Viewing page 145 of 362

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

CHAPTER X.

RETURN TO TIBEATS -- IMPOSSIBILITY OF PLEASING HIM -- HE ATTACKS ME WITH A HATCHET -- THE STRUGGLE OVER THE BROAD AXE -- THE TEMPTATION TO MURDER HIM -- ESCAPE ACROSS THE PLANTATION -- OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FENCE -- TIBEATS APPROACHES, FOLLOWED BY THE HOUNDS -- THEY TAKE MY TRACK -- THEIR LOUD YELLS -- THEY ALMOST OVERTAKE ME -- I REACH THE WATER -- THE HOUNDS CONFUSED -- MOCCASIN SNAKES ALLIGATORS -- NIGHT IN THE "GREAT PACOUDRIE SWAMP" -- THE SOUNDS OF LIFE -- NORTH-WEST COURSE -- EMERGE INTO THE PINE WOODS -- THE SLAVE AND HIS YOUNG MASTER -- ARRIVAL AT FORD'S -- FOOD AND REST.

At the end of a month, my services being no longer required at Tanner's I was sent over the bayou again to my master, whom I found engaged in building the cotton press. This was situated at some distance from the great house, in a rather retired place. I commenced working once more in company with Tibeats, being entirely alone with him most part of the time. I remembered the words of Chapin, his precautions, his advice to beware, lest in some unsuspecting moment he might injure me. They were always in my mind, so that I lived in a most uneasy state of apprehension and fear. One eye was on my work, the other on my master. I determined to give him no cause of offence, to work still more diligently,