The Christian Slave: A Drama

by Harriet Beecher Stowe

  Cas. Because he 's done right, and he knows it, and won't say he 's doing wrong.

  Leg. Who a cuss cares what he knows? The nigger shall say what I please, or-----

  Cas. Or you 'll lose your bet on the cotton crop by keeping him out of the field just at this very press.

  Leg. But he will give up; of course he will. Don't I know what niggers is? He 'll beg like a dog this morning.

  Cas. He won't, Simon; you don't know this kind. You may kill him by inches, you won't get the first word of confession out him.

  Leg. We 'll see. Where is he?

  Cas. In the waste-room of the gin house.

  [Exit LEGREE.] Cas. [Solus.] Would it be a sin to kill such a wretch as that?

  Enter EMMELINE. Emmeline. O, Cassy! is it you? I 'm so glad you've come! I was afraid it was ----- O, you won't know what a horrid noise there has been, down stairs, all this evening!

  Cas. I ought to know; I 've heard it often enough.

  Em. O, Cassy! Do tell me,--could n't we get away from this place? I don't care where,--into the swamp among the snakes,--anywhere! Could n't we get somewhere away from here?

  Cas. Nowhere but into our graves!

  Em. Did you ever try?

  Cas. I 've seen enough of trying, and what comes of it?

  Em. I 'd be willing to live in the swamps, and gnaw the bark from trees. I an't afraid of snakes! I 'd rather have one near me than him.

  Cas. There have been a good many here of your opinion; but you could n't stay in the swamps. You 'd be tracked by the dogs, and brought back, and then--then--

  Em. What would he do?

  Cas. What would n't he do, you 'd better ask! He 's learned his trade well among the pirates in the West Indies. You would n't sleep much, if I should tell you things I 've seen,--things that he tells of, so metimes, for good jokes. I 've heard screams here that I have n't been able to get out of my head for weeks and weeks. There 's a place way out down by the quarters, where you can see a black, blasted tree, and the ground all covered with black ashes. Ask any one what was done there, and see if they will dare to tell you.

  Em. O, what do you mean?

  Cas. I won't tell you. I hate to think of it. And, I tell you, the Lord only knows what we may see to-morrow, if that poor fellow holds out as he 's begun!

  Em. Horrid! O, Cassy, do tell me what I shall do!

  Cas. What I 've done. Do the best you can--do what you must, and make it up in hating and cursing!

  Em. He wanted to make me drink some of his hateful brandy; and I hate it so--

  Cas. You 'd better drink. I hated it too; and now I can't live without it. One must have something--things don't look so dreadful when you take that.

  Em. Mother used to tell me never to touch any such thing.

  Cas. Mother told you! What use is it for mothers to say anything? You are all to be bought and paid for, and your souls belong to whoever gets you. That 's the way it goes. I say, drink brandy; dr ink all you can, and it 'll make things come easier!

  Em. O, Cassy, do pity me!

  Cas. Pity you!--and don't I? Have n't I a daughter?--Lord knows where she is, and whose she is now,--going the way her mother went before her, I suppose, and that her children must go after her! There 's no end to the curse--forever!

  Em. I wish I 'd never been born!

  Cas. That 's an old wish with me. I 've got used to wishing that. I 'd die if I dared to!

  Em. It would be wicked to kill one's self.

  Cas. I don't know why;--no wickeder than things we live and do day after day. But the sisters told me things, when I was in the convent, that make me afraid to die. If it would only be the end of us, why then--

  Legree. [Calling.] Cassy!--I say!--Emmeline!

  Cas. There he is!--What now?

  [Exeunt.]

  SCENE VI.--Moonlight. UNCLE TOM--Solus. [Sings.]

  "Way down upon the Swanee river,

  Far, far away, Dere's whar my heart is turning, ever,

  Dere's whar the old folks stay.

  All the world am sad and dreary,

  Everywhere I roam; O, Chloe, how my heart grows weary,

  Thinkin' of ye all at home!" [A pause. Looks up. His face brightens. Sings.]

  "When I can read my title clear

  To mansions in the skies, I bid farewell to every fear,

  And wipe my weeping eyes.

  Should earth against my soul engage,

  And hellish darts be hurled, Then I can smile at Satan's rage,

  And face a frowning world." [Enter LEGREE, unperceived.] "Let cares like a wild deluge come,

  And storms of sorrow fall, May I but safely reach my home,

  My God, my heaven, my all!" Leg.[Aside.] So, ho! he thinks so, does he! How I hate these cursed Methodist hymns! [To TOM, aloud.] Here, you nigger! how dare you be gettin' up this yer row, when you ought to be in bed? Shut yer old black gash, and get along in with you!

  Uncle T. Yes, Mas'r.

  Leg. [Beating him.] There, you dog! see if you feel so comfortable after that!

  [Exit TOM.]

  SCENE VII.--Night. Before UNCLE TOM'S Cottage.

  Enter CASSY. She raps. UNCLE TOM opens the door. Cassy. Come here, father Tom! come here; I 've news for you!

  Uncle Tom. What, Misse Cassy?

  Cas. Tom, would n't you like your liberty?

  Uncle T. I shall have it, misse, in God's time.

  Cas. Ay, but you may have it to-night! Come on!

  [UNCLE TOM holds back.] Cas. Come! Come along! He 's asleep--sound. I put enough into his brandy to keep him so. I wish I 'd had more, I should n't have wanted you. But come, the back-door is unlocked: there is an axe there; I put it there--his room-door is open; I 'll show you the way. I 'd a done it myself, only my arms are so weak. Come along!

  Uncle T. Not for ten thousand worlds, misse!

  Cas. But think of all these poor creatures. We might set them all free, and go somewhere in the swamps, and find an island, and live by ourselves; I've heard of its being done. Any life is better than this.

  Uncle T. No, no! good never comes of wickedness. I 'd sooner chop my right hand off!

  Cas. Then I shall do it.

  Uncle T. O, misse Cassy! for the dear Lord's sake that died for ye, don't sell your precious soul to the devil, that way! Nothing but evil will come of it. The Lord has n't called us to wrath. We must suffer, and wait his time.

  Cas. Wait! Have n't I waited?--waited till my head is dizzy and my heart sick? What has he made me suffer! What has he made hundreds of poor creatures suffer! Is n't he wringing the life-blood out of you? I'm called on! They call me! His time 's come, and I'll have his heart's blood!

  Uncle T. No, no, no! No, ye poor, lost soul, that ye must n't do! The dear, blessed Lord never shed no blood but his own, and that he poured out for us when we was enemies. Lord, help us to follow his steps, and love our enemies!

  Cas. Love! love such enemies! it is n't in flesh and blood.

  Uncle T. No, misse, it is n't; but He gives it to us, and that 's the victory. When we can love and pray over all, and through all, the battle 's past and the victory 's come--glory be to God! Misse Casse, if you could only get away from here--if the thing was possible--I 'd 'vise ye and Emmeline to do it; that is, if ye could go without blood-guiltiness--not otherwise.

  Cas. Would you try it with us, father Tom?

  Uncle T. No; time was when I would; but the Lord's given me a work among these yer poor souls, and I 'll stay with 'em, and bear my cross with 'em till the end.. It 's different with you; it 's a snare to you-- it's more 'n you can stand, and you 'd better go if you can.

  Cas. I know no way but through the grave! There 's no beast or bird but can find a home somewhere; even the snakes and the alligators have their places to lie down and be quiet; but there 's no place for us. Down in the darkest swamps the dogs will hunt us out, and find us. Everybody and everything is against us; even the very beasts side against us, and where shall we go?

  Uncle T. He t
hat saved Daniel in the den of lions--that saved the children in the fiery furnace--He that walked on the sea, and bade the winds be still--He 's alive yet; and I 've faith to believe he can deliver you. Try it, and I will pray with all my might for you.

  Cas. Father Tom, I 'll try it!

  [Exit CASSY, UNCLE TOM.

  SCENE VIII.--A Room. Evening.

  CASSY and EMMELINE sorting and arranging baggage. Cassy. These will be large enough; now on with your bonnet, and let 's start.

  Emmeline. Why, they can see us yet.

  Cas. I mean they shall. Don't you know they must have that chase after us, at any rate? See here, now, their way will be just this: We steal out of the back door, and run down by the Court House. Sambo or Quimbo wil l be sure to see us. They will give chase, and we will get into the swamp. Then I can't go any further till they go up and turn out the dogs; and while they are blundering around, and tumbling over each other, as they always do, you and I will just slip along to a creek, and run into the water, till we get back to the house; that will put the dogs all at fault; for scent won't lie in the water. Every one will run out of the house to look after us, and then we 'll whip into the back door, and then to the garret, where I have got a nice bed made up in one of the great boxes. We must stay there a good while; for, I tell you, he will raise heaven and earth after us. He boasts that no one ever got away from him. He 'll muster all the old overseers on the other plantations, and have a great hunt, and they 'll go over every inch of ground in that swamp. We 'll let him hunt at his leisure.

  Em. But won't he come to the garret?

  Cas. Not he, indeed! He is too much afraid of that place.

  Em. Cassy, how well you have planned it! Who would ever have thought that of you?

  Cas. [Reaching her hand to EMMELINE.] Come.

  SCENE IX.--A Wood. EMMELINE and CASSY stealing cautiously through the trees.

  Enter LEGREE at a distance. Perceives them. Legree. Hallo! you, there!

  Emmeline. [Staggers and catches hold of CASSY'S arm.] O, Cassy, I am going to faint!

  Cassy. [Holding up a dagger.] If you do, I 'll kill you!

  [She seizes EMMELINE under the arm and holds her up, as they disappear.] Legree. [Coming in sight, and looking after them.] Anyhow, they have got into a trap now,--the baggages! They are safe enough! They shall sweat for it! [Turns and runs in another direction.] Hallo! there, Sambo! Quimbo!--all hands!--two runaways in the swamp!--five dollars to any nigger that catches them!--turn out the dogs!--turn out Tiger!--Fury and fire! Halloo! be alive!

  Enter SAMBO, QUIMBO, and a crowd of negroes with torches. They run about distractedly, and shouting and whooping, some getting pine knots and some getting the dogs. Sambo. Mas'r, shall we shoot them? Can't catch 'em.

  Legree. [Giving him a rifle.] Fire on Cass, if you like--time she is gone where she belongs! Don't fire on the girl! Now, be spry! Five dollars to him that gets them! Glass of spirits to you all, any way!

  [Exit all, shouting.] Enter UNCLE TOM; looks after them and raises his hands.. Uncle Tom. Please, good Lord, do, do help 'em--help 'em--help 'em, good Lord!

  SCENE X.--A Room in the House.

  Enter CASSY and EMMELINE out of breath. From the windows is seen the light of flambeaux, and the sound of dogs and shouting is heard. Cas. [Walking to the window and looking out.] See there, the hunt is begun! Hark, the dogs! Don't you hear? If we were there now, our chance would n't be worth a picayune!

  Em. O, for pity's sake! Do let 's hide ourselves! Quick! quick!

  Cas. There is no occasion for hurry. The hunt is the amusement for the evening. They are all out after it. Meanwhile [she walks to a desk and unlocks it] I shall take something to pay our passage.

  Em. O, don't let 's to that!

  Cas. [Taking out a roll of bills and counting them.] Why not? Would you have us starve in the swamp, or have what will pay our way to the free states? Money can do anything, girl!

  Em. But it 's stealing!

  Cas. [Laughs scornfully.] Stealing, is it! They who steal body and soul need not talk to us! Let him talk about stealing! Every one of these bills is stolen--stolen from poor, starving, sweat ing creatures, that must go to the devil at last for his profit! But come, we may as well go up garret. I have got a stock of candles there, and some books to pass away the time. You may be sure they won't come there to inquire after us.

  [Exit.]

  SCENE XI.--The Dining-room.

  Legree. [Solus.] It 's all that Tom, I know! Did n't I see the old wretch lifting up his old black hands, praying? I hate him! I HATE him! And is n't he mine? Is he not MINE? Can't I do what I like with him? Who is to hinder, I wonder? I 'll try once more to-morrow. If I don't catch them--I 'll see what I 'll do!

  SCENE XII .--.

  Emmeline. What do you see?

  Cassy. At it again this morning! There 's that old Stokes on the run. He has come over--has he? And Bill Daken, with his dogs! Hear them swear! There he goes, giving brandy round among them--niggers and all! [Listens.] So I am to be shot down--am I? "Save the girl!" Do you hear that, Emmeline? Is n't he kind? [CASSY rises suddenly, clasps her hands, and looks up.] Almighty God, what is t his for? What have we done more than all the rest of the world, that we are treated so? [After a pause, she lays her hand on EMMELINE'S shoulder.] If it was n't for you, child, I would go out there, and I 'd thank any one that would shoot me down; for what use will freedom be to me? Can it give me back my children, or make me what I used to be?

  Em. Poor Cassy! don't feel so!

  [She takes her hand.] Cas. [Draws it away.] Don't-- you get me to loving you; and I never mean to love anything again.

  Em. You should n't feel so, Cassy. If the Lord gives us liberty perhaps he will give you back your daughter. At any rate, I 'll be like a daughter to you. I know I 'll never see my poor old mother again. I shall love you, Cassy, whether you love me or not.

  Cas. [Sits down, and puts her arm around EMMELINE.] O, Em, I have hungered for my children, and thirsted for them! My heart is broken in longing for them! Here, here all is desperate, all empty! If God would give me back my children, then I could pray.

  Em. You must trust him, Cassy. He is our Father.

  Cas. His wrath is upon us. He is turned away in anger.

  Em. No, Cassy, he will be good to us.

  SCENE XIII.--LEGREE and QUIMBO. Sitting-room.

  Leg. Now, Quimbo, if you 'll just walk up that Tom right away--the old cuss is at the bottom of the whole matter, and I 'll have it out of his old black hide, or I 'll know the reason why! [Exit QUIMBO.] What if I did pay a thousand dollars for him!--two thousand would not pay the plague he has made me! I 've got him! the --

  Enter QUIMBO, dragging along TOM. Quimbo. Ah! you 'll cotch it now, I 'll be bound! Mas'r's back 's up high. No sneaking up now--tell you, you 'll get it--no mistake! See how you look now, helping mas'r's niggers to run away--see what ye got!

  A voice from above. "Fear not them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do."

  Leg. [Seizing TOM by the collar.] Tom, do you know I have made up my mind to kill you?

  Tom. I think it 's quite likely, mas'r.

  Leg. I have--done--just--that--thing, Tom, unless you'll tell me what you know about these here girls!

  [TOM remains silent, and looks on the floor.] Leg. [Stamping.] Do you hear?--speak!

  Tom. I an't got nothing to tell, mas'r.

  Leg. Do you dare to tell me, you old black Christian, that you don't know?

  [TOM remains silent.] Leg. [Furiously.] Speak! Do you know anything?

  Tom. I know, mas'r, but I can't tell anything. I can die.

  Leg. [Comes up to TOM, and speaks close to his face.] Look here, Tom! you think, because I have let you off other times, that I don't mean what I say. But I do! I have made up my mind and counted the cost. You always have stood it out against me; but this time I 'll conquer you, or I 'll kill you--one or t' other! I 'll count every drop of blood that is in you, and take them one by one
till you give up!

  Tom. [Looking up to his master.] Mas'r, if you were sick, or in trouble, or dying, and I could save ye, I 'd give ye my heart's blood; and, if taking every drop of blood in this poor old body would s ave your precious soul, I 'd give 'em freely, as the Lord gave his for me. O! mas'r, don't bring this great sin on your soul! It will hurt you more than 't will me! Do the worst you can, my troubles will be over soon; but, if ye don't repent, yours won't ever end!

  [LEGREE hesitates a moment, and then knocks TOM down. SAMBO and QUIMBO rush in.] Sambo and Quimbo. Shall we take him, mas'r?

  Leg. Yes, take him. I 'll go with you. We 'll see what we'll see!

  [Exit.]

  SCENE XIV.--A Hut. UNCLE TOM lying on straw, apparently dead.

  Enter GEORGE SHELBY. Kneels down. George. Is it possible! Is it possible! Uncle Tom, my poor old friend!

  Uncle Tom. [Moving in his sleep.] "Jesus can make a dying bed

  Feel soft as downy pillows are."

  George. O! Uncle Tom, do wake! do speak once more! Look up! Here's Mas'r George--your own little Mas'r George! Don't you know me?

  Uncle T. [In a feeble voice.] Mas'r George! Mas'r George! Bless the Lord! it is--it is--it 's all I wanted! They have n't forgot me! It warms my soul; it does my old heart good! Now I shall die content! Bless the Lord, O my soul!

  George. You shan't die! you must n't die, nor think of it! I 've come to buy you, and take you home.

  Uncle T. O, Mas'r George, ye 're too late! The Lord's bought me, and is going to take me home; and I long to go. Heaven is better than Kintuck.

  George. O, don't die! It 'll kill me! it 'll break my heart to think what you 've suffered--and lying in this old shed, here! Poor, poor fellow!

  Uncle T. Don't call me a poor fellow! [Solemnly.] I have been poor fellow, but that 's all past and gone now. I 'm right in the door, going into glory! O, Mas'r George! Heaven has come! I 've got the victory! the Lord Jesus has given it to me! Glory be to his name! [He pauses, and then takes GEORGE'S hand.] Ye must n't, now, tell Chloe--poor soul!--how ye found me; 't would be so drefful to her. Only tell her ye found me going into glory; and that I could n't stay for no one. And tell her the Lord stood by me everywhere, and al'ays, and made everything light and easy. And, O! the poor chil'en, and the baby--my old heart's been most broken for 'em, time and again. Tell 'em all to follow me--follow me! Give my love to mas'r, and dear good missis, and everybody in the place! Ye don't know. 'Pears like I love 'em all! I loves every creatur', everywar!--it 's nothing but love! O, Mas'r George, what a thing 't is to be a Christian!