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Show 228 UNCLE TOl\l1S CABIN : OR, shed where Tom wns lying; and, as if descending on that star-beam, carne tho solemn words, " I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." The mysterious warnings and intimations of Cassy, so far from discouraging his soul, in the end had roused it as with a heavenly call. lie did not know but that tho day of his death was dawning in the sky; and his heart throbbed with solemn throes of joy and desire, as he thonght that tho wondrous all, of which he had often pondered,- the great white thronc1 with its ever rn.diant rainbow j tho whiterobed multitude, with voices as many waters; the crowns, the palms, the harps,- might all break upon his vision before thnt sun should set again. And, therefore, without shuddering or trembling, he heard tho voice of his persecutor, as he drew ncar. "We11, my boy," said Legree, with a contemptuous kick, "how do you find yourself? Didn't I tciJ ycr I could larn yer a thing or two? How do ycr like it,- ch? How did yer whaling ngreo with yer, Tom 'J. A.n't quite so crank as yo was l::lst night. Yo couldn't trea.t a poor sinner, now, to a bit of a sermon, could yc,-eh 'J." Tom answered nothing. " Get up, you beast ! " said Legree, kicking him again. This was a. difficult mn.ttcr for one so bruised ::md £:tint; and, as Tom made efforts to do so, Legree laughed brutally. " What makes yo so spry, this morning, Tom 'J. Cotchcd cold, may be, last night." Tom by this time had gained his feet, and was confronting l1is master with a steady, unmoved front. "~rho devil, you can ! " said Legree, looking him over. "I believe you haven't got enough yet. Now, Tom, get LIFE AMONG THE LOWLY. 229 right down on yer knees and beg my pardon, for yer shines last night." Tom did not move. "Down, you dog! '' said Legree, strHcing him with his riding-whip. ".Mas'r Legree," said Tom, "I can't do it. I did only what I thought was right. I shall do just so again, if ever the time comes. I never will do a cruel thing, come what may." "Yes, but ye don't know what may come, .Master Tom. Yo think what you've got is something. I tell you 't an't anything,- nothing 'tall. How would yc like to be tied to a tree, and have a slow fire lit up around ye; -wouldn't that be pleasant,- eh, Tom 'J." "Mas'r/' said Tom, " I know ye can do dreadful things; but," - he stretched himself upward and clasped his bands, -"but, after yo 'vc killed the body, there an't no more ye can do. And 0, there 'a all ETERNITY to come, after that!" ETERNITY,- tho word thrilled through the black man's soul with light and power, as ho spoke; it thrilled through the sinner's soul, too, like the bite of a scorpion. Legree gnashed on him with his teeth, but rage kept him silent; and Tom, like a man disenthralled, spoke, in a clear and cheerful voice, ".Mas'r Legree, as yo bought me, I 'I! be a true and faithful servant to yo. I'!! give yo all the work of my hands, all my time, all my strength; but my soul I won't give up to mortal man. I will hold on to the Lord, and put his commands before all,- die or Ji,•e; you may be sure on 't. Mas'r Legree, I an't a grain afeard to die. I'd as soon die as not. Ye may whip me, starve me, burn me,- it '11 only send me sooner where I want to go." VOL. II. 20 |