AftereightmonthsacquaintancewithMarion,Morton’ssympathiesripenedintolove,whichwasmostcordiallyreciprocatedbythefriendlessandinjuredchildofsorrow。Therewasbutonecoursewhichtheyoungmancouldhonorablypursue,andthatwastopurchaseMarionandmakeherhislawfulwife;andthishedidimmediately,forhefoundMr。andMrs。Cardinaywillingtosecondhisliberalintentions。
Theyoungman,afterpurchasingMarionfromCardinay,andmarryingher,tooklodgingsinanotherpartofthecity。Aprivateteacherwascalledin,andtheyoungwifewastaughtsomeofthoseaccomplishmentssonecessaryforonetakingahighpositioningoodsociety。
Dr。Mortonsoonobtainedalargeandinfluentialpracticeinhisprofession,andwithitincreasedinwealth;butwithallhiswealthheneverownedaslave。Probablythefactthathehadraisedhiswifefromthatconditionkeptthehydra-headedsystemcontinuallybeforehim。TothecreditofMarionbeitsaid,sheusedeverymeanstoobtainthefreedomofhermother,whohadbeensoldtoParsonWilson,atNatchez。Herefforts,however,hadcometoolate;forAgneshaddiedofafeverbeforethearrivalofDr。
Morton’sagent。
MarionfoundinAdolphusMortonakindandaffectionatehusband;
andhiswishtopurchasehermother,althoughunsuccessful,haddoublyendearedhimtoher。Ereayearhadelapsedfromthetimeoftheirmarriage,Mrs。Mortonpresentedherhusbandwithalovelydaughter,whoseemedtoknittheirheartsstillclosertogether。
ThischildtheynamedJane;andbeforetheexpirationofthesecondyear,theywereblessedwithanotherdaughter,whomtheynamedAdrika。
Thesechildrengrewuptotheagesoftenandeleven,andwerethensenttotheNorthtofinishtheireducation,andreceivethatrefinementwhichyoungladiescannotobtainintheSlaveStates。
CHAPTERX
THEQUADROON’SHOME
AfewmilesoutofRichmondisapleasantplace,withhereandthereabeautifulcottagesurroundedbytreessoasscarcelytobeseen。Amongthesewasonefarretiredfromthepublicroads,andalmosthiddenamongthetrees。ThiswasthespotthatHenryLinwoodhadselectedforIsabella,theeldestdaughterofAgnes。
Theyoungmanhiredthehouse,furnishedit,andplacedhismistressthere,andformanymonthsnooneinhisfather’sfamilyknewwherehespenthisleisurehours。
WhenHenrywasnotwithher,Isabellaemployedherselfinlookingafterherlittlegardenandtheflowersthatgrewinfrontofhercottage。Thepassion-flowerpeony,dahlia,laburnum,andotherplant,soabundantinwarmclimates,underthetastefulhandofIsabella,lavishedtheirbeautyuponthisretiredspot,andminiatureparadise。
AlthoughIsabellahadbeenassuredbyHenrythatsheshouldbefreeandthathewouldalwaysconsiderherashiswife,sheneverthelessfeltthatsheoughttobemarriedandacknowledgedbyhim。Butthiswasanimpossibilityunder。theStatelaws,evenhadtheyoungmanbeendisposedtodowhatwasrightinthematter。
Relatedashewas,however,tooneofthefirstfamiliesinVirginia,hewouldnothavedaredtomarryawomanofsolowanorigin,evenhadthelawsbeenfavorable。
Here,inthissecludedgrove,unvisitedbyanyotherexceptherlover,Isabellalivedforyears。Shehadbecomethemotherofalovelydaughter,whichitsfathernamedClotelle。Thecomplexionofthechildwasstillfairerthanthatofitsmother。Indeed,shewasnotdarkerthanotherwhitechildren,andasshegrewoldershemoreandmoreresembledherfather。
Astimepassedaway,HenrybecamenegligentofIsabellaandhischild,somuchso,thatdaysandevenweekspassedwithouttheirseeinghim,orknowingwherehewas。Becomingmoreacquaintedwiththeworld,andmovingcontinuallyinthesocietyofyoungwomenofhisownstation,theyoungmanfeltthatIsabellawasaburdentohim,andhavingassomewouldsay,"outgrownhislove,"helongedtofreehimselfoftheresponsibility;yeteverytimehesawthechild,hefeltthatheowedithisfatherlycare。
Henryhadnowenteredintopoliticallife,andbeenelectedtoaseatinthelegislatureofhisnativeState;andinhisintercoursewithhisfriendshadbecomeacquaintedwithGertrudeMiller,thedaughterofawealthygentlemanlivingnearRichmond。
BothHenryandGertrudewereverygood-looking,andamutualattachmentsprangupbetweenthem。
InsteadoffindingfaultwiththeunfrequentvisitsofHenry,Isabellaalwaysmethimwithasmile,andtriedtomakebothhimandherselfbelievethatbusinesswasthecauseofhisnegligence。
Whenhewaswithher,shedevotedeverymomentofhertimetohim,andneverfailedtospeakofthegrowthandincreasingintelligenceofClotelle。
Thechildhadgrownsolargeastobeabletofollowitsfatheronhisdepartureouttotheroad。ButtheimpressionmadeonHenry’sfeelingsbythedevotedwomanandherchildwasmomentary。Hishearthadgrownhard,andhisactswereguidedbynofixedprinciple。HenryandGertrudehadbeenmarriednearlytwoyearsbeforeIsabellaknewanythingoftheevent,anditwasmerelybyaccidentthatshebecameacquaintedwiththefacts。
Onebeautifulafternoon,whenIsabellaandClotellewerepickingwildstrawberriessometwomilesfromtheirhome,andneartheroad-side,theyobservedaone-horsechaisedrivingpast。Themotherturnedherfacefromthecarriagenotwishingtobeseenbystrangers,littledreamingthatthechaisecontainedHenryandhiswife。Thechild,however,watchedthechaise,andstartledhermotherbyscreamingoutatthetopofhervoice,"Papa!papa!"andclappedherlittlehandsforjoy。Themotherturnedinhastetolookatthestrangers,andhereyesencounteredthoseofHenry’spaleanddejectedcountenance。Gertrude’seyeswereonthechild。
TheswiftnesswithwhichHenrydrovebycouldnothidefromhiswifethestrikingresemblanceofthechildtohimself。Theyoungwifehadheardthechildexclaim"Papa!papa!"andsheimmediatelysawbythequiveringofhislipsandtheagitationdepictedinhiscountenance,thatallwasnotright。
"Whoisthatwoman?andwhydidthatchildcallyoupapa?"sheinquired,withatremblingvoice。
Henrywassilent;heknewnotwhattosay,andwithoutanotherwordpassingbetweenthem,theydrovehome。
Onreachingherroom,Gertrudeburiedherfaceinherhandkerchiefandwept。ShelovedHenry,andwhenshehadheardfromthelipsofhercompanionshowtheirhusbandshadprovedfalse,shefeltthathewasanexception,andferventlythankedGodthatshehadbeensoblessed。
WhenGertruderetiredtoherbedthatnight,thesadsceneofthedayfollowedher。ThebeautyofIsabella,withherflowingcurls,andthelookofthechild,somuchresemblingthemanwhomshesodearlyloved,couldnotbeforgotten;andlittleClotelle’sexclamationof"Papa!Papa"ranginherearsduringthewholenight。
ThereturnofHenryattwelveo’clockdidnotincreaseherhappiness。Feelinghisguilt,hehadabsentedhimselffromthehousesincehisreturnfromtheride。
CHAPTERXI
TO-DAYAMISTRESS,TO-MORROWASLAVE
THEnightwasdark,therain,descendedintorrentsfromtheblackandoverhangingclouds,andthethunder,accompaniedwithvividflashesoflightning,resoundedfearfully,asHenryLinwoodsteppedfromhischaiseandenteredIsabella’scottage。
Morethanafortnighthadelapsedsincetheaccidental。meeting,andIsabellawasindoubtastowhotheladywasthatHenrywaswithinthecarriage。Little,however,didshethinkthatitwashiswife。Withasmile,Isabellamettheyoungmanasheenteredherlittledwelling。Clotellehadalreadygonetobed,butherfather’svoicerousedherfromhersleep,andshewassoonsittingonhisknee。
ThepaleandagitatedcountenanceofHenrybetrayedhisuneasiness,butIsabella’smildandlaughingallusiontotheincidentoftheirmeetinghimonthedayofhispleasure-drive,andhersaying,"I
presume,dearHenry,thattheladywasoneofyourrelatives,"ledhimtobelievethatshewasstillinignoranceofhismarriage。
Shewas,infact,ignorantwhotheladywaswhoaccompaniedthemanshelovedonthateventfulday。He,awareofthis,nowactedmorelikehimself,andpassedthethingoffasajoke。Atheart,however,Isabellafeltuneasy,andthisuneasinesswouldattimesshowitselftotheyoungman。Atlast,andwithagreateffort,shesaid,——
"Now,dearHenry,ifIaminthewayofyourfuturehappiness,sayso,andIwillreleaseyoufromanypromisesthatyouhavemademe。IknowthereisnolawbywhichIcanholdyou,andiftherewas,Iwouldnotresorttoit。Youareasdeartomeasever,andmythoughtsshallalwaysbedevotedtoyou。Itwouldbeagreatsacrificeformetogiveyouuptoanother,butifitbeyourdesire,asgreatasthesacrificeis,Iwillmakeit。SendmeandyourchildintoaFreeStateifweareinyourway。"
AgainandagainLinwoodassuredherthatnowomanpossessedhislovebuther。Oh,whatfalsehood。anddeceitmancanputonwhendealingwithwoman’slove!
TheunabatedstormkeptHenryfromreturninghomeuntilaftertheclockhadstrucktwo,andashedrewnearhisresidencehesawhiswifestandingatthewindow。Givinghishorseinchargeoftheservantwhowaswaiting,heenteredthehouse,andfoundhiswifeintears。AlthoughhehadneversatisfiedGertrudeastowhothequadroonwomanandchildwere,hehadkepthercomparativelyeasybyhiscloseattentiontoher,andbytellingherthatshewasmistakeninregardtothechild’scallinghim"papa。"Hisabsencethatnight,however,withoutanyapparentcause,hadagainarousedthejealousyofGertrude;butHenrytoldherthathehadbeencaughtintherainwhileout,whichpreventedhissoonerreturning,andshe,anxioustobelievehim,receivedthestoryassatisfactory。
Somewhatheatedwithbrandy,andweariedwithmuchlossofsleep,Linwoodfellintoasoundslumberassoonasheretired。NotsowithGertrude。Thatfaithfulnesswhichhaseverdistinguishedhersex,andtheanxietywithwhichshewatchedallhismovements,keptthewifeawakewhilethehusbandslept。Hissleep,thoughapparentlysound,wasneverthelessuneasy。AgainandagainsheheardhimpronouncethenameofIsabella,andmorethanoncesheheardhimsay,"Iamnotmarried;Iwillnevermarrywhileyoulive。"ThenhewouldspeakthenameofClotelleandsay,"Mydearchild,howIloveyou!"
Afterasleeplessnight,Gertrudearosefromhercouch,resolvedthatshewouldrevealthewholemattertohermother。Mrs。Millerwasawomanoflittleornofeeling,proud,peevish,andpassionate,thusmakingeverybodymiserablethatcamenearher;
andwhenshedislikedanyone,herhatredknewnobounds。ThisGertrudeknew;andhadshenotconsidereditherduty,shewouldhavekeptthesecretlockedinherownheart。
Duringtheday,Mrs。Linwoodvisitedhermotherandtoldherallthathadhappened。Themotherscoldedthedaughterfornothavinginformedhersooner,andimmediatelydeterminedtofindoutwhothewomanandchildwerethatGertrudehadmetonthedayofherride。ThreedayswerespentbyMrs。Millerinthisendeavor,butwithoutsuccess。
Fourweekshadelapsed,andthestormoftheoldlady’stemperhadsomewhatsubsided,when,oneevening,asshewasapproachingherdaughter’sresidence,shesawHenrywalking,inthedirectionofwherethequadroonwassupposedtoreside。Feelingsatisfiedthattheyoungmanhadnotseenher,theoldwomenatonceresolvedtofollowhim。Linwood’sbootssqueakedsoloudlythatMrs。Millerhadnodifficultyinfollowinghimwithoutbeingherselfobserved。
Afterawalkofabouttwomiles,theyoungmanturnedintoanarrowandunfrequentedroad,andsoonenteredthecottageoccupiedbyIsabella。Itwasafinestarlightnight,andthemoonwasjustrisingwhentheygottotheirjourney’send。Asusual,IsabellametHenrywithasmile,andexpressedherfearsregardinghishealth。
Hourspassed,andstilloldMrs。Millerremainednearthehouse,determinedtoknowwholivedthere。Whensheundertooktoferretoutanything,shebentherwholeenergiestoit。AsMichaelAngelo,whosubjectedallthingstohispursuitandtheideahehadformedofit,paintedthecrucifixionbythesideofawrithingslaveandwouldhavebrokenupthetruecrossforpencils,soMrs。Millerwouldhaveenteredthesepulchre,ifshecouldhavedoneit,insearchofanobjectshewishedtofind。
Thefullmoonhadrisen,andwaspouringitsbeamsuponsurroundingobjectsasHenrysteppedfromIsabella’sdoor,andlookingathiswatch,said,——
"Imustgo,dear;itisnowhalf-pastten。"
HadlittleClotellebeenawake,shetoowouldhavebeenatthedoor。AsHenrywalkedtothegate,Isabellafollowedwithherlefthandlockedinhis。Againhelookedathiswatch,andsaid,"I
mustgo。"
"Itismorethanayearsinceyoustaidallnight,"murmuredIsabella,ashefoldedherconvulsivelyinhisarms,andpresseduponherbeautifullipsapartingkiss。
Hewasnearlyoutofsightwhen,withbittersobs,thequadroonretracedherstepstothedoorofthecottage。Clotellehadinthemeantimeawoke,andnowinquiredofhermotherhowlongherfatherhadbeengone。Atthatinstant,aknockwasheardatthedoor,andsupposingthatitwasHenryreturningforsomethinghehadforgotten,ashefrequentlydid,Isabellaflewtolethimin。
Toheramazement,however,astrangewomanstoodinthedoor。
"Whoareyouthatcomeshereatthislatehour?"demandedthehalf-frightenedIsabella。
Withoutmakinganyreply,Mrs。Millerpushedthequadroonaside,andenteredthehouse。
"Whatdoyouwanthere?"againdemandedIsabella。
"Iaminsearchofyou,"thunderedthemaddenedMrs。Miller;butthinkingthatherobjectwouldbebetterservedbyseemingtobekind,sheassumedadifferenttoneofvoice,andbegantalkinginapleasingmanner。
Inthisway,shesucceededinfindingouttheconnectionexistingbetweenLinwoodandIsabella,andaftergettingallshecouldoutoftheunsuspectingwoman,sheinformedherthatthemanshesofondlylovedhadbeenmarriedformorethantwoyears。Seizedwithdizziness,thepoor,heart-brokenwomanfaintedandfelluponthefloor。Howlongsheremainedthereshecouldnottell;butwhenshereturnedtoconsciousness,thestrangewomanwasgone,andherchildwasstandingbyherside。Whenshewassofarrecoveredastoregainherfeet,Isabellawenttothedoor,andevenintotheyard,toseeiftheoldwomanwasnotsomewhereabout。
Asshestoodthere,thefullmooncastitsbrightraysoverherwholeperson,givingheranangelicappearanceandimpartingtoherflowinghairastillmoregoldenhue。Suddenlyanotherchangecameoverherfeatures,andherfullredlipstrembledaswithsuppressedemotion。Themusclesaroundherfaultlessmouthbecameconvulsed,shegaspedforbreath,andexclaiming,"Isitpossiblethatmancanbesofalse!"againfainted。
Clotellestoodandbathedhermother’stempleswithcoldwateruntilsheoncemorerevived。
AlthoughthelawsofVirginiaforbidtheeducationofslaves,Agneshadneverthelessemployedanoldfreenegrototeachhertwodaughterstoreadandwrite。Afterbeingseparatedfromhermotherandsister,IsabellaturnedherattentiontothesubjectofChristianity,andreceivedthatconsolationfromtheBiblewhichisneverdeniedtothechildrenofGod。Thiswasnowherlasthope,forherheartwastornwithgriefandfilledwithallthebitternessofdisappointment。
Thenightpassedaway,butwithoutsleeptopoorIsabella。Atthedawnofday,shetriedtomakeherselfbelievethatthewholeofthepastnightwasadream,anddeterminedtobesatisfiedwiththeexplanationwhichHenryshouldgiveonhisnextvisit。
CHAPTERXII
THEMOTHER-IN-LAW。
WhenHenryreturnedhome,hefoundhiswifeseatedatthewindow,awaitinghisapproach。Secretgriefwasgnawingatherheart。Hersad,palecheeksandswolleneyesshowedtoowellthatagony,fardeeperthanherspeechportrayed,filledherheart。Adullanddeath-likesilenceprevailedonhisentrance。Hispalefaceandbrow,dishevelledhair,andthefeelingthathemanifestedonfindingGertrudestillup,toldHenryinplainerwordsthanshecouldhaveusedthathiswife,wasawarethatherlovehadneverbeenheldsacredbyhim。Thewindow-blindswerestillunclosed,andthefull-orbedmoonshedhersoftrefulgenceovertheunrivalledscene,andgaveitasilverylustrewhichsweetlyharmonizedwiththesilenceofthenight。Theclock’sirontongue,inaneighboringbelfry,proclaimedthehouroftwelve,asthetruantandunfaithfulhusbandseatedhimselfbythesideofhisdevotedandlovingwife,andinquiredifshewasnotwell。
"Iam,dearHenry,"repliedGertrude;"butIfearyouarenot。Ifwellinbody,Ifearyouarenotatpeaceinmind。"
"Why?"inquiredhe。
"Because,"shereplied,"youaresopaleandhavesuchawildlookinyoureyes。"
Againheprotestedhisinnocence,andvowedshewastheonlywomanwhohadanyclaimuponhisheart。Tobeholdonethusplayinguponthefeelingsoftwolovelywomenisenoughtomakeusfeelthatevilmustatlastbringitsownpunishment。
HenryandGertrudehadscarcelyrisenfromthebreakfast-tablenextmorningereoldMrs。Millermadeherappearance。Sheimmediatelytookherdaughteraside,andinformedherofherpreviousnight’sexperience,tellingherhowshehadfollowedHenrytoIsabella’scottage,detailingtheinterviewwiththequadroon,andherlatereturnhomealone。TheoldwomanurgedherdaughtertodemandthatthequadroonandherchildbeatoncesoldtothenegrospeculatorsandtakenoutoftheState,orthatGertrudeherselfshouldseparatefromHenry。
"Assertyourrights,mydear。Letnooneshareaheartthatjustlybelongstoyou,"saidMrs。Miller,withhereyesflashingfire。
"Don’tsleepthisnight,mychild,untilthatwenchhasbeenremovedfromthatcottage;andasforthechild,handthatovertome,——IsawatoncethatitwasHenry’s。"
Duringtheseremarks,theoldladywaswalkingupanddowntheroomlikeacagedlioness。ShehadlearnedfromIsabellathatshehadbeenpurchasedbyHenry,andtheinnocenceoftheinjuredquadrooncausedhertoacknowledgethathewasthefatherofherchild。FewwomencouldhavetakensuchamatterinhandandcarrieditthroughwithmoredeterminationandsuccessthanoldMrs。Miller。
Completelyinuredinallthecrimesandatrocitiesconnectedwiththeinstitutionofslavery,shewasalsoawarethat,toagreaterorlessextent,theslavewomensharedwiththeirmistresstheaffectionsoftheirmaster。Thiscausedhertolookwithasuspiciouseyeoneverygood-lookingnegrowomanthatshesaw。
Whiletheoldwomanwasthuslecturingherdaughteruponherrightsandduties,Henry,unawareofwhatwastranspiring,hadleftthehouseandgonetohisoffice。Assoonastheoldwomanfoundthathewasgone,shesaid,——
"Iwillventureanythingthatheisonhiswaytoseethatwenchagain。I’lllaymylifeonit。"
Theentrance,however,oflittleMarcus,orMark,ashewasfamiliarlycalled,askingforMassaLinwood’sbluebag,satisfiedherthatherson-in-lawwasathisoffice。Beforetheoldladyreturnedhome,itwasagreedthatGertrudeshouldcometohermother’stoteathatevening,andHenrywithher,andthatMrs。
Millershouldtherechargetheyounghusbandwithinconstancytoherdaughter,anddemandtheremovalofIsabella。
Withthisunderstanding,theoldwomanretracedherstepstoherowndwelling。
HadMrs。Millerbeenofadifferentcharacterandnotsurroundedbyslavery,shecouldscarcelyhavebeenunhappyinsuchahomeashers。Justattheedgeofthecity,andshelteredbylargepoplar-treeswastheoldhomesteadinwhichsheresided。Therewasasplendidorchardintherearofthehouse,andtheoldweather-beatensweep,with"themoss-coveredbucket"atitsend,swungmajesticallyoverthedeepwell。Thegardenwasscarcelytobeequalled。Itsgroundswerelaidoutinexcellenttaste,andrareexoticsinthegreenhousemadeitstillmorelovely。
Itwasasweetautumnevening,whentheairbreathedthroughthefragrantsheavesofgrain,andthesettingsun,withhisgoldenkisses,burnishedtherichclustersofpurplegrapes,thatHenryandGertrudewereseenapproachingthehouseonfoot;itwasnothingmorethanapleasantwalk。Oh,howGertrude’sheartbeatassheseatedherself,ontheirarrival!
Thebeautifulparlor,surroundedonallsideswithluxuryandtaste,withthesuncreepingthroughthedamaskcurtains,addedacharmtothescene。ItwasinthisroomthatGertrudehadbeenintroducedtoHenry,andthepleasanthoursthatshehadspenttherewithhimrushedunbiddenonhermemory。Itwasherethat,informerdays,herbeautifulcountenancehadmadeherappearanceasfascinatingandaslovelyasthatofCleopatra’s。Hersweet,musicalvoicemighthavebeenheardineverypartofthehouse,occasionallythrillingyouwithanunexpectedtouch。Howchangedthescene!Herpaleandwastedfeaturescouldnotbelightedupbyanythoughtsofthepast,andshewassorrowfulatheart。
Asusual,theservantsinthekitchenwereinecstasiesattheannouncementthat"MissGerty,"astheycalledtheiryoungmistress,wasinthehouse,fortheylovedhersincerely。Gertrudehadsavedthemfrommanyaflogging,byintercedingforthem,whenhermotherwasinoneofheruncontrollablepassions。Dinah,thecook,alwaysexpectedMissGertytovisitthekitchenassoonasshecame,andwasnotalittledispleased,onthisoccasion,atwhatsheconsideredheryoungmistress’sneglect。UncleTony,too,lookedregularlyforMissGertytovisitthegreenhouse,andcongratulatehimonhissuperiorityasagardener。
Whenteawasover,Mrs。Millerdismissedtheservantsfromtheroom,thentoldherson-in-lawwhatshehadwitnessedthepreviousnight,anddemandedforherdaughterthatIsabellashouldbeimmediatelysentoutoftheState,andtobesurethatthethingwouldbedone,shewantedhimtogiveherthepowertomakesuchdispositionofthewomanandchildassheshouldthinkbest。
GertrudewasMrs。Miller’sonlychild,andHenryfeltlittlelikedispleasingafamilyuponwhosefriendshiphesomuchdepended,and,nodoubt,longwishingtofreehimselffromIsabella,heatonceyieldedtothedemandsofhismother-in-law。Mr。Millerwasamerecipherabouthispremises。Ifanyonecameonbusinessconnectedwiththefarm,hewouldinvariablysay,"WaittinIseemywife,"andthewife’sopinionwassuretobelawineverycase。
Bankruptincharacter,anddebauchedinbodyandmind,withsevenmulattochildrenwhoclaimedhimastheirfather,hewasbadlypreparedtofindfaultwithhisson-in-law。ItwassettledthatMrs。MillershoulduseherowndiscretioninremovingIsabellafromherlittlecottage,andherfuturedisposition。WiththisunderstandingHenryandGertrudereturnedhome。Inthedeeprecessesofhishearttheyoungmanfeltthathewouldliketoseehischildanditsmotheroncemore;butfearingthewrathofhismother-in-law,hedidnotdaretogratifyhisinclination。Hehadnottheslightestideaofwhatwouldbecomeofthem;buthewellknewthattheoldwomanwouldhavenomercyonthem。
CHAPTERXIII
AHARD-HEARTEDWOMAN。
WithnoonebutherdearlittleClotelle,Isabellapassedherwearyhourswithoutpartakingofeitherfoodordrink,hopingthatHenrywouldsoonreturn,andthatthestrangemeetingwiththeoldwomanwouldbeclearedup。
Whileseatedinherneatlittlebedroomwithherfeveredfaceburiedinherhandkerchief,thechildraninandtolditsmotherthatacarriagehadstoppedinfrontofthehouse。Withapalpitatingheartshearosefromherseatandwenttothedoor,hopingthatitwasHenry;but,tohergreatconsternation,theoldladywhohadpaidhersuchanunceremoniousvisitontheeveningthatshehadlastseenHenry,steppedoutofthecarriage,accompaniedbytheslave-trader,Jennings。
Isabellahadseenthetraderwhenhepurchasedhermotherandsister,andimmediatelyrecognizedhim。Whatcouldthesepersonswantthere?thoughtshe。Withoutanyparleyingorwordofexplanation,thetwoenteredthehouse,leavingthecarriageinchargeofaservant。
Clotellerantohermother,andclungtoherdressasiffrightenedbythestrangers。
"She’safine-lookingwench,"saidthespeculator,asheseatedhimself,unasked,intherocking-chair;"yetIdon’tthinksheisworththemoneyyouaskforher。"
"Whatdoyouwanthere?"inquiredIsabella,withaquiveringvoice。
"Noneofyourinsolencetome,"bawledouttheoldwoman,atthetopofhervoice;"ifyoudo,Iwillgiveyouwhatyoudeservesomuch,mylady,——agoodwhipping。"
Inanagonyofgrief,pale,trembling,andreadytosinktothefloor,Isabellawasonlysustainedbythehopethatshewouldbeabletosaveherchild。Atlast,regainingherself-possession,sheorderedthembothtoleavethehouse。Feelingherselfinsulted,theoldwomanseizedthetongsthatstoodbythefire-place,andraisedthemtostrikethequadroondown;buttheslave-traderimmediatelyjumpedbetweenthewomen,exclaiming,——
"Iwon’tbuyher,Mrs。Miller,ifyouinjureher。"
PoorlittleClotellescreamedasshesawthestrangewomanraisethetongsathermother。WiththeexceptionofoldAuntNancy,afreecoloredwoman,whomIsabellasometimesemployedtoworkforher,thechildhadneverbeforeseenastrangefaceinhermother’sdwelling。FearingthatIsabellawouldoffersomeresistance,Mrs。Millerhadorderedtheoverseerofherownfarmtofollowher;and,justasJenningshadsteppedbetweenthetwowomen,Mull,thenegro-driver,walkedintotheroom。
"Seizethatimpudenthussy,"saidMrs。Millertotheoverseer,"andtieherupthisminute,thatImayteachheralessonshewon’tforgetinahurry。"
Asshespoke,theoldwoman’seyesrolled,herlipsquivered,andshelookedlikeaveryfury。
"Iwillhavenothingtodowithher,ifyouwhipher,Mrs。Miller,"
saidtheslave-trader。"Niggersain’tworthhalfsomuchinthemarketwiththeirbacksnewlyscarred,"continuedhe,astheoverseercommencedhispreparationsforexecutingMrs。Miller’sorders。
Clotelleheretookherfather’swalking-stick,whichwaslyingonthebackofthesofawherehehadleftit,and,raisingit,said,——
"Ifyoubadpeopletouchmymother,Iwillstrikeyou。"
Theylookedatthechildwithastonishment;andherextremeyouth,wonderfulbeauty,anduncommoncourage,seemedforamomenttoshaketheirpurpose。Themannerandlanguageofthischildwerealikebeyondheryears,andunderothercircumstanceswouldhavegainedforhertheapprobationofthosepresent。
"Oh,Henry,Henry!"exclaimedIsabella,wringingherhands。
"Youneednotcallonhim,hussy;youwillneverseehimagain,"
saidMrs。Miller。
"What!ishedead?"inquiredtheheart-strickenwoman。
Itwasthenthatsheforgotherownsituation,thinkingonlyofthemansheloved。Neverhavingbeencalledtoendureanykindofabusivetreatment,IsabellawasnotfittedtosustainherselfagainstthebrutalityofMrs。Miller,muchlessthecombinedferociousnessoftheoldwomanandtheoverseertoo。Sufficeittosay,thatinsteadofwhippingIsabella,Mrs。Millertransferredhertothenegro-speculator,whotookherimmediatelytohisslave-pen。TheunfeelingoldwomanwouldnotpermitIsabellatotakemorethanasinglechangeofherclothing,remarkingtoJennings,——
"Isoldyouthewench,youknow,——notherclothes。"
Theinjured,friendless,andunprotectedIsabellafaintedasshesawherchildstrugglingtoreleaseherselffromthearmsofoldMrs。Miller,andasthewretchboxedthepoorchild’sears。
AfterleavingdirectionsastohowIsabella’sfurnitureandothereffectsshouldbedisposedof,Mrs。MillertookClotelleintohercarriageanddrovehome。TherewasnotevencolorenoughaboutthechildtomakeitappearthatasingledropofAfricanbloodflowedthroughitsblueveins。
Considerablesensationwascreatedinthekitchenamongtheservantswhenthecarriagedroveup,andClotelleenteredthehouse。
"Jes’likeMassaHenryfuralldeworl,"saidDinah,asshecaughtaglimpseofthechildthroughthewindow。
"Wondahwhosebratdatar’datmissisbringin’homewidher?"saidJane,assheputtheiceinthepitchersfordinner。"Iwarrantit’ssomepoorwhiteniggersomebodybingivin’her。"
Thechildwaswhite。Whatshouldbedonetomakeitlooklikeothernegroes,wasthequestionwhichMrs。Milleraskedherself。
Thecallous-heartedoldwomanbithernetherlip,assheviewedthatchild,standingbeforeher,withherlong,darkringletsclusteringoverheralabasterbrowandneck。
"Takethislittleniggerandcutherhairclosetoherhead,"saidthemistresstoJane,asthelatteransweredthebell。
Clotellescreamed,asshefeltthescissorsgoingoverherhead,andsawthosecurlsthathermotherthoughtsomuchoffallinguponthefloor。
Aroaroflaughterburstfromtheservants,asJaneledthechildthroughthekitchen,withthehaircutsoshortthatthenakedscalpcouldbeplainlyseen。
"Ginstolooklikenigger,now,"saidDinah,withhermouthuponagrin。
Themistresssmiled,astheshornchildreenteredtheroom;buttherewassomethingmoreneeded。Thechildwaswhite,andthatwasagreatobjection。However,shehituponaplantoremedythiswhichseemedfeasible。Thedaywasexcessivelywarm。Notasinglecloudfloatedoverthebluevaultofheaven;notabreathofwindseemedmoving,andtheearthwasparchedbythebroilingsun。
Eventhebeeshadstoppedhumming,andthebutterflieshadhidthemselvesunderthebroadleavesoftheburdock。Withoutamorselofdinner,thepoorchildwasputinthegarden,andsettoweedingit,herarms,neckandheadcompletelybare。Unaccustomedtotoil,Clotelleweptassheexertedherselfinpullinguptheweeds。OldDinah,thecook,wasasunfeelingashermistress,andshewaspleasedtoseethechildmadetoworkinthehotsun。
"Datwhitenigger’llsoonbeblackenuffifmissiskeepsherworkin’outdar,"shesaid,asshewipedtheperspirationfromhersootybrow。
Dinahwasthemotherofthirteenchildren,allofwhomhadbeentakenfromherwhenyoung;andthis,nodoubt,didmuchtohardenherfeelings,andmakeherhateallwhitepersons。
Theburningsunpoureditsraysonthefaceofthefriendlesschilduntilshesankdowninthecornerofthegarden,andwasactuallybroiledtosleep。
"Datlittleniggerain’tworkin’abit,missus,"saidDinahtoMrs。
Miller,asthelatterenteredthekitchen。
"She’slyinginthesunseasoning;shewillworkthebetterbyandby,"repliedthemistress。
"Desewhiteniggersalwaystinkdeyseffgoodaswhitefolks,"saidthecook。
"Yes;butwewillteachthembetter,won’twe,Dinah?"rejoinedMrs。Miller。
"Yes,missus,"repliedDinah;"Idon’tlikedesemerlatterniggers,nohow。Deyalwayswanttosetdeyseffupforsumfin’big。"Withthisremarktheoldcookgaveoneofhercoarselaughs,andcontinued:"Missisunderstandshumannature,don’tshe?Ah!efsheain’tawholeteamanddeolegraymaretoboot,denDinahdon’tknownuffin’。"
Ofcourse,themistresswasoutofthekitchenbeforetheselastmarksweremade。
ItwaswiththedeepesthumiliationthatHenrylearnedfromoneofhisownslavesthetreatmentwhichhischildwasreceivingatthehandsofhisrelentlessmother-in-law。
Thescorchingsunhadthedesiredeffect;forinlessthanafortnight,Clotellecouldscarcelyhavebeenrecognizedasthesamechild。Oftenwassheseentoweep,andheardtocallonhermother。
Mrs。Miller,whenatchurchonSabbath,usually,onwarmdays,tookNancy,oneofherservants,inherpew,andthisgirlhadtofanhermistressduringservice。Unaccustomedtosuchasoftandpleasantseat,theservantwouldverysoonbecomesleepyandbegintonod。Sometimesshewouldgofastasleep,whichannoyedthemistressexceedingly。ButMrs。Millerhadnimblefingers,andonthemsharpnails,and,withanenergeticpinchuponthebarearmsofthepoorgirl,shewouldarousethedaughterofAfricafromherpleasantdreams。ButtherewasnooneofMrs。Miller’sservantswhoreceivedasmuchpunishmentasoldUncleTony。
Fondofhergreenhouse,andofteninthegarden,shewaseveratthegardener’sheels。UncleTonywasveryreligious,and,wheneverhismistressfloggedhim,heinvariablygaveherareligiousexhortation。Althoughunabletoread,he,nevertheless,hadonhistongue’sendportionsofScripturewhichhecoulduseatanymoment。InoneendofthegreenhousewasUncleTony’ssleepingroom,andthosewhohappenedinthatvicinity,betweennineandtenatnight,couldheartheoldmanofferinguphisthanksgivingtoGodforhisprotectionduringtheday。UncleTony,however,tookgreatpride,whenhethoughtthatanyofthewhiteswerewithinhearing,todwell,inhisprayer,onhisowngoodnessandtheunfitnessofotherstodie。Oftenwasheheardtosay,"OLord,thouknowestthatthewhitefolksarenotChristians,buttheblackpeopleareGod’sownchildren。"ButifTonythoughtthathisoldmistresswaswithinthesoundofhisvoice,helaunchedoutintodeeperwaters。
Itwas,therefore,onasweetnight,whenthebrightstarswerelookingoutwithajoyoussheen,thatMarkandtwooftheotherboyspassedthegreenhouse,andheardUncleTonyinhisdevotions。
"Let’shavealittlefun,"saidthemischievousMarcustohisyoungcompanions。"IwillmakeUncleTonybelievethatIamoldmistress,andhe’llgiveusanextratouchinhisprayer。"Markimmediatelycommencedtalkinginastrainofvoiceresembling,aswellashecould,Mrs。Miller,andatonceTonywasheardtosayinaloudvoice,"OLord,thouknowestthatthewhitepeoplearenotfittodie;but,asforoldTony,whenevertheangeloftheLordcomes,he’sready。"Atthatmoment,Marktappedlightlyonthedoor。"Who’sdar?"thunderedoldTony。Markmadenoreply。TheoldmancommencedandwentthroughwiththesameremarksaddressedtotheLord,whenMarkagainknockedatthedoor。"Whodatdar?"
askedUncleTony,withasomewhatagitatedcountenanceandtremblingvoice。StillMarkwouldnotreply。AgainTonytookupthethreadofhisdiscourse,andsaid,"OLord,thouknowestaswellasIdothatdesewhitefolksarenotpreparedtodie,buthereisOldTony,whendeangelofdeLordcomes,he’sreadytogotoheaven。"Markoncemoreknockedatthedoor。"Whodatdar?"
thunderedTonyatthetopofhisvoice。
"DeangelofdeLord,"repliedMark,inasomewhatsuppressedandsepulchralvoice。
"WhatdeangelofdeLordwanthere?"inquiredTony,asifmuchfrightened。
"He’scomeforpooroldTony,totakehimoutoftheworld"repliedMark,inthesamestrangevoice。
"Datniggerain’there;hedietreeweeksago,"respondedTony,inastillmoreagitatedandfrightenedtone。Markandhiscompanionsmadethewelkinringwiththeirshoutsattheoldman’sanswer。
UncleTonyhearingthem,andfindingthathehadbeenimposedupon,openedhisdoor,cameoutwithstickinhand,andsaid,"Isdatyou,Mr。Mark?youimp,ifIcangettoyouI’lllarnyouhowtocomeherewidyournonsense。"
Markandhiscompanionsleftthegarden,feelingsatisfiedthatUncleTonywasnotasreadytogowith"deangelofdeLord"ashewouldhaveothersbelieve。
CHAPTERXIV
THEPRISON。
WhilepoorlittleClotellewasbeingkickedaboutbyMrs。Miller,onaccountofherrelationshiptoherson-in-law,Isabellawaspassinglonelyhoursinthecountyjail,theplacetowhichJenningshadremovedherforsafe-keeping,afterpurchasingherfromMrs。Miller。Incarceratedinoneoftheiron-barredroomsofthatdismalplace,thosedark,glowingeyes,loftybrow,andgracefulformwilteddownlikeapluckedroseunderanoondaysun,whiledeepinherheart’sambrosialcellswasthemostanguishingdistress。
Vulgarcuriosityisalwaysinsearchofitsvictims,andJennings’
boastthathehadsuchaladylikeandbeautifulwomaninhispossessionbroughtnumberstotheprisonwhobeggedofthejailertheprivilegeofseeingtheslave-trader’sprize。Manywhosawherweremeltedtotearsatthepitifulsight,andwerestruckwithadmirationatherintelligence;and,whenshespokeofherchild,theymusthavebeenconvincedthatamother’ssorrowcanbeconceivedbynonebutamother’sheart。Thewarblingofbirdsinthegreenbowersofbliss,whichsheoccasionallyheard,broughtnotidingsofgladnesstoher。Theirjoyfellcolduponherheart,andseemedlikebittermockery。Theyremindedherofherowncottage,where,withherbelovedchild,shehadspentsomanyhappydays。
Thespeculatorhadkeptclosewatchoverhisvaluablepieceofproperty,forfearthatitmightdamageitself。This,however,therewasnodangerof,forIsabellastillhopedandbelievedthatHenrywouldcometoherrescue。Shecouldnotbringherselftobelievethathewouldallowhertobesentawaywithoutatleastseeingher,andthetraderdidallhecouldtokeepthisideaaliveinher。
WhileIsabella,withawearyheart,waspassingsleeplessnightsthinkingonlyofherdaughterandHenry,thelatterwasseekingreliefinthatinsidiousenemyofthehumanrace,theintoxicatingcup。Hiswifedidallinherpowertomakehislifeapleasantandahappyone,forGertrudewasdevotedlyattachedtohim;butawearyheartgetsnogladnessoutofsunshine。Thesecretremorsethatrankledinhisbosomcausedhimtoseealltheworldblood-shot。Hehadnotvisitedhismother-in-lawsincetheeveninghehadgivenherlibertytouseherowndiscretionastohowIsabellaandherchildshouldbedisposedof。Hefearedeventogonearthehouse,forhedidnotwishtoseehischild。Gertrudefeltthiseverytimehedeclinedaccompanyinghertohermother’s。
Possessedofatenderandconfidingheart,entirelyunlikehermother,shesympathizeddeeplywithherhusband。ShewellknewthatallyoungmenintheSouth,toagreaterorlessextent,becameenamoredoftheslave-women,andshefanciedthathiscasewasonlyoneofthemany,andifhehadnowforsakenallothersforhershedidnotwishforhimtobepunished;butshedarednotlethermotherknowthatsuchwereherfeelings。AgainandagainhadshenoticedthegreatresemblancebetweenClotelleandHenry,andshewishedthechildinbetterhandsthanthoseofhercruelmother。
AtlastGertrudedeterminedtomentionthemattertoherhusband。
Consequently,thenextmorning,whentheywereseatedonthebackpiazza,andthesunwaspouringitssplendidraysuponeverythingaround,changingtheredtintsontheloftyhillsinthedistanceintostreaksofpurestgold,andnatureseemingbyhersmilestofavortheobject,shesaid,——
"What,dearHenry,doyouintendtodowithClotelle?"
Apalenessthatoverspreadhiscountenance,thetearsthattrickleddownhischeeks,thedeepemotionthatwasvisibleinhisface,andthetremblingofhisvoice,showedatoncethatshehadtouchedatenderchord。Withoutasingleword,heburiedhisfaceinhishandkerchief,andburstintotears。
ThismadeGertrudestillmoreunhappy,forshefearedthathehadmisunderstoodher;andsheimmediatelyexpressedherregretthatshehadmentionedthesubject。Becomingsatisfiedfromthisthathiswifesympathizedwithhiminhisunhappysituation,Henrytoldheroftheagonythatfilledhissoul,andGertrudeagreedtointercedeforhimwithhermotherfortheremovalofthechildtoaboarding-schoolinoneoftheFreeStates。
Intheafternoon,whenHenryreturnedfromhisoffice,hiswifemethimwithtearfuleyes,andinformedhimthathermotherwasfilledwithrageatthemerementionoftheremovalofClotellefromherpremises。
Inthemeantime,theslave-trader,Jennings,hadstartedfortheSouthwithhisgangofhumancattle,ofwhomIsabellawasone。
MostquadroonwomenwhoaretakentotheSouthareeithersoldtogentlemenfortheirownuseordisposedofashouse-servantsorwaiting-maids。FortunatelyforIsabella,shewassold,forthelatterpurpose。JenningsfoundapurchaserforherinthepersonofMr。JamesFrench。
Mrs。Frenchwasaseveremistress。Allwholivedwithher,thoughwell-dressed,werescantilyfedandover-worked。IsabellafoundhernewsituationfardifferentfromherVirginiacottage-life。
ShehadfrequentlyheardVicksburgspokenofasacruelplaceforslaves,andnowshewasinapositiontotestthetruthfulnessoftheassertion。
Afewweeksafterherarrival,Mrs。FrenchbegantoshowtoIsabellathatshewasanythingbutapleasantandagreeablemistress。Whatsocialvirtuesarepossibleinasocietyofwhichinjusticeisaprimarycharacteristic,——inasocietywhichisdividedintotwoclasses,mastersandslaves?EverymarriedwomanattheSouthlooksuponherhusbandasunfaithful,andregardseverynegrowomanasarival。
Isabellahadbeenwithhernewmistressbutashorttimewhenshewasorderedtocutoffherlongandbeautifulhair。Thenegroisnaturallyfondofdressandoutwarddisplay。Hewhohasshortwoollyhaircombsandoilsittodeath;hewhohaslonghairwouldsoonerhavehisteethdrawnthantopartwithit。But,howeverpainfulitwastoIsabella,shewassoonseenwithherhaircutshort,andthesleevesofherdressalteredtofittighttoherarms。Evenwithherhairshortandwithherill-lookingdress,Isabellawasstillhandsome。Herlifehadbeenasecludedone,andthoughnowtwenty-eightyearsofage,herbeautyhadonlyassumedaquietertone。TheotherservantsonlylaughedatIsabella’smisfortuneinlosingherbeautifulhair。
"Miss’Bellneedn’tstrutsobig;shegotshortnappyhar’swell’sI,"saidNell,withabroadgrinthatshowedherteeth。
"Shetinkshewhitewhenshecumhere,widdatlongharobhers,"
repliedMill。
"Yes,"continuedNell,"missusmakehertakedownherwool,soshenoputitupto-day。"
ThefairnessofIsabella’scomplexionwasregardedwithenvybytheservantsaswellasbythemistressherself。Thisisoneofthehardfeaturesofslavery。To-dayawomanismistressofherowncottage;to-morrowsheissoldtoonewhoaimstomakeherlifeasintolerableaspossible。Andletitberememberedthatthehouse-servanthasthebestsituationaslavecanoccupy。
ButthedegradationandharshtreatmentIsabellaexperiencedinhernewhomewasnothingcomparedtothegriefsheunderwentatbeingseparatedfromherdearchild。Takenfromherwithscarcelyamoment’swarning,sheknewnotwhathadbecomeofher。
ThisdeepandheartfeltgriefofIsabellawassoonperceivedbyherowners,andfearingthatherrefusaltotakeproperfoodwouldcauseherdeath,theyresolvedtosellher。Mr。Frenchfoundnodifficultyinsecuringapurchaserforthequadroonwoman,forsuchareusuallythemostmarketablekindofproperty。Isabellawassoldatprivatesaletoayoungmanforahousekeeper;butevenhehadmissedhisaim。
Mr。Gordon,thenewmaster,wasamanofpleasure。Hewastheownerofalargesugarplantation,whichhehadleftunderthechargeofanoverseer,andwasnowgivinghimselfuptothepleasuresofacitylife。AtfirstMr。GordonsoughttowinIsabella’sfavorbyflatteryandpresents,knowingthatwhateverhegaveherhecouldtakefromheragain。Thepoorinnocentcreaturedreadedeverymomentlestthesceneshouldchange。AteveryinterviewwithGordonshestoutlymaintainedthatshehadleftahusbandinVirginia,andcouldneverthinkoftakinganother。Inthissheconsideredthatshewastruthful,forshehadeverregardedHenryasherhusband。ThegoldwatchandchainandotherglitteringpresentswhichGordongavetoherwereallkeptunused。
InthesamehousewithIsabellawasaman-servantwhohadfromtimetotimehiredhimselffromhismaster。HisnamewasWilliam。HecouldfeelforIsabella,forhe,likeher,hadbeenseparatedfromnearanddearrelatives,andheoftentriedtoconsolethepoorwoman。OnedayIsabellaobservedtohimthatherhairwasgrowingoutagain。
"Yes,"repliedWilliam;"youlookagooddeallikeamanwithyourshorthair。"
"Oh,"rejoinedshe,"IhaveoftenbeentoldthatIwouldmakeabetterlookingmanthanwoman,andifIhadthemoneyImightavailmyselfofittobidfarewelltothisplace。"
Inamomentafterwards,Isabellafearedthatshehadsaidtoomuch,andlaughinglyobserved,"Iamalwaystalkingsomenonsense;youmustnotheedme。"
Williamwasatall,full-bloodedAfrican,whosecountenancebeamedwithintelligence。Beingamechanic,hehadbyindustryearnedmoremoneythanhehadpaidtohisownerforhistime,andthishehadlaidaside,withthehopethathemightsomedaygetenoughtopurchasehisfreedom。Hehadinhischestaboutahundredandfiftydollars。Hiswasaheartthatfeltforothers,andhehadagainandagainwipedthetearsfromhiseyeswhilelisteningtoIsabella’sstory。
"Ifshecangetfreewithalittlemoney,whynotgiveherwhatI
have?"thoughthe,andthenresolvedtodoit。
Anhourafter,heenteredthequadroon’sroom,and,layingthemoneyinherlap,said,——
"There,MissIsabella,yousaidjustnowthatifyouhadthemeansyouwouldleavethisplace。ThereismoneyenoughtotakeyoutoEngland,whereyouwillbefree。YouaremuchfairerthanmanyofthewhitewomenoftheSouth,andcaneasilypassforafreewhitewoman。"
AtfirstIsabellathoughtitwasaplanbywhichthenegrowishedtotryherfidelitytoherowner;butshewassoonconvinced,byhisearnestmannerandthedeepfeelinghemanifested,thathewasentirelysincere。
"Iwilltakethemoney,"saidshe,"onlyononecondition,andthatisthatIeffectyourescape,aswellasmyown。"
"Howcanthatbedone?"heinquired,eagerly。
"Iwillassumethedisguiseofagentleman,andyouthatofaservant,andwewillthustakepassageinasteamertoCincinnati,andfromthencetoCanada。"
WithfullconfidenceinIsabella’sjudgment,Williamconsentedatoncetotheproposition。Theclotheswerepurchased;everythingwasarranged,andthenextnight,whileMr。Gordonwasononeofhissprees,Isabella,undertheassumednameofMr。Smith,withWilliaminattendanceasaservant,tookpassageforCincinnatiinthesteamerHeroine。
Withapairofgreenglassesoverhereyes,inadditiontoherotherdisguise,Isabellamadequiteagentlemanlyappearance。Toavoidconversation,however,shekeptcloselytoherstate-room,underthepleaofillness。
Meanwhile,Williamwasplayinghispartwellwiththeservants。Hewasloudlytalkingofhismaster’swealth,andnothingontheboatappearedsogoodasinhismaster’sfinemansion。
"Idon’tlikedesesteamboats,nohow,"saidhe;"Ihopewhenmassagoesonanoderjourney,hetakedecarriageanddehosses。"
Afteranine-days’passage,theHeroinelandedatCincinnati,andMr。Smithandhisservantwalkedonshore。
"William,youarenowafreeman,andcangoontoCanada,"saidIsabella;"IshallgotoVirginia,insearchofmydaughter。"
ThissuddenannouncementfellheavilyuponWilliam’sears,andwithtearshebesoughthernottojeopardizeherlibertyinsuchamanner;butIsabellahadmadeuphermindtorescueherchildifpossible。
TakingaboatforWheeling,IsabellawassoononherwaytohernativeState。SeveralmonthshadelapsedsincesheleftRichmond,andallherthoughtswerecentredonthefateofherdearClotelle。Itwaswithapalpitatingheartthatthisinjuredwomanenteredthestage-coachatWheelingandsetoutforRichmond。
CHAPTERXV
THEARREST。
ITwaslateintheeveningwhenthecoacharrivedatRichmond,andIsabellaoncemorealightedinhernativecity。Shehadintendedtoseeklodgingssomewhereintheoutskirtsofthetown,butthelatenessofthehourcompelledhertostopatoneoftheprincipalhotelsforthenight。Shehadscarcelyenteredtheinnbeforesherecognizedamongthenumerousblackservantsonetowhomshewaswellknown,andheronlyhopewasthatherdisguisewouldkeepherfrombeingdiscovered。TheimperturbablecalmandentireforgetfulnessofselfwhichinducedIsabellatovisitaplacefromwhichshecouldscarcelyhopetoescape,toattempttherescueofabelovedchild,demonstratethatover-willingnessofwomantocarryoutthepromptingsofthefinerfeelingsoftheheart。Truetowoman’snature,shehadriskedherownlibertyforanother’s。
Sheremainedinthehotelduringthenight,andthenextmorning,underthepleaofillness,tookherbreakfastalone。
Thatdaythefugitiveslavepaidavisittothesuburbsofthetown,andoncemorebeheldthecottageinwhichshehadspentsomanyhappyhours。Itwaswinter,andtheclematisandpassion-
flowerwerenotthere;buttherewerethesamewalksherfeethadsooftenpressed,andthesametreeswhichhadsooftenshadedherasshepassedthroughthegardenatthebackofthehouse。Oldremembrancesrusheduponhermemoryandcausedhertoshedtearsfreely。Isabellawasnowinhernativetown,andnearherdaughter;buthowcouldshecommunicatewithher?howcouldsheseeher?Tohavemadeherselfknownwouldhavebeenasuicidalact;betrayalwouldhavefollowed,andshearrested。Threedayspassedaway,andstillsheremainedinthehotelatwhichshehadfirstputup,andyetshegotnotidingsofherchild。
UnfortunatelyforIsabella,adisturbancehadjustbrokenoutamongtheslavepopulationintheStateofVirginia,andallstrangersweretreatedwithsuspicion。
Theinsurrectiontowhichwenowreferwasheadedbyafull-bloodednegro,whohadbeenbornandbroughtupaslave。Hehadheardthecrackofthedriver’swhip,andseenthewarmbloodstreamingfromthenegro’sbody。Hehadwitnessedtheseparationofparentsfromchildren,andwasmadeaware,bytoomanyproofs,thattheslavecouldexpectnojusticefromthehandsoftheslave-owner。ThenameofthismanwasNatTurner。Hewasapreacheramongstthenegroes,distinguishedforhiseloquence,respectedbythewhites,lovedandveneratedbythenegroes。Onthediscoveryoftheplanfortheoutbreak,Turnerfledtotheswamps,followedbythosewhohadjoinedintheinsurrection。
Heretherevoltednegroesnumberedsomehundreds,andforatimebadedefiancetotheiroppressors。TheDismalSwampscovermanythousandacresofwildland,andadenseforest,withwildanimalsandinsectssuchasareunknowninanyotherpartofVirginia。
Hererunawaynegroesusuallyseekahiding-place,andsomehavebeenknowntoresidehereforyears。Therevolterswerejoinedbyoneofthese。Hewasalarge,tall,full-bloodednegro,withasternandsavagecountenance;themarksonhisfaceshowedthathewasfromoneofthebarbaroustribesinAfrica,andclaimedthatcountryashisnativeland。Hisonlycoveringwasagirdlearoundhisloins,madeofskinsofwildbeastswhichhehadkilled。Hisonlytokenofauthorityamongthosethatheledwasapairofepaulettes,madeofthetailofafox,andtiedtohisshoulderbyacord。BroughtfromthecoastofAfrica,whenonlyfifteenyearsofage,totheislandofCuba,hewassmuggledfromthenceintoVirginia。Hehadbeentwoyearsintheswamps,andconsideredithisfuturehome。Hehadmetanegrowoman,whowasalsoarunaway,and,afterthefashionofhisnativeland,hadgonethroughtheprocessofoilingher,asthemarriageceremony。Theyhadbuiltacaveonarisingmoundintheswamp,andthiswastheirhome。Thisman’snamewasPicquilo。Hisonlyweaponwasaswordmadefromascythewhichhehadstolenfromaneighboringplantation。Hisdress,hischaracter,hismanners,andhismodeoffightingwereallinkeepingwiththeearlytraininghehadreceivedinthelandofhisbirth。Hemovedaboutwiththeactivityofacat,andneitherthethicknessofthetreesnorthedepthofthewatercouldstophim。Hiswasabold,turbulentspirit;and,frommotivesofrevenge,heimbruedhishandsinthebloodofallthewhiteshecouldmeet。Hunger,thirst,andlossofsleep,heseemedmadetoendure,asifbypeculiarityofconstitution。Hisairwasfierce,hisstepoblique,hislooksanguinary。
SuchwasthecharacterofoneofthenegroesintheSouthamptonInsurrection。Allnegroeswerearrestedwhowerefoundbeyondtheirmaster’sthreshold,andallwhitestrangerswerelookeduponwithsuspicion。
SuchwasthepositioninwhichIsabellafoundaffairswhenshereturnedtoVirginiainsearchofherchild。Hadnottheslave-ownersbeenwatchfulofstrangers,owingtotheoutbreak,thefugitivecouldnothaveescapedthevigilanceofthepolice;
foradvertisementsannouncingherescape,andofferingalargerewardforherarrest,hadbeenreceivedinthecityprevioustoherarrival,andofficerswerethereforeonthelookoutforher。
ItwasonthethirddayafterherarrivalinRichmond,asthequadroonwasseatedinherroomatthehotel,stillinthedisguiseofagentleman,thattwoofthecityofficersenteredtheapartmentandinformedherthattheywereauthorizedtoexamineallstrangers,toassuretheauthoritiesthattheywerenotinleaguewiththerevoltednegroes。
Withtremblingheartthefugitivehandedthekeyofhertrunktotheofficers。Totheirsurprisetheyfoundnothingbutfemaleapparelinthetrunk,whichraisedtheircuriosity,andcausedafurtherinvestigationthatresultedinthearrestofIsabellaasafugitiveslave。Shewasimmediatelyconveyedtoprison,theretoawaittheordersofhermaster。
Formanydays,uncheeredbythevoiceofkindness,alone,hopeless,desolate,shewaitedforthetimetoarrivewhenthechainsshouldbeplacedonherlimbs,andshereturnedtoherinhumanandunfeelingowner。
Thearrestofthefugitivewasannouncedinallthenewspapers,butcreatedlittleornosensation。Theinhabitantsweretoomuchengagedinputtingdowntherevoltamongtheslaves;and,althoughalltheoddswereagainsttheinsurgents,thewhitesfounditnoeasymatter,withalltheircaution。Everydaybroughtnewsoffreshoutbreaks。Withoutscrupleandwithoutpity,thewhitesmassacredallblacksfoundbeyondthelimitsoftheirowners’
plantations。Thenegroes,inreturn,setfiretohouses,andputtodeaththosewhoattemptedtoescapefromtheflames。Thuscarnagewasaddedtocarnage,andthebloodofthewhitesflowedtoavengethebloodoftheblacks。
Theseweretheravagesofslavery。Nogravesweredugforthenegroes,buttheirbodiesbecamefoodfordogsandvultures;andtheirbones,partlycalcinedbythesun,remainedscatteredabout,asiftomarkthemournfulfuryofservitudeandlustofpower。
Whentheslavesweresubdued,exceptafewintheswamps,bloodhoundswereemployedtohuntouttheremainingrevolters。
CHAPTERXVI
DEATHISFREEDOM。
ONreceivingintelligenceofthearrestofIsabella,Mr。Gordonauthorizedthesherifftosellhertothehighestbidder。Shewas,therefore,sold;thepurchaserbeingthenotednegro-trader,HopeH。Slater,whoatonceplacedherinprison。Herethefugitivesawnonebutslaveslikeherself,broughtinandtakenouttobeplacedinships,andsentawaytosomepartofthecountrytowhichsheherselfwouldsoonbecompelledtogo。ShehadseenorheardnothingofherdaughterwhileinRichmond,andallhopesofseeingherhadnowfled。
Attheduskoftheeveningprevioustothedaywhenshewastobesentoff,astheoldprisonwasbeingclosedforthenight,Isabellasuddenlydartedpastthekeeper,andranforherlife。
ItwasnotagreatdistancefromtheprisontothelongbridgewhichpassesfromthelowerpartofthecityacrossthePotomactotheextensiveforestsandwoodlandsofthecelebratedArlingtonHeights,thenoccupiedbythatdistinguishedrelativeanddescendantoftheimmortalWashington,Mr。Geo。W。Custis。Thitherthepoorfugitivedirectedherflight。Sounexpectedwasherescapethatshehadgainedseveralrodsthestartbeforethekeeperhadsecuredtheotherprisoners,andralliedhisassistantstoaidinthepursuit。Itwasatanhour,andinapartofthecitywherehorsescouldnoteasilybeobtainedforthechase;nobloodhoundswereathandtorundowntheflyingwoman,andforonceitseemedasiftherewastobeafairtrialofspeedandendurancebetweentheslaveandtheslave-catchers。
Thekeeperandhisforceraisedthehue-and-cryonherpathastheyfollowedclosebehind;butsorapidwastheflightalongthewideavenuethattheastonishedcitizens,astheypouredforthfromtheirdwellingstolearnthecauseofalarm,wereonlyabletocomprehendthenatureofthecaseintimetofallinwiththemotleythronginpursuit,orraiseananxiousprayertoheavenastheyrefusedtojoininthechase(asmanyaonedidthatnight)
thatthepantingfugitivemightescape,andthemercilesssoul-dealerforoncebedisappointedofhisprey。Andnow,withthespeedofanarrow,havingpassedtheavenue,withthedistancebetweenherandherpursuersconstantlyincreasing,thispoor,huntedfemalegainedthe"LongBridge,"asitiscalled,whereinterruptionseemedimprobable。Alreadyherheartbegantobeathighwiththehopeofsuccess。Shehadonlytopassthree-quartersofamileacrossthebridge,whenshecouldburyherselfinavastforest,justatthetimewhenthecurtainofnightwouldclosearoundher,andprotectherfromthepursuitofherenemies。
ButGod,byhisprovidence,hadotherwisedetermined。HehadordainedthatanappallingtragedyshouldbeenactedthatnightwithinplainsightofthePresident’shouse,andtheCapitoloftheUnion,whichwouldbeanevidencewhereveritshouldbeknownoftheunconquerableloveoflibertywhichthehumanheartmayinherit,aswellasafreshadmonitiontotheslave-dealerofthecrueltyandenormityofhiscrimes。
Justasthepursuerspassedthehighdraw,soonafterenteringuponthebridge,theybeheldthreemenslowlyapproachingfromtheVirginiaside。Theyimmediatelycalledtothemtoarrestthefugitive,proclaimingherarunawayslave。TruetotheirVirginiainstincts,asshecamenear,theyformedalineacrossthenarrowbridgetointercepther。Seeingthatescapewasimpossibleinthatquarter,shestoppedsuddenly,andturneduponherpursuers。
Oncametheprofaneandribaldcrewfasterthanever,alreadyexultinginhercapture,andthreateningpunishmentforherflight。Foramomentshelookedwildlyandanxiouslyaroundtoseeiftherewasnohopeofescape。Oneitherhand,fardownbelow,rolledthedeep,foamingwatersofthePotomac,andbeforeandbehindweretherapidlyapproachingstepsandnoisyvoicesofherpursuers。Seeinghowvainwouldbeanyfurtherefforttoescape,herresolutionwasinstantlytaken。Sheclaspedherhandsconvulsivelytogether,raisedhertearfulandimploringeyestowardheaven,andbeggedforthemercyandcompassiontherewhichwasunjustlydeniedheronearth;then,exclaiming,"Henry,Clotelle,Idieforthee!"withasinglebound,vaultedover,therailingofthebridge,andsankforeverbeneaththeangryandfoamingwatersoftheriver!
Suchwasthelife,andsuchthedeath,ofawomanwhosevirtuesandgoodnessofheartwouldhavedonehonortooneinahigherstationoflife,andwho,hadshebeenborninanyotherlandbutthatofslavery,wouldhavebeenrespectedandbeloved。Whatwouldhavebeenherfeelingsifshecouldhaveknownthatthechildforwhoserescueshehadsacrificedherselfwouldonedaybefree,honored,andlovedinanotherland?
第2章