had constantly
inculcated these plausible doctrine. Nature laughed them to scorn. For
my own part, I had now become altogether too big for my chains. Father
Lawson's solemn words, of what I ought to be, and might be, in the
providence of God, had not fallen dead on my soul. I was fast
verging toward manhood, and the prophecies of my childhood were still
unfulfilled. The thought, that year after year had passed away, and
my resolutions to run away had failed and faded--that I was _still a
slave_, and a slave, too, with chances for gaining my freedom diminished
and still diminishing--was not a matter to be slept over easily; nor did
I easily sleep over it.

But here came a new trouble. Thoughts and purposes so incendiary as
those I now cherished, could not agitate the mind long, without danger
of making themselves manifest to scrutinizing and unfriendly beholders.
I had reason to fear that my sable face might prove altogether too
transparent for the safe concealment of my hazardous enterprise. Plans
of greater moment have leaked through stone walls, and revealed their
projectors. But, here was no stone wall to hide my purpose. I would
have given my poor, tell tale face for the immoveable countenance of
an Indian, for it was far from being proof against the daily, searching
glances of those with whom I met.

It is the interest and business of slaveholders to study human nature,
with a view to practical results, and many of them attain astonishing
proficiency in discerning the thoughts and emotions of slaves. They have
to deal not with earth, wood, or stone, but with _men;_ and, by every
regard they have for their safety and prosperity, they must study to
know the material on which they are at work. So much intellect as the
slaveholder has around him, requires watching. Their safety depends upon
their vigilance. Conscious of the injustice and wrong they are every
hour{214} perpetrating, and knowing what they themselves would do if
made the victims of such wrongs, they are looking out for the first
signs of the dread retribution of justice. They watch, therefore,
with skilled and practiced eyes, and have learned to read, with great
accuracy, the state of mind and heart of the slaves, through his sable
face. These uneasy sinners are quick to inquire into the matter,
where the slave is concerned. Unusual sobriety, apparent abstraction,
sullenness and indifference--indeed, any mood out of the common
way--afford ground for su