clotelle(有色女英雄)-第16部分
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sorrow。 When at the farm； Huckelby； the overseer； kept his eye on
Clotelle if within sight of her； for he knew she was a slave； and no doubt
hoped that she might some day fall into his hands。 But she shrank from his
looks as she would have done from the charm of the rattlesnake。 The
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negro…driver always tried to insinuate himself into the good opinion of
Georgiana and the company that she brought。 Knowing that Miss Wilson
at heart hated slavery； he was ever trying to show that the slaves under his
charge were happy and contented。 One day； when Georgiana and some of
her Connecticut friends were there； the overseer called all the slaves up to
the 〃great house；〃 and set some of the young ones to dancing。 After
awhile whiskey was brought in and a dram given to each slave； in return
for which they were expected to give a toast； or sing a short piece of his
own composition； when it came to Jack's turn he said；
〃The big bee flies high； the little bee makes the honey： the black folks
make the cotton； and the white folks gets the money。〃
Of course； the overseer was not at all elated with the sentiment
contained in Jack's toast。 Mr。 Wilson had lately purchased a young man
to assist about the house and to act as coachman。 This slave； whose
name was Jerome； was of pure African origin； was perfectly black； very
fine…looking； tall； slim； and erect as any one could possibly be。 His
features were not bad； lips thin； nose prominent； hands and feet small。 His
brilliant black eyes lighted up his whole countenance。 His hair； which was
nearly straight； hung in curls upon his lofty brow。 George Combe or
Fowler would have selected his head for a model。 He was brave and
daring； strong in person； fiery in spirit； yet kind and true in his affections；
earnest in his doctrines。 Clotelle had been at the parson's but a few weeks
when it was observed that a mutual feeling had grown up between her and
Jerome。 As time rolled on； they became more and more attached to each
other。 After satisfying herself that these two really loved； Georgiana
advised their marriage。 But Jerome contemplated his escape at some
future day； and therefore feared that if married it might militate against it。
He hoped； also； to be able to get Clotelle away too； and it was this hope
that kept him from trying to escape by himself。 Dante did not more love
his Beatrice； Swift his Stella； Waller his Saccharissa； Goldsmith his
Jessamy bride； or Burns his Mary； than did Jerome his Clotelle。 Unknown
to her father； Miss Wilson could permit these two slaves to enjoy more
privileges than any of the other servants。 The young mistress taught
Clotelle； and the latter imparted her instructions to her lover； until both
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could read so as to be well understood。 Jerome felt his superiority； and
always declared that no master should ever flog him。 Aware of his high
spirit and determination； Clotelle was in constant fear lest some difficulty
might arise between her lover and his master。
One day Mr。 Wilson； being somewhat out of temper and irritated at
what he was pleased to call Jerome's insolence； ordered him to follow him
to the barn to be flogged。 The young slave obeyed his master； but those
who saw him at the moment felt that he would not submit to be whipped。
〃No； sir；〃 replied Jerome； as his master told him to take off his coat： 〃I
will serve you； Master Wilson； I will labor for you day and night； if you
demand it； but I will not be whipped。〃
This was too much for a white man to stand from a negro； and the
preacher seized his slave by the throat； intending to choke him。 But for
once he found his match。 Jerome knocked him down； and then escaped
through the back…yard to the street； and from thence to the woods。
Recovering somewhat from the effect of his fall； the parson regained
his feet and started in pursuit of the fugitive。 Finding； however； that the
slave was beyond his reach； he at once resolved to put the dogs on his
track。 Tabor； the negro…catcher； was sent for； and in less than an hour；
eight or ten men； including the parson； were in the woods with hounds；
trying the trails。 These dogs will attack a negro at their master's bidding；
and cling to him as the bull…dog will cling to a beast。 Many are the
speculations as to whether the negro will be secured alive or dead； when
these dogs once get on his track。 Whenever there is to be a negro hunt；
there is no lack of participants。 Many go to enjoy the fun which it is said
they derive from these scenes。
The company had been in the woods but a short time ere they go on
the track of two fugitives； once of whom was Jerome。 The slaves
immediately bent their steps toward the swamp； with the hope that the
dogs； when put upon their scent would be unable to follow them through
the water。
The slaves then took a straight course for the Baton Rouge and Bayou
Sara road； about four miles distant。 Nearer and nearer the whimpering
pack pressed； their delusion begins to dispel。 All at once the truth flashes
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upon the minds of the fugitives like a glare of light；'tis Tabor with his
dogs！
The scent becomes warmer and warmer； and what was at first an
irregular cry now deepens into one ceaseless roar； as the relentless pack
presses on after its human prey。
They at last reach the river； and in the negroes plunge； followed by the
catch…dog。 Jerome is caught and is once more in the hands of his master；
while the other poor fellow finds a watery grave。 They return； and the
preacher sends his slave to jail。
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CHAPTER XIX
THE TRUE HEROINE
IN vain did Georgiana try to console Clotelle； when the latter heard；
through one of the other slaves； that Mr。 Wilson had started with the dogs
in pursuit of Jerome。 The poor girl well knew that he would be caught；
and that severe punishment； if not death； would be the result of his capture。
It was therefore with a heart filled with the deepest grief that the slave…girl
heard the footsteps of her master on his return from the chase。 The dogged
and stern manner of the preacher forbade even his daughter inquiring as to
the success of his pursuit。 Georgiana secretly hoped that the fugitive had
not bee caught； she wished it for the sake of the slave； and more especially
for her maid…servant； whom she regarded more as a companion than a
menial。 But the news of the capture of Jerome soon spread through the
parson's household； and found its way to the ears of the weeping and
heart…stricken Clotelle。
The reverend gentleman had not been home more than an hour ere
some of his parishioners called to know if they should not take the negro
from the prison and execute *Lynch law* upon him。
〃No negro should be permitted to live after striking a white man； let us
take him and hang him at once；〃 remarked an elderly…looking man； whose
gray hairs thinly covered the crown of his head。
〃I think the deacon is right；〃 said another of the company； 〃if our
slaves are allowed to set the will of their masters at defiance； there will be
no getting along with them； an insurrection will be the next thing we
hear of。〃
〃No； no；〃 said the preacher； 〃I am willing to let the law take its course；
as it provides for the punishment of a slave with death if he strikes his
master。 We had better let the court decide the question。 Moreover； as a
Christian and God…fearing people； we ought to submit to the dictates of
justice。 Should we take this man's life by force； an Allwise Providence
would hold us responsible for the act。〃
The company then quietly withdrew； showing that the preacher had
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some influence with his people。
〃This；〃 said Mr。 Wilson； when left alone with his daughter； 〃this； my
dear Georgiana； is the result of your kindness to the negroes。 You have
spoiled every one about the house。 I can't whip one of them； without being
in danger of having my life taken。〃
〃I am sure； papa；〃 replied the young lady；〃I am sure I never did any
thing intentionally to induce any of the servants to disobey your orders。〃
〃No； my dear；〃 said Mr。 Wilson； 〃but you are too kind to them。 Now；
there is Clotelle；that girl is completely spoiled。 She walks
