Двенадцать лет рабства

           Afterreadingthelettersanddocumentspresentedhim,andlisteningtoarepresentationofthecircumstancesunderwhichIhadbeencarriedawayintocaptivity,Mr.Waddillatonceprofferedhisservices,andenteredintotheaffairwithgreatzealandearnestness. He,incommonwithothersoflikeelevatedcharacter,lookeduponthekidnapperwithabhorrence. Thetitleofhisfellowparishionersandclientstothepropertywhichconstitutedthelargerproportionoftheirwealth,notonlydependeduponthegoodfaithinwhichslavesalesweretransacted,buthewasamaninwhosehonorableheartemotionsofindignationwerearousedbysuchaninstanceofinjustice. 

           Marksville,althoughoccupyingaprominentposition,andstandingoutinimpressiveitalicsonthemapofLouisiana,is,infact,butasmallandinsignificanthamlet. Asidefromthetavern,keptbyajollyandgenerousboniface,thecourthouse,inhabitedbylawlesscowsandswineintheseasonsofvacation,andahighgallows,withitsdisseveredropedanglingintheair,thereislittletoattracttheattentionofthestranger. 

           SolomonNorthupwasanameMr.Waddillhadneverheard,buthewasconfidentthatiftherewasaslavebearingthatappellationinMarksvilleorvicinity,hisblackboyTomwouldknowhim. Tomwasaccordinglycalled,butinallhisextensivecircleofacquaintancestherewasnosuchpersonage. 

           ThelettertoParkerandPerrywasdatedatBayouBœuf. Atthisplace,therefore,theconclusionwas,Imustbesought. Buthereadifficultysuggesteditself,ofaverygravecharacterindeed.