英语天堂-第42部分

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y　one　turn　and　look　after　her；　as　she　glided　hither　and　thither　on　the　boat。　Nevertheless；　the　little　one　was　not　what　you　would　have　called　either　a　grave　child　or　a　sad　one。　On　the　contrary；　an　airy　and　innocent　playfulness　seemed　to　flicker　like　the　shadow　of　summer　leaves　over　her　childish　face；　and　around　her　buoyant　figure。　She　was　always　in　motion；　always　with　a　half　smile　on　her　rosy　mouth；　flying　hither　and　thither；　with　an　undulating　and　cloud…like　tread；　singing　to　herself　as　she　moved　as　in　a　happy　dream。　Her　father　and　female　guardian　were　incessantly　busy　in　pursuit　of　her；—but；　when　caught；　she　melted　from　them　again　like　a　summer　cloud；　and　as　no　word　of　chiding　or　reproof　ever　fell　on　her　ear　for　whatever　she　chose　to　do；　she　pursued　her　own　way　all　over　the　boat。　Always　dressed　in　white；　she　seemed　to　move　like　a　shadow　through　all　sorts　of　places；　without　contracting　spot　or　stain；　and　there　was　not　a　corner　or　nook；　above　or　below；　where　those　fairy　footsteps　had　not　glided；　and　that　visionary　golden　head；　with　its　deep　blue　eyes；　fleeted　along。
The　fireman；　as　he　looked　up　from　his　sweaty　toil；　sometimes　found　those　eyes　looking　wonderingly　into　the　raging　depths　of　the　furnace；　and　fearfully　and　pityingly　at　him；　as　if　she　thought　him　in　some　dreadful　danger。　Anon　the　steersman　at　the　wheel　paused　and　smiled；　as　the　picture…like　head　gleamed　through　the　window　of　the　round　house；　and　in　a　moment　was　gone　again。　A　thousand　times　a　day　rough　voices　blessed　her；　and　smiles　of　unwonted　softness　stole　over　hard　faces；　as　she　passed；　and　when　she　tripped　fearlessly　over　dangerous　places；　rough；　sooty　hands　were　stretched　involuntarily　out　to　save　her；　and　smooth　her　path。
Tom；　who　had　the　soft；　impressible　nature　of　his　kindly　race；　ever　yearning　toward　the　simple　and　childlike；　watched　the　little　creature　with　daily　increasing　interest。　To　him　she　seemed　something　almost　divine；　and　whenever　her　golden　head　and　deep　blue　eyes　peered　out　upon　him　from　behind　some　dusky　cotton…bale；　or　looked　down　upon　him　over　some　ridge　of　packages；　he　half　believed　that　he　saw　one　of　the　angels　stepped　out　of　his　New　Testament。
Often　and　often　she　walked　mournfully　round　the　place　where　Haley’s　gang　of　men　and　women　sat　in　their　chains。　She　would　glide　in　among　them；　and　look　at　them　with　an　air　of　perplexed　and　sorrowful　earnestness；　and　sometimes　she　would　lift　their　chains　with　her　slender　hands；　and　then　sigh　wofully；　as　she　glided　away。　Several　times　she　appeared　suddenly　among　them；　with　her　hands　full　of　candy；　nuts；　and　oranges；　which　she　would　distribute　joyfully　to　them；　and　then　be　gone　again。
Tom　watched　the　little　lady　a　great　deal；　before　he　ventured　on　any　overtures　towards　acquaintanceship。　He　knew　an　abundance　of　simple　acts　to　propitiate　and　invite　the　approaches　of　the　little　people；　and　he　resolved　to　play　his　part　right　skilfully。　He　could　cut　cunning　little　baskets　out　of　cherry…stones；　could　make　grotesque　faces　on　hickory…nuts；　or　odd…jumping　figures　out　of　elder…pith；　and　he　was　a　very　Pan　in　the　manufacture　of　whistles　of　all　sizes　and　sorts。　His　pockets　were　full　of　miscellaneous　articles　of　attraction；　which　he　had　hoarded　in　days　of　old　for　his　master’s　children；　and　which　he　now　produced；　with　commendable　prudence　and　economy；　one　by　one；　as　overtures　for　acquaintance　and　friendship。
The　little　one　was　shy；　for　all　her　busy　interest　in　everything　going　on；　and　it　was　not　easy　to　tame　her。　For　a　while；　she　would　perch　like　a　canary…bird　on　some　box　or　package　near　Tom；　while　busy　in　the　little　arts　afore…named；　and　take　from　him；　with　a　kind　of　grave　bashfulness；　the　little　articles　he　offered。　But　at　last　they　got　on　quite　confidential　terms。
“What’s　little　missy’s　name？”　said　Tom；　at　last；　when　he　thought　matters　were　ripe　to　push　such　an　inquiry。
“Evangeline　St。　Clare；”　said　the　little　one；　“though　papa　and　everybody　else　call　me　Eva。　Now；　what’s　your　name？”
“My　name’s　Tom；　the　little　chil’en　used　to　call　me　Uncle　Tom；　way　back　thar　in　Kentuck。”
“Then　I　mean　to　call　you　Uncle　Tom；　because；　you　see；　I　like　you；”　said　Eva。　“So；　Uncle　Tom；　where　are　you　going？”
“I　don’t　know；　Miss　Eva。”
“Don’t　know？”　said　Eva。
“No；　I　am　going　to　be　sold　to　somebody。　I　don’t　know　who。”
“My　papa　can　buy　you；”　said　Eva；　quickly；　“and　if　he　buys　you；　you　will　have　good　times。　I　mean　to　ask　him；　this　very　day。”
“Thank　you；　my　little　lady；”　said　Tom。
The　boat　here　stopped　at　a　small　landing　to　take　in　wood；　and　Eva；　hearing　her　father’s　voice；　bounded　nimbly　away。　Tom　rose　up；　and　went　forward　to　offer　his　service　in　wooding；　and　soon　was　busy　among　the　hands。
Eva　and　her　father　were　standing　together　by　the　railings　to　see　the　boat　start　from　the　landing…place；　the　wheel　had　made　two　or　three　revolutions　in　the　water；　when；　by　some　sudden　movement；　the　little　one　suddenly　lost　her　balance　and　fell　sheer　over　the　side　of　the　boat　into　the　water。　Her　father；　scarce　knowing　what　he　did；　was　plunging　in　after　her；　but　was　held　back　by　some　behind　him；　who　saw　that　more　efficient　aid　had　followed　his　child。
Tom　was　standing　just　under　her　on　the　lower　deck；　as　she　fell。　He　saw　her　strike　the　water；　and　sink；　and　was　after　her　in　a　moment。　A　broad…chested；　strong…armed　fellow；　it　was　nothing　for　him　to　keep　afloat　in　the　water；　till；　in　a　moment　or　two　the　child　rose　to　the　surface；　and　he　caught　her　in　his　arms；　and；　swimming　with　her　to　the　boat…side；　handed　her　up；　all　dripping；　to　the　grasp　of　hundreds　of　hands；　which；　as　if　they　had　all　belonged　to　one　man；　were　stretched　eagerly　out　to　receive　her。　A　few　moments　more；　and　her　father　bore　her；　dripping　and　senseless；　to　the　ladies’　cabin；　where；　as　is　usual　in　cases　of　the　kind；　there　ensued　a　very　well…meaning　and　kind…hearted　strife　among　the　female　ocomupants　generally；　as　to　who　should　do　the　most　things　to　make　a　disturbance；　and　to　hinder　her　recovery　in　every　way　possible。
It　was　a　sultry；　close　day；　the　next　day；　as　the　steamer　drew　near　to　New　Orleans。　A　general　bustle　of　expectation　and　preparation　was　spread　through　the　boat；　in　the　cabin；　one　and　another　were　gathering　their　things　together；　and　arranging　them；　preparatory　to　going　ashore。　The　steward　and　chambermaid；　and　all；　were　busily　engaged　in　cleaning；　furbishing；　and　arranging　the　splendid　boat；　preparatory　to　a　grand　entree。
On　the　lower　deck　sat　our　friend　Tom；　with　his　arms　folded；　and　anxiously；　from　time　to　time；　turning　his　eyes　towards　a　group　on　the　other　side　of　the　boat。
There　stood　the　fair　Evangeline；　a　little　paler　than　the　day　before；　but　otherwise　exhibiting　no　traces　of　the　acomident　which　had　befallen　her。　A　graceful；　elegantly…formed　young　man　stood　by　her；　carelessly　leaning　one　elbow　on　a　bale　of　cotton。　while　a　large　pocket…book　lay　open　before　him。　It　was　quite　evident；　at　a　glance；　that　the　gentleman　was　Eva’s　father。　There　was　the　same　noble　cast　of　head；　the　same　large　blue　eyes；　the　same　golden…brown　hair；　yet　the　expression　was　wholly　different。　In　the　large；　clear　blue　eyes；　though　in　form　and　color　exactly　similar；　there　was　wanting　that　misty；　dreamy　depth　of　expression；　all　was　clear；　bold；　and　bright；　but　with　a　light　wholly　of　this　world：　the　beautifully　cut　mouth　had　a　proud　and　somewhat　sarcastic　expression；　while　an　air　of　free…and…easy　superiority　sat　not　ungracefully　in　every　turn　and　movement　of　his　fine　form。　He　was　listening；　with　a　good…humored；　negligent　air；　half　comic；　half　contemptuous；　to　Haley；　who　was　very　volubly　expatiating　on　the　quality　of　the　article　for　which　they　were　bargaining。
“All　the　moral　and　Christian　virtues　bound　in　black　Morocomo；　complete！”　he　said；　when　Haley　had　finished。　“Well；　now；　my　good　fellow；　what’s　the　damage；　as　they　say　in　Kentucky；　in　short；　what’s　to　be　paid　out　for　this　business？　How　much　are　you　going　to　cheat　me；　now？　Out　with　it！”
“Wal；”　said　Haley；　“if　I　should　say　thirteen　hundred　dollars　for　that　ar　fellow；　I　shouldn’t　but　just　save　myself；　I　shouldn’t；　now；　re’ly。”
“Poor　fellow！”　said　the　young　man；　fixing　his　keen；　mocking　blue　eye　on　him；　“but　I　suppose　you’d　let　me　have　him　for　that；　out　of　a　particular　regard　for　me。”
“Well；　the　young　lady　here　seems　to　be　sot　on　him；　and　nat’lly　enough。”
“O！　certainly；　there’s　a　call　on　your　benevolence；　my　friend。　Now；　as　a　matter　of　Christian　charity；　how　cheap　could　you　afford　to　let　him　go；　to　oblige　a　young　lady　that’s　particular　sot　on　him？”
“Wal；　now；　just　think　on　’t；”　said　the　trader；　“just　look　at　them　limbs；—broad…chested；　strong　as　a　horse。　Look　at　his　head；　them　high　forrads　allays　shows　calculatin　niggers；　that’ll　do　any　kind　o’　thing。　I’ve；　marked　that　ar。　Now；　a　nigger　of　that　ar　heft　and　build　is　worth　considerable；　just　as　you　may　say；　for　his　body；　supposin　he’s　stupid；　but　come　to　put　in　his　calculatin　faculties；　and　them　which　I　can　show　he　has　oncommon；　why；　of　course；　it　makes　him　come　higher。　Why；　that　ar　fellow　managed　his　master’s　whole　farm。　He　has　a　strornary　talent　for　business。”
“Bad；　bad；　very　bad；　knows　altogether　too　much！”　said　the　young　man；　with　the　same　mocking　smile　playing　about　his　mouth。　“Never　will　do；　in　the　world。　Your　smart　fellows　are　always　running　off；　stealing　horses；　and　raising　the　devil　generally。　I　think　you’ll　have　to　take　off　a　couple　of　hundred　for　his　smartness。”
“Wal；　there　might　be　something　in　that　ar；　if　it　warnt　for　his　character；　but　I　can　show　recommends　from　his　master　and　others；　to　prove　he　is　one　of　your　real　pious；—the　most　humble；　prayin；　pious　crittur　ye　ever　did　see。　Why；　he’s　been　called　a　preacher　in　them　parts　he　came　from。”
“And　I　might　use　him　for　a　family　chaplain；　possibly；”　added　the　young　man；　dryly。　“That’s　quite　an　idea。　Religion　is　a　remarkably　scarce　article　at　our　house。”
“You’re　joking；　now。”
“How　do　you　know　I　am？　Didn’t　you　just　warrant　him　for　a　preacher？　Has　he　been　examined　by　any　synod　or　council？　Come；　hand　over　your　papers。”
If　the　trader　had　not　been　sure；　by　a　certain　good…humored　twinkle　in　the　large　eye；　that　all　this　banter　was　sure；　in　the　long　run；　to　turn　out　a　cash　concern；　he　might　have　been　somewhat　out　of　patience；　as　it　was；　he　laid　down　a　greasy　pocket…book　on　the　cotton…bales；　and　began　anxiously　studying　over　certain　papers　in　it；　the　young　man　standing　by；　the　while；　looking　down　on　him　with　an　air　of　careless；　easy　drollery。
“Papa；　do　buy　him！　it’s　no　matter　what　you　pay；”　whispered　Eva；　softly；　getting　up　on　a　package；　and　putting　her　arm　around　her　father’s　neck。　“You　have　money　enough；　I　know。　I　want　him。”
“What　for；　pussy？　Are　you　going　to　use　him　for　a　rattle…box；　or　a　rocking…horse；　or　what？
“I　want　to　make　him　happy。”
“An　original　reason；　certainly。”
Here　the　trader　handed　up　a　certificate；　signed　by　Mr。　Shelby；　which　the　young　man　took　with　the　tips　of　his　long　fingers；　and　glanced　over　carelessly。
“A　gentlemanly　hand；”　he　said；　“and　well　spelt；　too。　Well；　now；　but　I’m　not　sure；　after　all；　about　this　religion；”　said　he；　the　old　wicked　expression　returning　to　his　eye；　“the　country　is　almost　ruined　with　pious　white　people；　such　pious　politicians　as　we　have　just　before　elections；—such　pious　goings　on　in　all　departments　of　church　and　state；　that　a　fellow　does　not　know　who’ll　cheat　him　next。　I　don’t　know；　either；　about　religion’s　being　up　in　the　market；　just　now。　I　have　not　looked　in　the　papers　lately；　to　see　how　it　sells。　How　many　hundred　dollars；　now；　do　you　put　on　for　this　religion？”
“You　like　to　be　jokin；　now；”　said　the　trader；　“but；　then；　there’s　sense　under　all　that　ar。　I　know　there’s　differences　in　religion。　Some　kinds　is　mis’rable：　there’s　your　meetin　pious；　there’s　your　singin；　roarin　pious；　them　ar　an’t　no　acomount；　in　black　or　white；—but　these　rayly　is；　and　I’ve　seen　it　in　niggers　as　often　as　any；　your　rail　softly；　quiet；　stiddy；　honest；　pious；　that　the　hull　world　couldn’t　tempt　’em　to　do　nothing　that　they　thinks　is　wrong；　and　ye　see　in　this　letter　what　Tom’s　old　master　says　about　him。”
“Now；”　said　the　young　man；　stooping　gravely　over　his　book　of　bills；　“if　you　can　assure　me　that　I　really　can　buy　this　kind　of　pious；　and　that　it　will　be　set　down　to　my　acomount　in　the　book　up　above；　as　something　belonging　to　me；　I　wouldn’t　care　if　I　did　go　a　little　extra　for　it。　How　d’ye　say？”
“Wal；　raily；　I　can’t　do　that；”　said　the　trader。　“I’m　a　thinkin　that　every　man’ll　have　to　hang　on　his　own　hook；　in　them　ar　quarters。”
“Rather　hard　on　a　fellow　that　pays　extra　on　religion；　and　can’t　trade　with　it　in　the　state　where　he　wants　it　most；　an’t　it；　now？”　said　the　young　man；　who　had　been　making　out　a　roll　of　bills　while　he　was　speaking。　“There；　count　your　money；　old　boy！”　he　added；　as　he　handed　the　roll　to　the　trader。
“All　right；”　said　Haley；　his　face　beaming　with　delight；　and　pulling　out　an　old　inkhorn；　he　proceeded　to　fill　out　a　bill　of　sale；　which；　in　a　few　moments；　he　handed　to　the　young　man。
“I　wonder；　now；　if　I　was　divided　up　and　inventoried；”　said　the　latter　as　he　ran　over　the　paper；　“how　much　I　might　bring。　Say　so　much　for　the　shape　of　my　head；　so　much　for　a　high　forehead；　so　much　for　arms；　and　hands；　and　legs；　and　then　so　much　for　education；　learning；　talent；　honesty；　religion！　Bless　me！　there　would　be　small　charge　on　that　last；　I’m　thinking。　But　come；　Eva；”　he　said；　and　taking　the　hand　of　his　daughter；　he　stepped　across　the　boat；　and　carelessly　putting　the　tip　of　his　finger　under　Tom’s　chin；　said；　good…humoredly；　“Look…up；　Tom；　and　see　how　you　like　your　new　master。”
Tom　looked　up。　It　was　not　in　nature　to　look　into　that　gay；　young；　handsome　face；　without　a　feeling　of　pleasure；　and　Tom　felt　the　tears　start　in　his　eyes　as　he　said；　heartily；　“God　bless　you；　Mas’r！”
“Well；　I　hope　he　will。　What’s　your　name？　Tom？　Quite　as　likely　to　do　it　for　your　asking　as　mine；　from　all　acomounts。　Can　you　drive　horses；　Tom？”
“I’ve　been　allays　used　to　horses；”　said　Tom。　“Mas’r　Shelby　raised　heaps　of　’em。”
“Well；　I　think　I　shall　put　you　in　coachy；　on　condition　that　you　won’t　be　drunk　more　than　once　a　week；　unless　in　cases　of　emergency；　Tom。”
Tom　looked　surprised；　and　rather　hurt；　and　said；　“I　never　drink；　Mas’r。”
“I’ve　heard　that　story　before；　Tom；　but　then　we’ll　see。　It　will　be　a　special　acomommodation　to　all　concerned；　if　you　don’t。　Never　mind；　my　boy；”　he　added；　good…humoredly；　seeing　Tom　still　looked　grave；　“I　don’t　doubt　you　mean　to　do　well。”
“I　sartin　do；　Mas’r；”　said　Tom。
“And　you　shall　have　good　times；”　said　Eva。　“Papa　is　very　good　to　everybody；　only　he　always　will　laugh　at　them。”
“Papa　is　much　obliged　to　you　for　his　recommendation；”　said　St。　Clare；　laughing；　as　he　turned　on　his　heel　and　walked　away。
1　In　Atala；　or　the　Love　and　Constantcy　of　Two　Savages　in　the　Desert　（1801）　by　Francois　Auguste　Rene；　Vicomte　de　Chateaubriand　（1768…1848）。
Chapter　15
Of　Tom’s　New　Master；　and　Various　Other　Matters
Since　the　thread　of　our　humble　hero’s　life　has　now　become　interwoven　with　that　of　higher　ones；　it　is　necessary　to　give　some　brief　introduction　to　them。
Augustine　St。　Clare　was　the　son　of　a　wealthy　planter　of　Louisiana。　The　family　had　its　origin　in　Canada。　Of　two　brothers；　very　similar　in　temperament　and　character；　one　had　settled　on　a　flourishing　farm　in　Vermont；　and　the　oth