuswithsticksandothermissiles，droveusoff，andforbadeustomeetagain。ThusendedourlittleSabbathschoolinthepioustownofSt。Michael’s。

Ihavesaidmymasterfoundreligioussanctionforhiscruelty。Asanexample，Iwillstateoneofmanyfactsgoingtoprovethecharge。Ihaveseenhimtieupalameyoungwoman，andwhipherwithaheavycowskinuponhernakedshoulders，causingthewarmredbloodtodrip;and，injustificationofthebloodydeed，hewouldquotethispassageofScripture——\"Hethatknowethhismaster’swill，anddoethitnot，shallbebeatenwithmanystripes。\"

Masterwouldkeepthislaceratedyoungwomantiedupinthishorridsituationfourorfivehoursatatime。Ihaveknownhimtotieherupearlyinthemorning，andwhipherbeforebreakfast;leaveher，gotohisstore，returnatdinner，andwhipheragain，cuttingherintheplacesalreadymaderawwithhiscruellash。Thesecretofmaster’scrueltytoward\"Henny\"isfoundinthefactofherbeingalmosthelpless。Whenquiteachild，shefellintothefire，andburnedherselfhorribly。Herhandsweresoburntthatshenevergottheuseofthem。Shecoulddoverylittlebutbearheavyburdens。Shewastomasterabillofexpense;andashewasameanman，shewasaconstantoffencetohim。Heseemeddesirousofgettingthepoorgirloutofexistence。

Hegaveherawayoncetohissister;but，beingapoorgift，shewasnotdisposedtokeepher。Finally，mybenevolentmaster，tousehisownwords，\"setheradrifttotakecareofherself。\"Herewasare-

cently-convertedman，holdingonuponthemother，andatthesametimeturningoutherhelplesschild，tostarveanddie！MasterThomaswasoneofthemanypiousslaveholderswhoholdslavesfortheverycharitablepurposeoftakingcareofthem。

Mymasterandmyselfhadquiteanumberofdifferences。Hefoundmeunsuitabletohispurpose。

Mycitylife，hesaid，hadhadaveryperniciouseffectuponme。Ithadalmostruinedmeforeverygoodpurpose，andfittedmeforeverythingwhichwasbad。Oneofmygreatestfaultswasthatoflettinghishorserunaway，andgodowntohisfather-in-

law’sfarm，whichwasaboutfivemilesfromSt。

Michael’s。Iwouldthenhavetogoafterit。Myreasonforthiskindofcarelessness，orcarefulness，was，thatIcouldalwaysgetsomethingtoeatwhenIwentthere。MasterWilliamHamilton，mymaster’sfather-in-law，alwaysgavehisslavesenoughtoeat。

Ineverlefttherehungry，nomatterhowgreattheneedofmyspeedyreturn。MasterThomasatlengthsaidhewouldstanditnolonger。Ihadlivedwithhimninemonths，duringwhichtimehehadgivenmeanumberofseverewhippings，alltonogoodpurpose。Heresolvedtoputmeout，ashesaid，tobebroken;and，forthispurpose，heletmeforoneyeartoamannamedEdwardCovey。Mr。Coveywasapoorman，afarm-renter。Herentedtheplaceuponwhichhelived，asalsothehandswithwhichhetilledit。Mr。Coveyhadacquiredaveryhighreputationforbreakingyoungslaves，andthisrepu-

tationwasofimmensevaluetohim。Itenabledhimtogethisfarmtilledwithmuchlessexpensetohimselfthanhecouldhavehaditdonewithoutsuchareputation。SomeslaveholdersthoughtitnotmuchlosstoallowMr。Coveytohavetheirslavesoneyear，forthesakeofthetrainingtowhichtheyweresubjected，withoutanyothercompensation。

Hecouldhireyounghelpwithgreatease，incon-

sequenceofthisreputation。AddedtothenaturalgoodqualitiesofMr。Covey，hewasaprofessorofreligion——apioussoul——amemberandaclass-leaderintheMethodistchurch。Allofthisaddedweighttohisreputationasa\"nigger-breaker。\"Iwasawareofallthefacts，havingbeenmadeacquaintedwiththembyayoungmanwhohadlivedthere。Inever-

thelessmadethechangegladly;forIwassureofgettingenoughtoeat，whichisnotthesmallestconsiderationtoahungryman。

CHAPTERX

IhadleftMasterThomas’shouse，andwenttolivewithMr。Covey，onthe1stofJanuary，1833。Iwasnow，forthefirsttimeinmylife，afieldhand。Inmynewemployment，Ifoundmyselfevenmoreawkwardthanacountryboyappearedtobeinalargecity。IhadbeenatmynewhomebutoneweekbeforeMr。Coveygavemeaveryseverewhip-

ping，cuttingmyback，causingthebloodtorun，andraisingridgesonmyfleshaslargeasmylittlefinger。

Thedetailsofthisaffairareasfollows：Mr。Coveysentme，veryearlyinthemorningofoneofourcoldestdaysinthemonthofJanuary，tothewoods，togetaloadofwood。Hegavemeateamofun-

brokenoxen。Hetoldmewhichwasthein-handox，andwhichtheoff-handone。Hethentiedtheendofalargeropearoundthehornsofthein-handox，andgavemetheotherendofit，andtoldme，iftheoxenstartedtorun，thatImustholdonupontherope。Ihadneverdrivenoxenbefore，andofcourseIwasveryawkward。I，however，succeededingettingtotheedgeofthewoodswithlittlediffi-

culty;butIhadgotaveryfewrodsintothewoods，whentheoxentookfright，andstartedfulltilt，carry-

ingthecartagainsttrees，andoverstumps，inthemostfrightfulmanner。Iexpectedeverymomentthatmybrainswouldbedashedoutagainstthetrees。Afterrunningthusforaconsiderabledis-

tance，theyfinallyupsetthecart，dashingitwithgreatforceagainstatree，andthrewthemselvesintoadensethicket。HowIescapeddeath，Idonotknow。ThereIwas，entirelyalone，inathickwood，inaplacenewtome。Mycartwasupsetandshat-

tered，myoxenwereentangledamongtheyoungtrees，andtherewasnonetohelpme。Afteralongspellofeffort，Isucceededingettingmycartrighted，myoxendisentangled，andagainyokedtothecart。

InowproceededwithmyteamtotheplacewhereIhad，thedaybefore，beenchoppingwood，andloadedmycartprettyheavily，thinkinginthiswaytotamemyoxen。Ithenproceededonmywayhome。Ihadnowconsumedonehalfoftheday。I

gotoutofthewoodssafely，andnowfeltoutofdanger。Istoppedmyoxentoopenthewoodsgate;

andjustasIdidso，beforeIcouldgetholdofmyox-rope，theoxenagainstarted，rushedthroughthegate，catchingitbetweenthewheelandthebodyofthecart，tearingittopieces，andcomingwithinafewinchesofcrushingmeagainstthegate-post。Thustwice，inoneshortday，Iescapeddeathbythemerestchance。Onmyreturn，ItoldMr。Coveywhathadhappened，andhowithappened。Heor-

deredmetoreturntothewoodsagainimmediately。

Ididso，andhefollowedonafterme。JustasIgotintothewoods，hecameupandtoldmetostopmycart，andthathewouldteachmehowtotrifleawaymytime，andbreakgates。Hethenwenttoalargegum-tree，andwithhisaxecutthreelargeswitches，and，aftertrimmingthemupneatlywithhispocket-

knife，heorderedmetotakeoffmyclothes。Imadehimnoanswer，butstoodwithmyclotheson。Herepeatedhisorder。Istillmadehimnoanswer，nordidImovetostripmyself。Uponthisherushedatmewiththefiercenessofatiger，toreoffmyclothes，andlashedmetillhehadwornouthisswitches，cuttingmesosavagelyastoleavethemarksvisibleforalongtimeafter。Thiswhippingwasthefirstofanumberjustlikeit，andforsimilarof-

fences。

IlivedwithMr。Coveyoneyear。Duringthefirstsixmonths，ofthatyear，scarceaweekpassedwith-

outhiswhippingme。Iwasseldomfreefromasoreback。Myawkwardnesswasalmostalwayshisex-

cuseforwhippingme。Wewereworkedfullyuptothepointofendurance。Longbeforedaywewereup，ourhorsesfed，andbythefirstapproachofdaywewereofftothefieldwithourhoesandplough-

ingteams。Mr。Coveygaveusenoughtoeat，butscarcetimetoeatit。Wewereoftenlessthanfiveminutestakingourmeals。Wewereofteninthefieldfromthefirstapproachofdaytillitslastlingeringrayhadleftus;andatsaving-foddertime，midnightoftencaughtusinthefieldbindingblades。

Coveywouldbeoutwithus。Thewayheusedtostandit，wasthis。Hewouldspendthemostofhisafternoonsinbed。Hewouldthencomeoutfreshintheevening，readytourgeusonwithhiswords，example，andfrequentlywiththewhip。Mr。Coveywasoneofthefewslaveholderswhocouldanddidworkwithhishands。Hewasahard-workingman。

Heknewbyhimselfjustwhatamanoraboycoulddo。Therewasnodeceivinghim。Hisworkwentoninhisabsencealmostaswellasinhispresence;andhehadthefacultyofmakingusfeelthathewaseverpresentwithus。Thishedidbysurprisingus。

Heseldomapproachedthespotwherewewereatworkopenly，ifhecoulddoitsecretly。Healwaysaimedattakingusbysurprise。Suchwashiscunning，thatweusedtocallhim，amongourselves，\"thesnake。\"Whenwewereatworkinthecornfield，hewouldsometimescrawlonhishandsandkneestoavoiddetection，andallatoncehewouldrisenearlyinourmidst，andscreamout，\"Ha，ha！

Come，come！Dashon，dashon！\"Thisbeinghismodeofattack，itwasneversafetostopasingleminute。Hiscomingswerelikeathiefinthenight。

Heappearedtousasbeingeverathand。Hewasundereverytree，behindeverystump，ineverybush，andateverywindow，ontheplantation。Hewouldsometimesmounthishorse，asifboundtoSt。Mi-

chael’s，adistanceofsevenmiles，andinhalfanhourafterwardsyouwouldseehimcoiledupinthecornerofthewood-fence，watchingeverymotionoftheslaves。Hewould，forthispurpose，leavehishorsetiedupinthewoods。Again，hewouldsome-

timeswalkuptous，andgiveusordersasthoughhewasuponthepointofstartingonalongjourney，turnhisbackuponus，andmakeasthoughhewasgoingtothehousetogetready;and，beforehewouldgethalfwaythither，hewouldturnshortandcrawlintoafence-corner，orbehindsometree，andtherewatchustillthegoingdownofthesun。

Mr。Covey’sFORTEconsistedinhispowertode-

ceive。Hislifewasdevotedtoplanningandperpe-

tratingthegrossestdeceptions。Everythinghepos-

sessedintheshapeoflearningorreligion，hemadeconformtohisdispositiontodeceive。HeseemedtothinkhimselfequaltodeceivingtheAlmighty。

Hewouldmakeashortprayerinthemorning，andalongprayeratnight;and，strangeasitmayseem，fewmenwouldattimesappearmoredevotionalthanhe。Theexercisesofhisfamilydevotionswerealwayscommencedwithsinging;and，ashewasaverypoorsingerhimself，thedutyofraisingthehymngenerallycameuponme。Hewouldreadhishymn，andnodatmetocommence。Iwouldattimesdoso;atothers，Iwouldnot。Mynon-com-

pliancewouldalmostalwaysproducemuchconfu-

sion。Toshowhimselfindependentofme，hewouldstartandstaggerthroughwithhishymninthemostdiscordantmanner。Inthisstateofmind，heprayedwithmorethanordinaryspirit。Poorman！suchwashisdisposition，andsuccessatdeceiving，Idoverilybelievethathesometimesdeceivedhimselfintothesolemnbelief，thathewasasincereworshipperofthemosthighGod;andthis，too，atatimewhenhemaybesaidtohavebeenguiltyofcompellinghiswomanslavetocommitthesinofadultery。Thefactsinthecasearethese：Mr。Coveywasapoorman;hewasjustcommencinginlife;hewasonlyabletobuyoneslave;and，shockingasisthefact，heboughther，ashesaid，forABREEDER。ThiswomanwasnamedCaroline。Mr。CoveyboughtherfromMr。ThomasLowe，aboutsixmilesfromSt。Mi-

chael’s。Shewasalarge，able-bodiedwoman，abouttwentyyearsold。Shehadalreadygivenbirthtoonechild，whichprovedhertobejustwhathewanted。

Afterbuyingher，hehiredamarriedmanofMr。

SamuelHarrison，tolivewithhimoneyear;andhimheusedtofastenupwithhereverynight！There-

sultwas，that，attheendoftheyear，themiserablewomangavebirthtotwins。AtthisresultMr。Coveyseemedtobehighlypleased，bothwiththemanandthewretchedwoman。Suchwashisjoy，andthatofhiswife，thatnothingtheycoulddoforCarolineduringherconfinementwastoogood，ortoohard，tobedone。Thechildrenwereregardedasbeingquiteanadditiontohiswealth。

Ifatanyonetimeofmylifemorethananother，Iwasmadetodrinkthebitterestdregsofslavery，thattimewasduringthefirstsixmonthsofmystaywithMr。Covey。Wewereworkedinallweathers。

Itwasnevertoohotortoocold;itcouldneverrain，blow，hail，orsnow，toohardforustoworkinthefield。Work，work，work，wasscarcelymoretheorderofthedaythanofthenight。Thelongestdaysweretooshortforhim，andtheshortestnightstoolongforhim。IwassomewhatunmanageablewhenIfirstwentthere，butafewmonthsofthisdisciplinetamedme。Mr。Coveysucceededinbreakingme。I

wasbrokeninbody，soul，andspirit。Mynaturalelasticitywascrushed，myintellectlanguished，thedispositiontoreaddeparted，thecheerfulsparkthatlingeredaboutmyeyedied;thedarknightofslaveryclosedinuponme;andbeholdamantransformedintoabrute！

Sundaywasmyonlyleisuretime。Ispentthisinasortofbeast-likestupor，betweensleepandwake，undersomelargetree。AttimesIwouldriseup，aflashofenergeticfreedomwoulddartthroughmysoul，accompaniedwithafaintbeamofhope，thatflickeredforamoment，andthenvanished。Isankdownagain，mourningovermywretchedcondition。

Iwassometimespromptedtotakemylife，andthatofCovey，butwaspreventedbyacombinationofhopeandfear。Mysufferingsonthisplantationseemnowlikeadreamratherthanasternreality。

OurhousestoodwithinafewrodsoftheChesa-

peakeBay，whosebroadbosomwaseverwhitewithsailsfromeveryquarterofthehabitableglobe。

Thosebeautifulvessels，robedinpurestwhite，sodelightfultotheeyeoffreemen，weretomesomanyshroudedghosts，toterrifyandtormentmewiththoughtsofmywretchedcondition。Ihaveof-

ten，inthedeepstillnessofasummer’sSabbath，stoodallaloneupontheloftybanksofthatnoblebay，andtraced，withsaddenedheartandtearfuleye，thecountlessnumberofsailsmovingofftothemightyocean。Thesightofthesealwaysaffectedmepowerfully。Mythoughtswouldcompelutter-

ance;andthere，withnoaudiencebuttheAlmighty，Iwouldpouroutmysoul’scomplaint，inmyrudeway，withanapostrophetothemovingmultitudeofships：——

\"Youareloosedfromyourmoorings，andarefree;

Iamfastinmychains，andamaslave！Youmovemerrilybeforethegentlegale，andIsadlybeforethebloodywhip！Youarefreedom’sswift-wingedangels，thatflyroundtheworld;Iamconfinedinbandsofiron！OthatIwerefree！O，thatIwereononeofyourgallantdecks，andunderyourpro-

tectingwing！Alas！betwixtmeandyou，theturbidwatersroll。Goon，goon。OthatIcouldalsogo！

CouldIbutswim！IfIcouldfly！O，whywasIbornaman，ofwhomtomakeabrute！Thegladshipisgone;shehidesinthedimdistance。Iamleftinthehottesthellofunendingslavery。OGod，saveme！God，deliverme！Letmebefree！IsthereanyGod？WhyamIaslave？Iwillrunaway。Iwillnotstandit。Getcaught，orgetclear，I’lltryit。Ihadaswelldiewithagueasthefever。Ihaveonlyonelifetolose。Ihadaswellbekilledrunningasdiestanding。Onlythinkofit;onehundredmilesstraightnorth，andIamfree！Tryit？Yes！Godhelpingme，Iwill。ItcannotbethatIshallliveanddieaslave。Iwilltaketothewater。Thisverybayshallyetbearmeintofreedom。Thesteam-

boatssteeredinanorth-eastcoursefromNorthPoint。Iwilldothesame;andwhenIgettotheheadofthebay，Iwillturnmycanoeadrift，andwalkstraightthroughDelawareintoPennsylvania。

WhenIgetthere，Ishallnotberequiredtohaveapass;Icantravelwithoutbeingdisturbed。Letbutthefirstopportunityoffer，and，comewhatwill，I

amoff。Meanwhile，Iwilltrytobearupundertheyoke。Iamnottheonlyslaveintheworld。WhyshouldIfret？Icanbearasmuchasanyofthem。

Besides，Iambutaboy，andallboysareboundtosomeone。ItmaybethatmymiseryinslaverywillonlyincreasemyhappinesswhenIgetfree。Thereisabetterdaycoming。\"

ThusIusedtothink，andthusIusedtospeaktomyself;goadedalmosttomadnessatonemo-

ment，andatthenextreconcilingmyselftomywretchedlot。

Ihavealreadyintimatedthatmyconditionwasmuchworse，duringthefirstsixmonthsofmystayatMr。Covey’s，thaninthelastsix。Thecircum-

stancesleadingtothechangeinMr。Covey’scoursetowardmeformanepochinmyhumblehistory。

Youhaveseenhowamanwasmadeaslave;youshallseehowaslavewasmadeaman。OnoneofthehottestdaysofthemonthofAugust，1833，BillSmith，WilliamHughes，aslavenamedEli，andmyself，wereengagedinfanningwheat。Hugheswasclearingthefannedwheatfrombeforethefan。Eliwasturning，Smithwasfeeding，andIwascarryingwheattothefan。Theworkwassimple，requiringstrengthratherthanintellect;yet，tooneentirelyunusedtosuchwork，itcameveryhard。Aboutthreeo’clockofthatday，Ibrokedown;mystrengthfailedme;Iwasseizedwithaviolentachingofthehead，attendedwithextremedizziness;Itrembledineverylimb。Findingwhatwascoming，Inervedmyselfup，feelingitwouldneverdotostopwork。IstoodaslongasIcouldstaggertothehopperwithgrain。

WhenIcouldstandnolonger，Ifell，andfeltasifhelddownbyanimmenseweight。Thefanofcoursestopped;everyonehadhisownworktodo;

andnoonecoulddotheworkoftheother，andhavehisowngoonatthesametime。

Mr。Coveywasatthehouse，aboutonehundredyardsfromthetreading-yardwherewewerefanning。

Onhearingthefanstop，heleftimmediately，andcametothespotwherewewere。Hehastilyin-

quiredwhatthematterwas。BillansweredthatI

wassick，andtherewasnoonetobringwheattothefan。Ihadbythistimecrawledawayunderthesideofthepostandrail-fencebywhichtheyardwasenclosed，hopingtofindreliefbygettingoutofthesun。HethenaskedwhereIwas。Hewastoldbyoneofthehands。Hecametothespot，and，afterlookingatmeawhile，askedmewhatwasthematter。ItoldhimaswellasIcould，forIscarcehadstrengthtospeak。Hethengavemeasavagekickintheside，andtoldmetogetup。Itriedtodoso，butfellbackintheattempt。Hegavemeanotherkick，andagaintoldmetorise。Iagaintried，andsucceededingainingmyfeet;but，stoop-

ingtogetthetubwithwhichIwasfeedingthefan，Iagainstaggeredandfell。Whiledowninthissituation，Mr。CoveytookupthehickoryslatwithwhichHugheshadbeenstrikingoffthehalf-bushelmeasure，andwithitgavemeaheavyblowuponthehead，makingalargewound，andthebloodranfreely;andwiththisagaintoldmetogetup。Imadenoefforttocomply，havingnowmadeupmymindtolethimdohisworst。Inashorttimeafterre-

ceivingthisblow，myheadgrewbetter。Mr。Coveyhadnowleftmetomyfate。AtthismomentIre-

solved，forthefirsttime，togotomymaster，enteracomplaint，andaskhisprotection。Inordertodothis，Imustthatafternoonwalksevenmiles;andthis，underthecircumstances，wastrulyasevereundertaking。Iwasexceedinglyfeeble;madesoasmuchbythekicksandblowswhichIreceived，asbytheseverefitofsicknesstowhichIhadbeensubjected。I，however，watchedmychance，whileCoveywaslookinginanoppositedirection，andstartedforSt。Michael’s。Isucceededingettingaconsiderabledistanceonmywaytothewoods，whenCoveydiscoveredme，andcalledaftermetocomeback，threateningwhathewoulddoifIdidnotcome。Idisregardedbothhiscallsandhisthreats，andmademywaytothewoodsasfastasmyfeeblestatewouldallow;andthinkingImightbeover-

hauledbyhimifIkepttheroad，Iwalkedthroughthewoods，keepingfarenoughfromtheroadtoavoiddetection，andnearenoughtopreventlosingmyway。Ihadnotgonefarbeforemylittlestrengthagainfailedme。Icouldgonofarther。Ifelldown，andlayforaconsiderabletime。Thebloodwasyetoozingfromthewoundonmyhead。ForatimeI

thoughtIshouldbleedtodeath;andthinknowthatIshouldhavedoneso，butthatthebloodsomattedmyhairastostopthewound。Afterlyingthereaboutthreequartersofanhour，Inervedmyselfupagain，andstartedonmyway，throughbogsandbriers，barefootedandbareheaded，tearingmyfeetsometimesatnearlyeverystep;andafterajourneyofaboutsevenmiles，occupyingsomefivehourstoperformit，Iarrivedatmaster’sstore。Ithenpre-

sentedanappearanceenoughtoaffectanybutaheartofiron。Fromthecrownofmyheadtomyfeet，Iwascoveredwithblood。Myhairwasallclottedwithdustandblood;myshirtwasstiffwithblood。IsupposeIlookedlikeamanwhohades-

capedadenofwildbeasts，andbarelyescapedthem。

InthisstateIappearedbeforemymaster，humblyentreatinghimtointerposehisauthorityformyprotection。ItoldhimallthecircumstancesaswellasIcould，anditseemed，asIspoke，attimestoaffecthim。Hewouldthenwalkthefloor，andseektojustifyCoveybysayingheexpectedIdeservedit。HeaskedmewhatIwanted。Itoldhim，toletmegetanewhome;thatassureasIlivedwithMr。

Coveyagain，Ishouldlivewithbuttodiewithhim;thatCoveywouldsurelykillme;hewasinafairwayforit。MasterThomasridiculedtheideathattherewasanydangerofMr。Covey’skillingme，andsaidthatheknewMr。Covey;thathewasagoodman，andthathecouldnotthinkoftakingmefromhim;that，shouldhedoso，hewouldlosethewholeyear’swages;thatIbelongedtoMr。Coveyforoneyear，andthatImustgobacktohim，comewhatmight;andthatImustnottroublehimwithanymorestories，orthathewouldhimselfGETHOLD

OFME。Afterthreateningmethus，hegavemeaverylargedoseofsalts，tellingmethatImightremaininSt。Michael’sthatnight，（itbeingquitelate，）

butthatImustbeoffbacktoMr。Covey’searlyinthemorning;andthatifIdidnot，hewould~getholdofme，~whichmeantthathewouldwhipme。Iremainedallnight，and，accordingtohisor-

ders，IstartedofftoCovey’sinthemorning，（Sat-

urdaymorning，）weariedinbodyandbrokeninspirit。Igotnosupperthatnight，orbreakfastthatmorning。IreachedCovey’saboutnineo’clock;andjustasIwasgettingoverthefencethatdividedMrs。Kemp’sfieldsfromours，outranCoveywithhiscowskin，togivemeanotherwhipping。Beforehecouldreachme，Isucceededingettingtothecornfield;andasthecornwasveryhigh，itaffordedmethemeansofhiding。Heseemedveryangry，andsearchedformealongtime。Mybehaviorwasal-

togetherunaccountable。Hefinallygaveupthechase，thinking，Isuppose，thatImustcomehomeforsomethingtoeat;hewouldgivehimselfnofur-

thertroubleinlookingforme。Ispentthatdaymostlyinthewoods，havingthealternativebeforeme，——togohomeandbewhippedtodeath，orstayinthewoodsandbestarvedtodeath。Thatnight，IfellinwithSandyJenkins，aslavewithwhomIwassomewhatacquainted。SandyhadafreewifewholivedaboutfourmilesfromMr。Covey’s;anditbeingSaturday，hewasonhiswaytoseeher。I

toldhimmycircumstances，andheverykindlyin-

vitedmetogohomewithhim。Iwenthomewithhim，andtalkedthiswholematterover，andgothisadviceastowhatcourseitwasbestformetopursue。

IfoundSandyanoldadviser。Hetoldme，withgreatsolemnity，ImustgobacktoCovey;butthatbeforeIwent，Imustgowithhimintoanotherpartofthewoods，wheretherewasacertain~root，~

which，ifIwouldtakesomeofitwithme，carryingit~alwaysonmyrightside，~wouldrenderitimpos-

sibleforMr。Covey，oranyotherwhiteman，towhipme。Hesaidhehadcarrieditforyears;andsincehehaddoneso，hehadneverreceivedablow，andneverexpectedtowhilehecarriedit。Iatfirstrejectedtheidea，thatthesimplecarryingofarootinmypocketwouldhaveanysucheffectashehadsaid，andwasnotdisposedtotakeit;butSandyimpressedthenecessitywithmuchearnestness，tell-

ingmeitcoulddonoharm，ifitdidnogood。Topleasehim，Iatlengthtooktheroot，and，ac-

cordingtohisdirection，carriedituponmyrightside。ThiswasSundaymorning。Iimmediatelystartedforhome;anduponenteringtheyardgate，outcameMr。Coveyonhiswaytomeeting。Hespoketomeverykindly，bademedrivethepigsfromalotnearby，andpassedontowardsthechurch。Now，thissingularconductofMr。Coveyreallymademebegintothinkthattherewassome-

thingintheROOTwhichSandyhadgivenme;andhaditbeenonanyotherdaythanSunday，Icouldhaveattributedtheconducttonoothercausethantheinfluenceofthatroot;andasitwas，Iwashalfinclinedtothinkthe~root~tobesomethingmorethanIatfirsthadtakenittobe。AllwentwelltillMondaymorning。Onthismorning，thevirtueoftheROOTwasfullytested。Longbeforedaylight，I

wascalledtogoandrub，curry，andfeed，thehorses。

Iobeyed，andwasgladtoobey。Butwhilstthusengaged，whilstintheactofthrowingdownsomebladesfromtheloft，Mr。Coveyenteredthestablewithalongrope;andjustasIwashalfoutoftheloft，hecaughtholdofmylegs，andwasabouttyingme。AssoonasIfoundwhathewasupto，Igaveasuddenspring，andasIdidso，heholdingtomylegs，Iwasbroughtsprawlingonthestablefloor。

Mr。Coveyseemednowtothinkhehadme，andcoulddowhathepleased;butatthismoment——

fromwhencecamethespiritIdon’tknow——Ire-

solvedtofight;and，suitingmyactiontothereso-

lution，IseizedCoveyhardbythethroat;andasI

didso，Irose。Heheldontome，andItohim。MyresistancewassoentirelyunexpectedthatCoveyseemedtakenallaback。Hetrembledlikealeaf。

Thisgavemeassurance，andIheldhimuneasy，causingthebloodtorunwhereItouchedhimwiththeendsofmyfingers。Mr。CoveysooncalledouttoHughesforhelp。Hughescame，and，whileCoveyheldme，attemptedtotiemyrighthand。Whilehewasintheactofdoingso，Iwatchedmychance，andgavehimaheavykickcloseundertheribs。

ThiskickfairlysickenedHughes，sothatheleftmeinthehandsofMr。Covey。ThiskickhadtheeffectofnotonlyweakeningHughes，butCoveyalso。

WhenhesawHughesbendingoverwithpain，hiscouragequailed。HeaskedmeifImeanttopersistinmyresistance。ItoldhimIdid，comewhatmight;thathehadusedmelikeabruteforsixmonths，andthatIwasdeterminedtobeusedsonolonger。Withthat，hestrovetodragmetoastickthatwaslyingjustoutofthestabledoor。Hemeanttoknockmedown。Butjustashewasleaningovertogetthestick，Iseizedhimwithbothhandsbyhiscollar，andbroughthimbyasuddensnatchtotheground。Bythistime，Billcame。Coveycalleduponhimforassistance。Billwantedtoknowwhathecoulddo。Coveysaid，\"Takeholdofhim，takeholdofhim！\"Billsaidhismasterhiredhimouttowork，andnottohelptowhipme;soheleftCoveyandmyselftofightourownbattleout。Wewereatitfornearlytwohours。Coveyatlengthletmego，puffingandblowingatagreatrate，sayingthatifIhadnotresisted，hewouldnothavewhippedmehalfsomuch。Thetruthwas，thathehadnotwhippedmeatall。Iconsideredhimasgettingen-

tirelytheworstendofthebargain;forhehaddrawnnobloodfromme，butIhadfromhim。Thewholesixmonthsafterwards，thatIspentwithMr。Covey，heneverlaidtheweightofhisfingeruponmeinanger。Hewouldoccasionallysay，hedidn’twanttogetholdofmeagain。\"No，\"thoughtI，\"youneednot;foryouwillcomeoffworsethanyoudidbefore。\"

ThisbattlewithMr。Coveywastheturning-

pointinmycareerasaslave。Itrekindledthefewexpiringembersoffreedom，andrevivedwithinmeasenseofmyownmanhood。Itrecalledthede-

partedself-confidence，andinspiredmeagainwithadeterminationtobefree。Thegratificationaf-

fordedbythetriumphwasafullcompensationforwhateverelsemightfollow，evendeathitself。HeonlycanunderstandthedeepsatisfactionwhichI

experienced，whohashimselfrepelledbyforcethebloodyarmofslavery。IfeltasIneverfeltbefore。

Itwasagloriousresurrection，fromthetombofslavery，totheheavenoffreedom。Mylong-crushedspiritrose，cowardicedeparted，bolddefiancetookitsplace;andInowresolvedthat，howeverlongI

mightremainaslaveinform，thedayhadpassedforeverwhenIcouldbeaslaveinfact。Ididnothesitatetoletitbeknownofme，thatthewhitemanwhoexpectedtosucceedinwhipping，mustalsosucceedinkillingme。

FromthistimeIwasneveragainwhatmightbecalledfairlywhipped，thoughIremainedaslavefouryearsafterwards。Ihadseveralfights，butwasneverwhipped。

ItwasforalongtimeamatterofsurprisetomewhyMr。Coveydidnotimmediatelyhavemetakenbytheconstabletothewhipping-post，andthereregularlywhippedforthecrimeofraisingmyhandagainstawhitemanindefenceofmyself。AndtheonlyexplanationIcannowthinkofdoesnotentirelysatisfyme;butsuchasitis，Iwillgiveit。Mr。Coveyenjoyedthemostunboundedreputationforbeingafirst-rateoverseerandnegro-breaker。Itwasofcon-

siderableimportancetohim。Thatreputationwasatstake;andhadhesentme——aboyaboutsixteenyearsold——tothepublicwhipping-post，hisreputationwouldhavebeenlost;so，tosavehisreputation，hesufferedmetogounpunished。

MytermofactualservicetoMr。EdwardCoveyendedonChristmasday，1833。ThedaysbetweenChristmasandNewYear’sdayareallowedasholi-

days;and，accordingly，wewerenotrequiredtoper-

formanylabor，morethantofeedandtakecareofthestock。Thistimeweregardedasourown，bythegraceofourmasters;andwethereforeusedorabuseditnearlyaswepleased。Thoseofuswhohadfamiliesatadistance，weregenerallyallowedtospendthewholesixdaysintheirsociety。Thistime，however，wasspentinvariousways。Thestaid，sober，thinkingandindustriousonesofournumberwouldemploythemselvesinmakingcorn-brooms，mats，horse-collars，andbaskets;andanotherclassofuswouldspendthetimeinhuntingopossums，hares，andcoons。Butbyfarthelargerpartengagedinsuchsportsandmerrimentsasplayingball，wres-

tling，runningfoot-races，fiddling，dancing，anddrinkingwhisky;andthislattermodeofspendingthetimewasbyfarthemostagreeabletothefeel-

ingsofourmasters。Aslavewhowouldworkduringtheholidayswasconsideredbyourmastersasscarcelydeservingthem。Hewasregardedasonewhorejectedthefavorofhismaster。ItwasdeemedadisgracenottogetdrunkatChristmas;andhewasregardedaslazyindeed，whohadnotprovidedhimselfwiththenecessarymeans，duringtheyear，togetwhiskyenoughtolasthimthroughChristmas。

FromwhatIknowoftheeffectoftheseholidaysupontheslave，Ibelievethemtobeamongthemosteffectivemeansinthehandsoftheslaveholderinkeepingdownthespiritofinsurrection。Weretheslaveholdersatoncetoabandonthispractice，Ihavenottheslightestdoubtitwouldleadtoanimmediateinsurrectionamongtheslaves。Theseholidaysserveasconductors，orsafety-valves，tocarryofftherebelliousspiritofenslavedhumanity。Butforthese，theslavewouldbeforceduptothewild-

estdesperation;andwoebetidetheslaveholder，thedayheventurestoremoveorhindertheoperationofthoseconductors！Iwarnhimthat，insuchanevent，aspiritwillgoforthintheirmidst，moretobedreadedthanthemostappallingearthquake。

Theholidaysarepartandparcelofthegrossfraud，wrong，andinhumanityofslavery。Theyareprofessedlyacustomestablishedbythebenevolenceoftheslaveholders;butIundertaketosay，itistheresultofselfishness，andoneofthegrossestfraudscommitteduponthedown-troddenslave。Theydonotgivetheslavesthistimebecausetheywouldnotliketohavetheirworkduringitscontinuance，butbecausetheyknowitwouldbeunsafetodeprivethemofit。Thiswillbeseenbythefact，thattheslaveholdersliketohavetheirslavesspendthosedaysjustinsuchamannerastomakethemasgladoftheirendingasoftheirbeginning。Theirobjectseemstobe，todisgusttheirslaveswithfreedom，byplungingthemintothelowestdepthsofdissipa-

tion。Forinstance，theslaveholdersnotonlyliketoseetheslavedrinkofhisownaccord，butwilladoptvariousplanstomakehimdrunk。Oneplanis，tomakebetsontheirslaves，astowhocandrinkthemostwhiskywithoutgettingdrunk;andinthiswaytheysucceedingettingwholemultitudestodrinktoexcess。Thus，whentheslaveasksforvirtuousfreedom，thecunningslaveholder，knowinghisig-

norance，cheatshimwithadoseofviciousdissi-

pation，artfullylabelledwiththenameofliberty。

Themostofususedtodrinkitdown，andtheresultwasjustwhatmightbesupposed;manyofuswereledtothinkthattherewaslittletochoosebetweenlibertyandslavery。Wefelt，andveryprop-

erlytoo，thatwehadalmostaswellbeslavestomanastorum。So，whentheholidaysended，westaggeredupfromthefilthofourwallowing，tookalongbreath，andmarchedtothefield，——feeling，uponthewhole，rathergladtogo，fromwhatourmasterhaddeceivedusintoabeliefwasfreedom，backtothearmsofslavery。

Ihavesaidthatthismodeoftreatmentisapartofthewholesystemoffraudandinhumanityofslavery。Itisso。Themodehereadoptedtodisgusttheslavewithfreedom，byallowinghimtoseeonlytheabuseofit，iscarriedoutinotherthings。Forinstance，aslavelovesmolasses;hestealssome。

Hismaster，inmanycases，goesofftotown，andbuysalargequantity;hereturns，takeshiswhip，andcommandstheslavetoeatthemolasses，untilthepoorfellowismadesickattheverymentionofit。Thesamemodeissometimesadoptedtomaketheslavesrefrainfromaskingformorefoodthantheirregularallowance。Aslaverunsthroughhisallowance，andappliesformore。Hismasterisen-

ragedathim;but，notwillingtosendhimoffwith-

outfood，giveshimmorethanisnecessary，andcom-

pelshimtoeatitwithinagiventime。Then，ifhecomplainsthathecannoteatit，heissaidtobesatisfiedneitherfullnorfasting，andiswhippedforbeinghardtoplease！Ihaveanabundanceofsuchillustrationsofthesameprinciple，drawnfrommyownobservation，butthinkthecasesIhavecitedsufficient。Thepracticeisaverycommonone。

OnthefirstofJanuary，1834，IleftMr。Covey，andwenttolivewithMr。WilliamFreeland，wholivedaboutthreemilesfromSt。Michael’s。IsoonfoundMr。FreelandaverydifferentmanfromMr。

Covey。Thoughnotrich，hewaswhatwouldbecalledaneducatedsoutherngentleman。Mr。Covey，asIhaveshown，wasawell-trainednegro-breakerandslave-driver。Theformer（slaveholderthoughhewas）seemedtopossesssomeregardforhonor，somereverenceforjustice，andsomerespectforhumanity。Thelatterseemedtotallyinsensibletoallsuchsentiments。Mr。Freelandhadmanyofthefaultspeculiartoslaveholders，suchasbeingverypassionateandfretful;butImustdohimthejusticetosay，thathewasexceedinglyfreefromthosedegradingvicestowhichMr。Coveywascon-

stantlyaddicted。Theonewasopenandfrank，andwealwaysknewwheretofindhim。Theotherwasamostartfuldeceiver，andcouldbeunderstoodonlybysuchaswereskilfulenoughtodetecthiscun-

ningly-devisedfrauds。AnotheradvantageIgainedinmynewmasterwas，hemadenopretensionsto，orprofessionof，religion;andthis，inmyopinion，wastrulyagreatadvantage。Iassertmostunhesi-

tatingly，thatthereligionofthesouthisamerecoveringforthemosthorridcrimes，——ajustifierofthemostappallingbarbarity，——asanctifierofthemosthatefulfrauds，——andadarkshelterunder，whichthedarkest，foulest，grossest，andmostinfer-

naldeedsofslaveholdersfindthestrongestprotec-

tion。WereItobeagainreducedtothechainsofslavery，nexttothatenslavement，Ishouldregardbeingtheslaveofareligiousmasterthegreatestcalamitythatcouldbefallme。ForofallslaveholderswithwhomIhaveevermet，religiousslaveholdersaretheworst。Ihaveeverfoundthemthemeanestandbasest，themostcruelandcowardly，ofalloth-

ers。Itwasmyunhappylotnotonlytobelongtoareligiousslaveholder，buttoliveinacommunityofsuchreligionists。VerynearMr。FreelandlivedtheRev。DanielWeeden，andinthesameneighborhoodlivedtheRev。RigbyHopkins。TheseweremembersandministersintheReformedMethodistChurch。

Mr。Weedenowned，amongothers，awomanslave，whosenameIhaveforgotten。Thiswoman’sback，forweeks，waskeptliterallyraw，madesobythelashofthismerciless，~religious~wretch。Heusedtohirehands。Hismaximwas，Behavewellorbehaveill，itisthedutyofamasteroccasionallytowhipaslave，toremindhimofhismaster’sauthority。

Suchwashistheory，andsuchhispractice。

Mr。HopkinswasevenworsethanMr。Weeden。

Hischiefboastwashisabilitytomanageslaves。

Thepeculiarfeatureofhisgovernmentwasthatofwhippingslavesinadvanceofdeservingit。HealwaysmanagedtohaveoneormoreofhisslavestowhipeveryMondaymorning。Hedidthistoalarmtheirfears，andstriketerrorintothosewhoescaped。

Hisplanwastowhipforthesmallestoffences，topreventthecommissionoflargeones。Mr。Hopkinscouldalwaysfindsomeexcuseforwhippingaslave。

Itwouldastonishone，unaccustomedtoaslave-

holdinglife，toseewithwhatwonderfuleaseaslave-

holdercanfindthings，ofwhichtomakeoccasiontowhipaslave。Amerelook，word，ormotion，——amistake，accident，orwantofpower，——areallmattersforwhichaslavemaybewhippedatanytime。Doesaslavelookdissatisfied？Itissaid，hehasthedevilinhim，anditmustbewhippedout。Doeshespeakloudlywhenspokentobyhismaster？Thenheisgettinghigh-minded，andshouldbetakendownabutton-holelower。Doesheforgettopulloffhishatattheapproachofawhiteperson？Thenheiswantinginreverence，andshouldbewhippedforit。Doesheeverventuretovindicatehisconduct，whencensuredforit？Thenheisguiltyofimpu-

dence，——oneofthegreatestcrimesofwhichaslavecanbeguilty。Doesheeverventuretosuggestadifferentmodeofdoingthingsfromthatpointedoutbyhismaster？Heisindeedpresumptuous，andgettingabovehimself;andnothinglessthanaflog-

gingwilldoforhim。Doeshe，whileploughing，breakaplough，——or，whilehoeing，breakahoe？Itisowingtohiscarelessness，andforitaslavemustalwaysbewhipped。Mr。Hopkinscouldalwaysfindsomethingofthissorttojustifytheuseofthelash，andheseldomfailedtoembracesuchopportunities。

Therewasnotamaninthewholecounty，withwhomtheslaveswhohadthegettingtheirownhome，wouldnotprefertolive，ratherthanwiththisRev。Mr。Hopkins。Andyettherewasnotamananywhereround，whomadehigherprofessionsofreligion，orwasmoreactiveinrevivals，——moreattentivetotheclass，love-feast，prayerandpreach-

ingmeetings，ormoredevotionalinhisfamily，——

thatprayedearlier，later，louder，andlonger，——thanthissamereverendslave-driver，RigbyHopkins。

ButtoreturntoMr。Freeland，andtomyexperi-

encewhileinhisemployment。He，likeMr。Covey，gaveusenoughtoeat;but，unlikeMr。Covey，healsogaveussufficienttimetotakeourmeals。Heworkedushard，butalwaysbetweensunriseandsunset。Herequiredagooddealofworktobedone，butgaveusgoodtoolswithwhichtowork。Hisfarmwaslarge，butheemployedhandsenoughtoworkit，andwithease，comparedwithmanyofhisneighbors。Mytreatment，whileinhisemploy-

ment，washeavenly，comparedwithwhatIexperi-

encedatthehandsofMr。EdwardCovey。

Mr。Freelandwashimselftheownerofbuttwoslaves。TheirnameswereHenryHarrisandJohnHarris。Therestofhishandshehired。Thesecon-

sistedofmyself，SandyJenkins，*andHandyCald-

well。HenryandJohnwerequiteintelligent，andinaverylittlewhileafterIwentthere，Isucceededincreatinginthemastrongdesiretolearnhowtoread。Thisdesiresoonsprangupintheothersalso。

Theyverysoonmusteredupsomeoldspelling-books，andnothingwoulddobutthatImustkeepaSab-

bathschool。Iagreedtodoso，andaccordinglydevotedmySundaystoteachingthesemylovedfel-

low-slaveshowtoread。NeitherofthemknewhisletterswhenIwentthere。Someoftheslavesoftheneighboringfarmsfoundwhatwasgoingon，andalsoavailedthemselvesofthislittleopportunitytolearntoread。Itwasunderstood，amongallwhocame，thattheremustbeaslittledisplayaboutitaspossible。ItwasnecessarytokeepourreligiousmastersatSt。Michael’sunacquaintedwiththefact，that，insteadofspendingtheSabbathinwrestling，boxing，anddrinkingwhisky，weweretryingtolearnhowtoreadthewillofGod;fortheyhadmuch*ThisisthesamemanwhogavemetherootstopreventmybeingwhippedbyMr。Covey。Hewas\"acleversoul。\"

WeusedfrequentlytotalkaboutthefightwithCovey，andasoftenaswedidso，hewouldclaimmysuccessastheresultoftherootswhichhegaveme。Thissuperstitionisverycommonamongthemoreignorantslaves。Aslaveseldomdiesbutthathisdeathisattributedtotrickery。

ratherseeusengagedinthosedegradingsports，thantoseeusbehavinglikeintellectual，moral，andac-

countablebeings。MybloodboilsasIthinkofthebloodymannerinwhichMessrs。WrightFairbanksandGarrisonWest，bothclass-leaders，inconnectionwithmanyothers，rushedinuponuswithsticksandstones，andbrokeupourvirtuouslittleSab-

bathschool，atSt。Michael’s——allcallingthemselvesChristians！humblefollowersoftheLordJesusChrist！ButIamagaindigressing。

IheldmySabbathschoolatthehouseofafreecoloredman，whosenameIdeemitimprudenttomention;forshoulditbeknown，itmightembar-

rasshimgreatly，thoughthecrimeofholdingtheschoolwascommittedtenyearsago。Ihadatonetimeoverfortyscholars，andthoseoftherightsort，ardentlydesiringtolearn。Theywereofallages，thoughmostlymenandwomen。IlookbacktothoseSundayswithanamountofpleasurenottobeex-

pressed。Theyweregreatdaystomysoul。Theworkofinstructingmydearfellow-slaveswasthesweetestengagementwithwhichIwaseverblessed。Welovedeachother，andtoleavethematthecloseoftheSabbathwasaseverecrossindeed。WhenIthinkthattheseprecioussoulsareto-dayshutupintheprison-houseofslavery，myfeelingsovercomeme，andIamalmostreadytoask，\"DoesarighteousGodgoverntheuniverse？andforwhatdoesheholdthethundersinhisrighthand，ifnottosmitetheoppressor，anddeliverthespoiledoutofthehandofthespoiler？\"ThesedearsoulscamenottoSab-

bathschoolbecauseitwaspopulartodoso，nordidIteachthembecauseitwasreputabletobethusengaged。Everymomenttheyspentinthatschool，theywereliabletobetakenup，andgiventhirty-

ninelashes。Theycamebecausetheywishedtolearn。Theirmindshadbeenstarvedbytheircruelmasters。Theyhadbeenshutupinmentaldarkness。

Itaughtthem，becauseitwasthedelightofmysoultobedoingsomethingthatlookedlikebetter-

ingtheconditionofmyrace。IkeptupmyschoolnearlythewholeyearIlivedwithMr。Freeland;

and，besidemySabbathschool，Idevotedthreeeve-

ningsintheweek，duringthewinter，toteachingtheslavesathome。AndIhavethehappinesstoknow，thatseveralofthosewhocametoSabbathschoollearnedhowtoread;andthatone，atleast，isnowfreethroughmyagency。

Theyearpassedoffsmoothly。Itseemedonlyabouthalfaslongastheyearwhichprecededit。

Iwentthroughitwithoutreceivingasingleblow。

IwillgiveMr。FreelandthecreditofbeingthebestmasterIeverhad，~tillIbecamemyownmas-

ter。~FortheeasewithwhichIpassedtheyear，I

was，however，somewhatindebtedtothesocietyofmyfellow-slaves。Theywerenoblesouls;theynotonlypossessedlovinghearts，butbraveones。Wewerelinkedandinterlinkedwitheachother。IlovedthemwithalovestrongerthananythingIhaveexperiencedsince。Itissometimessaidthatweslavesdonotloveandconfideineachother。Inanswertothisassertion，Icansay，Ineverlovedanyorconfidedinanypeoplemorethanmyfellow-

slaves，andespeciallythosewithwhomIlivedatMr。Freeland’s。Ibelievewewouldhavediedforeachother。Weneverundertooktodoanything，ofanyimportance，withoutamutualconsultation。

Wenevermovedseparately。Wewereone;andasmuchsobyourtempersanddispositions，asbythemutualhardshipstowhichwewerenecessarilysub-

jectedbyourconditionasslaves。

Atthecloseoftheyear1834，Mr。Freelandagainhiredmeofmymaster，fortheyear1835。But，bythistime，Ibegantowanttolive~uponfreeland~

aswellas~withfreeland;~andIwasnolongercon-

tent，therefore，tolivewithhimoranyotherslave-

holder。Ibegan，withthecommencementoftheyear，topreparemyselfforafinalstruggle，whichshoulddecidemyfateonewayortheother。Mytendencywasupward。Iwasfastapproachingman-

hood，andyearafteryearhadpassed，andIwasstillaslave。Thesethoughtsrousedme——Imustdosomething。Ithereforeresolvedthat1835shouldnotpasswithoutwitnessinganattempt，onmypart，tosecuremyliberty。ButIwasnotwillingtocherishthisdeterminationalone。Myfellow-slavesweredeartome。Iwasanxioustohavethemparticipatewithmeinthis，mylife-givingdetermination。Itherefore，thoughwithgreatprudence，commencedearlytoascertaintheirviewsandfeelingsinregardtotheircondition，andtoimbuetheirmindswiththoughtsoffreedom。Ibentmyselftodevisingwaysandmeansforourescape，andmeanwhilestrove，onallfittingoccasions，toimpressthemwiththegrossfraudandinhumanityofslavery。IwentfirsttoHenry，nexttoJohn，thentotheothers。Ifound，inthemall，warmheartsandnoblespirits。Theywerereadytohear，andreadytoactwhenafeasibleplanshouldbeproposed。ThiswaswhatIwanted。

Italkedtothemofourwantofmanhood，ifwesubmittedtoourenslavementwithoutatleastonenobleefforttobefree。Wemetoften，andconsultedfrequently，andtoldourhopesandfears，recountedthedifficulties，realandimagined，whichweshouldbecalledontomeet。Attimeswewerealmostdis-

posedtogiveup，andtrytocontentourselveswithourwretchedlot;atothers，wewerefirmandun-

bendinginourdeterminationtogo。Wheneverwesuggestedanyplan，therewasshrinking——theoddswerefearful。Ourpathwasbesetwiththegreatestobstacles;andifwesucceededingainingtheendofit，ourrighttobefreewasyetquestionable——wewereyetliabletobereturnedtobondage。Wecouldseenospot，thissideoftheocean，wherewecouldbefree。WeknewnothingaboutCanada。OurknowledgeofthenorthdidnotextendfartherthanNewYork;andtogothere，andbeforeverharassedwiththefrightfulliabilityofbeingreturnedtoslavery——withthecertaintyofbeingtreatedtenfoldworsethanbefore——thethoughtwastrulyahorribleone，andonewhichitwasnoteasytoovercome。

Thecasesometimesstoodthus：Ateverygatethroughwhichweweretopass，wesawawatchman——ateveryferryaguard——oneverybridgeasentinel——

andineverywoodapatrol。Wewerehemmedinuponeveryside。Herewerethedifficulties，realorimagined——thegoodtobesought，andtheeviltobeshunned。Ontheonehand，therestoodslavery，asternreality，glaringfrightfullyuponus，——itsrobesalreadycrimsonedwiththebloodofmillions，andevennowfeastingitselfgreedilyuponourownflesh。

Ontheotherhand，awaybackinthedimdistance，undertheflickeringlightofthenorthstar，behindsomecraggyhillorsnow-coveredmountain，stoodadoubtfulfreedom——halffrozen——beckoningustocomeandshareitshospitality。Thisinitselfwassometimesenoughtostaggerus;butwhenweper-

mittedourselvestosurveytheroad，wewerefre-

quentlyappalled。Uponeithersidewesawgrimdeath，assumingthemosthorridshapes。Nowitwasstarvation，causingustoeatourownflesh;——nowwewerecontendingwiththewaves，andweredrowned;

——nowwewereovertaken，andtorntopiecesbythefangsoftheterriblebloodhound。Wewerestungbyscorpions，chasedbywildbeasts，bittenbysnakes，andfinally，afterhavingnearlyreachedthedesiredspot，——afterswimmingrivers，encounteringwildbeasts，sleepinginthewoods，sufferinghungerandnakedness，——wewereovertakenbyourpursuers，and，inourresistance，wewereshotdeaduponthespot！

Isay，thispicturesometimesappalledus，andmadeus\"ratherbearthoseillswehad，Thanflytoothers，thatweknewnotof。\"

Incomingtoafixeddeterminationtorunaway，wedidmorethanPatrickHenry，whenheresolveduponlibertyordeath。Withusitwasadoubtfullibertyatmost，andalmostcertaindeathifwefailed。

Formypart，Ishouldpreferdeathtohopelessbond-

age。

Sandy，oneofournumber，gaveupthenotion，butstillencouragedus。OurcompanythenconsistedofHenryHarris，JohnHarris，HenryBailey，CharlesRoberts，andmyself。HenryBaileywasmyuncle，andbelongedtomymaster。Charlesmarriedmyaunt：hebelongedtomymaster’sfather-in-law，Mr。

WilliamHamilton。