Chapter 19

           InthemonthofJune,1852,inpursuanceofapreviouscontract,Mr.Avery,acarpenterofBayouRouge,commencedtheerectionofahouseforMasterEpps. IthaspreviouslybeenstatedthattherearenocellarsonBayouBœuf; ontheotherhand,suchisthelowandswampynatureoftheground,thegreathousesareusuallybuiltuponspiles. Anotherpeculiarityis,theroomsarenotplastered,buttheceilingandsidesarecoveredwithmatchedcypressboards,paintedsuchcolorasmostpleasestheowner’staste. Generallytheplankandboardsaresawedbyslaveswithwhip-saws,therebeingnowaterpoweruponwhichmillsmightbebuiltwithinmanymiles. Whentheplantererectsforhimselfadwelling,therefore,thereisplentyofextraworkforhisslaves. HavinghadsomeexperienceunderTibeatsasacarpenter,Iwastakenfromthefieldaltogether,onthearrivalofAveryandhishands. 

           AmongthemwasonetowhomIoweanimmeasurabledebtofgratitude. Onlyforhim,inallprobability,Ishouldhaveendedmydaysinslavery. Hewasmydeliverer—amanwhosetrueheartoverflowedwithnobleandgenerousemotions. TothelastmomentofmyexistenceIshallrememberhimwithfeelingsofthankfulness. HisnamewasBass,andatthattimeheresidedinMarksville. Itwillbedifficulttoconveyacorrectimpressionofhisappearanceorcharacter. Hewasalargeman,betweenfortyandfiftyyearsold,oflightcomplexionandlighthair. Hewasverycoolandself-possessed,fondofargument,butalwaysspeakingwithextremedeliberation.