CHAPTER VIII.

by Solomon Northup

　　CHAPTER VIII.FORD'S EMBARRASSMENTS THE SALE TO TIBEATS TIIE CHATTEL MORT-GAGE MISTRESS FORD'S PLANTATION ON BAYOU BOIUF DESCRIPTIONOF THE LATTER FORD'S BROTHER-IN-LAW, PETER TANNER MEETINGWITH ELIZA SHE STILL MOURNS FOR HER CHILDREN FORD'S OVER-SEER, CHAPIN TIBEAT'S ABUSE THE KEG OF NAILS THE FIRSTFIGHT WITH TIBEATS HIS DISCOMFITURE AND CASTIGATION THE AT-TEMPT TO HANG ME — 'CHAPIn's INTERFERENCE AND SPEECH UNHAP-PY REFLECTIONS ABRUPT DEPARTURE OF TIBEATS, COOK AND RAMSAYLAWSON AND THE BROWN MULE MESSAGE TO THE PINE WOODS.William Fokd unfortunately became embarrassedin bis pecuniary affairs. A beavy judgment was ren-dered against bim in consequence of bis liaving be-come security for bis brotber, Franklin Ford, residingon Red River, above Alexandria, and wbo bad failedto meet his liabilities. He was also indebted to JohnM. Tibeats to a considerable amount in considerationof his services in building the mills on Indian Creek,and also a weaving-house, corn-mill and other erec-tions on the plantation at Bayou Boeuf, not yet com-pleted. It was therefore necessary, in order to meetthese demands, to dispose of eighteen slaves, myselfamong the number. Seventeen of them, includingSam and Harry, were purchased by Peter Comptoma planter also residing on Red River.

　　106 TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE.I was sold to Tibeats, in consequence, undoubtedly,of my slight skill as a carpenter. This was in thewinter of 1842. T he d efifi ff^ my self from Freemanto Ford, as I ascertained fro m the publ ic__re£o rds inH : Ieans on my return, was date d June 23d ,

　　1S1L iAt the time of my"saTe~Eoxibeats, the priceagreed to be given for me being more than the debt,Ford took a chattel mortgage of four hundred dollars.I am indebted for my life, as will hereafter be seen,to that mortgage.I bade farewell to my good friends at the opening,and departed with my new master Tibeats. "Wewent down to the plantation on Bayou Boeuf, distanttwenty-seven miles from the Pine Woods, to completethe unfinished contract. Bayou Boeuf is a sluggish,winding stream — one of those stagnant bodies ofwater common in that region, setting back from RedRiver. It stretches from a point not far from Alex-andria, in a south-easterly direction, and following itstortuous course, is more than fifty miles in length.Large cotton and sugar plantations line each shore,extending back to the borders of interminableswamps. It is alive with aligators, rendering it un-safe for swine, or unthinking slave children to strollalong its banks. Upon a bend in this bayou, a shortdistance from Cheney ville, was situated the plantationof Madam Ford — her brother, Peter Tanner, a greatlandholder, living on the opposite side.On my arrival at Bayou Bceuf, I had the pleasureof meeting Eliza, whom I had not seen for several

　　OVERSEER CHAPIN. 107months. She had not pleased Mrs. Ford, being moreoccupied in brooding over her sorrows than in attend-ing to her business, and had, in consequence, been sentdown to work in the field on the plantation. She hadgrown feeble and emaciated, and was still mourningfor her children. She asked me if I had forgottenthem, and a great many times inquired if I still re-membered how handsome little Emily was — howmuch Randall loved her — and wondered if they wereliving still, and where the darlings could then be.She had sunk beneath the weight of an excessive grief.Her drooping form and hollow cheeks too plainly indi-cated that she had well nigh reached the end of herweary road.Ford's overseer on this plantation, and who had theexclusive charge of it, was a Mr. Chapin, a kindly-dis-posed man, and a native of Pennsylvania. In com-mon with others, he held Tibeats in light estimation,which fact, in connection with the four hundred dol-lar mortgage, was fortunate for me.I was now compelled to labor very hard. Fromearliest dawn until late at night, I was not allowed tobe a moment idle. Notwithstanding which, Tibeatswas never satisfied. He was continually cursing andcomplaining. He never spoke to me a kind word. Iwas his faithful slave, and earned him large wagesevery day, and yet I went to my cabin nightly, loadedwith abuse and stinging epithets."We had completed the corn mill, the kitchen, and80 forth, and were at work upon the weaving-house,

　　108 TWELVE YEAKS A SLAVE.when I was guilty of an act, in that State punishabiewith death. It was my first fight with Tibeats. Theweaving-house we were erecting stood in the orcharda few rods from the residence of Chap in, or the " greathouse," as it was called. One night, having workeduntil it was too dark to see, I was ordered by Tibeatsto rise very early in the morning, procure a keg ofnails from Chapin, and commence putting on theclapboards. I retired to the cabin extremely tired,and having cooked a supper of bacon and corn cake,and conversed a while with Eliza, who occupied thesame cabin, as also did Lawson and his wife Mary,and a slave named Bristol, laid down upon the groundfloor, little dreaming of the sufferings that awaited meon the morrow. Before daylight I was on the piazzaof the " great house," awaiting the appearance of over-seer Chapin. To have aroused him from his slumbersand stated my errand, would have been an unpardon-able boldness. At length he came out. Taking offmy hat, I informed him Master Tibeats had directedme to call upon him for a keg of nails. Going intothe store-room, he rolled it out, at the same time say-ing, if Tibeats preferred a different size, he would en-deavor to furnish them, but that I might use thoseuntil further directed. Then mounting his horse,which stood saddled and bridled at the door, he rodeaway into the field, whither the slaves had precededhim, while I took the keg on my shoulder, and pro-ceeding to the weaving-house, broke in the head, andcommenced nailing on the clapboards.

　　FIKST FIGHT WITH TIBEATS. 109As the day began to open, Tibeats came out of thehouse to where I was, hard at work. He seemed tobe that morning even more morose and disagreeablethan usual. He was my master, entitled by law tomy flesh and blood, and to exercise over me such ty-rannical control as his mean nature prompted ; butthere was no law that could prevent my looking uponhim with intense contempt. I despised both his dis-position and his intellect. I had just come round tothe keg for a further supply of nails, as he reachedthe weaving-house." I thought I told you to commence putting onweather-boards this morning," he remarked." Yes, master, and I am about it," I replied." "Where ? " he demanded." On the other side," was my answer.He walked round to the other side, examined mywork for a while, muttering to himself in a fault-find-ing tone." Didn't I tell you last night to get a keg of nailsof Chapin ? " he broke forth again." Yes, master, and so I did ; and overseer said hewould get another size for you, if you wanted them,when he came back from the field."Tibeats walked to the keg, looked a moment at thecontents, then kicked it violently. Coming towardsme in a great passion, he exclaimed," G — d d — n you ! I thought you faiowed some-thing."I made answer :_ "I tried to do as you told me,

　　110 TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE.master. I didn't mean anything wrong. Overseersaid — " But he interrupted me with such a flood ofcurses that I was unable to finish the sentence. Atlength he ran towards the house, and going to thepiazza, took down one of the overseer's whips. Thewhip had a short wooden stock, braided over withleather, and was loaded at the butt. The lash wasthree feet long, or thereabouts, and made of raw-hidestrands.At first I was somewhat frightened, and my impulsewas to run. There was no one about except Rachel,the cook, and Chapin's wife, and neither of them wereto be seen. The rest were in the field. I knew heintended to whip me, and it was the first time anyone had attempted it since my arrival at Avoyelles.I felt, moreover, that I had been faithful — that I wasguilty of no wrong whatever, and deserved commenda-tion rather than punishment. My fear changed toanger, and before he reached me I had made up mymind fully not to be whipped, let th« result be life ordeath."Winding the lash around his hand, and taking holdof the small end of the stock, he walked up to me,and with a malignant look, ordered me to strip." Master Tibeats, said I, looking him boldly in theface, " I will not." I was about to say somethingfurther in justification, but with concentrated vengeance, he sprang upon me, seizing me by the throatwith one hand, raising the whip with the other, in theact of striking. Before the blow descended, however,

　　TIBEAT3 5 DISCOMFITUEE. IllI had caught him by the collar of the coat, and drawnhim closely to me. Reaching down, I seized him bythe ankle, and pushing him back with the other hand,he fell over on the ground. Putting one arm aroundhis leg, and holding it to my breast, so that his headand shoulders only touched the ground, I placed myfoot upon his neck. He was completely in my power.My blood was up. It seemed to course through myveins like fire. In the frenzy of my madness I snatchedthe whip from his hand. He struggled with all hispower ; swore that I should not live to see anotherday ; and that he would tear out my heart. But hisstruggles and his threats were alike in vain. I cannottell how many times I struck him. Blow after blowfell fast and heavy upon his wriggling form. Atlength he screamed — cried murder — and at last theblasphemous tyrant called on God for mercy. Buthe who had never shown mercy did not receive it.The stiff stock of the whip warped round his cringingbody until my right arm ached.Until this time I had been too busy to look aboutme. Desisting for a moment, I saw Mrs. Chapinlooking from the window, and Rachel standing in thekitchen door. Their attitudes expressed the utmostexcitement and alarm. His screams had been heardin the field. Chapin was coming as fast as he couldride. I struck him a blow or two more, then pushedhim from me with such a well-directed kick that hewent rolling over on the ground.Rising to his feet, and brushing the dirt from his

　　112 TWELVE TEAKS A SLAVE.hair, he stood looking at me, pale with rage. Wegazed at each other in silence. Not a word was ut-tered until Chapin galloped up to us."What is the matter?" he cried out." Master Tibeats wants to whip me for using thenails you gave me," I replied." What- is the matter with the nails ?" he inquired,turning to Tibeats.Tibeats answered to the effect that they were toolarge, paying little heed, however, to Chapin's ques-tion, but still keeping his snakish eyes fastened mali-ciously on me."I am overseer here," Chapin began. "I toldPiatt to take them and use them, and if they were notof the proper size I would get others on returning fromthe field. It is not his fault. Besides, I shall furnishsuch nails as I please. I hope you will understandthat, Mr. Tibeats."Tibeats made no reply, but, grinding his teeth andshaking his fist, swore he would have satisfaction,and that it was not half over yet. Thereupon he walk-ed away, followed by the overseer, and entered thehouse, the latter talking to him all the while in a sup-pressed tone, and with earnest gestures.I remained where I was, doubting whether it wasbetter to fly or abide the result, whatever it mightbe. Presently Tibeats came out of the house, and,saddling his horse, the only property he possessed be-sides myself, departed on the road to Chenyville.When he was gone, Chapin came out, visibly exci-

　　UNHAPPY REFLECTIONS. 113ted, telling me not to stir, not to attempt to leave theplantation on any account whatever. He then wentto the kitchen, and calling Hachel out, conversed withher some time. Coming back, he again charged mewith great earnestness not to run, saying my masterwas a rascal ; that he had left on no good errand, andthat there might be trouble before night. But at allevents, he insisted upon it, I must not stir.As I stood there, feelings of unutterable agonyoverwhelmed me. I was conscious that I had sub-jected myself to unimaginable punishment. The re-action that followed my extreme ebullition of angerproduced the most painful sensations of regret. Anunfriended, helpless slave — what could I do, whatcould I say, to justify, in the remotest manner, theheinous act I had committed, of resenting a whiteman's contumely and abuse. I tried to pray — I triedto beseech my Heavenly Father to sustain me in mysore extremity, but emotion choked my utterance, andI could only bow my head upon my hands and weep.For at least an hour I remained in this situation, find-ing relief only in tears, when, looking up, I beheldTibeats, accompanied by two horsemen, coming downthe bayou. They rode into the yard, jumped fromtheir horses, and approached me with large whips,one of them also carrying a coil of rope." Cross your hands," commanded Tibeats, with theaddition of such a shuddering expression of blasphe-my as is not decorous to repeat.8

　　114 TWELVE YEABS A SLAVE." You need not bind me, Master Tibeats, I amready to go with you anywhere," said I.One of his companions then stepped forward, swear-ing if I made the least resistance he would break myhead — he would tear me limb from limb — he wouldcut my black throat — and giving wide scope to othersimilar expressions. Perceiving any importunity al-together vain, I crossed my hands, submitting hum-bly to whatever disposition they might please to makeof me. Thereupon Tibeats tied my wrists, drawingthe rope around them with his utmost strength. Thenhe bound my ankles in the same manner. In themeantime the other two had slipped a cord within myelbows, running it across my back, and tying it firm-ly. It was utterly impossible to move hand or foot.With a remaining piece of rope Tibeats made an awk-ward noose, and placed it about my neck." ]N"ow, then," inquired one of Tibeats' companions," where shall we hang the nigger ?"One proposed such a limb, extending from the bodyof a peach tree, near the spot where we were stand-ing. His comrade objected to it, alleging it wouldbreak, and proposed another. Finally they fixed up-on the latter.During this conversation, and all the time theywere binding me, I uttered not a word. OverseerChapin, during the progress of the scene, was walk-ing hastily back and forth on the piazza. Rachel wascrying by the kitchen door, and Mrs. Chapin was still

　　CHAPIN RESCUES SOLOMON FROM HANGING.

　　ATTEMPT TO HANG ME. 115looking from the window. Hope died within myheart. Surely my time had come. I should neverbehold the light of another day — never behold thefaces of my children — the sweet anticipation I hadcherished with such fondness. I should that hourstruggle through the fearful agonies of death ! Nonewould mourn for me — none revenge me. Soon myform would be mouldering in that distant soil, or, per-haps, be cast to the slimy reptiles that filled the stag-nant waters of the bayou ! Tears flowed down mycheeks, but they only afforded a subject of insultingcomment for my executioners.At length, as they were dragging me towards thetree, Chapin, who had momentarily disappeared fromthe piazza, came out of the house and walked towardsus. He had a pistol in each hand, and as near as Ican now recall to mind, spoke in a firm, determinedmanner, as follows :" Gentlemen, I have a few words to say. You hadbetter listen to them. Whoever moves that slave an-other foot from where he stands is a dead man. Inthe first place, he does not deserve this treatment. Itis a shame to murder him in this manner. I neverknew a more faithful boy than Piatt. You, Tibeats,are in the fault yourself. You are pretty much of ascoundrel, and I know it, and you richly deserve theflogging you have received. In the next place, I havebeen overseer on this plantation seven years, and, inthe absence of "William Ford, am master here. Myduty is to protect his interests, and that duty I shall

　　116 TWELVE TEAKS A SLAVE.perform. You are not responsible — you are a worth-less fellow. Ford holds a mortgage on Piatt of fourhundred dollars. If you hang him he loses his debt.Until that is canceled you have no right to take hislife. You have no right to take it any way. Thereis a law for the slave as well as for the white man.You are no better than a murderer." As for you," addressing Cook and Ramsay, acouple of overseers from neighboring plantations, " asfor you — begone ! If you have any regard for yourown safety, I say, begone."Cook and Ramsay, without a further word, mount-ed their horses and rode away. Tib eats, in a fewminutes, evidently in fear, and overawed by the deci-ded tone of Chapin, sneaked off like a coward, as hewas, and mounting his horse, followed his companions.I remained standing where I was, still bound, withthe rope around my neck. As soon as they weregone, Chapin called Rachel, ordering her to run tothe field, and tell Lawson to hurry to the house with-out delay, and bring the brown mule with him, ananimal much prized for its unusual neetness. Pres-ently the boy appeared." Lawson," said Chapin, " you must go to the PineWoods. Tell your master Ford to come here at once— that he must not delay a single moment. Tell himthey are trying to murder Piatt. Now hurry, boy.Be at the Pine Woods by noon if you kill the mule."Chapin stepped into the house and wrote a pass.When he returned, Lawson was at the door, mounted

　　LAWS0N AND THE MULE. 117on his mule. Receiving the pass, he plied the whipright smartly to the beast, dashed ont of the yard, andturning up the bayou on a hard gallop, in less timethan it has taken me to describe the scene, was outof sight.