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the slaughterhouse of Mr。 Curtis on Louden Slater's
Hill； I was conducted by Rich； one of the hands
belonging on board of the sloop； to my new home
in Alliciana Street； near Mr。 Gardner's ship…yard； on
Fells Point。
Mr。 and Mrs。 Auld were both at home； and met
me at the door with their little son Thomas； to take
care of whom I had been given。 And here I saw what
I had never seen before； it was a white face beaming
with the most kindly emotions； it was the face of
my new mistress； Sophia Auld。 I wish I could de…
scribe the rapture that flashed through my soul as I
beheld it。 It was a new and strange sight to me；
brightening up my pathway with the light of happi…
ness。 Little Thomas was told； there was his Freddy；
and I was told to take care of little Thomas； and
thus I entered upon the duties of my new home with
the most cheering prospect ahead。
I look upon my departure from Colonel Lloyd's
plantation as one of the most interesting events of
my life。 It is possible； and even quite probable； that
but for the mere circumstance of being removed
from that plantation to Baltimore； I should have
to…day； instead of being here seated by my own table；
in the enjoyment of freedom and the happiness of
home； writing this Narrative； been confined in the
galling chains of slavery。 Going to live at Baltimore
laid the foundation； and opened the gateway； to all
my subsequent prosperity。 I have ever regarded it
as the first plain manifestation of that kind provi…
dence which has ever since attended me； and marked
my life with so many favors。 I regarded the selection
of myself as being somewhat remarkable。 There were
a number of slave children that might have been
sent from the plantation to Baltimore。 There were
those younger； those older； and those of the same
age。 I was chosen from among them all； and was
the first； last； and only choice。
I may be deemed superstitious； and even egotisti…
cal； in regarding this event as a special interposition
of divine Providence in my favor。 But I should be
false to the earliest sentiments of my soul； if I sup…
pressed the opinion。 I prefer to be true to myself；
even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others；
rather than to be false； and incur my own abhor…
rence。 From my earliest recollection； I date the en…
tertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would
not always be able to hold me within its foul em…
brace； and in the darkest hours of my career in slav…
ery； this living word of faith and spirit of hope de…
parted not from me； but remained like ministering
angels to cheer me through the gloom。 This good
spirit was from God； and to him I offer thanksgiving
and praise。
CHAPTER VI
My new mistress proved to be all she appeared
when I first met her at the door；a woman of the
kindest heart and finest feelings。 She had never had
a slave under her control previously to myself； and
prior to her marriage she had been dependent upon
her own industry for a living。 She was by trade a
weaver； and by constant application to her business；
she had been in a good degree preserved from the
blighting and dehumanizing effects of slavery。 I was
utterly astonished at her goodness。 I scarcely knew
how to behave towards her。 She was entirely unlike
any other white woman I had ever seen。 I could not
approach her as I was accustomed to approach other
white ladies。 My early instruction was all out of
place。 The crouching servility； usually so acceptable
a quality in a slave； did not answer when manifested
toward her。 Her favor was not gained by it； she
seemed to be disturbed by it。 She did not deem it
impudent or unmannerly for a slave to look her in
the face。 The meanest slave was put fully at ease
in her presence； and none left without feeling bet…
ter for having seen her。 Her face was made of heav…
enly smiles； and her voice of tranquil music。
But； alas！ this kind heart had but a short time to
remain such。 The fatal poison of irresponsible power
was already in her hands； and soon commenced its
infernal work。 That cheerful eye； under the influ…
ence of slavery； soon became red with rage； that
voice； made all of sweet accord； changed to one of
harsh and horrid discord； and that angelic face gave
place to that of a demon。
Very soon after I went to live with Mr。 and Mrs。
Auld； she very kindly commenced to teach me the
A； B； C。 After I had learned this； she assisted me in
learning to spell words of three or four letters。 Just
at this point of my progress； Mr。 Auld found out
what was going on； and at once forbade Mrs。 Auld
to instruct me further； telling her； among other
things； that it was unlawful； as well as unsafe； to
teach a slave to read。 To use his own words； further；
he said； 〃If you give a nigger an inch； he will take
an ell。 A nigger should know nothing but to obey
his masterto do as he is told to do。 Learning would
~spoil~ the best nigger in the world。 Now；〃 said he； 〃if
you teach that nigger （speaking of myself） how to
read； there would be no keeping him。 It would for…
ever unfit him to be a slave。 He would at once be…
come unmanageable； and of no value to his master。
As to himself； it could do him no good； but a great
deal of harm。 It would make him discontented and
unhappy。〃 These words sank deep into my heart；
stirred up sentiments within that lay slumbering；
and called into existence an entirely new train of
thought。 It was a new and special revelation； ex…
plaining dark and mysterious things； with which my
youthful understanding had struggled； but struggled
in vain。 I now understood what had been to me a
most perplexing difficultyto wit； the white man's
power to enslave the black man。 It was a grand
achievement； and I prized it highly。 From that mo…
ment； I understood the pathway from slavery to free…
dom。 It was just what I wanted； and I got it at a
time when I the least expected it。 Whilst I was sad…
dened by the thought of losing the aid of my kind
mistress； I was gladdened by the invaluable instruc…
tion which； by the merest accident； I had gained
from my master。 Though conscious of the difficulty
of learning without a teacher； I set out with high
hope； and a fixed purpose； at whatever cost of trou…
ble； to learn how to read。 The very decided manner
with which he spoke； and strove to impress his wife
with the evil consequences of giving me instruction；
served to convince me that he was deeply sensible
of the truths he was uttering。 It gave me the best
assurance that I might rely with the utmost confi…
dence on the results which； he said； would flow from
teaching me to read。 What he most dreaded； that
I most desired。 What he most loved； that I most
hated。 That which to him was a great evil； to be
carefully shunned； was to me a great good； to be
diligently sought； and the argument