Двенадцать лет рабства

           Talltrees,whoselongarmsinterlockedeachother,formedacanopyabovethem,sodenseastoexcludethebeamsofthesun. Itwasliketwilightalways,eveninthemiddleofthebrightestday. Inthecentreofthisgreatspace,whichnothingbutserpentsveryoftenexplore—asombreandsolitaryspot—Celestehaderectedarudehutofdeadbranchesthathadfallentotheground,andcovereditwiththeleavesofthepalmetto. Thiswastheabodeshehadselected. ShehadnofearofCarey’sdogs,anymorethanIhadofEpps’. Itisafact,whichIhaveneverbeenabletoexplain,thattherearethosewhosetracksthehoundswillabsolutelyrefusetofollow. Celestewasoneofthem. 

           Forseveralnightsshecametomycabinforfood. Ononeoccasionourdogsbarkedassheapproached,whicharousedEpps,andinducedhimtoreconnoitrethepremises. Hedidnotdiscoverher,butafterthatitwasnotdeemedprudentforhertocometotheyard. WhenallwassilentIcarriedprovisionstoacertainspotagreedupon,whereshewouldfindthem. 

           InthismannerCelestepassedthegreaterpartofthesummer. Sheregainedherhealth,andbecamestrongandhearty. Atallseasonsoftheyearthehowlingsofwildanimalscanbeheardatnightalongthebordersoftheswamps. Severaltimestheyhadmadeheramidnightcall,awakeningherfromslumberwithagrowl.