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第1章

作者:George Alfred Henty 字数:20112 更新:2026-03-10 23:22:48

TheGreatWarbetweentheNorthernandSouthernStatesofAmericapossessesapeculiarinterestforus,notonlybecauseitwasastrugglebetweentwosectionsofapeopleakintousinraceandlanguage,butbecauseoftheheroiccouragewithwhichtheweakerparty,withill-fed,ill-clad,ill-equippedregiments,forfouryearssustainedthecontestwithanadversarynotonlypossessedofimmensenumericalsuperiority,buthavingthecommandofthesea,andbeingabletodrawitsarmsandmunitionsofwarfromallthemanufactoriesofEurope。Authoritiesstilldifferastotherightsofthecase。TheConfederatesfirmlybelievedthattheStateshavingvoluntarilyunited,retainedtherightofwithdrawingfromtheUnionwhentheyconsidereditfortheiradvantagetodoso。

TheNorthernerstooktheoppositepointofview,andanappealtoarmsbecameinevitable。Duringthefirsttwoyearsofthewarthestrugglewasconductedwithoutinflictingunnecessaryhardshipuponthegeneralpopulation。Butlateronthecharacterofthewarchanged,andtheFederalarmiescarriedwide-spreaddestructionwherevertheymarched。Upontheotherhand,themomentthestrugglewasovertheconductoftheconquerorswasmarkedbyaclemencyandgenerosityaltogetherunexampledinhistory,acompleteamnestybeinggranted,andnone,whethersoldiersorcivilians,beingmadetosufferfortheirshareintherebellion。

ThecreditofthismagnanimousconductwastoagreatextentduetoGeneralsGrantandSherman,theformerofwhomtookuponhimselftheresponsibilityofgrantingtermswhich,althoughtheywerefinallyratifiedbyhisgovernment,wereatthetimereceivedwithangerandindignationintheNorth。Itwasimpossible,inthecourseofasinglevolume,togiveevenasketchofthenumerousandcomplicatedoperationsofthewar,andIhavethereforeconfinedmyselftothecentralpointofthegreatstruggle——theattemptsoftheNorthernarmiestoforcetheirwaytoRichmond,thecapitalofVirginiaandtheheartoftheConfederacy。Eveninrecountingtheleadingeventsinthesecampaigns,Ihaveburdenedmystorywithasfewdetailsaspossible,itbeingmyobjectnow,asalways,toamuseaswellastogiveinstructioninthefactsofhistory。

\"IWON\'Thaveit,Pearson;soit\'snouseyourtalking。IfIhadmywayyoushouldn\'ttouchanyofthefieldhands。AndwhenIgetmyway-thatwon\'tbesoverylong-Iwilltakegoodcareyousha\'n\'t。

Butyousha\'n\'thitDan。\"

\"Heisnotoneoftheregularhousehands,\"wasthereply;\"andI

shallappealtoMrs。WingfieldastowhetherIamtobeinterferedwithinthedischargeofmyduties。\"

\"Youmayappealtomymotherifyoulike,butIdon\'tthinkthatyouwillgetmuchbyit。Itellyouyouareadealtoofondofthatwhip,Pearson。Itneverwasheardofontheestateduringmyfather\'stime,anditsha\'n\'tbeagainwhenitcomestobemine,I

cantellyou。Comealong,Dan;Iwantyouatthestables。\"

Sosaying,VincentWingfieldturnedonhisheel,andfollowedbyDan,anegroladofsomeeighteenyearsold,bewalkedofftowardthehouse,leavingJonasPearson,theoverseeroftheOrangeryestate,lookingafterhimwithanevilexpressionofface。

VincentWingfieldwasthesonofanEnglishofficer,who,makingatourintheStates,hadfalleninlovewithandwonthehandofWinifredCornish,arichVirginianheiress,andoneofthebellesofRichmond。AfterthemarriagehehadtakenherhometovisithisfamilyinEngland;butshehadnotbeentheremanyweeksbeforethenewsarrivedofthesuddendeathofherfather。AmonthlatersheandherhusbandreturnedtoVirginia,asherpresencewasrequiredthereinreferencetobusinessmattersconnectedwiththeestate,ofwhichshewasnowthemistress。

TheOrangery,socalledfromalargeconservatorybuiltbyMrs。

Wingfield\'sgrandfather,wasthefamilyseat,andthebroadlandsarounditweretilledbyupwardoftwohundredslaves。TherewereinadditionthreeotherpropertieslyingindifferentpartsoftheState。HereVincent,withtwosisters,oneolderandoneyoungerthanhimself,hadbeenborn。WhenhewaseightyearsoldMajorandMrs。WingfieldhadgoneoverwiththeirchildrentoEngland,andhadleftVincentthereforfouryearsatschool,hisholidaysbeingspentatthehouseofhisfather\'sbrother,acountrygentlemaninSussex。Thenhehadbeensentforunexpectedly;hisfathersayingthathishealthwasnotgood,andthatheshouldlikehissontobewithhim。Ayearlaterhisfatherdied。

Vincentwasnownearlysixteenyearsold,andwoulduponcomingofageassumethereinsofpowerattheOrangery,ofwhichhismother,however,wouldbetheactualmistressaslongasshelived。

ThefouryearsVincenthadpassedintheEnglishschoolhaddonemuchtorendertheinstitutionofslaveryrepugnanttohim,andhisfatherhadhadmanyserioustalkswithhimduringthelastyearofhislife,andhadshownhimthattherewasagooddealtobesaiduponbothsidesofthesubject。

\"Therearegoodplantationsandbadplantations,Vincent;andtherearemanymoregoodonesthanbadones。Therearebrutestobefoundeverywhere。TherearebadmastersintheSouthernStatesjustastherearehadlandlordsineveryEuropeancountry。

\'Butevenfromself-interestalone,aplanterhasgreaterreasonforcaringforthehealthandcomfortofhisslavesthananEnglishfarmerhasincaringforthecomfortofhislaborers。Slavesarevaluableproperty,andiftheyareoverworkedorbadlycaredfortheydecreaseinvalue。Whereasifthelaborerfallssickorisunabletodohisworkthefarmerhassimplytohireanotherhand。

Itisasmuchtheinterestofaplantertokeephisslavesingoodhealthandspiritsasitisforafarmertofeedandattendtohishorsesproperly。

\"Ofthetwo,IconsiderthattheslavewithafairlykindmasteristothefullashappyastheordinaryEnglishlaborer。Hecertainlydoesnotworksohard,ifheisillheiscarefullyattendedto,heiswellfed,hehasnocaresoranxietieswhatever,andwhenoldandpastworkhehasnofearoftheworkhousestaringhimintheface。AtthesametimeIamquitereadytograntthattherearehorribleabusespossibleunderthelawsconnectedwithslavery。

\"Thesellingofslaves,thatistosay,thebreakingupoffamiliesandsellingthemseparately,ishorribleandabominable。Ifanestateweresoldtogetherwithalltheslavesuponit,therewouldbenomorehardshipinthematterthanthereiswhenanestatechangeshandsinEngland,andthelaborersuponitworkforthenewmasterinsteadoftheold。WereItoliberatealltheslavesonthisestateto-morrowandtosendthemNorth,Idonotthinkthattheywouldbeinanywaybenefitedbythechange。Theywouldstillhavetoworkfortheirlivingastheydonow,andbeingnaturallyindolentandshiftlesswouldprobablyfaremuchworse。

ButagainstthesellingoffamiliesseparatelyandtheuseofthelashIsetmyfacestrongly。

\"Atthesametime,myboy,whateveryoursentimentsmaybeonthissubject,youmustkeepyourmouthclosedastothem。OwingtotheattemptsofNorthernAbolitionists,whohavecomedownherestirringuptheslavestodiscontent,itisnotadvisable,indeeditisabsolutelydangerous,tospeakagainstslaveryintheSouthernStates。Theinstitutionishere,andwemustmakethebestwecanofit。PeoplehereareverysoreatthefoulslandersthathavebeenpublishedbyNorthernwriters。Therehavebeenmanyatrocitiesperpetratedundoubtedly,bybruteswhowouldhavebeenbruteswhenevertheybadbeenborn;buttocollectaseriesofsuchatrocities,tostringthemtogetherintoastory,andtoholdthemup,asMrs。BeecherStowehas,asapictureofslave-lifeintheSouthernStates,isasgrossalibelasifanyoneweretomakeacollectionofallthewife-beatingsandassaultsofdrunkenEnglishruffians,andtopublishthemasapictureoftheaveragelifeofEnglishpeople。

\"SuchlibelsasthesehavedonemoretoembitterthetwosectionsofAmericaagainsteachotherthananythingelse。Therefore,Vincent,myadvicetoyouis,bealwayskindtoyourslaves-notover-indulgent,becausetheyareverylikechildrenandindulgencespoilsthem-butbeatthesametimefirmandkindtothem,andwithotherpeopleavoidenteringintoanydiscussionsorexpressinganyopinionwithregardtoslavery。Youcandonogoodandyoucandomuchharm。Takethingsasyoufindthemandmakethebestofthem。Itrustthatthetimemaycomewhenslaverywillbeabolished;butIhope,forthesakeoftheslavesthemselves,thatwhenthisisdoneitwillbedonegraduallyandthoughtfully,forotherwiseitwouldinflictterriblehardshipandsufferinguponthemaswellasupontheirmasters。\"

Thereweremanysuchconversationsbetweenfatherandson,forfeelingonthesubjectranveryhighintheSouthernStates,andtheformerfeltthatitwasoftheutmostimportancetohissonthatheshouldavoidtakinganystronglineinthematter。AmongtheoldfamiliesofVirginiatherewasindeedfarlessfeelingonthissubjectthaninsomeoftheotherStates。Knowingthegoodfeelingthatalmostuniversallyexistedbetweenthemselvesaidtheirslaves,thegentryofVirginiaregardedwithcontemptthecalumniesofwhichtheywerethesubject。Secureintheaffectionoftheirslaves,anaffectionwhichwasafter-wardabundantlyprovedduringthecourseofthewar,theyscarcelysawtheuglysideofthequestion。Theworstmasterswerethesmallestones;

themanwhoownedsixslaveswasfarmoreapttoextorttheutmostpossibleworkfromthemthantheplanterwhoownedthreeorfourhundred。Andtheworstmastersofallwerethosewho,havingmadealittlemoneyintradeorspeculationinthetowns,purchasedadozenslaves,asmallpieceofland,andtriedtosetupasgentry。

InVirginiathelifeofthelargeplanterswasalmostapatriarchalone;theindoorslavesweretreatedwithextremeindulgence,andwerepermittedafarhigherdegreeoffreedomofremarkandfamiliaritythanisthecasewithservantsinanEnglishhousehold。

Theyhadbeenthenursesorcompanionsoftheownerswhenchildren,hadgrownupwiththem,andregardedthemselves,andwereregardedbythem,asalmostpartofthefamily。Therewas,ofcourse,lessconnectionbetweentheplantersandtheirfieldhands;

butthesealsohadforthemostpartbeenbornontheestate,hadaschildrenbeentaughttolookuptotheirwhitemastersandmistresses,andtoreceivemanylittlekindnessesattheirhands。

Theyhadbeencaredforinsickness,andknewthattheywouldbeprovidedforinoldage。Eachhadhislittleallotment,andcouldraisefruit,vegetables,andfowlsforhisownuseorforsaleinhisleisuretime。Thefearoflossofemploymentorthepressureofwant,everpresenttoEnglishlaborers,hadneverfallenuponthem。

Theclimatewasalovelyone,andtheirworkfarlessseverethanthatofmenforcedtotoilincoldandwet,winterandsummer。

Theinstitutionofslaveryassuredlywascapableofterribleabuses,andwasmarkedinmanyinstancesbyabominablecrueltyandoppression;buttakenallinall,thenegroesonawell-orderedestate,underkindmasters,wereprobablyahappierclassofpeoplethanthelaborersuponanyestateinEurope。

JonasPearsonhadbeenoverseerinthetimeofMajorWingfield,buthisauthorityhadatthattimebeencomparativelysmall,forthemajorhimselfpersonallysupervisedthewholeworkingoftheestate,andwasgreatlylikedbytheslaves,whosechiefaffectionswere,however,naturallybestowedupontheirmistress,whohadfromchildhoodbeenbroughtupintheirmidst。MajorWingfieldhadnotlikedhisoverseer,buthehadneverhadanygroundtojustifyhimmakingachange。Jonas,whowasaNorthernman,wasalwaysactiveandenergetic;allMajorWingfield\'sorderswerestrictlyandpunctuallycarriedout,andalthoughhedislikedtheman,hisemployeracknowledgedhimtobeanexcellentservant。

Afterthemajor\'sdeath,JonasPearsonhadnaturallyobtainedgreatlyincreasedpowerandauthority。Mrs。Wingfieldhadgreatconfidenceinhim,hisaccountswerealwaysclearandprecise,andalthoughtheprofitsoftheestatewerenotquitesolargeastheyhadbeeninherhusband\'slifetime,thiswasalwayssatisfactorilyexplainedbyafallinprices,orbyapartofthecropsbeingaffectedbytheweather。Sheflatteredherselfthatsheherselfman。

agedtheestate,andattimesrodeoverit,madesuggestions,andissuedorders,butthiswasonlyinfitsandstarts;andalthoughJonascameuptwoorthreetimesaweektothehousenominallytoreceiveherorders,hemanagedhersoadroitlythatwhileshebelievedthateverythingwasdonebyherdirections,sheinrealityonlyfollowedoutthesuggestionswhich,inthefirstplace,camefromhim。

Shewasaware,however,thattherewaslesscontentandhappinessontheestatethantherehadbeenintheoldtimes。Complaintshadreachedherfromtimetotimeofoverworkandharshtreatment。

Butuponinquiringintothesematters,Jonashadalwayssuchplausiblereasonstogivethatshewasconvincedhewasintheright,andthatthefaultwasamongtheslavesthemselves,whotriedtotakeadvantageofthefactthattheyhadnolongeramaster\'seyeuponthem,andaccordinglytriedtoshirkwork,andtothrowdiscredituponthemanwholookedaftertheinterestsoftheirmistress;andsograduallyMrs。WingfieldleftthemanagementofaffairsmoreandmoreinthehandsofJonas,andreliedmoreimplicitlyuponhim。

Theoverseersparednopainstogainthegood-willofVincent。

Whenthelatterdeclaredthatthehorseherodehadnotsufficientlifeandspiritforhim,Jonashadsetinquiriesonfoot,andhadselectedforhimahorsewhich,forspeedandbottom,hadnosuperiorintheState。OneofMrs。Wingfleld\'sacquaintances,however,uponhearingthatshehadpurchasedtheanimal,toldherthatitwasnotoriousforitsvicioustemper,andshespokeangrilytoJonasonthesubjectinthepresenceofVincent。Theoverseerexcusedhimselfbysayingthathehadcertainlyheardthatthehorsewashighspiritedandneededagoodrider,andthatheshouldnothavethoughtofselectingithadhenotknownthatMr。Vincentwasafirst-classrider,andwouldnotcaretohaveahorsethatanychildcouldmanage。

Thepraisewasnotundeserved。ThegentlemenofVirginiawerecelebratedasgoodriders;andMajorWingfield,himselfacavalryman,hadbeenanxiousthatVincentshouldmaintainthecreditofhisEnglishblood,andhadplacedhimonaponyassoonashewasabletositonone。Aponyhadbeenkeptforhisuseduringhisholidaysathisuncle\'sinEngland,anduponhisreturnVincenthad,exceptduringthehourshespentwithhisfather,almostlivedonhorseback,eitherridingabouttheestate,orpayingvisitstothehousesofotherplanters。

Foranhourormoreeverydayheexercisedhisfather\'shorsesinapaddocknearthehouse,themajorbeingwheeleddowninaneasy-chairandsuperintendinghisriding。Asthesehorseshadlittletodoandwerefullofspirit,Vincent\'spowerswereoftentaxedtotheutmost,andhehadmanyfalls;butthesoilwaslight,andhehadlearnedtheknackoffallingeasily,andfromconstantpracticewasableattheageoffourteentostickonfirmlyevenwithoutasaddle,andwasabsolutelyfearlessastoanyanimalhemounted。

Inthetwoyearswhichhadfollowedhehadkeptuphisriding。

EverymorningafterbreakfastherodetoRichmond,sixmilesdistant,putuphishorseatsomestablethere,andspentthreehoursatschool;therestofthedaywashisown,andhewouldoftenrideoffwithsomeofhisschoolfellowswhohadalsocomeinfromadistance,andnotreturnhometilllateintheevening。VincenttookafterhisEnglishfatherratherthanhisVirginianmotherbothinappearanceandcharacter,andwaslikelytobecomeastallandbrawnyamanastheformerhadbeenwhenhefirstwontheloveoftherichVirginianheiress。

Hewasfulloflifeandenergy,andinthisrespectofferedastrongcontrasttomostofhisschoolfellowsofthesameage。Foralthoughsplendidridersandkeensportsmen,theplantersofVirginiawereinotherrespectsinclinedtoindolence;theresultpartlyoftheclimate,partlyoftheirbeingwaiteduponfromchildhoodbyattendantsreadytocarryouteverywish。Hehadhisfather\'scheerfuldispositionandgoodtemper,togetherwiththedecisivemannersofrequentlyacquiredbyaserviceinthearmy,andatthesametimebehadsomethingofthewarmthandenthusiasmoftheVirginiancharacter。

Goodriderashewashewassomewhatsurprisedatthehorsetheoverseerhadselectedforhim。Itwascertainlyasplendidanimal,withgreatboneandpower;buttherewasnomistakingtheexpressionofitsturned-backeye,andtheearsthatlayalmostflatontheheadwhenanyoneapproachedhim。

\"Itisasplendidanimal,nodoubt,Jonas,\"hesaidthefirsttimelieinspectedit;\"buthecertainlylooksasifliehadabeastofatemper。Ifearwhatwastoldmymotherabouthimisnoexaggeration;forMr。Markhamtoldmeto-day,whenIrodedowntherewithhisson,andsaidthatwehadboughtWildfire,thatafriendofhishadhadhimonce,andonlykepthimforaweek,forhewasthemostviciousbruteheeversaw。\"

\"IamsorryIhaveboughthimnow,sir,\"Jonassaid。\"OfcourseI

shouldnothavedonesoifIhadheardthesethingsbefore;butI

wastoldhewasoneofthefinesthorsesinthecountry,onlyalittletricky,andashispricewassoreasonableIthoughtitagreatbargain。ButIseenowIwaswrong,andthatitwouldn\'tberightforyoutomounthim;soIthinkwehadbestsendhiminonSaturdaytothemarketandletitgoforwhatitwillfetch。Yousee,sir,ifyouhadbeenthreeorfouryearsolderitwouldhavebeendifferent;butnaturallyatyourageyoudon\'tliketoridesuchahorseasthat。\"

\"Isha\'n\'tgiveitupwithoutatrial,\"Vincentsaidshortly。\"ItisaboutthefinesthorseIeversaw;andifithadn\'tbeenforitstemper,itwouldbecheapatfivetimesthesumyougaveforit。I

haveriddenagoodmanybad-temperedhorsesformyfriendsduringthelastyear,andtheworstofthemcouldn\'tgetmeoff。\"

\"Well,sir,ofcourseyouwilldoasyouplease,\"Jonassaid;\"butpleasetorememberifanyharmcomesofitthatIstronglyadvisedyounottohaveanythingtodowithit,andIdidmybesttodissuadeyoufromtrying。\"

Vincentnoddedcarelessly,andthenturnedtotheblackgroom。

\"Jake,getoutthatcavalrysaddleofmyfather\'s,withthehighcantleandpommel,andtherollsfortheknees。It\'slikeanarmchair,andifonecan\'tstickononthat,onedeservestobethrown。\"

Whilethegroomwasputtingonthesaddle,Vincentstoodpattingthehorse\'sheadandtalkingtoit,andthentakingitsreinleditdownintotheinclosure。

\"No,Idon\'twantthewhip,\"hesaid,asJakeofferedhimone。\"I

havegotthespurs,andlikelyenoughthehorse\'stempermayhavebeenspoiledbyknockingitaboutwithawhip;butwewilltrywhatkindnesswilldowithitfirst。\"

\"Menolikehislook,MassaVincent;hedebbieobahossdat。\"

\"Idon\'tthinkhehasanicetemper,Jake;butpeoplelearntocontroltheirtemper,andIdon\'tseewhyhorseshouldn\'t。Atanyratewewillhaveatryatit。Helooksasifheappreciatesbeingpattedandspokentoalready。Ofcourseifyoutreatahorselikeasavagehewillbecomesavage。Now,standoutoftheway。\"

Gatheringthereinstogether,andplacingonehanduponthepommel,Vincentsprangintothesaddlewithouttouchingthestirrups;thenhesatforaminuteortwopattingthehorse\'sneck。

Wildfire,apparentlydisgustedathavingallowedhimselftobemountedsosuddenly,lashedoutviciouslytwoorthreetimes,andthenrefusedtomove。ForhalfanhourVincenttriedtheeffectofpatientcoax-jug,butinvain。

\"Well,ifyouwon\'tdoitbyfairmeansyoumustbyfoul,\"Vincentsaidatlast,andsharplyprickedhimwithhisspurs。

Wildfiresprangintotheair,andthenbeganadesperateseriesofeffortstoridhimselfofhisrider,rearingandkickinginsuchquicksuccessionthatheseemedhalfthetimeintheair。Findingafterawhilethathiseffortswereunavailing,hesubsidedatlastintosulkyimmovability。AgainVincenttriedcoaxingandpatting,butasnosuccessattendedtheseefforts,heagainappliedthespursharply。Thistimethehorserespondedbyspringingforwardlikeanarrowfromabow,dashedatthetopofhisspeedacrosstheinclosure,clearedthehighfencewithoutaneffort,andthensetoffacrossthecountry。

Hehadattemptedtotakethebitinhisteeth,butwithasharpjerkashedrovethespursin,Vincenthaddefeatedhisintention。Henowdidnotattempttocheckorguidehim,butkeepingalighthandonthereinslethimgohisowncourse。Vincentknewthatsolongasthehorsewasgoingfullspeeditcouldattemptnotricktounseathim,andhethereforesateasilyinhissaddle。

ForsixmilesWildfirecontinuedhiscourse,clearingeveryobstaclewithoutabatementtohisspeed,anddelightinghisriderwithhispowerandjumpingqualities。Occasionally,onlywhenthecoursehewastakingwouldhaveledhimtoobstaclesimpossibleforthebestjumpertosurmount,Vincentattemptedtoputtheslightestpressureupononereinortheother,soastodirectittoaneasierpoint。

Attheendofsixmilesthehorse\'sspeedbeganslightlytoabate,andVincent,abstainingfromtheuseofhisspurs,presseditwithhiskneesandspoketoitcheerfullyurgingitforward。Henowfromtimetotimebentforwardandpattedit,andforanothersixmileskeptitgoingataspeedalmostasgreatasthatatwhichithadstartedThenhealloweditgraduallytoslackenitspace,untilatlastfirstthegallopandthenthetrotceased,anditbrokeintoawalk。

\"Youhavehadafinegallop,oldfellow,\"Vincentsaid,pattingit;

\"andsohaveI。There\'sbeennothingforyoutoloseyourtemperabout,andthenextroadwecomeuponwewillturnourfacehomeward。Halfadozenlessonslikethis,andthennodoubtweshallbegoodfriends。\"

Thejourneyhomewasperformedatawalk,Vincenttalkingthegreaterpartofthetimetothehorse。IttookagooddealmorethansixlessonsbeforeWildfirewouldstartwithoutapreliminarystrugglewithhismaster,butintheendkindnessandpatienceconquered。Vincentoftenvisitedthehorseinthestables,and,takingwithhimanappleorsomepiecesofsugar,spentsometimetheretalk。mgtoandpettingit。Henevercarriedawhip,andneverusedthespursexceptinforcingittomakeitsfirststart。

Hadthehorsebeennaturallyill-temperedVincentwouldprobablyhavefailed,but,ashehappenedafterwardtolearn,itsfirstownerhadbeenahot-temperedandpassionateyoungplanter,who,insteadofbeingpatientwithit,hadbeatitaboutthehead,andsorendereditrestiveandbad-tempered。HadVincentnotlaidasidehiswhipbeforemountingitforthefirsttime,heprobablywouldneverhaveeffectedacure。Itwasthefactthattheanimalhadnolongerafearofhisoldenemythewhipasmuchasthegeneralcourseofkindnessandgoodtreatmentthathadeffectedthechangeinhisbehavior。

ItwasjustwhenVincenthadestablishedagoodunderstandingbetweenhimselfandWildfirethathehadthealtercationwiththeoverseer,whomhefoundabouttoflogtheyoungnegroDan。

Pearsonhadsenttheladhalfanhourbeforeonamessagetosomeslavesatworkattheotherendoftheestate,andhadfoundhimsittingonthegroundwatchingatreeinwhichhehaddiscoveredapossum。ThatDandeservedpunishmentwasundoubted。HehadatpresentnoregularemploymentupontheestateJake,hisfather,washeadofthestables,andDanhadmadehimselfusefulinoddjobsaboutthehorses,andexpectedtobecomeoneoftheregularstablehands。Theoverseerwasofopinionthattherewerealreadymorenegroesinthestablethancouldfindemployment,andhadurgeduponMrs。WingfieldthatoneofthehandsthereandtheboyDanshouldbesentouttothefields。She,however,refused。

\"Iknowyouarequiteright,Jonas,inwhatyousay。Buttherewerealwaysfourhandsinthestableinmyfather\'stime,andtherealwayshavebeenuptonow;andthoughIknowtheyhaveaneasytimeofit,Icertainlyshouldnotliketosendanyofthemouttothefields。AstoDan,wewillthinkaboutit。WhenhisfatherwasabouthisageheusedtoleadmyponywhenIfirsttooktoriding,andwhenthereisavacancyDanmustcomeintothestable。I

couldnotthinkofsendinghimoutasafieldhand,inthefirstplaceforhisfather\'ssake,butstillmoreforthatofVincent。Danusedtobetoldofftoseethathedidnotgetintomischiefwhenhewasalittleboy,andhehasrunmessagesandbeenhisspecialboysincehecameback。Vincentwantedtohavehimashisregularhouseservant;butitwouldhavebrokenoldSam\'sheartif,afterbeingmyfather\'sboyandmyhusband\'s,anotherhadtakenhisplaceasVincent\'s。\"

AndsoDanhadremainedinthestable,butregardingVincentashisspecialmaster,carryingnotesforhimtohisfriends,ordoinganyoddjobshemightrequire,andspendingnosmallportionofhistimeinsleep。Thushewasanobjectofspecialdisliketotheoverseer;inthefirstplacebecausehehadnotsucceededinhavinghiswaywithregardtohim,andinthesecondbecausehewasauselesshand,andtheoverseerlovedtogetasmuchworkaspossibleoutofeveryoneontheestate。Themessagehadbeenasomewhatimportantone,ashewantedtheslavesforsomeworkthatwasurgentlyrequired;andhelosthistemper,orhewouldnothavedoneanactwhichwouldcertainlybringhimintocollisionwithVincent。

Hewaswellawarethattheladdidnotreallylikehim,andthathiseffortstogainhisgood-willhadfailed,andhehadforeseenthatsoonerorlatertherewouldbeastruggleforpowerbetweenthem。

However,herelieduponhisinfluencewithMrs。Wingfield,anduponthefactthatshewasthelife-owneroftheOrangery,andbelievedthathewouldbeabletomaintainhispositionevenwhenVincentcameofage。Vincentonhissideobjectedaltogethertotheoverseer\'streatmentofthehands,ofwhichheheardagooddealfromDan,andbadalreadyremonstratedwithhismotheronthesubject。He,however,gainednothingbythis。Mrs。Wingfieldhadrepliedthathewastooyoungtointerfereinsuchmatters,thathisEnglishideaswouldnotdoinVirginia,andthatnaturallytheslavesweresetagainsttheoverseer;andthatnowPearsonhadnolongeramastertosupporthim,hewasobligedtobemoreseverethanbeforetoenforceobedience。AtthesametimeitvexedheratheartthatthereshouldbeanyseverityontheOrangeryestate,wherethebestrelationshadalwaysprevailedbetweenthemastersandslaves,andshehadherselfspokentoJonasonthesubject。

Hehadgivenherthesameanswerthatshehadgivenherson:\"Theslaveswillworkforamaster,Mrs。Wingfield,inawaytheywillnotforastranger。Theysetthemselvesagainstme,andifIwerenotseverewiththemIshouldgetnoworkatallcutofthem。Ofcourse,ifyouwishit,theycandoastheylike;butinthatcasetheymusthaveanotheroverseer。Icannotseeafineestategoingtoruin。IbelievemyselfsomeoftheseAbolitionfellowshavebeengettingamongthemanddoingthemmischief,andthatthereisabadspiritgrowingupamongthem。IcanassureyouthatIamaslenientwiththemasispossibletobe。Butiftheywon\'tworkI

mustmakethem,solongasIstayhere。\"

Andsotheoverseerhadhadhisway。Sheknewthatthemanwasagoodservant,andthattheestatewaskeptinexcellentorder。

Afterall,theseventiesofwhichshehadheardcomplaintswerebynomeansexcessive;anditwasnottoheexpectedthataNorthernoverseercouldruleentirelybykindness,astheownerofanestatecoulddo。Achangewouldbemostinconvenienttoher,andshewouldhavedifficultyinsuitingherselfsowellanothertime。

Besides,themanhadbeenwithhersixteenyears,andwas,asshebelieved,devotedtoherinterests。ThereforesheturnedadeafeartoVincent\'sremonstrances。

ShehadalwaysbeensomewhatopposedtohisbeingleftinEnglandatschool,urgingthathewouldlearnideastherethatwouldclashwiththoseofthepeopleamongwhomhislifewastobespent;andshestillconsideredthatherviewshadbeenjustifiedbytheresult。

TheoverseerwasthefirsttogivehisversionofthestoryshoutDan\'sconduct;forongoingtothehouseVincentfoundhissisters,RosaandAnnie,inthegarden,havingjustreturnedfromatwodays\'visittosomefriendsinRichmond,andstayedchattingwiththemandlisteningtotheirnewsforanhour,andinthemeantimeJonashadgoneinandseenMrs。Wingfieldandtoldhisstory。

\"Ithink,Mrs。Wingfield,\"hesaidwhenhehadfinished,\"thatitwillbebetterformetoleaveyou。ItisquiteevidentthatIcanhavenoauthorityoverthehandsifyoursonistointerferewhenI

amabouttopunishaslaveforanactofgrossdisobedienceandneglect。Ifoundthatallthetobaccorequiredturning,andnowitwillnotbedonethisafternoonowingtomyordersnotbeingcarriedout,andthetobaccowillnotimprobablybeinjuredinquality。Mypositionisdifficultenoughasitis;butiftheslavesseethatinsteadofbeingsupportedIamthwartedbyyourson,myauthorityisgonealtogether。Nooverseercancarryonhisworkproperlyundersuchcircumstances。\"

\"Iwillseetothematter,Jonas,\"Mrs。Wingfieldsaiddecidedly。

\"Beassuredthatyouhavemyentiresupport,andIwillseethatmysondoesnotagaininterfere。\"

When,therefore,Vincententeredthehouseandbeganhiscomplainthefoundhimselfcutshort。

\"Ihaveheardthestoryalready,Vincent。Danactedingrossdisobedience,andthoroughlydeservedthepunishmentJonaswasabouttogivehim。Theworkoftheestatecannotbecarriedonifsuchconductistobetolerated;andonceforall,IwillpermitnointerferenceonyourpartwithJonas。Ifyouhaveanycomplaintstomake,cometomeandmakethem;butyouarenotyourselftointerfereinanywaywiththeoverseer。AsforDan,IhavedirectedJonasthatthenexttimehegivescauseforcomplaintheistogointothefields。\"

Vincentstoodsilentforaminute,thenhesaidquietly:

\"Verywell,mother。Ofcourseyoucandoasyoulike;butatanyrateIwillnotkeepmymonthshutwhenIseethatfellowill-treatingtheslaves。Suchthingswereneverdoneinmyfather\'stime,andIwon\'tseethemdonenow。YousaidtileotherdayyouwouldgetmeanominationtoWestPointassoonasIwassixteen。

Ishouldbegladifyouwoulddoso。BythetimeIhavegonethroughtheschool,youwillperhapsseethatIhavebeenrightaboutJonas。\"

Sosaying,heturnedandlefttheroomandagainjoinedhissistersinthedrawing-room。

\"IhavejusttoldmotherthatIwillgotoWestPoint,girls,\"hesaid。

\"FathersaidmorethanoncethathethoughtitwasthebesteducationIcouldgetinAmerica。\"

\"ButIthoughtyouhadmadeupyourmindthatyouwouldratherstopathome,Vincent?\"

\"SoIhad,andsoIwouldhavedone,butmotherandIdifferinopinionThatfellowJonaswasgoingtoflogDan,andIstoppedhimthismorning,andmothertakeshispartagainstme。Youknow,Idon\'tlikethewayhegoesonwiththeslaves。Theyarenothalfsomerryandhappyastheyusedtobe,andIdon\'tlikeit。Weshallhaveoneofthemrunningawaynext,andthatwillbeanicethingonwhatusedtobeconsideredoneofthehappiestplantationsinVirginia。Ican\'tmakemotherout;Ishouldhavethoughtthatshewouldhavebeenthelastpersonintheworldtohaveallowedtheslavestobeharshlytreated。\"

\"Iamsurewedon\'tlikeJonasmorethanyoudo,Vincent;butyouseemammahastodependuponhimsomuch。No,Idon\'tthinkshecanlikeit;butyoucan\'thaveeverythingyoulikeinaman,andIknowshethinksheisaverygoodoverseer。Isupposeshecouldgetanother?\"

Vincentsaidhethoughtthattherecouldnotbemuchdifficultyaboutgettinganoverseer。

\"Theremightbeadifficultyingettingoneshecouldrelyonsothoroughly,\"Rosasaid。\"Youseeagreatdealmustbelefttohim。

Jonashasbeenhereagoodmanyyearsnow,andshehaslearnedtotrusthim。Itwouldbealongtimebeforeshehadthesameconfidenceinastranger;andyoumaybesurethathewouldhavehisfaults,though,perhaps,notthesameasthoseofJonas。Ithinkyoudon\'tmakeallowanceenoughformamma,Vincent。IquiteagreewithyouastoJonas,andIdon\'tthinkmammacanlikehisharshnesstotheslavesanymorethanyoudo;buteveryonesayswhatadifficultyitistogetareallytrustworthyandcapableoverseer,and,ofcourse,itisalltheharderwhenthereisnomastertolookafterhim。\"

\"Well,inafewyearsIshallbeabletolookafteranoverseer,\"

Vincentsaid。

\"Youmightdoso,ofcourse,Vincent,ifyouliked;butunlessyouchangeagooddeal,Idon\'tthinkyoursupervisionwouldamounttomuch。Whenyouarenotatschoolyouarealwaysonhorsebackandaway,andweseelittleenoughofyou,andIdonotthinkyouarelikelyforalongtimeyettogiveupmostofyourtimetolookingaftertheestate。\"

\"Perhapsyouareright,\"Vincentsaid,afterthinkingforaminute;

\"hutIthinkIcouldsettledowntoo,andgivemostofmytimetotheestate,ifIwasresponsibleforit。Idaresaymotherisinadifficultyoverit,andIshouldnothavespokenasIdid;Iwillgoinandtellherso。\"

Vincentfoundhismothersittingashehadlefther。AlthoughshehadsidedwithJonas,itwasagainstherwill;foritwasgrievoustohertohearcomplaintsofthetreatmentoftheslavesattheOrangery。Still,asRosahadsaid,shefelteveryconfidenceinheroverseer,andbelievedthathewasanexcellentservant。Shewasconsciousthatsheherselfknewnothingofbusiness,andthatshemustthereforegiveherentireconfidencetohermanager。ShegreatlydislikedthestrictnessofJonas;butif,ashesaid,theslaveswouldnotobeyhimwithout,hemustdoasliethoughtbest。

\"IthinkIspoketoohastily,mother,\"Vincentsaidasheentered;

\"andIamsurethatyouwouldnotwishtheslavestobeill-treatedmorethanIshould。IdaresayJonasmeansforthebest。\"

\"Ifeelsurethathedoes,Vincent。Amaninhispositioncannotmakehimselfobeyedlikeamaster。Iwishitcouldbeotherwise,andIwillspeaktohimonthesubject;butitwillnotdotointerferewithhimtoomuch。Agoodoverseerisnoteasytoget,andtheslavesarealwaysreadytotakeadvantageofleniency。Aneasymastermakesbadwork,butaneasyoverseerwouldmeanruintoanestate。IamconvincedthatJonashasourinterestsatheart,andIwilltellhimthatIparticularlywishthathewilldevisesomeothersortofpunishment,suchasdeprivingmenwhowon\'tworkofsomeoftheirprivilegesinsteadofusingthelash。\"

\"Thankyou,mother。Atanyrate,hemighthetoldthatthelashisnevertobeusedwithoutfirstappealingtoyou。\"

\"Iwillseeaboutit,Vincent,andtalkitoverwithhim。\"AndwiththatVincentwassatisfied。

CHAPTERII。BUYINGASLAVE。

MRS。WINGFIELDdidtalkthematteroverwiththeoverseer,andthingswentoninconsequencemoresmoothly。Vincent,however,adheredtohiswish,anditwasarrangedthatassoonashecouldgetanominationheshouldgotoWestPoint,whichistotheAmericanarmywhatSandhurstandWoolwicharetoEngland。

Beforethatcouldhedone,however,agreatpoliticalagitationsprangup。TheslavesStatesweregreatlyexcitedovertheprospectofaRepublicanpresidentbeingchosen,fortheRepublicansweretoagreatextentidentifiedwiththeabolitionmovement;andpublicfeeling,whichhadforsometimerunhigh,becameintensifiedasthetimeapproachedfortheelectionofanewpresident,andthreatsthatiftheDemocratswerebeatenandaRepublicanelectedtheslaveStateswouldsecedefromtheUnion,werefreelyindulgedin。

InVirginia,whichwasoneofthemostnorthernoftheslaveStates,opinionwassomewhatdivided,therebeingastrongminorityagainstanyextrememeasuresbeingtaken。AmongVincent\'sfriends,however,whowereforthemostpartthesonsofplanters,theDemocraticfeelingwasverystronglyintheascendant,andtheirsympathieswerewhollywiththeSouthernStates。Thatthesehadarighttosecedewasassumedbythemasbeingunquestionable。

Butinpointoffacttherewasagreatdealtobesaidonbothsides。

TheStateswhichfirstenteredtheUnionin1776consideredthemselvestobeseparateandsovereignStates,eachpossessingpowerandauthoritytomanageitsownaffairs,andformingonlyafederationinordertoconstructacentralpower,andsotooperatewithmoreeffectagainstthemothercountry。TwoyearslatertheconstitutionoftheUnitedStateswasframed,eachStategivingupacertainportionofitsauthority,reservingitsownself-governmentandwhateverrightswerenotspecificallyresigned。

NomentionwasmadeintheconstitutionoftherightofaStatetosecedefromtheUnion,andwhilethosewhoinsistedthateachStatehadarighttosecedeifitchosetodosodeclaredthatthisrightwasreserved,theiropponentsaffirmedthatsuchacasecouldneverhavebeencontemplated。Thusthequestionofabsoluterighthadneverbeensettled,anditbecamepurelyoneofforce。

EarlyinNovember,1860,itbecameknownthattheelectionofMr。Lincoln,theRepublicancandidate,wasassured,andontheninthofthatmonththerepresentativesofSouthCarolinametatCharleston,andunanimouslyauthorizedtheholdingofaStateconventiontomeetinthethirdweekinDecember。Theannouncementcausedgreatexcitement,foritwasconsideredcertainthattheconventionwouldpassavoteofsecession,andthusbringthedebatedquestiontoanissue。AlthoughopinioninVirginiawaslessunanimousthaninthemoresouthernStates,itwasgenerallythoughtthatshewouldimitatetheexampleofSouthCarolina。

Onthedayfollowingthereceiptofthenews,Vincent,whohadriddenovertotheplantationsofseveralofhisfriendstotalkthematterover,wasreturninghomeward,whenheheardthesoundofheavyblowswithawhipandloudcurses,andamomentlaterashrillscreaminawoman\'svoiceroseintheair。

Vincentcheckedhishorsemechanicallywithanexclamationofauger。Heknewbuttoowellwhatwasgoingonbeyondthescreenofshrubsthatgrewontheothersideofthefenceborderingtheroad。Foramomenthehesitated,andthenmuttering,\"What\'stheuse!\"wasabouttotouchthehorsewiththewhipandgallopon,whentheshriekagainroselouderandmoreagonizingthanbefore。

WithacryofrageVincentleapedfromhishorse,threwthereinsoverthetopofthefence,climbedoveritinamoment,andbursthiswaythroughtheshrubbery。

Closebyanegrowasbeingheldbyfourothers,twohavingholdofeachwristandholdinghisarmsextendedtofulllength,whileawhitelad,sometwoyearsVincent\'ssenior,wasshoweringblowswithaheavywhipuponhim。Theslave\'sbackwasalreadycoveredwithweals,andthebloodwasflowingfromseveralplaces。Afewyardsdistantablackgirl,withababyinherarms,waskneelingonthegroundscreamingformercyfortheslave。

JustasVincentburstthroughthebushes,theyoungfellow,irritatedathercries,turnedroundanddeliveredatremendousblowwiththewhiponherbareshoulders。

Thistimenocrycamefromherlips,buttheslave,whohadstoodimmovablewhilethepunishmentwasbeinginflicteduponhimself,madeadesperateefforttobreakfromthemenwhoheldhim。Hewasunsuccessful,butbeforethewhipcouldagainfallonthewoman\'sshoulders,Vincentsprangforward,andseizingit,wresteditfromthehandsofthestriker。Withanoathoffuryandsurpriseatthissuddeninterruption,theyoungfellowturneduponVincent。

\"Youareacowardandablackguard,AndrewJackson!\"Vincentexclaimed,whitewithauger。\"YouareadisgracetoVirginia,youruffian!\"

Withoutawordtheyoungplanter,madwithrageatthisinterference,rushedatVincent;buttheatterhadlearnedtheuseofhisfistsathisEnglishschool,andridingexerciseshadstrengthenedhismuscles,andashisopponentrushedathim,hemethimwithablowfromtheshoulderwhichsenthimstaggeringbackwiththebloodstreamingfromhislips。Heagainrushedforward,andheavyblowswereexchanged;thentheyclosedandgrappled。Foraminutetheyswayedtoandfrombutalthoughmuchtaller,theyoungplanterwasnostrongerthanVincent,andatlasttheycametothegroundwithacrash,Vincentuppermost,Jackson\'sheadashefellcomingwithsuchforceagainstalowstumpthathelayinsensible。

Thecontesthadbeensosuddenandfuriousthatnonehadattemptedtointerfere。IndeedthenegroesweresoastonishedthattheyhadnotmovedfromthemomentwhenVincentmadehisappearanceuponthescene。Theladrosetohisfeet。

\"Youhadbettercarryhimuptothehouseandthrowsomewateronhim,\"hesaidtothenegroes,andthenturnedtogoaway。Ashedidso,theslavewhohadbeenfloggedbrokefromtheothers,whohadindeedloosenedtheirhold,andranuptoVincent,threwhimselfonhisknees,andtakingthelad\'shandpressedittohislips。

\"IamafraidIhaven\'tdoneyoumuchgood,\"Vincentsaid。\"Youwillbenonethebetteroffformyinterference;butIcouldn\'thelpit。\"Sosayinghemadehiswaythroughtheshrubbery,clearedthefence,mounted,androutehomeward。

\"Ihavebeenafool,\"hesaidtohimselfasherodealong。\"Itwillbealltheworseforthatpoorbeggarafterward;stillIcouldnothelpit。Iwonderwilltherebeanyrowaboutit。Idon\'tmuchexpecttherewill,theJacksonsdon\'tstandwellnow,andthiswouldnotdothemanygoodwiththepeopleround;besidesIdon\'tthinkJacksonwouldliketogointocourttocomplainofbeingthrashedbyafellowaheadshorterthanhimself。It\'sblackguardslikehimwhogivetheAbolitionistsarighttoholduptheslave-ownersasbeingtyrantsandbrutes。\"

TheJacksonswerenewcomersinVirginia。Sixyearsbefore,theestate,ofwhichtheCedars,astheirplacewascalled,formedapart,wasputupforsale。Itwasaverylargeone,andhavingbeendividedintoseveralportionstosuitbuyers,theCedarshadbeenpurchasedbyJackson,who,havingbeenverysuccessfulasastorekeeperatCharleston,haddecidedupongivingupthebusinessandleavingSouthCarolina,andsettlingdownasaland-ownerinsomeotherState。Hisantecedents,however,weresoonknownatRichmond,andtheoldVirginianfamiliesturnedacoldshouldertothenewcomer。

Hadhebeenamanofpleasantmanners,hewouldgraduallyhavemadehisway;buthewasevidentlynotagentleman。Thehabitsoftradestucktohim,andinaveryshorttimetherewererumorsthattheslaves,whomhehadboughtwiththeproperty,foundhimaharshandcruelmaster。ThisinitselfwouldhavebeensufficienttobringhimdisreputeinVirginia,whereasaruletheslavesweretreatedwithgreatkindness,andindeedconsideredtheirpositiontobeinfinitelysuperiortothatofthepoorerclassofwhites。AndrewJacksonhadbeenforafewmonthsatschoolwithVincent;liewasunpopularthere,andfromtherumorscurrentastothetreatmentoftheslavesontheestate,wasknownbythenicknameofthe\"slave-driver。\"

HadVincentbeenthesonofawhitetrader,orasmallcultivator,heknewwellenoughthathispositionwouldheaveryseriousone,andthathewouldhavebadtoridetotheborderoftheStatewithallspeed。

HewouldhavebeendenouncedatonceasanAbolitionist,andwouldhavebeenaccusedofstirringuptheslavestorebellionagainsttheirmasters;acrimeofthemostseriouskindintheSouthernStates。Butplacedashewas,astheheirofagreatestateworkedbyslaves,suchacrycouldhardlyberaisedagainsthim。Hemightdoubtlessbefilledandadmonishedforinterferingbetweenamasterandhisslave;butthesympathyofthebetterclassesinVirginiawouldbeentirelywithhim。Vincent,therefore,wasbutlittleconcernedforhimself;buthedoubtedgreatlywhetherhisinterferencehadnotdonemuchmoreharmthangoodtotheslaveandhiswife,foruponthemAndrewJacksonwouldventhisfury。Herodedirecttothestablesinsteadofalightingasusualatthedoor。Dan,whohadbeensittingintheverandawaitingforhim,randowntothestablesashesawhimcoming。

\"Givethehorsetooneoftheothers,Dan;Iwanttospeaktoyou。

Dan,\"hewentonwhenhehadwalkedwithhimashortdistancefromthestables,\"IsupposeyenknowsomeofthebandsonJackson\'splantation。\"

Dangrinned,foralthoughtherewasnotsupposedtobeanycommunicationbetweentheslavesonthedifferentestates,itwasnotoriousthatatnighttheywereinthehabitofslippingoutoftheirhutsandvisitingeachother。

\"Iknowsomeohdem,MassaVincent。Whatyouwantobdem?

Berrybadmaster,MassaJackson。Wustmasterhereabouts。\"

Vincentrelatedwhathadhappened,toDan\'sintensedelight。

\"Now,Dan,\"hewenton,\"Iamafraidthataftermyinterferencetheywilltreatthatpoorfellowandhiswifeworsethanbefore。I

wantyentofindoutformewhatisgoingonatJackson\'s。IdonotknowthatIcandoanything,howeverbadlytheytreatthem;butI

havebeenthinkingthatiftheyill-treatthemverygrossly,IwillgettogetherapartyoffifteenortwentyofmyfriendsandwewillgoinabodytoJackson\'s,andwarnhimthatifhebehaveswithcrueltytohisslaves,wewillmakeitsohotforhimthathewillhavetoleavethestate。Idon\'tsaythatwecoulddoanything;butasweshouldrepresentmostofthelargeestatesroundhere,Idon\'tthinkoldJacksonandhissonwouldlikebeingsenttoCoventry。

Thefeelingisverystrongatpresentagainstill-treatmentoftheslaves。Ifthesetroublesleadtowaralmostallofuswillgointothearmy,andwedonotlikethethoughtofthepossibilityoftroublesamongthehandswhenthewhitesareallaway。\"

\"Iwillfindoutallaboutitforyouto-night,sah。Idon\'tsuspectdatdeywilldonuffinto-day。AndrewJacksontoosickafterdatknockagainstdetump。Hekeepquietadayortwo。\"

\"Well,Dan,yougooverto-nightandfindoutallaboutit。IexpectIhadbetterhaveleftthingsalone,butnowIhaveinterferedIshallgoonwithit。\"

Mrs。WingfieldwasmuchdispleasedwhenVincenttoldheratdinnerofhisincidentatJackson\'splantationandevenhissisterswereshockedatthisinterferencebetweenamasterandhisslave。

\"Youwillgetyourselfintoserioustroublewiththesefancifulnotionsofyours,\"Mrs。Wingfieldsaidangrily。\"YouknowaswellasIdohoweasyitistogetupacryagainstanyoneasanAbolitionistandhowdifficulttodisprovetheaccusation;andjustatpresent,whenthepassionsofeverymanintheSouthareinflamedtotheutmost,suchanaccusationwillbemostserious。

Inthepresentinstancetheredoesnotseemthatthereisashadowofexcuseforyourconduct。Yousimplyheardcriesofaslavebeingflogged。Youdeliberatelyleavetheroadandenterthesepeople\'splantationandinterferewithout,sofarasIcansee,theleastreasonfordoingso。Youdidnotinquirewhattheman\'soffensewas;andhemayforaughtyouknowhavehalfmurderedhismaster。Yousimplyseeaslavebeingfloggedandyouassaulthisowner。iftheJacksonalaycomplaintsagainstyouitisquiteprobablethatyoumayhavetoleavethestate。Whatonearthcanhaveinfluencedyoutoactinsuchamad-brainedway?\"

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