Blake or The Huts of America

by Martin R. Delany

  This, as might have been expected, was received with great favor among the high and low classes, especially the slave portion of the black inhabitants, and their social relation was now regarded as a mutually fixed reality.

  After this, many rumors obtained circulation with no little credence, that other hearts than those were mutually throbbing, and other hands than theirs were intended to be joined in a pledge of union forever.

  CHAPTER 67

  False Alarm

  On Saturday morning after the encounter of Gondolier with the gendarmes, a report spread rapidly that an unsuccessful attempt of the Negroes at insurrection had been quelled on the evening of the Queen’s nativity by the decisive and timely action of the National Guards. One white was said to have been killed; another mortally, a third and fourth seriously wounded.

  The gendarmes who had cowered before the stout arm of Gondolier, determining to be avenged for his temerity and daring, gave credence to the rumor to excite the prejudice of the whites against the blacks.

  This day the troops marched to and fro the city, and out of ranks freely mingled among the people, designedly to keep them in awe. On the corner of every street and byway could be seen in crowds, the white inhabitants standing discussing most earnestly the topic of the day. By noon there was much sensation, and against the middle of the afternoon the excitement became so general and intense that it was with eminent peril that any free black could pass along the public highways.

  Although the Mayor had full authority over the matter to prevent a popular outbreak, the Captain General was compelled to interfere by summoning the parties to appear forthwith before his excellency in the fort of Moro Castle. This had a tendency to appease and to some extent allay the excitement to await the result of an investigation.

  As the viceroy rode through the streets, the people followed in crowds around him, and only stopped from necessity at the Castle gates, standing on the quay during the investigation.

  The two gendarmes were the first called to answer to their names, and who took their places on the stand with assurance of a verdict against the Negroes. Having laid complaint before the chief of police, their affidavits had been filed for future reference, which unexpectedly to them was brought in comparison with the charge now made before the governor.

  By this there was too much discrepancy to justify a verdict for the plaintiff, the gendarmes being unable to identify the criminal, though they insisted that two white men had been attacked, and felled to the ground by a Negro desperado.

  The case after a strictly summary hearing was finally dismissed by the Captain General, who ordered the discharge of the complainants from office, and the story of the insurrection to be contradicted, as a base fabrication got up at the instance of two profligate gendarmes.

  From circumstances transpiring but a day or two before at the palace, the Captain General had his own opinion of the matter, but unsustained as it was even by their own testimony, he deemed it advisable at such a time to decide as he did.

  The difficulty now having been adjusted, and the inhabitants again quieted, the Negroes were permitted to pass through the streets without molestation or unusual attraction.

  Taking advantage of this brief respite, and determined to make the most of the time, invitations to the friends of the parties were immediately sent to attend the marriage ceremonies of Montego and Madame Cordora, Gondolier and Abyssa Soudan-at the earliest dawn on Sabbath morning at the church of the Ascension, to be celebrated the next evening after at the house of Carolus Blacus.

  Cheerfulness and high hopes once more impelled the progress of the black inhabitants, and in their esteem the name of Count Alcora stood first among the greatest of Cuban executives. Every little Negro learned to lisp his name, and the black stevedores at the seaside rung its praise in the packing of his cargoes. Even the old black matron as she sat under the verandah, sung a morning chant to the name of–

  The Great Alcora,

  whilst the old black invalid, basking in the sun, had not to cheer his hopes but–

  God help de Captin General!

  Congratulating themselves whenever they met through the day on the merciful escape they had, each for that evening retired to his home, though well advised, determined to profit by the opportunity offered them in the policy pursued by the highest authority in dismissing the trial for insurrection.

  CHAPTER 68

  Sunday Morning

  Early this morning, before the peep of dawn, ere the great bell of St. Xavier had sounded the first knell of her loud summons to the altar of supplication, the wedding party, brides and bridegrooms, with numerous friends and attendants, might have been seen directing their course toward the church of the Ascension.

  Scarcely could be seen at this early hour any others, save in different directions noted by their Franciscan caps and long white surplices, numerous visiting priests hastening to the various places for the performance of their official duties.

  So dim was the faint inkling light which just began to dawn, that those sons of the holy order presented more the appearance of spectres than men; spectres disturbed from their resting place by a consciousness of wrongs done and left unrepented of while inhabiting their “earthly tenement.” Doubtless were they such; for, professing death to the world, its cares and fleeting allurements, sensibly mindful were they of having “left undone” many things that they ought to have done, whether or not they were fearfully conscious of “having done the things they ought not to have done.”

  Presently the darkness was dispelled by that soft and mellow light peculiar to a West India sky, which ushered in a beautiful cheerful morning. The priests, but faintly discovered before, could now be distinctly seen, and appeared rather impressive at so early an hour in the morning.

  “Behold the men of God!” reverently whispered Abyssa.

  “Who made them men of God?” sarcastically asked Montego.

  “Are they not God-fearing men?” innocently inquired the simple, religious African.

  “To be ‘God-fearing’ is to do the will of God,” continued he, “and these men have neglected the letter of the law ‘Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them.’ These are the words of His divine injunction, every letter of which these men have neglected either to carry out themselves or to enforce. They are, in the stern language of the holy prophet, ‘dumb dogs and will not bark.’ Were they not, there never would have been occasion for the gathering, organization of the Council, nor such a meeting as we must have tomorrow evening at General Blacus’ residence.”

  “Then they can’t marry us!” replied Abyssa, which provoked a general merriment from the company.

  In this general good humor Gondolier heartily joined, and nodding his head significantly to one side, observed that it was the only good thing he believed they did do, and thought that the blacks might try them that time. The merriment was long continued.

  Montego explained to Abyssa that the acts of the priests in performance of the marriage ceremony were right, because done in accordance with the law of God, and acknowledged by the laws of the land, but not more sacred than if performed by a civil magistrate, or any other person set apart by law for such purpose. He preferred the priests for the simple reason that he thought them better men than the magistrates. Hastening on they entered the church at a very early hour.

  On entering, the vestibule was dark, and had not the numerous variegated tapers emitted from the farthest extremity their scintillating rays to the center, the body of the building itself must have been equally gloomy.

  Slowly and solemnly did they advance till directly in front of the altar, where a silly looking adult vestry attendant standing with half-open mouth, by motion and gesture admonished them that the place whereunto they approached was a sacred spot.

  Stopping directly in front of a massive golden flesh-colored lifelike statue representing the Savior of the world, upon either side of which was suspended a malefactor in supplic
ation; they bowed in the name of the Eternal Three. Still looking upon the truthful picture of a skillful hand–the delineations of the well-developed muscles of trunk and extremities; the stern and ghastly, though mild, pitying, and forgiving expression of the face–a mouth which she almost imagined she could see and hear bid her sorrows cease–in the fullness of native goodness and simplicity of African devotion, no longer able to restrain her feelings, falling upon her knees before the altar, clapping her outstretched hands, with face upturned toward heaven, Abyssa cried out:

  “Glory to God!”

  At this moment a body of twelve priests arrayed in robes imposing, accompanied by numerous attendants bearing in their hands many colored lighted candles, entered, the leading divine saying:

  “Arise my child from grief to joy! The first miracle wrought by our blessed Savior was on an occasion of this nature; a marriage feast in Cana of Galilee. Be not sorrowful then but rejoice and be exceeding glad, for where Christ is”–pointing to the crucifix before her–“there is no sorrow.”

  “Thank God!” responded Abyssa, when the right hand of the simpleton instinctively was lifted to enjoin silence in the house of God and presence of the holy order, as he stood with gaping mouth, holding in his left hand a burning wax candle.

  The ceremony was short, pointed and impressive, relating mainly to religious duties and a preference for the Roman Catholic church, concluded by the placing of a plain gold ring on the forefinger of the right hand of each of the brides.

  “This ring which I place on your finger,” said the priest, “is a type of our holy religion; in substance as pure as the incorruptible gold; in character like him”–again pointing to the crucifix–“who propagated it, it must endure forever. Here you see a cross surmounted by a ring”-holding up a Maltese cross in the centre of a ring–“which is steadfast in its position, as you see the cross on our spires. But not so with other religious denominations. Upon their churches you behold a weathercock which turns every way the wind blows. This shows that there is nothing steadfast in their professions, they changing whenever it suits them. I pronounce you man and wife in the name of the Immaculate Conception.”

  It was surmised that the rings supplied were obtained from a stock in trade kept for the purpose in the church, as at the conclusion of the ceremony the gaping simpleton hinted by the summons of his beckon that there was yet another duty to be attended to; when Placido and Castino, following the priests in the vestry, returned three doubloons each less in their pockets.

  On his fact becoming known to the married party as they retired through the aisle, Gondolier observed in a whisper:

  “These ‘men of God’ make most ungodly charges for their services; a doubloon apiece for the two little gold rings the ladies got.”

  The remarks were fully appreciated and equally enjoyed. When the party emerged into the streets, it seemed as if all the beauty and fashion of each race were crowding the streets, en masse, making their way instead of to the Cathedral, the head of the See, the church of the Ascension appearing to be their aim.

  Jet, topaz, and lily colored maidens, graceful and comely, the pictures of innocence and virgin purity, majestic and stately matrons, grave and dignified men, as well as children, composed the mighty throng, but by far the fewest of them being the whites. This fact elicited general observation.

  “Singular,” remarked Montego, “that there should be this morning such a large number of the blacks out, and comparatively so few of the whites.”

  “Enough of them,” replied Gondolier, “to watch over us and keep us in our place. These few came out as our masters and overseers.”

  “But seriously,” enquired Madame Montego, “I have always observed it. Why so many more of our people than the whites attend church?”

  “Because,” replied Placido, “we are really more religiously inclined than they.”

  “I have also often wondered why it was that we are so much more submissive than they,” resumed Madame Montego.

  “Let us for the present defer this discussion,” prudentially admonished Placido, “and resume it on tomorrow evening at the quartermaster’s residence.”

  CHAPTER 69

  Entertainment at Carolus Blacus

  Monday another day of promise to the oppressed race of Cuba. For although there was on this occasion no general public demonstration, yet so completely were they organised, and systematic their plans, that whatever might be going on among them in Matanzas those in Havana were conversant with it, and that which might take place in Havana was at once known to those of Matanzas, Principe, Trinidad and St. Jago de Cuba, Fernandina and every part of the colony.

  Many who visited the city from a distance on the occasion of the Queen’s nativity, having entered the seclusion and received commissions in the Council, went forth to establish confidence in all parts of the island. Even Louis Chevaro, of Principe, was one of the foremost of these.

  Early in the evening they began to gather, which occasion was unlike that of the soiree at Madame Cordora’s, where many being unacquainted, doubts and fears prevailed, not only for their fidelity to each other, but also of their acceptance on account of their humble social position as inferiors and domestics in society.

  But to this they came under very different circumstances, having at the other been redeemed from the degradation of captivity, chosen among the self-reliant of their people, received into seclusion and acknowledged as equals in the Council.

  The repast was simple, though substantial and wholesome, the warm table beverages being coffee and chocolate. The assembly was complete, every person being in his place, and of the whole sent out, not one invitation probably had been neglected. Among them there were cheerfulness and even gaiety, though solemnity and dignity prevailed.

  At the appointed hour, a servant entered the drawing room announcing that the Council Chamber was in readiness, when Gondolier immediately arose following him into an off wing extending back the most distant from the street, which being so completely enveloped with closely clinging creepers and thickly studded shrubbery, that light could not be discerned from an uncurtained window; at the door of which he took a seat armed with a cutlass and his fearful Cuban carver. Shortly after the Council was in session.

  “Preceding all great undertakings,” said Blake, “Divine assistance should be invoked. Let us this night, as on former occasions, as the first step in so momentous an undertaking, ask the aid of heaven,” when they immediately fell upon their knees with their heads bowed low to the floor, burying their faces in the palms of their hands.

  In this position they remained in silent prayer for half an hour, when silence was broken by Abyssa Gondolier, the captive woman of Soudan, in the following unique supplication, which emanating from any other source could hardly be approved of:

  “Make bare thine all conquering; uncover thy impenetrable shield; sway thy matchless scepter; put our enemies to flight before Thee that not one have courage to stand, and at every stroke of the weapon may they fall as dead men before us! Look down we beseech Thee upon us, the least protected, by reason of our weakness, of Thy humble children. We have been captured, torn from friends and home, sold and scattered among strangers in a strange land; yea, to and fro the earth. Sorely oppressed, mocked and ridiculed, refused and denied a common humanity, and not even permitted to serve the same God at the same time and place, in the same way and manner as themselves. Change, O change, we beseech Thee, this state of things! Give us success in this, our most important undertaking and hour of trial, and enable us we beseech Thee to go forth and conquer even unto a mighty conquest!”

  “Amen!” responded the Council in conclusion, rising to their seats.

  Though simple in manner and language, and humble in source, yet so earnest and impressive was this prayer, that many of the principal persons present were moved with deep emotions of sympathy. Sensibly touched with the unexpected scenes around her, the simple, good-hearted Abyssa wept aloud, clasping her hands exclaimin
g–

  “O Lord, look down on one of the least of these thy despised children, and protect her from harm!”

  “Ef he don’t I will!” exclaimed Gofer, her husband, who, until then, stood outside of the door, but now entered the room with his terrible weapon glittering in his hands, eyes flashing and teeth gnashing for vengeance on his oppressors.

  “Thank God,” said Blake, “for this prospect! It much reminds one of the singular days of miserable happiness spent at times while in bondage, agonizing together in our religious meetings in the huts of the slave quarters of Mississippi and other plantations. But bright as we at times, from our faith and dependence on God, then considered our prospects, there is here a much brighter and happier one in view. When faith and hope were our only dependence, expecting God to do everything for us, and we nothing for ourselves, now with the same faith and hope and dependence on God we have learned and know what He requires at our hands, and stand ready in obedience to this divine command to do it. Let us then, for God’s sake, profit by this knowledge, self-reliance, with faith and dependence on God. What is now before the Council; God has been praised–what comes next?”

  “Our policy is the first consideration,” replied Placido.

  “What is that policy?” inquired Blake.

  “That is for the Council to determine,” replied he.

  “The rules laid down, whatever they may be, should be plain, simple, and at once comprehensible to every black person, however illiterate,” said Blake.

  “That’s the idea at once expressed,” sanctioned Placido with emphasis.

  “Shall we not discuss the point raised returning from the church of the Ascension–the equality of the black and white races?” inquired Madame Montego.

  “I cannot see the utility of it, Madame Montego,” replied Placido.