Дванадцять років рабства

           Oneofhiscompanionsthensteppedforward,swearingifImadetheleastresistancehewouldbreakmyhead—hewouldtearmelimbfromlimb—hewouldcutmyblackthroat—andgivingwidescopetoothersimilarexpressions. Perceivinganyimportunityaltogethervain,Icrossedmyhands,submittinghumblytowhateverdispositiontheymightpleasetomakeofme. ThereuponTibeatstiedmywrists,drawingtheropearoundthemwithhisutmoststrength. Thenheboundmyanklesinthesamemanner. Inthemeantimetheothertwohadslippedacordwithinmyelbows,runningitacrossmyback,andtyingitfirmly. Itwasutterlyimpossibletomovehandorfoot. WitharemainingpieceofropeTibeatsmadeanawkwardnoose,andplaceditaboutmyneck. 

           "Now,then,"inquiredoneofTibeats’companions,"whereshallwehangthenigger?" 

           Oneproposedsuchalimb,extendingfromthebodyofapeachtree,nearthespotwherewewerestanding. Hiscomradeobjectedtoit,allegingitwouldbreak,andproposedanother. Finallytheyfixeduponthelatter. 

           Duringthisconversation,andallthetimetheywerebindingme,Iutterednotaword. OverseerChapin,duringtheprogressofthescene,waswalkinghastilybackandforthonthepiazza. Rachelwascryingbythekitchendoor,andMrs.Chapinwasstilllookingfromthewindow. Hopediedwithinmyheart. Surelymytimehadcome. Ishouldneverbeholdthelightofanotherday—neverbeholdthefacesofmychildren—thesweetanticipationIhadcherishedwithsuchfondness.