Дванадцять років рабства
Chapter 8
ItstretchesfromapointnotfarfromAlexandria,inasouth-easterlydirection,andfollowingitstortuouscourse,ismorethanfiftymilesinlength. Largecottonandsugarplantationslineeachshore,extendingbacktothebordersofinterminableswamps. Itisalivewithalligators,renderingitunsafeforswine,orunthinkingslavechildrentostrollalongitsbanks. Uponabendinthisbayou,ashortdistancefromCheneyville,wassituatedtheplantationofMadamFord—herbrother,PeterTanner,agreatlandholder,livingontheoppositeside.
OnmyarrivalatBayouBœuf,IhadthepleasureofmeetingEliza,whomIhadnotseenforseveralmonths. ShehadnotpleasedMrs.Ford,beingmoreoccupiedinbroodingoverhersorrowsthaninattendingtoherbusiness,andhad,inconsequence,beensentdowntoworkinthefieldontheplantation. Shehadgrownfeebleandemaciated,andwasstillmourningforherchildren. SheaskedmeifIhadforgottenthem,andagreatmanytimesinquiredifIstillrememberedhowhandsomelittleEmilywas—howmuchRandalllovedher—andwonderediftheywerelivingstill,andwherethedarlingscouldthenbe. Shehadsunkbeneaththeweightofanexcessivegrief. Herdroopingformandhollowcheekstooplainlyindicatedthatshehadwellnighreachedtheendofherwearyroad.
Ford’soverseeronthisplantation,andwhohadtheexclusivechargeofit,wasaMr.Chapin,akindly-disposedman,andanativeofPennsylvania.
