Дванадцять років рабства

           Iwasthentoassumetheunaccustomedplaceofpilot,and,steeringnorthward,wetrustedthatsomeluckywindmightbearustothesoiloffreedom. 

           Themate’snamewasBiddee,thecaptain’sIcannotnowrecall,thoughIrarelyeverforgetanameonceheard. Thecaptainwasasmall,genteelman,erectandprompt,withaproudbearing,andlookedthepersonificationofcourage. Ifheisstillliving,andthesepagesshouldchancetomeethiseye,hewilllearnafactconnectedwiththevoyageofthebrig,fromRichmondtoNew-Orleans,in1841,notenteredonhislog-book. 

           Wewereallprepared,andimpatientlywaitinganopportunityofputtingourdesignsintoexecution,whentheywerefrustratedbyasadandunforeseenevent. Robertwastakenill. Itwassoonannouncedthathehadthesmall-pox. Hecontinuedtogrowworse,andfourdaysprevioustoourarrivalinNew-Orleanshedied. Oneofthesailorssewedhiminhisblanket,withalargestonefromtheballastathisfeet,andthenlayinghimonahatchway,andelevatingitwithtacklesabovetherailing,theinanimatebodyofpoorRobertwasconsignedtothewhitewatersofthegulf. 

           Wewereallpanic-strickenbytheappearanceofthesmall-pox. Thecaptainorderedlimetobescatteredthroughthehold,andotherprudentprecautionstobetaken. ThedeathofRobert,however,andthepresenceofthemalady,oppressedmesadly,andIgazedoutoverthegreatwasteofwaterswithaspiritthatwasindeeddisconsolate.