To look back upon it seems like a rough pilgrimage;
and then when I think of seeing her again my mind gets lost in
hopeless expectations"--
"You saw her chained?" interrupted Maxwell.
"Yes, even chained with strong irons. It need not surprise you.
Slavery is a crime; and they chain the innocent lest the wrong
should break forth upon themselves." And she raised her hands to her
face, shook her head, and laid Annette in the little bed at the foot
of her own.
What is it that in chaining a woman, whether she be black as ebony
or white as snow, degrades all the traits of the southerner's
character, which he would have the world think noble? It is fear!
The monster which the southerner sees by day, tolerates in his
silence, protects as part and parcel of a legal trade, only clothes
him with the disgrace that menials who make themselves mere fiends
are guilty of, Maxwell thought to himself.
"I will set you free, if it cost my life!" he exclaimed.
"Hush, hush!" rejoined Clotilda: "remember those wretches on the
plantation. They, through their ignorance, have learned to wield the
tyranny of petty power; they look upon us with suspicious eyes. They
know we are negroes (white negroes, who are despicable in their
eyes), and feeling that we are more favoured, their envy is excited.
They, with the hope of gaining favour, are first to disclose a
secret. Save my child first, and then save me"--
"I will save you first; rest assured, I will save you;" he
responded, shaking her hand, bidding her good night.
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