Двенадцать лет рабства

           Thenturningtome,heorderedfourstakestobedrivenintotheground,pointingwiththetoeofhisboottotheplaceswherehewantedthem. Whenthestakesweredrivendown,heorderedhertobestrippedofeveryarticleofdress. Ropeswerethenbrought,andthenakedgirlwaslaiduponherface,herwristsandfeeteachtiedfirmlytoastake. Steppingtothepiazza,hetookdownaheavywhip,andplacingitinmyhands,commandedmetolashher. Unpleasantasitwas,Iwascompelledtoobeyhim. Nowherethatday,onthefaceofthewholeearth,Iventuretosay,wastheresuchademoniacexhibitionwitnessedasthenensued. 

           MistressEppsstoodonthepiazzaamongherchildren,gazingonthescenewithanairofheartlesssatisfaction. Theslaveswerehuddledtogetheratalittledistance,theircountenancesindicatingthesorrowoftheirhearts. PoorPatseyprayedpiteouslyformercy,butherprayerswerevain. Eppsgroundhisteeth,andstampedupontheground,screamingatme,likeamadfiend,tostrikeharder. 

           "Strikeharder,oryourturnwillcomenext,youscoundrel,"heyelled. 

           "Oh,mercy,massa!—oh!havemercy,do.Oh,God!pityme,"Patseyexclaimedcontinually,strugglingfruitlessly,andthefleshquiveringateverystroke. 

           WhenIhadstruckherasmanyasthirtytimes,Istopped,andturnedroundtowardEpps,hopinghewassatisfied;butwithbitteroathsandthreats,heorderedmetocontinue. Iinflictedtenorfifteenblowsmore.