Дванадцять років рабства
Chapter 18
IcouldlookonEppsonlywithunutterableloathingandabhorrence,andthoughtwithinmyself —"Thoudevil,soonerorlater,somewhereinthecourseofeternaljustice,thoushaltanswerforthissin!"
Finally,heceasedwhippingfrommereexhaustion,andorderedPhebetobringabucketofsaltandwater. Afterwashingherthoroughlywiththis,Iwastoldtotakehertohercabin. Untyingtheropes,Iraisedherinmyarms. Shewasunabletostand,andasherheadrestedonmyshoulder,sherepeatedmanytimes,inafaintvoicescarcelyperceptible, "Oh,Platt—oh,Platt!"butnothingfurther. Herdresswasreplaced,butitclungtoherback,andwassoonstiffwithblood. Welaidheronsomeboardsinthehut,wheresheremainedalongtime,witheyesclosedandgroaninginagony. AtnightPhebeappliedmeltedtallowtoherwounds,andsofaraswewereable,allendeavoredtoassistandconsoleher. Dayafterdayshelayinhercabinuponherface,thesorespreventingherrestinginanyotherposition.
Ablessedthingitwouldhavebeenforher—daysandweeksandmonthsofmiseryitwouldhavesavedher—hadsheneverliftedupherheadinlifeagain. Indeed,fromthattimeforwardshewasnotwhatshehadbeen. Theburdenofadeepmelancholyweighedheavilyonherspirits. Shenolongermovedwiththatbuoyantandelasticstep—therewasnotthatmirthfulsparkleinhereyesthatformerlydistinguishedher. Theboundingvigor—thesprightly,laughter-lovingspiritofheryouth,weregone.
