Дванадцять років рабства

           Abrutehimself,JimBurnshadnotaparticleofmercyforhissubjectbrutes,andlikeafool,whippedandscourgedawaytheverystrengthuponwhichdependedhisamountofgain. 

           EppsremainedonHuffPowertwoyears,when,havingaccumulatedaconsiderablesumofmoney,heexpendeditinthepurchaseoftheplantationontheeastbankofBayouBœuf,wherehestillcontinuestoreside. Hetookpossessionofitin1845,aftertheholidayswerepassed. Hecarriedthitherwithhimnineslaves,allofwhom,exceptmyself,andSusan,whohassincedied,remainthereyet. Hemadenoadditiontothisforce,andforeightyearsthefollowingweremycompanionsinhisquarters,viz:Abram,Wiley,Phebe,Bob,Henry,Edward,andPatsey. Allthese,exceptEdward,bornsince,werepurchasedoutofadrovebyEppsduringthetimehewasoverseerforArchyB.Williams,whoseplantationissituatedontheshoreofRedRiver,notfarfromAlexandria. 

           Abramwastall,standingafullheadaboveanycommonman. Heissixtyyearsofage,andwasborninTennessee. Twentyyearsago,hewaspurchasedbyatrader,carriedintoSouthCarolina,andsoldtoJamesBuford,ofWilliamsburghcounty,inthatState. Inhisyouthhewasrenownedforhisgreatstrength,butageandunremittingtoilhavesomewhatshatteredhispowerfulframeandenfeebledhismentalfaculties. 

           Wileyisforty-eight. HewasbornontheestateofWilliamTassle,andformanyyearstookchargeofthatgentleman’sferryovertheBigBlackRiver,inSouthCarolina.