Двенадцать лет рабства

           Theuseofplateswasdispensedwith,andtheirsablefingerstooktheplaceofknivesandforks. JimandCuffeewereverydemureandattentivetobusiness,somewhatinflatedwiththeirsituationassecondcooks,andwithoutdoubtfeelingthattherewasagreatresponsibilityrestingonthem. Iwascalledsteward—anamegivenmebythecaptain. 

           Theslaveswerefedtwiceaday,attenandfiveo’clock—alwaysreceivingthesamekindandquantityoffare,andinthesamemannerasabovedescribed. Atnightweweredrivenintothehold,andsecurelyfasteneddown. 

           Scarcelywereweoutofsightoflandbeforewewereovertakenbyaviolentstorm. Thebrigrolledandplungeduntilwefearedshewouldgodown. Someweresea-sick,othersontheirkneespraying,whilesomewerefastholdingtoeachother,paralyzedwithfear. Thesea-sicknessrenderedtheplaceofourconfinementloathsomeanddisgusting. Itwouldhavebeenahappythingformostofus—itwouldhavesavedtheagonyofmanyhundredlashes,andmiserabledeathsatlast—hadthecompassionateseasnatchedusthatdayfromtheclutchesofremorselessmen. ThethoughtofRandallandlittleEmmysinkingdownamongthemonstersofthedeep,isamorepleasantcontemplationthantothinkofthemastheyarenow,perhaps,draggingoutlivesofunrequitedtoil. 

           WheninsightoftheBahamaBanks,ataplacecalledOldPointCompass,ortheHoleintheWall,wewerebecalmedthreedays. Therewasscarcelyabreathofair. Thewatersofthegulfpresentedasingularlywhiteappearance,likelimewater.