CHAPTER XV.

by Solomon Northup

　　CHAPTER XV.labors on sugar plantations — the mode of planting cane of hoeingcane cane ricks cutting cane description of the cane knife"wlnrowing preparing for succeeding crops description ofhawkins' sugar mill on bayou bosuf — the Christmas holidays —the carnival season of the children of bondage the christmassupper red, the favorite color the violin, and the consolationit afforded the christmas dance lively, the coquette — -samroberts, and his rivals slave songs southern liee as it isTHREE DAYS LN THE YEAR THE SYSTEM OF MARRIAGE UNCLE ABRAm'sCONTEMPT OF MATRIMONY.In consequence of my inability in cotton-picking,Epps was in the habit of hiring me out on sugarplantations during the season of cane-cutting andsugar-making. He received for my services a dollara day, with the money supplying my place on hiscotton plantation. Cutting cane was an employmentthat suited me, and for three successive years I heldthe lead row at Hawkins', leading a gang of fromfifty to an hundred hands.In a previous chapter the mode of cultivating cot-ton is described. This may be the proper place tospeak of the manner of cultivating cane.The ground is prepared in beds, the same as it isprepared for the reception of the cotton seed, except

　　MODE OF PLANTING CANE. 209it is ploughed deeper. Drills are made in the same*manner. Planting commences in January, and con-tinues until April. It is necessary to plant a sugarfield only once in three years. Three crops are takenbefore the seed or plant is exhausted.Three gangs are employed in the operation. Onedraws the cane from the rick, or stack, cutting thetop and flags from the stalk, leaving only that partwhich is sound and healthy. Each joint of the canehas an eye, like the eye of a potato, which sends fortha sprout when buried in the soil. Another gang laysthe cane in the drill, placing two stalks side by sidein such manner that joints will occur once in four orsix inches. The third gang follows with hoes, drawingearth upon the stalks, and covering them to the depthof three inches.In four weeks, at the farthest, the sprouts appearabove the ground, and from this time forward growwith great rapidity. A sugar field is hoed threetimes, the same as cotton, save that a greater quantityof earth is drawn to the roots. By the first of Au-gust hoeing is usually over. About the middle ofSeptember, whatever is required for seed is cut andstacked in ricks, as they are termed. In October itis ready for the mill or sugar-house, and then the gen-eral cutting begins. The blade of a cane-knife is fif-teen inches long, three inches wide in the middle, andtapering towards the point and handle. The bladeis thin, and in order to%be at all serviceable must bekept very sharp. Every third hand takes the lead of14

　　210 TWELVE YEAES A SLAVE.two others, one of whom is on each side of him. Thelead hand, in the first place, with a blow of his knifeshears the flags from the stalk. He next cuts off thetop down as far as it is green. He must be carefulto sever all the green from the ripe part, inasmuchas the juice of the former sours the molasses, and ren-ders it unsalable. Then he severs the stalk at theroot, and lays it directly behind him. His right andleft hand companions lay their stalks, when cut in thesame manner, upon his. To every three hands thereis a cart, which follows, and the stalks are thrown intoit by the younger slaves, when it is drawn to the su-gar-house and ground.If the planter apprehends a frost, the cane is win-rowed. "Winrowing is the cutting the stalks at anearly period and throwing them lengthwise in the wa-ter furrow in such a manner that the tops will coverthe butts of the stalks. They will remain in this con-dition three weeks or a month without souring, andsecure from frost. When the proper time arrives,they are taken up, trimmed and carted to the sugar-house.In the month of January the slaves enter the fieldagain to prepare for another crop. The ground isnow strewn with the tops, and flags cut from the pastyear's cane. On a dry day fire is set to this combus-tible refuse, which sweeps over the field, leaving itbare and clean, and ready for the hoes. The earth isloosened about the roots of the old stubble, and inprocess of time another crop springs up from the last

　　hawkins' sugak mill. 211year's seed. It is the same the year following ; butthe third year the seed has exhausted its strength,and the field must be ploughed and planted again.The second year the cane is sweeter and yields morethan the first, and the third year more than the second.During the three seasons I labored on Hawkins'plantation, I was employed a considerable portion ofthe time in the sugar-house. He is celebrated as theproducer of the finest variety of white sugar. Thefollowing is a general description of his sugar-houseand the process of manufacture :The mill is an immense brick building, standing onthe shore of the bayou. Running out from the build-ing is an open shed, at least an hundred feet in lengthand forty or fifty feet in width. The boiler in whichthe steam is generated is situated outside the mainbuilding ; the machinery and engine rest on a brickpier, fifteen feet above the floor, within the body of thebuilding. The machinery turns two great iron rollers,between two and three feet in diameter and six oreight feet in length. They are elevated above thebrick pier, and roll in towards each other. An end-less carrier, made of chain and wood, like leathernbelts used in small mills, extends from the iron rollersout of the main building and through the entirelength of the open shed. The carts in which the caneis brought from the field as fast as it is cut, are un-loaded at the sides of the shed. All along the endlesscarrier are ranged slave children, whose business it isto place the cane upon it, when it is conveyed through

　　212 TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE.the shed into the main building, where it falls be-tween the rollers, is crushed, and drops upon anothercarrier that conveys it out of the main building in anopposite direction, depositing it in the top of a chim-ney upon a fire beneath, which consumes it. It is ne-cessary to burn it in this manner, because otherwiseit would soon fill the building, and more especiallybecause it would soon sour and engender disease.The juice of the cane falls into a conductor underneaththe iron rollers, and is carried into a reservoir. Pipesconvey it from thence into five filterers, holding sev-eral hogsheads each. These filterers are filled withbone-black, a substance resembling pulverized char-coal. It is made of bones calcinated in close vessels,and is used for the purpose of decolorizing, by filtra-tion, the cane juice before boiling. Through thesefive filterers it passes in succession, and then runs intoa large reservoir underneath the ground floor, fromwhence it is carried up, by means of a steam pump,into a clarifier made of sheet iron, where it is heatedby steam until it boils. From the first clarifier it iscarried in pipes to a second and a third, and thenceinto close iron pans, through which tubes pass, filledwith steam. While in a boiling state it flows throughthree pans in succession, and is then carried in otherpipes down to the coolers on the ground floor. Cool-ers are wooden boxes with sieve bottoms made of thefinest wire. As soon as the syrup passes into thecoolers, and is met by the air, it grains, and the mo-lasses at once escapes through the sieves into a cistern

　　CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. 213"below. It is then white or loaf sugar of the finestkind — clear, clean, and as white as snow. "Whencool, it is taken out, packed in hogsheads, and is readyfor market. The molasses is then carried from thecistern into the upper story again, and by anotherprocess converted into brown sugar.There are larger mills, and those constructed differ-ently from the one thus imperfectly described, butnone, perhaps, more celebrated than this anywhereon Bayou Bceuf. Lambert, of New-Orleans, is a part-ner of Hawkins. He is a man of vast wealth, hold-ing, as I have been told, an interest in over forty dif-ferent sugar plantations in Louisiana.********_ The only respite from constant labor the slave has •through the whole year, is during the Christmas holi-days. Epps allowed us three — others allow four,five and sis days, according to the measure of theirgenerosity. It is the only time to which they lookforward with any interest or pleasure. _. They are gladwhen night comes, not only because it brings them afew hours repose, but because it brings them one daynearer Christmas. It is hailed with eqnal delight bythe old and the young ; even Uncle Abram ceases toglorify Andrew Jackson, and Patsey forgets her manysorrows, amid the general hilarity of the holidays. Itis the time of feasting, and frolicking, and fiddling — ■the carnival season with the children of bondage.They are the only days when they are allowed a littlerestricted liberty, and heartily indeed do they enjoy it.

　　214 TWELVE TEAKS A SLAVE.It is the custom for one planter to give a " Christ-mas supper," inviting the slaves from neighboringplantations to join his own on the occasion; for in-stance, one year it is given by Epps, the next by Mar-shall, the next by Hawkins, and so on. Usually fromthree to five hundred are assembled, coming togetheion foot, in carts, on horseback, on mules, riding doubleand triple, sometimes a boy and girl, at others a girland two boys, and at others again a boy, a girl andam old woman. Uncle Abram astride a mule, withAuntPhebe and Patsey behind him, trotting towardsa Christmas supper, would be no uncommon sight onBayou Boeuf.Then, too, " of all days i' the year," they arraythemselves in their best attire. The cotton coat hasbeen washed clean, the stump of a tallow candle hasbeen applied to the shoes, and if so fortunate as to pos-sess a rimless or a crownless hat, it is placed jauntilyon the head. They are welcomed with equal cordial-ity, however, if they come bare-headed and bare-footed to the feast. As a general thing, the womenwear handkerchiefs tied about their heads, but ifchance has thrown in their way a fiery red ribbon,or a cast-off bonnet of their mistress' grandmother, itis sure to be worn on such occasions. Red — the deepblood red — as decidedly the favorite color among theenslaved damsels of my acquaintance. If a red rib-bon does not encircle the neck, you will be certain tofind all the hair of their woolly heads tied up with redstrings of one sort or another.

　　THE CHRISTMAS SUPPER. 215The table is spread in the open air, and loaded withvarieties of meat and piles of vegetables. Bacon andcorn meal at such times are dispensed with. Some-times the cooking is performed in the kitchen on theplantation, at others in the shade of wide branchingtrees. In the latter case, a ditch is dug in the ground,and wood laid in and burned until it is filled withglowing coals, over which chickens', ducks, turkeys,pigs, and not unfrequently the entire body of a wildox, are roasted. They are furnished also with flour,of which biscuits are made, and often with peach andother preserves, with tarts, and every manner and de-scription of pies, except the mince, that being an ar-ticle of pastry as yet unknown among them. Onlythe slave who has lived all the years on his scanty al-lowance of meal and bacon, can appreciate such sup-pers. "White people in great numbers assemble towitness the gastronomical enjoyments.They seat themselves at the rustic table — the maleson one side, the females on the other. The two be-tween whom there may have been an exchange oftenderness, invariably manage to sit opposite ; for theomnipresent Cupid disdains not to hurl his arrows intothe simple hearts of slaves./ Unalloyed and exultinghappiness lights up the dark faces of them all. 'Theivory teeth, contrasting with their black complexions,exhibit two long, white streaks the whole extent ofthe table. All round the bountiful board a multitudeof eyes roll in ecstacy. Giggling and laughter andthe clattering of cutlery and crockery succeed. Cuf-

　　216 TWELVE YEAES A SLAVE.fee's elbow hunches liis neighbor's side, impelled byan involuntary impulse of delight ; Kelly shakes herfinger at Sambo and laughs, she knows not why, andso the fun and merriment flows on."When the viands have disappeared, ^nd the hungrymaws of the children of toil are satisfied, then, nextin the order of amusement, is the Christmas dance.My business on these gala days always was to play onthe violin. The African race is a music-loving one,proverbially ; and many there were among my fellow-bondsmen whose organs of tune were strikingly devel-oped, and who could thumb the banjo with dexterity ;but at the expense of appearing egotistical, I must,nevertheless, declare, that I was considered the OleBull of Bayou Bceuf. My master often received let-ters, sometimes from a distance of ten miles, request-ing him to send me to play at a ball or festival of thewhites. He received his compensation, and usually Ialso returned with many picayunes jingling in mypockets — the extra contributions of those to whosedelight I had administered. In this manner I becamemore acquainted than I otherwise would, up and downthe bayou. The young men and maidens of Holmes-ville always knew there was to be a jollification some-where, whenever Piatt Epps was seen passing throughthe town with his fiddle in his hand. " "Where areyou going now, Piatt ?" and " What is coming off to-night, Piatt ?" would be interrogatories issuing fromevery door and window, and many a time when therewas no special hurry, yielding to pressing importuni-

　　THE VIOLIN. 217tics, Piatt would draw his bow, and sitting astridehis mule, perhaps, discourse musically to a crowdof delighted children, gathered around him in thestreet.Alas ! had it not been for my beloved violin, I scarce-ly can conceive how I could have endured the longyears of bondage. It introduced me to great houses— relieved me of many days' labor in the field — sup-plied me with conveniences for my cabin — withpipes and tobacco, and extra pairs of shoes, and often-times led me away from the presence of a hard mas-ter, to witness scenes of jollity and mirth. It wasmy companion — the friend of my bosom — triumph-ing loudly when I was joyful, and uttering its soft,melodious consolations when I was sad. Often, atmidnight, when sleep had fled affrighted from thecabin, and my soul was disturbed and troubled withthe contemplation of my fate, it would sing me a songof peace. On holy Sabbath days, when an hour ortwo of leisure was allowed, it would accompany meto some quiet place on the bayou bank, and, liftingup its voice, discourse kindly and pleasantly indeed.It heralded my name round the country — made mefriends, who, otherwise would not have noticed me —gave me an honored seat at the yearly feasts, and se-cured the loudest and heartiest welcome of them allat the Christmas dance. The Christinas dance ! Oh,ye pleasure-seeking sons and daughters of idleness,who move with measured step, listless and snail-like,through the slow-winding cotillon, if ye wish to look

　　218 TWELVE YEARS A SLATE.upon the celerity, if not the " poetry of motion" —upon genuine happiness, rampant and unrestrained —go down to Louisiana, and see the slaves dancing inthe starlight of a Christmas night.On that particular Christmas I have now in mymind, a description whereof will serve as a descrip-tion of the day generally, Miss Lively and Mr. Sam,the first belonging to Stewart, the latter to Roberts,started the ball. It was well known that Sam cher-ished an ardent passion for Lively, as also did one ofMarshall's and another of Carey's boys ; for Livelywas lively indeed, and a heart-breaking coquette with-al. It was a victory for Sam Roberts, when, risingfrom the repast, she gave him her hand for the f rat" figu' e" in preference to either of his rivals. T'leywere somewhat crest-fallen, and, shaking their h ,adsangrily, rather intimated they would like to pitcl intoMr. Sam and hurt him badly. But not an emotionof wrath ruffled the placid bosom of Samuel, as hislegs flew like drum-sticks down the outside and upthe middle, by the side of his bewitching partner.The whole company cheered them vociferously, and,excited with the applause, they continued " tearingdown" after all the others had become exhausted andhalted a moment to recover breath. But Sam's su-perhuman exertions overcame him finally, leavingLively alone, yet whirling like a top. Thereupon oneof Sam's rivals, Pete Marshall, dashed in, and, withmight and main, leaped and shuffled and threw him-self into every conceivable shape, as if determined to

　　SOUTHERN LIFE AS IT 18. 219show Miss Lively and all the world that Sam Robertswas of no account.Pete's affection, however, was greater than his dis-cretion. Such violent exercise took the breath out ofhim directly, and he dropped like an empty bag.Then was the time for Harry Carey to try his hand ;but Lively also soon out- winded him, amidst hurrahsand shouts, fully sustaining her well-earned reputationof being the " fastest gal" on the bayou.One " set" off, another takes its place, he or she re-maining longest on the floor receiving the most up-roarious commendation, and so the dancing continuesuntil broad daylight. It does not cease with thesound of the fiddle, but in that case they set up a mu-sic peculiar to themselves. This is called " patting,"accompanied with one of those unmeaning songs,composed rather for its adaptation to a certain tuneor measure, than for the purpose of expressing anydistinct idea. The patting is performed by strikingthe hands on the knees, then striking the hands to-gether, then striking the right shoulder with onehand, the left with the other — all the while keepingtime with the feet, and singing, perhaps, this song :" Harper's creek and roarin' ribber,Thar, my dear, we'll live forebber ;Den we'll go to de Ingin nation,All I want in dis creation,Is pretty little wife and big plantation.Chorus, Up dat oak and down dat ribber,Two overseers and one little nigger "

　　220 TWELVE TEAKS A SLATE.Or, if these words are not adapted to the tune calledfor, it may be that " Old Hog Eye" is — a rather sol-emn and startling specimen of versification, not, how-ever, to be appreciated unless heard at the South. Itrunneth as follows :" Who's been here since I've been gone 1Pretty little gal wid a josey on.Hog Eye !Old Hog Eye,And Hosey too !Never see de like since I was born,Here come a little gal wid a josey on.Hog Eye !Old Hog Eye !And Hosey too !"Or, may be the following, perhaps, equally nonsen-sical, but full of melody, nevertheless, as it flowsfrom the negro's mouth :" Ebo Dick and Jurdan's Jo,Them two niggers stole my yo'.Chorus. Hop Jim along,Walk Jim along,Talk Jim along," &c.Old black Dan, as black as tar,He dam glad he was not dar.Hop Jim along," &c.During the remaining holidays succeeding Christ-mas, they are provided with passes, and permitted togo where they please within a limited distance, orthey may remain and labor on the plantation, in

　　THREE DAYS IN THE YEAS. 221which case they are paid for it. It is very rarely,however, that the latter alternative is accepted.They may be seen at these times hurrying in all di-rections, as happy looking mortals as can be foundon the face of the earth. They are different beingsfrom what they are in the field ; the temporary re-laxation, the brief deliverance from fear, and fromthe lash, producing an entire metamorphosis in theirappearance and demeanor. In visiting, riding, renew-ing old friendships, or, perchance, reviving some oldattachment, or pursuing whatever pleasure may sug-gest itself, the time is occupied. Such is " southernlife as it is," three days in the year, as I found it — ■the other three hundred and sixty-two being daysof weariness, and fear, and suffering, and unremit-ting labor.(^Marriage is frequently contracted during the holi-days, if such an institution may be said to existamong them. The only ceremony required beforeentering into that " holy estate," is to obtain the con-sent of the respective owners. It is usually encour-aged by the masters of female slaves. Either partycan have as many husbands or wives as the ownerwill permit, and either is at liberty to discard theother at pleasure. The law in relation to divorce, orto bigamy, and so forth, is not applicable to property,of course. If the wife does not belong on the sameplantation with the husband, the latter is permittedto visit her on Saturday nights, if the distance is nottoo far. Uncle Abram's wife lived seven miles from

　　222 TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE.Epps', on Bayou Huff Power. He had permission tovisit her once a fortnight, but he was growing old, ashas been said, and truth to say, had latterly well nighforgotten her. Uncle Abram had no time to sparefrom his meditations on General Jackson — connubialdalliance being well enough for the young andthoughtless, but unbecoming a grave and solemn phi-losopher like himself.