clotelle(有色女英雄)-第20节
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they had not caught the man they expected； but； if they could make this
slave tell from what place he had escaped； they knew that a good price
would be paid them for the negro's arrest。
Tortured by the slave…catchers； to make him reveal the name of his
master and the place from whence he had escaped； Jerome gave them a
fictitious name in Virginia； and said that his master would give a large
reward； and manifested a willingness to return to his 〃old boss。〃 By this
misrepresentation； the fugitive hoped to have another chance of getting
away。 Allured with the prospect of a large sum of the needful； the slave…
catchers started back with their victim。 Stopping on the second night at an
inn； on the banks of the Ohio River； the kidnappers； in lieu of a suitable
place in which to confine their prize during the night； chained him to the
bed…post of their sleeping…chamber。 The white men were late in retiring to
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rest； after an evening spent in drinking。 At dead of night； when all was still；
the slave arose from the floor； upon which he had been lying； looked
around and saw that Morpheus had possession of his captors。 For once；
thought he； the brandy bottle has done a noble work。 With palpitating heart
and trembling limbs； he viewed his position。 The door was fast； but the
warm weather had compelled them to leave the window open。 If he
could but get his chains off； he might escape through the window to the
piazza。 The sleepers' clothes hung upon chairs by the bedside。 The slave
thought of the padlock…key； examined the pockets； and found it。 The
chains were soon off； and the negro stealthily making his way to the
window。 He stopped； and said to himself； 〃These men are villains； they
are enemies to all who； like me； are trying to be free。 Then why not I
teach them a lesson？〃 He then dressed himself in the best suit； hung his
own worn…out and tattered garments on the same chair； and silently passed
through the window to the piazza； and let himself down by one of the
pillars； and started once more for the North。
Daylight came upon the fugitive before he had selected a hiding…place
for the day； and he was walking at a rapid rate； in hopes of soon reaching
some woodland or forest。 The sun had just begun to show itself； when
the fugitive was astounded at seeing behind him； in the distance； two men
upon horseback。 Taking a road to the right； the slave saw before him a
farmhouse； and so near was he to it that he observed two men in front of it
looking at him。 It was too late to turn back。 The kidnappers were behind
himstrange men before him。 Those in the rear he knew to be enemies；
while he had no idea of what principles were the farmers。 The latter also
saw the white men coming； and called to the fugitive to come that way。
The broad…brimmed hats that the farmers wore told the slave that they
were Quakers。
Jerome had seen some of these people passing up and down the river；
when employed on a steamer between Natchez and New Orleans； and had
heard that they disliked slavery。 He； therefore； hastened toward the drab…
coated men； who； on his approach； opened the barn…door； and told him to
〃run in。〃
When Jerome entered the barn； the two farmers closed the door；
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remaining outside themselves； to confront the slave…catchers； who now
came up and demanded admission； feeling that they had their prey secure。
〃The can't enter my premises；〃 said one of the Friends； in rather a
musical voice。
The negro…catchers urged their claim to the slave； and intimated that；
unless they were allowed to secure him； they would force their way in。 By
this time； several other Quakers had gathered around the barn…door。
Unfortunately for the kidnappers； and most fortunately for the fugitive； the
Friends had just been holding a quarterly meeting in the neighborhood；
and a number of them had not yet returned to their homes。 After some talk；
the men in drab promised to admit the hunters； provided they procured an
officer and a search…warrant from a justice of the peace。 One of the slave…
catchers was left to see that the fugitive did not get away； while the others
went in pursuit of an officer。 In the mean time； the owner of the barn sent
for a hammer and nails； and began nailing up the barn…door。
After an hour in search of the man of the law； they returned with an
officer and a warrant。 The Quaker demanded to see the paper； and； after
looking at it for some time； called to his son to go into the house for his
glasses。 It was a long time before Aunt Ruth found the leather case； and
when she did； the glasses wanted wiping before they could be used。
After comfortably adjusting them on his nose； he read the warrant over
leisurely。
〃Come； Mr。 Dugdale； we can't wait all day；〃 said the officer。
〃Well； will thee read it for me？〃 returned the Quaker。
The officer complied； and the man in drab said；
〃Yes； thee may go in； now。 I am inclined to throw no obstacles in the
way of the execution of the law of the land。〃
On approaching the door； the men found some forty or fifty nails in it；
in the way of their progress。
〃Lend me your hammer and a chisel； if you please； Mr。 Dugdale；〃 said
the officer。
〃Please read that paper over again； will thee？〃 asked the Quaker。
The officer once more read the warrant。
〃I see nothing there which says I must furnish thee with tools to open
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my door。 If thee wants a hammer； thee must go elsewhere for it； I tell
thee plainly； thee can't have mine。〃
The implements for opening the door are at length obtained； and； after
another half…hour； the slave…catchers are in the barn。 Three hours is a long
time for a slave to be in the hands of Quakers。 The hay is turned over； and
the barn is visited in every part； but still the runaway is not found。 Uncle
Joseph has a glow upon his countenance； Ephraim shakes his head
knowingly； little Elijah is a perfect know…nothing； and； if you look toward
the house； you will see Aunt Ruth's smiling face； ready to announce that
breakfast is ready。
〃The nigger is not in this barn；〃 said the officer。
〃I know he is not；〃 quietly answered the Quaker。
〃What were you nailing up your door for； then； as if you were afraid
we would enter？〃 inquired one of the kidnappers。
〃I can do what I please with my own door； can't I；〃 said the Quaker。
The secret was out； the fugitive had gone in at the front door and out at
the back； and the reading of the warrant； nailing up of the door； and other
preliminaries of the Quaker； was to give the fugitive time and opportunity
to escape。
It was now late in the morning； and the slave…catchers were a long way
from home； and the horses were jaded by the rapid manner in which they
had travelled。 The Friends； in high glee； returned to the house for
breakfast； the man of the law； after taking his fee； went home； and the
kidnappers turned back； muttering； 〃Better luck next time。〃
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CHAPTER XXI
SELF…SACRIFICE
NOW in her seventeenth year； Clotelle's personal appearance
presented a great contrast to the time when she lived with old Mrs。 Miller。
Her tall and well…developed figure； her long； silky black hair； falling in
curls down her swan…like neck； her bright； black eyes lighting up her
olive…tinted face； and a set of teeth that a Tuscarora might envy； she was a
picture of tropical…ripened beauty。 At times； there was a heavenly smile
upon her countenance； which would have warmed the heart of an
anchorite。
