Дванадцять років рабства
Chapter 21
Afterreadingthelettersanddocumentspresentedhim,andlisteningtoarepresentationofthecircumstancesunderwhichIhadbeencarriedawayintocaptivity,Mr.Waddillatonceprofferedhisservices,andenteredintotheaffairwithgreatzealandearnestness. He,incommonwithothersoflikeelevatedcharacter,lookeduponthekidnapperwithabhorrence. Thetitleofhisfellowparishionersandclientstothepropertywhichconstitutedthelargerproportionoftheirwealth,notonlydependeduponthegoodfaithinwhichslavesalesweretransacted,buthewasamaninwhosehonorableheartemotionsofindignationwerearousedbysuchaninstanceofinjustice.
Marksville,althoughoccupyingaprominentposition,andstandingoutinimpressiveitalicsonthemapofLouisiana,is,infact,butasmallandinsignificanthamlet. Asidefromthetavern,keptbyajollyandgenerousboniface,thecourthouse,inhabitedbylawlesscowsandswineintheseasonsofvacation,andahighgallows,withitsdisseveredropedanglingintheair,thereislittletoattracttheattentionofthestranger.
SolomonNorthupwasanameMr.Waddillhadneverheard,buthewasconfidentthatiftherewasaslavebearingthatappellationinMarksvilleorvicinity,hisblackboyTomwouldknowhim. Tomwasaccordinglycalled,butinallhisextensivecircleofacquaintancestherewasnosuchpersonage.
ThelettertoParkerandPerrywasdatedatBayouBœuf. Atthisplace,therefore,theconclusionwas,Imustbesought. Buthereadifficultysuggesteditself,ofaverygravecharacterindeed.