Дванадцять років рабства
Chapter 7
Hewasa"bornthrall"ofFord’s,andspokekindlyandaffectionatelyofhim,asachildwouldspeakofhisownfather. InanswertohisinquiriesfromwhenceIcame,ItoldhimfromWashington. Ofthatcity,hehadheardmuchfromhiswife,Rose,andallthewaypliedmewithmanyextravagantandabsurdquestions.
OnreachingthemillsatIndianCreek,wefoundtwomoreofFord’sslaves,SamandAntony. Sam,also,wasaWashingtonian,havingbeenbroughtoutinthesamegangwithRose. HehadworkedonafarmnearGeorgetown. Antonywasablacksmith,fromKentucky,whohadbeeninhispresentmaster’sserviceabouttenyears. SamknewBurch,andwheninformedthathewasthetraderwhohadsentmeonfromWashington,itwasremarkablehowwellweagreeduponthesubjectofhissuperlativerascality. HehadforwardedSam,also.
OnFord’sarrivalatthemill,wewereemployedinpilinglumber,andchoppinglogs,whichoccupationwecontinuedduringtheremainderofthesummer.
WeusuallyspentourSabbathsattheopening,onwhichdaysourmasterwouldgatherallhisslavesabouthim,andreadandexpoundtheScriptures. Hesoughttoinculcateinourmindsfeelingsofkindnesstowardseachother,ofdependenceuponGod—settingforththerewardspromiseduntothosewholeadanuprightandprayerfullife. Seatedinthedoorwayofhishouse,surroundedbyhisman-servantsandhismaid-servants,wholookedearnestlyintothegoodman’sface,hespokeofthelovingkindnessoftheCreator,andofthelifethatistocome.
