Narrative of My Escape from Slavery by Moses Roper

Author:Moses Roper [Roper, Moses]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780486427188
Google: F07CAgAAQBAJ
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Dover Publications
Published: 2003-02-21T00:00:00+00:00

In the year 1834, Mr. Beveridge, who was now residing in Appalachicola, a town in West Florida, became a bankrupt, when all his property was sold, and I fell into the hands of a very cruel master, Mr. Register, a planter in the same state; of whom, knowing his savage character, I always had a dread. Previously to his purchasing me, he had frequently taunted me, by saying, “You have been a gentleman long enough, and, whatever may be the consequences I intend to buy you.” To which, I remarked, that I would, on no account, live with him, if I could help it. Nevertheless, intent upon his purpose, in the month of July, 1843, he bought me; after which, I was so exasperated, that I cared not whether I lived or died; in fact, whilst I was on my passage from Appalachicola, I procured a quart bottle of whiskey, for the purpose of so intoxicating myself, that I might be able, either to plunge myself into the river, or so to enrage my master, that he should dispatch me forthwith. I was, however, by a kind Providence, prevented from committing this horrid deed, by an old slave on board, who, knowing my intention, secretly took the bottle from me; after which, my hands were tied, and I was led into the town of Ochesa, to a warehouse, where my master was asked, by the proprietor of the place, the reason for his confining my hands, in answer to which, Mr. Register said, that he had purchased me. The proprietor, however, persuaded him to untie me; after which, my master being excessively drunk, asked for a cow hide, intending to flog me, from which, the proprietor dissuaded him, saying, that he had known me for some time, and he was sure, that I did not require to be flogged. From this place, we proceeded about mid-day on our way, he placing me on the bare back of a half-starved old horse, which he had purchased, and upon which sharp surface, he kindly intended, I should ride about eighty miles, the distance we were then from his home. In this unpleasant situation, I could not help reflecting upon the prospects before me, not forgetting, that I had heard, that my new master had been in the habit of stealing cattle, and other property, and among other things, a slave woman, and that I had said, as it afterwards turned out, in the hearing of some one who communicated the saying to my master, that I had been accustomed to live with a gentleman and not with a rogue; and, finding that he had been informed of this, I had the additional dread of a few hundred lashes for it, on my arrival at my destination.

About two hours after we started, it began to rain very heavily, and continued to do so, until we arrived at Marianna, about twelve at night, where we were to rest till morning. My master here questioned

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