CHAPTER II.

by Solomon Northup

　　CHAPTER II.THE TWO STRANGERS THE CIRCUS COMPANY DEPARTURE FROM SARA-TOGA VENTRILOQUISM AND LEGERDEMAIN JOURNEY TO NEW-YORKFREE PAPERS BROWN AND HAMILTON THE HASTE TO REACH THECIRCUS ARRIVAL IN WASHINGTON FUNERAL OF HARRISON TOE SUD-DEN SICKNESS THE TORMENT OF THIRST THE RECEDING LIGHT IN-SENSIBILITY CHAINS AND DARKNESS.One morning, towards the latter part of the monthof March, 18-11, having at that time no particularbusiness to engage my attention, I was walking aboutthe village of Saratoga Springs, thinking to myselfwhere I might obtain some present employment, un-til the busy season should arrive. Anne, as was herusual custom, had gone over to Sandy Hill, a dis-tance of some twenty miles, to take charge of the cu-linary department at Sherrill's Coffee House, duringthe session of the court. Elizabeth, I think, had ac-companied her. Margaret and Alonzo were withtheir aunt at Saratoga.On the corner of Congress street and Broadway,near the tavern, then, and for aught I know to thecontrary, still kept by Mr. Moon, I was met by twogentlemen of respectable appearance, both of whomwere entirely unknown to me. I have the impres-

　　THE TWO STRANGERS. 29

　　sion that they were introduced to me by some one ofmy acquaintances, but who, I hare in vain endeavor-ed to recall, .with the remark that I was an expertplayer on the violin, 'At any rate, they immediately entered into conver-sation on that subject, making numerous inquiriestouching my proficiency in that respect. My respon-ses being to alL appearances satisfactory, they propos-ed to engage my services for a short period, stating,at the same time, I was just such a person as theirbusiness required. Their names, as they afterwardsgave them to me, were Merrill Brown and AbramHamilton, though whether these were their true ap-pellations, I have strong reasons to doubt. -The for-mer was a man apparently forty years of age, some-what short and thick-set, with a countenance indica-ting shrewdness and intelligence. Tie wore' a blackfrock coat and black hat, and said he resided either atRochester or at Syracuse. The latter was a youngman of fair complexion and light eyes, and, I shouldjudge, had not passed the age of twenty -five. Hewas tall and slender, dressed in a snuff-colored coat,with glossy hat, and vest of elegant pattern. Hiswhole apparel was in the extreme of fashion. Hisappearance was somewhat effeminate, but prepossess-ing, and there was about him an easy air, that showedhe had mingled with the world. They were connect-ed, as they informed me, with a circus company, thenin the city of Washington ; that they were on their

　　30 TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE. way thither to rejoin it, having left it for a short timeto make an excursion northward, for the purpose ofseeing the country, and were paying their expensesby an occasional exhibition. They also remarkedthat they had found much difficulty in procuring mu-sic for their entertainments, and that if I would ac-company them as far as New- York, they would giveme one dollar for each day's services, and three dol-lars in addition for every night I played at their per-formances, besides sufficient to pay the expenses ofmy return from ISTew-York to Saratoga.I at once accepted the tempting offer, both for thereward it promised, and from a desire to visit themetropolis. They were anxious to leave immediately.Thinking my absence would be brief, I did not deemit necessary to write to Anne whither I had gone ;in fact supposing that my return, perhaps, would beas soon as hers. So taking a change of linen and myviolin, I was ready to depart. The carriage wasbrought round — a covered one, drawn by a pair ofnoble bays, altogether forming an elegant establish-ment. Their baggage, consisting of three largetrunks, was fastened on the rack, and mounting tothe driver's seat, while they took their places in therear, I drove away from Saratoga on the road toAlbany, elated with my new position, and happy asI had ever been, on any day in alt my life.We passed through Ballston, and striking the ridgeroad, as it is called, if my memory correctly serves

　　VENTRILOQUISM AND LEGERDEMAIN. 31 me, followed it direct to Albany. "We reached thatcity before dark, and stopped at a hotel southwardfrom the Museum.This night I had an opportunity of witnessing oneof their performances — the only one, during the wholeperiod I was with them. Hamilton was stationed atthe door ; I formed the orchestra, while Brown pro-vided the entertainment. It consisted in throwingballs, dancing on the rope, frying pancakes in a hat,causing invisible pigs to squeal, and other like featsof ventriloquism and legerdemain. The audiencewas extraordinarily sparse, and not of the selectestcharacter at that, and Hamilton's report of the pro-ceeds presented but a " beggarly account of emptyboxes."Early next morning we renewed our journey. Theburden of their conversation now was the expressionof an anxiety to reach the circus without delay.They hurried forward, without again stopping to ex-hibit, and in due course of time, we reached Xew-York, taking lodgings at a house on the west side ofthe city, in a street running from Broadway to theriver. I supposed my journey was at an end, andexpected in a day or two at least, to return to myfriends and family at Saratoga. Brown and Hamil-ton, however, began to importune me to continue withthem to Washington. They alleged that immediatelyon their arrival, now that the summer season was ap-proaching, the circus would set out for the north.They promised me a situation and high wages if I

　　32 TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE. would accompany them. Largely did they expatiateon the advantages that would result to me, and suchwere the flattering representations they made, that Ifinally concluded to accept the offer.The next morning they suggested that, inasmuchas we were about entering a slave State, it would bewell, before leaving New- York, to procure free pa-pers. The idea struck me as a prudent one, though Ithink it would scarcely have occurred to me, had theynot proposed it. We proceeded at once to what I un-derstood to be the Custom House. They made oath tocertain facts showing I was a free man. A paper wasdrawn up and handed us, with the direction to take itto the clerk's office. We did so, and the clerk havingadded something to it, for which he was paid six shil-lings, we returned again to the Custom House. Somefurther formalities were gone through with before itwas completed, when, paying the officer two dollars,I placed the papers in my pocket, and started withmy two friends to our hotel. I thought at the time,I must confess, that the papers were scarcely worth thecost of obtaining them — the apprehension of dangerto my personal safety never having suggested itselfto me in the remotest manner. . The clerk, to whomwe were directed, I remember, made a memorandumin a large book, which, I presume, is in the officeyet. A reference to the entries during the latter partof March, or first of April, 1841, I have no doubtwill satisfy the incredulous, at least so far as this par-ticular transaction is concerned.

　　ARRIVAL AT WASHINGTON. 33 "With the evidence of freedom in my possession, thenext day after onr arrival in New- York, we crossedthe ferry to Jersey City, and took the road to Phila-delphia. Here we remained one night, continuingour journey towards Baltimore early in the morning.In due time, we arrived in the latter city, and stoppedat a hotel near the railroad depot, either kept by aMr. Rathbone, or known as the Rathbone House.All the way from New- York, their anxiety to reachthe circus seemed to grow more and more intense."We left the carriage at Baltimore, and entering thecars, proceeded to "Washington, at which place wearrived just at nightfall, the evening previous to thefuneral of General Harrison, and stopped at Gadsby'sHotel, on Pennsylvania Avenue.After supper they called me to their apartments,and paid me forty-three dollars, a sum greater thanmy wages amounted to, which act of generosity wasin consequence, they said, of their not having exhib-ited as often as they had given me to anticipate, du-ring our trip from Saratoga. They moreover inform-ed me that it had been the intention of the circuscompany to leave Washington the next morning, butthat on account of the funeral, they had concluded toremain another day. They were then, as they had beenfrom the time of our first meeting, extremely kind.No opportunity was omitted of addressing me in thelanguage of approbation ; while, on the other hand,I was certainly much prepossessed in their favor. I

　　34 TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE. gave them my confidence without reserve, and wouldfreely have trusted them to almost any extent, Theirconstant conversation and manner towards me — theirforesight in suggesting the idea of free papers, and ahundred other little acts, unnecessary to be repeated — ■all indicated that they were friends indeed, sincerelysolicitous for my welfare. I know not but they were.I know not but they were innocent of the great wick-edness of which I now believe them guilty. Whetherthey were accessory to my misfortunes — subtle andinhuman monsters in the shape of men — designedlyluring me away from home and family, and liberty,for the sake of gold — those who read these pageswill have the same means of determining as myself.If they were innocent, my sudden disappearancemust have been unaccountable indeed ; but revolv-ing in my mind all the attending circumstances, Inever yet could indulge, towards them, so charitablea supposition.After receiving the money from them, of whichthey appeared to have an abundance, they advisedme not to go into the streets that night, inasmuchas I was unacquainted with the customs of the city.Promising to remember their advice, I left them to-gether, and soon after was shown by a colored ser-vant to a sleeping room in the back part of the hotel,on the ground floor. I laid down to rest, thinking ofhome and wife, and children, and the long distancethat stretched between us, until I fell asleep. But

　　FUNERAL OF HARBISON. 35 no good angel of pity came to my bedside, biddingme to fly — no voice of mercy forewarned me in mydreams of the trials that were just at hand.The next day there was a great pageant in Wash-ington. The roar of cannon and the tolling of bellsfilled the air, while many houses were shrouded withcrape, and the streets were black with people. Asthe day advanced, the procession made its appear-ance, coming slowly through the Avenue, carriageafter carriage, in long succession, while thousandsupon thousands followed on foot — all moving to thesound of melancholy music. They were bearing thedead body of Harrison to the grave.From early in the morning, I was constantly in thecompany of Hamilton and Bi'own. They were theonly persons I knew in Washington. We stood to-gether as the funeral pomp passed by. I rememberdistinctly how the window glass would break andrattle to the ground, after each report of the cannonthey were firing in the burial ground. We went to theCapitol, and walked a long time about the grounds.In the afternoon, they strolled towards the Presi-dent's House, all the time keeping me near to them,and pointing out various places of interest. As yet,I had seen nothing of the circus. In fact, I hadthought of it but little, if at all, amidst the excite-ment of the day.My friends, several times during the afternoon, en-tered drinking saloons, and called for liquor. Theywere by no means in the habit, however, so far as I

　　36 TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE. knew them, of indulging to excess. On these occa-sions, after serving themselves, they would pour outa glass and hand it to me. I did not become intoxi-cated, as may be inferred from what subsequentlyoccurred. Towards evening, and soon after parta-king of one of these potations, I began to experiencemost unpleasant sensations. I felt extremely ill. Myhead commenced aching — a dull, heavy pain, inex-pressibly disagreeable. At the supper table, I waswithout appetite ; the sight and flavor of food wasnauseous. About dark the same servant conductedme to the room I had occupied the previous night.Brown and Hamilton advised me to retire, commise-rating me kindly, and expressing hopes that I would bebetter in the morning. Divesting myself of coat andboots merely, I threw myself upon the bed. It wasimpossible to sleep. The pain in my head continuedto increase, until it became almost unbearable. In ashort time I became thirsty. My lips were parched.I could think of nothing but water — of lakes andflowing rivers, of brooks where I had stooped todrink, and of the dripping bucket, rising with its cooland overflowing nectar, from the bottom of the well.Towards midnight, as near as I could judge, I arose,unable longer to bear such intensity of thirst. Iwas a stranger in the house, and knew nothing of itsapartments. There was no one up, as I could observe.Groping about at random, I knew not where, I foundthe way at last to a kitchen in the basement. Twoor three colored servants were mo vino; through it, one

　　THE TORMENT OF THIRST. 37 of whom, a woman, gave me two glasses of water.It afforded momentary relief, but by the time I hadreached my room again, the same burning desire ofdrink, the same tormenting thirst, had again returned.It was even more torturing than before, as was alsothe wild pain in my head, if such a thing could be.I was in sore distress — in most excruciating agony !I seemed to stand on the brink of madness ! Thememory of that night of horrible suffering will fol-low me to the grave.In the course of an hour or more after my returnfrom the kitchen, I was conscious of some one enter-ing my room. There seemed to be several — a ming-ling of various voices, — but how many, or whothey were, I cannot tell. Whether Brown and Hamil-ton were among them, is a mere matter of conjecture.I only remember, with any degree of distinctness,that' I was told it was necessary to go to a physicianand procure medicine, and that pulling on my boots,without coat or hat, I followed them through a longpassage-way, or alley, into the open street. It ranout at right angles from Pennsylvania Avenue. Onthe opposite side there was alight burning in a win-dow. My impression is there were then three per-sons with me, but it is altogether indefinite andvague, and like the memory of a painful dream.Going towards the light, which I imagined proceed-ed from a physician's office, and which seemed to re-cede as I advanced, is the last glimmering recollec-tion I can now recall. From that moment I was

　　38 TWELVE TEARS A SLAVE. insensible. How long I remained in that condition —whether only that night, or many days and nights — ■I do not know ; but when consciousness returned, Ifound myself alone, in utter darkness, and in chains.The pain in my head had subsided in a measure,but I was -very faint and weak. I was sitting upon alow bench, made of rough boards, and without coator hat. I was hand-cuffed. Around my ankles alsowere a pair of heavy fetters. One end of a chain wasfastened to a large ring in the floor, the other to thefetters on my ankles. I tried in vain to stand uponmy feet. Waking from such a painful trance, itwas some time before I could collect my thoughts.Where was I? What was the meaning of thesechains ? Where were Brown and Hamilton ? Whathad I done to deserve imprisonment in such a dun-geon ? I could not comprehend. There was a blankof some indefinite period, preceding my awakeningin that lonely place, the events of which the utmoststretch of memory was unable to recall. I listenedintently for some sign or sound of life, but nothingbroke the oppressive silence, save the clinking of mychains, whenever I chanced to move. I spoke aloud,but the sound of my voice startled me. I felt of mypockets, so far as the fetters would allow — far enough,indeed, to ascertain that I had not only been robbedof liberty, but that my money and free papers werealso gone ! Then did the idea begin to break uponmy mind, at first dim and confused, that I had beenkidnapped. But that I thought was incredible.

　　CHAINS AND DARKNESS. 39 There must have been some misapprehension — someunfortunate mistake. It could not be that a freecitizen of Xew-York, who had wronged no man, norviolated any law, should be dealt with thus inhumanly.The more I contemplated my situation, however, themore I became confirmed in my suspicions. It was adesolate thought, indeed. I felt there was no trust ormercy in unfeeling man ; and commending myself tothe Grod of the oppressed, bowed my head upon myfettered hands, and wept most bitterly.