Дванадцять років рабства

           SenatorSouleespeciallyinterestedhimselfinthematter,insisting,inforciblelanguage,thatitwasthedutyandinterestofeveryplanterinhisStatetoaidinrestoringmetofreedom,andtrustedthesentimentsofhonorandjusticeinthebosomofeverycitizenofthecommonwealthwouldenlisthimatonceinmybehalf. Havingobtainedthesevaluableletters,Mr.NorthupreturnedtoBaltimore,andproceededfromthencetoPittsburgh. Itwashisoriginalintention,underadviceoffriendsatWashington,togodirectlytoNewOrleans,andconsulttheauthoritiesofthatcity. Providentially,however,onarrivingatthemouthofRedRiver,hechangedhismind. Hadhecontinuedon,hewouldnothavemetwithBass,inwhichcasethesearchformewouldprobablyhavebeenfruitless. 

           Takingpassageonthefirststeamerthatarrived,hepursuedhisjourneyupRedRiver,asluggish,windingstream,flowingthroughavastregionofprimitiveforestsandimpenetrableswamps,almostwhollydestituteofinhabitants. Aboutnineo’clockintheforenoon,January1st,1853,heleftthesteamboatatMarksville,andproceededdirectlytoMarksvilleCourtHouse,asmallvillagefourmilesintheinterior. 

           FromthefactthatthelettertoMessrs.ParkerandPerrywaspost-markedatMarksville,itwassupposedbyhimthatIwasinthatplaceoritsimmediatevicinity. Onreachingthistown,heatoncelaidhisbusinessbeforetheHon.JohnP.Waddill,alegalgentlemanofdistinction,andamanoffinegeniusandmostnobleimpulses.