clotelle(有色女英雄)-第4章
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showed that she also was burning something more combustible than wood。
The firemen of both boats； who were slaves； were singing songs such
as can only be heard on board a Southern steamer。 The boats now came
abreast of each other； and nearer and nearer； until they were locked so that
men could pass from one to the other。 The wildest excitement prevailed
among the men employed on the steamers； in which the passengers freely
participated。
The Patriot now stopped to take in passengers； but still no steam was
permitted to escape。 On the starting of the boat again； cold water was
forced into the boilers by the feed…pumps； and； as might have been
expected； one of the boilers exploded with terrific force； carrying away the
boiler…deck and tearing to pieces much of the machinery。 One dense fog of
steam filled every part of the vessel； while shrieks； groans； and cries were
heard on every side。 Men were running hither and thither looking for their
wives； and women were flying about in the wildest confusion seeking for
their husbands。 Dismay appeared on every countenance。
The saloons and cabins soon looked more like hospitals than anything
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else； but by this time the Patriot had drifted to the shore； and the other
steamer had come alongside to render assistance to the disabled boat。 The
killed and wounded （nineteen in number） were put on shore； and the
Patriot； taken in tow by the Washington； was once more on her journey。
It was half…past twelve； and the passengers； instead of retiring to their
berths； once more assembled at the gambling…tables。 The practice of
gambling on the western waters has long been a source of annoyance to
the more moral persons who travel on our great rivers。 Thousands of
dollars often change owners during a passage from St。 Louis or Louisville
to New Orleans； on a Mississippi steamer。 Many men are completely
ruined on such occasions； and duels are often the consequence。
〃Go call my boy； steward；〃 said Mr。 Jones； as he took his cards one by
one from the table。
In a few minutes a fine…looking； bright…eyed mulatto boy； apparently
about sixteen years of age； was standing by his master's side at the table。
〃I am broke； all but my boy；〃 said Jones； as he ran his fingers through
his cards； 〃but he is worth a thousand dollars； and I will bet the half of
him。〃
〃I will call you；〃 said Thompson； as he laid five hundred dollars at the
feet of the boy； who was standing on the table； and at the same time
throwing down his cards before his adversary。
〃You have beaten me；〃 said Jones； and a roar of laughter followed
from the other gentleman as poor Joe stepped down from the table。
〃Well； I suppose I owe you half the nigger；〃 said Thompson； as he took
hold of Joe and began examining his limbs。
〃Yes；〃 replied Jones； 〃he is half yours。 Let me have five hundred
dollars； and I will give you a bill of sale of the boy。〃
〃Go back to your bed；〃 said Thompson to his chattel； 〃and remember
that you now belong to me。〃
The poor slave wiped the tears from his eyes； as； in obedience； he
turned to leave the table。
〃My father gave me that boy；〃 said Jones； as he took the money； 〃and I
hope； Mr。 Thompson； that you will allow me to redeem him。〃
〃Most certainly； sir；〃 replied Thompson。 〃Whenever you hand over
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the cool thousand the negro is yours。〃
Next morning； as the passengers were assembling in the cabin and on
deck； and while the slaves were running about waiting on or looking for
their masters； poor Joe was seen entering his new master's stateroom；
boots in hand。
〃Who do you belong to？〃 inquired a gentleman of an old negro； who
passed along leading a fine Newfoundland dog which he had been feeding。
〃When I went to sleep las' night；〃 replied the slave； 〃I 'longed to Massa
Carr； but he bin gamblin' all night； an' I don't know who I 'longs to dis
mornin'。〃
Such is the uncertainty of a slave's life。 He goes to bed at night the
pampered servant of his young master； with whom he has played in
childhood； and who would not see his slave abused under any
consideration； and gets up in the morning the property of a man whom he
has never before seen。
To behold five or six tables in the saloon of a steamer； with half a
dozen men playing cards at each； with money； pistols； and bowie…knives
spread in splendid confusion before them； is an ordinary thing on the
Mississippi River。
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CHAPTER V
THE YOUNG MOTHER
ON the fourth morning； the Patriot landed at Grand Gulf； a beautiful
town on the left bank of the Mississippi。 Among the numerous passengers
who came on board at Rodney was another slave…trader； with nine human
chattels which he was conveying to the Southern market。 The passengers；
both ladies and gentlemen； were startled at seeing among the new lot of
slaves a woman so white as not to be distinguishable from the other white
women on board。 She had in her arms a child so white that no one would
suppose a drop of African blood flowed through its blue veins。
No one could behold that mother with her helpless babe； without
feeling that God would punish the oppressor。 There she sat； with an
expressive and intellectual forehead； and a countenance full of dignity and
heroism； her dark golden locks rolled back from her almost snow…white
forehead and floating over her swelling bosom。 The tears that stood in
her mild blue eyes showed that she was brooding over sorrows and wrongs
that filled her bleeding heart。
The hearts of the passers…by grew softer； while gazing upon that young
mother as she pressed sweet kisses on the sad； smiling lips of the infant
that lay in her lap。 The small； dimpled hands of the innocent creature were
slyly hid in the warm bosom on which the little one nestled。 The blood of
some proud Southerner； no doubt； flowed through the veins of that child。
When the boat arrived at Natches； a rather good…looking； genteel…
appearing man came on board to purchase a servant。 This individual
introduced himself to Jennings as the Rev。 James Wilson。 The slave…trader
conducted the preacher to the deck…cabin； where he kept his slaves； and
the man of God； after having some questions answered； selected Agnes as
the one best suited to his service。
It seemed as if poor Marion's heart would break when she found that
she was to be separated from her mother。 The preacher； however； appeared
to be but little moved by their sorrow； and took his newly…purchased
victim on shore。 Agnes begged him to buy her daughter； but he refused； on
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the ground that he had no use for her。
During the remainder of the passage； Marion wept bitterly。
After a run of a few hours； the boat s
