clotelle(有色女英雄)-第3章
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Tall; lean and lank; with high cheek…bones; face much pitted with the
small…pox; gray eyes with red eyebrows; and sandy whiskers; he indeed
stood alone without mate or fellow in looks。 Jennings prided himself
upon what he called his goodness of heat; and was always speaking of his
humanity。 As many of the slaves whom he intended taking to the New
Orleans market had been raised in Richmond; and had relations there; he
determined to leave the city early in the morning; so as not to witness any
of the scenes so common on the departure of a slave…gang to the far South。
In this; he was most successful; for not even Isabella; who had called at
the prison several times to see her mother and sister; was aware of the time
that they were to leave。
The slave…trader started at early dawn; and was beyond the confines of
the city long before the citizens were out of their beds。 As a slave regards a
life on the sugar; cotton; or rice plantation as even worse than death; they
are ever on the watch for an opportunity to escape。 The trader; aware of
this; secures his victims in chains before he sets out on his journey。 On
this occasion; Jennings had the men chained in pairs; while the women
were allowed to go unfastened; but were closely watched。
After a march of eight days; the company arrived on the banks of the
Ohio River; where they took a steamer for the place of their destination。
Jennings had already advertised in the New Orleans papers; that he would
be there with a prime lot of able…bodied slaves; men and women; fit for
field…service; with a few extra ones calculated for house…servants;all
between the ages of fifteen and twenty…five years; but like most men who
make a business of speculating in human beings; he often bought many
who were far advanced in years; and would try to pass them off for five or
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six years younger than they were。 Few persons can arrive at anything
approaching the real age of the negro; by mere observation; unless they are
well acquainted with the race。 Therefore; the slave…trader frequently
carried out the deception with perfect impunity。
After the steamer had left the wharf and was fairly out on the bosom of
the broad Mississippi; the speculator called his servant Pompey to him;
and instructed him as to getting the negroes ready for market。 Among the
forty slaves that the trader had on this occasion; were some whose
appearance indicated that they had seen some years and had gone through
considerable service。 Their gray hair and whiskers at once pronounced
them to be above the ages set down in the trader's advertisement。 Pompey
had long been with Jennings; and understood his business well; and if he
did not take delight in the discharge of his duty; he did it at least with a
degree of alacrity; so that he might receive the approbation of his master。
Pomp; as he was usually called by the trader; was of real negro blood;
and would often say; when alluding to himself; 〃Dis nigger am no
counterfeit; he is de ginuine artikle。 Dis chile is none of your haf…and…haf;
dere is no bogus about him。〃
Pompey was of low stature; round face; and; like most of his race; had
a set of teeth; which; for whiteness and beauty; could not be surpassed; his
eyes were large; lips thick; and hair short and woolly。 Pompey had been
with Jennings so long; and had seen so much of buying and selling of his
fellow…creatures; that he appeared perfectly indifferent to the heart…rending
scenes which daily occurred in his presence。 Such is the force of habit:
〃Vice is a monster of such frightful mien; That to be
hated; needs but to be seen; But seen too oft; familiar with its face;
We first endure; then pity; then embrace。〃
It was on the second day of the steamer's voyage; that Pompey selected
five of the oldest slaves; took them into a room by themselves; and
commenced preparing them for the market。
〃Now;〃 said he; addressing himself to the company; 〃I is de chap dat is
to get you ready for de Orleans market; so dat you will bring marser a
good price。 How old is you?〃 addressing himself to a man not less than
forty。
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〃If I live to see next sweet…potato…digging time; I shall be either forty
or forty…five; I don't know which。〃
〃Dat may be;〃 replied Pompey; 〃but now you is only thirty years old;
dat's what marser says you is to be。〃
〃I know I is more den dat;〃 responded the man。
〃I can't help nuffin' about dat;〃 returned Pompey; 〃but when you get
into de market and any one ax you how old you is; and you tell um you is
forty or forty…five; marser will tie you up and cut you all to pieces。 But if
you tell um dat you is only thirty; den he won't。 Now remember dat you is
thirty years old and no more。〃
〃Well den; I guess I will only be thirty when dey ax me。〃
〃What's your name?〃 said Pompey; addressing himself to another。
〃Jeems。〃
〃Oh! Uncle Jim; is it?〃 〃Yes。〃
〃Den you must have all them gray whiskers shaved off; and all dem
gray hairs plucked out of your head。〃 This was all said by Pompey in a
manner which showed that he knew what he was about。
〃How old is you?〃 asked Pompey of a tall; strong…looking man。
〃What's your name?〃
〃I am twenty…nine years old; and my name is Tobias; but they calls me
Toby。〃
〃Well; Toby; or Mr。 Tobias; if dat will suit you better; you are now
twenty…three years old; dat's all;do you understand dat?〃
〃Yes;〃 replied Toby。
Pompey now gave them all to understand how old they were to be
when asked by persons who were likely to purchase; and then went and
reported to his master that the old boys were all right。
〃Be sure;〃 said Jennings; 〃that the niggers don't forget what you have
taught them; for our luck this time in the market depends upon their
appearance。 If any of them have so many gray hairs that you cannot pluck
them out; take the blacking and brush; and go at them。〃
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CHAPTER IV
THE BOAT…RACE
AT eight o'clock; on the evening of the third day of the passage; the
lights of another steamer were seen in the distance; and apparently coming
up very fast。 This was the signal for a general commotion on board the
Patriot; and everything indicated that a steamboat…race was at hand。
Nothing can exceed the excitement attendant upon the racing of steamers
on the Mississippi。
By the time the boats had reached Memphis they were side by side;
and each exerting itself to get in advance of the other。 The night was clear;
the moon shining brightly; and the boats so near to each other that the
passengers were within speaking distance。 On board the Patriot the
firemen were using oil; lard; butter; and even bacon; with wood; for the
purpose of raising the steam to its highest pitch。 The blaze mingled with
the black smoke that issued from the pipes of the other boat; which
showed that she also was burning someth