Дванадцять років рабства
Chapter 11
Inthecourseofafortnight,fourblackgirlscamedownfromEldret’splantation—Charlotte,Fanny,CresiaandNelly. Theywerealllargeandstout. Axeswereputintotheirhands,andtheyweresentoutwithSamandmyselftocuttrees. Theywereexcellentchoppers,thelargestoakorsycamorestandingbutabriefseasonbeforetheirheavyandwell-directedblows. Atpilinglogs,theywereequaltoanyman. TherearelumberwomenaswellaslumbermenintheforestsoftheSouth. Infact,intheregionoftheBayouBœuftheyperformtheirshareofallthelaborrequiredontheplantation. Theyplough,drag,driveteam,clearwildlands,workonthehighway,andsoforth. Someplanters,owninglargecottonandsugarplantations,havenoneotherthanthelaborofslavewomen. SuchaoneisJimBurns,wholivesonthenorthshoreofthebayou,oppositetheplantationofJohnFogaman.
Onourarrivalinthebrake,Eldretpromisedme,ifIworkedwell,ImightgouptovisitmyfriendsatFord’sinfourweeks. OnSaturdaynightofthefifthweek,Iremindedhimofhispromise,whenhetoldmeIhaddonesowell,thatImightgo. Ihadsetmyheartuponit,andEldret’sannouncementthrilledmewithpleasure. IwastoreturnintimetocommencethelaborsofthedayonTuesdaymorning.
Whileindulgingthepleasantanticipationofsosoonmeetingmyoldfriendsagain,suddenlythehatefulformofTibeatsappearedamongus.
