Unmasking the Silence - 17 Powerful Slave Narratives in One Edition. Гарриет Бичер-Стоу

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ it would accompany me to some quiet place on the bayou bank, and, lifting up its voice, discourse kindly and pleasantly indeed. It heralded my name round the country — made me friends, who, otherwise would not have noticed me — gave me an honored seat at the yearly feasts, and secured the loudest and heartiest welcome of them all at the Christmas dance. The Christmas dance! Oh, ye pleasure-seeking sons and daughters of idleness, who move with measured step, listless and snail-like, through the slow-winding cotillon, if ye wish to look upon the celerity, if not the "poetry of motion" — upon genuine happiness, rampant and unrestrained — go down to Louisiana, and see the slaves dancing in the starlight of a Christmas night.

      On that particular Christmas I have now in my mind, a description whereof will serve as a description of the day generally, Miss Lively and Mr. Sam, the first belonging to Stewart, the latter to Roberts, started the ball. It was well known that Sam cherished an ardent passion for Lively, as also did one of Marshall's and another of Carey's boys; for Lively was lively indeed, and a heart-breaking coquette withal. It was a victory for Sam Roberts, when, rising from the repast, she gave him her hand for the first "figure" in preference to either of his rivals. They were somewhat crest-fallen, and, shaking their heads angrily, rather intimated they would like to pitch into Mr. Sam and hurt him badly. But not an emotion of wrath ruffled the placid bosom of Samuel, as his legs flew like drum-sticks down the outside and up the middle, by the side of his bewitching partner. The whole company cheered them vociferously, and, excited with the applause, they continued "tearing down" after all the others had become exhausted and halted a moment to recover breath. But Sam's superhuman exertions overcame him finally, leaving Lively alone, yet whirling like a top. Thereupon one of Sam's rivals, Pete Marshall, dashed in, and, with might and main, leaped and shuffled and threw himself into every conceivable shape, as if determined to show Miss Lively and all the world that Sam Roberts was of no account.

      Pete's affection, however, was greater than his discretion. Such violent exercise took the breath out of him directly, and he dropped like an empty bag. Then was the time for Harry Carey to try his hand; but Lively also soon out-winded him, amidst hurrahs and shouts, fully sustaining her well-earned reputation of being the "fastest gal" on the bayou.

      One "set" off, another takes its place, he or she remaining longest on the floor receiving the most uproarious commendation, and so the dancing continues until broad daylight. It does not cease with the sound of the fiddle, but in that case they set up a music peculiar to themselves. This is called "patting," accompanied with one of those unmeaning songs, composed rather for its adaptation to a certain tune or measure, than for the purpose of expressing any distinct idea. The patting is performed by striking the hands on the knees, then striking the hands together, then striking the right shoulder with one hand, the left with the other — all the while keeping time with the feet, and singing, perhaps, this song:

      "Harper's creek and roarin' ribber,

       Thar, my dear, we'll live forebber;

       Den we'll go to de Ingin nation,

       All I want in dis creation,

       Is pretty little wife and big plantation.

       Chorus, Up dat oak and down dat ribber, Two overseers and one little nigger"

      Or, if these words are not adapted to the tune called for, it may be that "Old Hog Eye" is — a rather solemn and startling specimen of versification, not, however, to be appreciated unless heard at the South. It runneth as follows :

      "Who's been here since I've been gone?

       Pretty little gal wid a josey on.

       Hog Eye!

       Old Hog Eye,

       And Hosey too!

       Never see de like since I was born,

       Here come a little gal wid a josey on.

       Hog Eye!

       Old Hog Eye!

       And Hosey too!"

      Or, may be the following, perhaps, equally nonsensical, but full of melody, nevertheless, as it flows from the negro's mouth:

      "Ebo Dick and Jurdan's Jo,

       Them two niggers stole my yo'.

       Chorus. Hop Jim along, Walk Jim along, Talk Jim along," &c. Old black Dan, as black as tar, He dam glad he was not dar. Hop Jim along," &c.

      During the remaining holidays succeeding Christmas, they are provided with passes, and permitted to go where they please within a limited distance, or they may remain and labor on the plantation, in which case they are paid for it. It is very rarely, however, that the latter alternative is accepted. They may be seen at these times hurrying in all directions, as happy looking mortals as can be found on the face of the earth. They are different beings from what they are in the field; the temporary relaxation, the brief deliverance from fear, and from the lash, producing an entire metamorphosis in their appearance and demeanor. In visiting, riding, renewing old friendships, or, perchance, reviving some old attachment, or pursuing whatever pleasure may suggest itself, the time is occupied. Such is "southern life as it is," three days in the year, as I found it — the other three hundred and sixty-two being days of weariness, and fear, and suffering, and unremitting labor.

      Marriage is frequently contracted during the holidays, if such an institution may be said to exist among them. The only ceremony required before entering into that "holy estate," is to obtain the consent of the respective owners. It is usually encouraged by the masters of female slaves. Either party can have as many husbands or wives as the owner will permit, and either is at liberty to discard the other at pleasure. The law in relation to divorce, or to bigamy, and so forth, is not applicable to property, of course. If the wife does not belong on the same plantation with the husband, the latter is permitted to visit her on Saturday nights, if the distance is not too far. Uncle Abram's wife lived seven miles from Epps', on Bayou Huff Power. He had permission to visit her once a fortnight, but he was growing old, as has been said, and truth to say, had latterly well nigh forgotten her. Uncle Abram had no time to spare from his meditations on General Jackson — connubial dalliance being well enough for the young and thoughtless, but unbecoming a grave and solemn philosopher like himself.

      CHAPTER XVI

       Table of Contents

      OVERSEERS — HOW THEY ARE ARMED AND ACCOMPANIED — THE HOMICIDE — HIS EXECUTION — AT MARKSVILLE — SLAVE-DRIVERS — APPOINTED DRIVER ON REMOVING TO BAYOU BŒUF — PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT — EPPS' ATTEMPT TO CUT PLATT'S THROAT — THE ESCAPE FROM HIM — PROTECTED BY THE MISTRESS — FORBIDS READING AND WRITING — OBTAIN A SHEET OF PAPER AFTER NINE YEARS' EFFORT — THE LETTER — ARMSBY, THE MEAN WHITE — PARTIALLY CONFIDE IN HIM — HIS TREACHERY — EPPS' SUSPICIONS — HOW THEY WERE QUIETED — BURNING THE LETTER — ARMSBY LEAVES THE BAYOU — DISAPPOINTMENT AND DESPAIR.

      With the exception of my trip to St. Mary's parish, and my absence during the cane-cutting seasons, I was constantly employed on the plantation of Master Epps. He was considered but a small planter, not having a sufficient number of hands to require the services of an overseer, acting in the latter capacity himself. Not able to increase his force, it was his custom to hire during the hurry of cotton-picking.

      On larger estates, employing fifty or a hundred, or perhaps two hundred hands, an overseer is deemed indispensable. СКАЧАТЬ