Дванадцять років рабства

           WhetherornotTibeatsdidactuallyreturntotheplantationthatnight,seekinganopportunitytowreakhisvengeanceuponme,isasecretknownonlytohimself,perhaps. Ithoughtthen,however,andhavethestrongimpressionstill,thathewasthere. Atallevents,hehadthedispositionofanassassin—coweringbeforeabraveman’swords,butreadytostrikehishelplessorunsuspectingvictimintheback,asIhadreasonafterwardstoknow. 

           Atdaylightinthemorning,Iarose,soreandweary,havingrestedlittle. Nevertheless,afterpartakingbreakfast,whichMaryandElizahadpreparedformeinthecabin,Iproceededtotheweavinghouseandcommencedthelaborsofanotherday. ItwasChapin’spractice,asitisthepracticeofoverseersgenerally,immediatelyonarising,tobestridehishorse,alwayssaddledandbridledandreadyforhim—theparticularbusinessofsomeslave—andrideintothefield. Thismorning,onthecontrary,hecametotheweavinghouse,askingifIhadseenanythingofTibeatsyet. Replyinginthenegative,heremarkedtherewassomethingnotrightaboutthefellow—therewasbadbloodinhim—thatImustkeepasharpwatchofhim,orhewoulddomewrongsomedaywhenIleastexpectedit. 

           Whilehewasyetspeaking,Tibeatsrodein,hitchedhishorse,andenteredthehouse. IhadlittlefearofhimwhileFordandChapinwereathand,buttheycouldnotbenearmealways. 

           Oh!howheavilytheweightofslaverypresseduponmethen.