Дванадцять років рабства

           Incommonwithothers,heheldTibeatsinlightestimation,whichfact,inconnectionwiththefourhundreddollarmortgage,wasfortunateforme. 

           Iwasnowcompelledtolaborveryhard. Fromearliestdawnuntillateatnight,Iwasnotallowedtobeamomentidle. Notwithstandingwhich,Tibeatswasneversatisfied. Hewascontinuallycursingandcomplaining. Heneverspoketomeakindword. Iwashisfaithfulslave,andearnedhimlargewageseveryday,andyetIwenttomycabinnightly,loadedwithabuseandstingingepithets. 

           Wehadcompletedthecornmill,thekitchen,andsoforth,andwereatworkupontheweaving-house,whenIwasguiltyofanact,inthatStatepunishablewithdeath. ItwasmyfirstfightwithTibeats. Theweaving-housewewereerectingstoodintheorchardafewrodsfromtheresidenceofChapin,orthe"greathouse,"asitwascalled. Onenight,havingworkeduntilitwastoodarktosee,IwasorderedbyTibeatstoriseveryearlyinthemorning,procureakegofnailsfromChapin,andcommenceputtingontheclapboards. Iretiredtothecabinextremelytired,andhavingcookedasupperofbaconandcorncake,andconversedawhilewithEliza,whooccupiedthesamecabin,asalsodidLawsonandhiswifeMary,andaslavenamedBristol,laiddownuponthegroundfloor,littledreamingofthesufferingsthatawaitedmeonthemorrow. BeforedaylightIwasonthepiazzaofthe"greathouse,"awaitingtheappearanceofoverseerChapin. Tohavearousedhimfromhisslumbersandstatedmyerrand,wouldhavebeenanunpardonableboldness.