Дванадцять років рабства
Chapter 7
Hecouldnotimaginewhereonewastobefound,whenIsuggestedthattheeasiestwaytogetonewouldbetomakeit,informinghimatthesametime,thatIwasasortof"Jackatalltrades,"andwouldattemptit,withhispermission. Itwasgrantedveryreadily,andIwasallowedtogotoaneighboringplanter’stoinspectonebeforecommencingtheundertaking. AtlengthitwasfinishedandpronouncedbySallytobeperfect. Shecouldeasilyweavehertaskoffourteenyards,milkthecows,andhaveleisuretimebesideseachday. Itworkedsowell,Iwascontinuedintheemploymentofmakinglooms,whichweretakendowntotheplantationonthebayou.
AtthistimeoneJohnM.Tibeats,acarpenter,cametotheopeningtodosomeworkonmaster’shouse. Iwasdirectedtoquittheloomsandassisthim. FortwoweeksIwasinhiscompany,planningandmatchingboardsforceiling,aplasteredroombeingararethingintheparishofAvoyelles.
JohnM.TibeatswastheoppositeofFordinallrespects. Hewasasmall,crabbed,quick-tempered,spitefulman. HehadnofixedresidencethatIeverheardof,butpassedfromoneplantationtoanother,whereverhecouldfindemployment. Hewaswithoutstandinginthecommunity,notesteemedbywhitemen,norevenrespectedbyslaves. Hewasignorant,withal,andofarevengefuldisposition. HelefttheparishlongbeforeIdid,andIknownotwhetherheisatpresentaliveordead. Certainitis,itwasamostunluckydayformethatbroughtustogether.
