clotelle(有色女英雄)-第16节
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authorized the sheriff to sell her to the highest bidder。 She was； therefore；
sold； the purchaser being the noted negro…trader； Hope H。 Slater； who at
once placed her in prison。 Here the fugitive saw none but slaves like
herself； brought in and taken out to be placed in ships； and sent away to
some part of the country to which she herself would soon be compelled to
go。 She had seen or heard nothing of her daughter while in Richmond； and
all hopes of seeing her had now fled。
At the dusk of the evening previous to the day when she was to be sent
off； as the old prison was being closed for the night； Isabella suddenly
dated past the keeper； and ran for her life。 It was not a great distance from
the prison to the long bridge which passes from the lower part of the city
across the Potomac to the extensive forests and woodlands of the
celebrated Arlington Heights； then occupied by that distinguished relative
and descendant of the immortal Washington； Mr。 Geo。 W。 Custis。 Thither
the poor fugitive directed her flight。 So unexpected was her escape that
she had gained several rods the start before the keeper had secured the
other prisoners； and rallied his assistants to aid in the pursuit。 It was at an
hour； and in a part of the city where horses could not easily be obtained for
the chase； no bloodhounds were at hand to run down the flying woman；
and for once it seemed as if there was to be a fair trial of speed and
endurance between the slave and the slave…catchers。
The keeper and his force raised the hue…and…cry on her path as they
followed close behind； but so rapid was the flight along the wide avenue
that the astonished citizens； as they poured forth from their dwellings to
learn the cause of alarm； were only able to comprehend the nature of the
case in time to fall in with the motley throng in pursuit； or raise an anxious
prayer to heaven as they refused to join in the chase （as many a one did
that night） that the panting fugitive might escape； and the merciless soul…
dealer for once be disappointed of his prey。 And now； with the speed of an
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arrow； having passed the avenue； with the distance between her and her
pursuers constantly increasing； this poor； hunted female gained the 〃Long
Bridge；〃 as it is called； where interruption seemed improbably。 Already her
heart began to beat high with the hope of success。 She had only to pass
three…quarters of a mile across the bridge； when she could bury herself in a
vast forest； just as the time when the curtain of night would close around
her； and protect her from the pursuit of her enemies。
But God； by his providence； had otherwise determined。 He had
ordained that an appalling tragedy should be enacted that night within
plain sight of the President's house； and the Capitol of the Union； which
would be an evidence wherever it should be known of the unconquerable
love of liberty which the human heart may inherit； as well as a fresh
admonition to the slave…dealer of the cruelty and enormity of his crimes。
Just as the pursuers passed the high draw； soon after entering upon the
bridge； they beheld three men slowly approaching from the Virginia side。
They immediately called to them to arrest the fugitive； proclaiming her a
runaway slave。 True to their Virginia instincts； as she came near； they
formed a line across the narrow bridge to intercept her。 Seeing the escape
was impossible in that quarter； she stopped suddenly； and turned upon her
pursuers。
On came the profane and ribald crew faster than ever； already exulting
in her capture； and threatening punishment for her flight。 For a moment
she looked wildly and anxiously around to see if there was no hope of
escape。 On either hand； far down below； rolled the deep； foaming waters
of the Potomac； and before and behind were the rapidly approaching steps
and noisy voices of her pursuers。 Seeing how vain would be any further
effort to escape； her resolution was instantly taken。 She clasped her
hands convulsively together； raised her tearful and imploring eyes toward
heaven； and begged for the mercy and compassion there which was
unjustly denied her on earth； then； exclaiming； 〃Henry； Clotelle； I die for
thee！〃 with a single bound； vaulted over the railing of the bridge； and sank
forever beneath the angry and foaming waters of the river！
Such was the life； and such the death； of a woman whose virtues and
goodness of heart would have done honor to one in a higher station of life；
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and who； had she been born in any other land but that of slavery； would
have been respected and beloved。 What would have been her feelings if
she could have known that the child for whose rescue she had sacrificed
herself would one day be free； honored； and loved in another land？
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CHAPTER XVII
CLOTELLE
THE curtain rises seven years after the death of Isabella。 During that
interval； Henry； finding that nothing could induce his mother…in…law to
relinquish her hold on poor little Clotelle； and not liking to contend with
one on whom a future fortune depended； gradually lost all interest in the
child； and left her to her fate。
Although Mrs。 Miller treated Clotelle with a degree of harshness
scarcely equalled； when applied to one so tender in years； still the child
grew every day more beautiful； and her hair； though kept closely cut；
seemed to have improved in its soft； silk…like appearance。 Now twelve
years of age； and more than usually well…developed； her harsh old mistress
began to view her with a jealous eye。
Henry and Gertrude had just returned from Washington； where the
husband had been on his duties as a member of Congress； and where he
had remained during the preceding three years without returning home。
It was on a beautiful evening； just at twilight； while seated at his parlor
window； that Henry saw a young woman pass by and go into the kitchen。
Not aware of ever having seen the person before； he made an errand into
the cook's department to see who the girl was。 He； however； met her in the
hall； as she was about going out。
〃Whom did you wish to see？〃 he inquired。
〃Miss Gertrude；〃 was the reply。
〃What did you want to see her for？〃 he again asked。
〃My mistress told me to give her and Master Henry her compliments；
and ask them to come over and spend the evening。〃
〃Who is your mistress？〃 he eagerly inquired。
〃Mrs。 Miller； sir；〃 responded the girl。
〃And what's your name？〃 asked Henry； with a trembling voice。
〃Clotelle； sir；〃 was the reply。
The astonished father stood completely amazed； looking at the now
womanly form of her who； in his happier days； he had taken on his knee
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with so much fondness and alacrity。 It was then that he saw his own and
Isabella's features combined in the beautiful face that he was then
beholding。 It was then that he was carried back to the days when with a
woman's devotion； poor Isabella hung about his neck and told him how
lonely were the hours in his absence。 He could stand it no longer。 Tears
rushed to his eyes； and turning upon his heel； he went back to his own
room。 It was then that Isabella was revenged； and she no doubt looked
smilingly down from her home in the spirit…land on the scene below。
On Gertrude's return from her shopping tour； she found Henry in a
melancholy mood； and soon learned its cause。 As Gertrude had borne him
no children； it was but natural； that he should now feel his love centering
in Clotelle； and he now intimated to his wife his determination to remove
his daughter from the hands of his mother…in…law。
When this news reached Mr
