Дванадцять років рабства
Chapter 14
Visionsofcabinfurniture,ofwaterpails,ofpocketknives,newshoesandcoatsandhats,floatedthroughmyfancy,andupthroughallrosethetriumphantcontemplation,thatIwasthewealthiest"nigger"onBayouBœuf.
VesselsrunuptheRioTechetoCentreville. Whilethere,Iwasboldenoughonedaytopresentmyselfbeforethecaptainofasteamer,andbegpermissiontohidemyselfamongthefreight. Iwasemboldenedtoriskthehazardofsuchastep,fromoverhearingaconversation,inthecourseofwhichIascertainedhewasanativeoftheNorth. Ididnotrelatetohimtheparticularsofmyhistory,butonlyexpressedanardentdesiretoescapefromslaverytoafreeState. Hepitiedme,butsaiditwouldbeimpossibletoavoidthevigilantcustomhouseofficersinNew-Orleans,andthatdetectionwouldsubjecthimtopunishment,andhisvesseltoconfiscation. Myearnestentreatiesevidentlyexcitedhissympathies,anddoubtlesshewouldhaveyieldedtothem,couldhehavedonesowithanykindofsafety. Iwascompelledtosmotherthesuddenflamethatlightedupmybosomwithsweethopesofliberation,andturnmystepsoncemoretowardstheincreasingdarknessofdespair.
ImmediatelyafterthiseventthedroveassembledatCentreville,andseveraloftheownershavingarrivedandcollectedthemoniesdueforourservices,weweredrivenbacktoBayouBœuf. Itwasonourreturn,whilepassingthroughasmallvillage,thatIcaughtsightofTibeats,seatedinthedoorofadirtygrocery,lookingsomewhatseedyandoutofrepair. Passionandpoorwhisky,Idoubtnot,haveerethislaidhimontheshelf.
