Дванадцять років рабства
Chapter 22
Numerousincidents,suchasthese,wererelated—incidentsshowingtheystillheldmeinconstantremembrance,butnot,perhaps,ofsufficientinteresttothereader,toberecounted.
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Mynarrativeisatanend. IhavenocommentstomakeuponthesubjectofSlavery. Thosewhoreadthisbookmayformtheirownopinionsofthe"peculiarinstitution." WhatitmaybeinotherStates,Idonotprofesstoknow;whatitisintheregionofRedRiver,istrulyandfaithfullydelineatedinthesepages. Thisisnofiction,noexaggeration. IfIhavefailedinanything,ithasbeeninpresentingtothereadertooprominentlythebrightsideofthepicture. Idoubtnothundredshavebeenasunfortunateasmyself; thathundredsoffreecitizenshavebeenkidnappedandsoldintoslavery,andareatthismomentwearingouttheirlivesonplantationsinTexasandLouisiana. ButIforbear. ChastenedandsubduedinspiritbythesufferingsIhaveborne,andthankfultothatgoodBeingthroughwhosemercyIhavebeenrestoredtohappinessandliberty,Ihopehenceforwardtoleadanuprightthoughlowlylife,andrestatlastinthechurchyardwheremyfathersleeps.
