Chapter 34. The Quadroon's Story
And behold the tears of such as are oppressed; and on the side of their oppressors there was power. Wherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive.—ECCL. 4:1.
It was late at night, and Tom lay groaning and bleeding alone, in an old forsaken room of the gin-house, among pieces of broken machinery, piles of damaged cotton, and other rubbish which had there accumulated.
The night was damp and close, and the thick air swarmed with myriads of mosquitos, which increased the restless t*****e of his wounds; whilst a burning thirst—a t*****e beyond all others—filled up the uttermost measure of physical anguish.
"O, good Lord! Do look down,—give me the victory!—give me the victory over all!" prayed poor Tom, in his angu
