t
off, for a long time, a surprise to me, and I cannot, even now, fully
explain the cause.

The only explanation I can venture to suggest, is the fact, that Covey
was, probably, ashamed to have it known and confessed that he had been
mastered by a boy of sixteen. Mr. Covey enjoyed the unbounded and very
valuable reputation, of being a first rate overseer and _Negro breaker_.
By means of this reputation, he was able to procure his hands for _very
trifling_ compensation, and with very great ease. His interest and
his pride mutually suggested the wisdom of passing the matter by, in
silence. The story that he had undertaken to whip a lad, and had been
resisted, was, of itself, sufficient to damage him; for his bearing
should, in the estimation of slaveholders, be of that imperial order
that should make such an occurrence _impossible_. I judge from these
circumstances, that Covey deemed it best to{192} give me the go-by. It
is, perhaps, not altogether creditable to my natural temper, that, after
this conflict with Mr. Covey, I did, at times, purposely aim to provoke
him to an attack, by refusing to keep with the other hands in the field,
but I could never bully him to another battle. I had made up my mind to
do him serious damage, if he ever again attempted to lay violent hands
on me.

_Hereditary bondmen, know ye not
Who would be free, themselves must strike the blow?_

CHAPTER XVIII. _New Relations and Duties_

CHANGE OF MASTERS--BENEFITS DERIVED BY THE CHANGE--FAME OF THE FIGHT
WITH COVEY--RECKLESS UNCONCERN--MY ABHORRENCE OF SLAVERY--ABILITY
TO READ A CAUSE OF PREJUDICE--THE HOLIDAYS--HOW SPENT--SHARP HIT AT
SLAVERY--EFFECTS OF HOLIDAYS--A DEVICE OF SLAVERY--DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
COVEY AND FREELAND--AN IRRELIGIOUS MASTER PREFERRED TO A RELIGIOUS
ONE--CATALOGUE OF FLOGGABLE OFFENSES--HARD LIFE AT COVEY'S
USEFUL--IMPROVED CONDITION NOT FOLLOWED BY CONTENTMENT--CONGENIAL
SOCIETY AT FREELAND'S--SABBATH SCHOOL INSTITUTED--SECRECY
NECESSARY--AFFECTIONATE RELATIONS OF TUTOR AND PUPILS--CONFIDENCE
AND FRIENDSHIP AMONG SLAVES--I DECLINE PUBLISHING PARTICULARS OF
CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FRIENDS--SLAVERY THE INVITER OF VENGEANCE.

My term of actual service to Mr. Edward Covey ended on Christmas day,
1834. I gladly left the snakish Covey, although he was now as gentle as
a lamb. My home for the year 1835 was already secured--my next master
was already selected. There is always more or less excitement a