Дванадцять років рабства
Chapter 18
Thenturningtome,heorderedfourstakestobedrivenintotheground,pointingwiththetoeofhisboottotheplaceswherehewantedthem. Whenthestakesweredrivendown,heorderedhertobestrippedofeveryarticleofdress. Ropeswerethenbrought,andthenakedgirlwaslaiduponherface,herwristsandfeeteachtiedfirmlytoastake. Steppingtothepiazza,hetookdownaheavywhip,andplacingitinmyhands,commandedmetolashher. Unpleasantasitwas,Iwascompelledtoobeyhim. Nowherethatday,onthefaceofthewholeearth,Iventuretosay,wastheresuchademoniacexhibitionwitnessedasthenensued.
MistressEppsstoodonthepiazzaamongherchildren,gazingonthescenewithanairofheartlesssatisfaction. Theslaveswerehuddledtogetheratalittledistance,theircountenancesindicatingthesorrowoftheirhearts. PoorPatseyprayedpiteouslyformercy,butherprayerswerevain. Eppsgroundhisteeth,andstampedupontheground,screamingatme,likeamadfiend,tostrikeharder.
"Strikeharder,oryourturnwillcomenext,youscoundrel,"heyelled.
"Oh,mercy,massa!—oh!havemercy,do.Oh,God!pityme,"Patseyexclaimedcontinually,strugglingfruitlessly,andthefleshquiveringateverystroke.
WhenIhadstruckherasmanyasthirtytimes,Istopped,andturnedroundtowardEpps,hopinghewassatisfied;butwithbitteroathsandthreats,heorderedmetocontinue. Iinflictedtenorfifteenblowsmore.