Дванадцять років рабства
Chapter 7
Richplanters,havinglargeestablishmentsonBayouBœuf,areaccustomedtospendthewarmerseasoninthesewoods. Heretheyfindclearwateranddelightfulshades. Infact,theseretreatsaretotheplantersofthatsectionofthecountrywhatNewportandSaratogaaretothewealthierinhabitantsofnortherncities.
Weweresentaroundintothekitchen,andsuppliedwithsweetpotatoes,corn-bread,andbacon,whileMasterForddinedwithMartininthehouse. Therewereseveralslavesaboutthepremises. Martincameoutandtookalookatus,askingFordthepriceofeach,ifweweregreenhands,andsoforth,andmakinginquiriesinrelationtotheslavemarketgenerally.
Afteralongrestwesetforthagain,followingtheTexasroad,whichhadtheappearanceofbeingveryrarelytraveled. Forfivemileswepassedthroughcontinuouswoodswithoutobservingasinglehabitation. Atlength,justasthesunwassinkinginthewest,weenteredanotheropening,containingsometwelveorfifteenacres.
InthisopeningstoodahousemuchlargerthanMr.Martin’s. Itwastwostorieshigh,withapiazzainfront. Intherearofitwasalsoalogkitchen,poultryhouse,corncribs,andseveralnegrocabins. Nearthehousewasapeachorchard,andgardensoforangeandpomegranatetrees. Thespacewasentirelysurroundedbywoods,andcoveredwithacarpetofrich,rankverdure. Itwasaquiet,lonely,pleasantplace—literallyagreenspotinthewilderness. Itwastheresidenceofmymaster,WilliamFord.
