Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1853 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XX. THE VICTORY. It was late at night, and Tom lay groaning and bleeding alone, in an old forsaken room of the ginhouse, among pieces of broken machinery, piles of damaged cotton, and other rubbish which had there accumulated. The night was damp and close, and the thick air swarmed with myriads of mosquitoes, which increased the restless torture of his wounds; whilst a burning thirst--a torture beyond all others--filled up the uttermost measure of suffering. "O, good Lord! Do look down--give me the victory!--give me the victory over all!"--prayed poor Tom in his anguish. A footstep entered the room behind him, and the light of a lantern flashed on his eyes. "Who's there? O, for the Lord's massy, please give me some water!" "Well, my boy," said Legree, with a contemptuous kick, "how do you find yourself? Didn't I tell yer I could lam you a thing or two? How do yer like it--eh?" Tom answered nothing. "Get up," said Legree. This was a difficult matter for one so bruised and faint; but Tom gained his feet, ar.il-tood confronting his master with a steady, unmoved front. "Now, Tom, get right down on your knees and beg my pardon, for yer shines last night," said Legree. Tom did not move. "Down, you dog I" said Legree, striking him with his riding-whip. "Mas'r Legree," said Tom, "I can't do it. I did only what I thought was right. I shall do just so again, if ever the time comes. I never will do a cruel thing, come what may." "Yes, but ye don't know what may come, Master Tom. Ye think what you've got is something. I can tell you t' an't anything--nothing 't all." "Mas'r," said Tom, "I know ye can do dreadful.things, but,"--he stretched himself up-' wards and clasped his hands, --" but, after ye've killed the body, there an't no more ye...