Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

LABORS ON SUGAR PLANTATIONS--THE MODE OF PLANTING CANE--OF HOEING CANE--CANE RICKS--CUTTING CANE--DESCRIPTION OF THE CANE KNIFE--WINROWING--PREPARING FOR SUCCEEDING CROPS--DESCRIPTION OF HAWKINS' SUGAR MILL ON BAYOU BOEUF--THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS--THE CARNIVAL SEASON OF THE CHILDREN OF BONDAGE--THE CHRISTMAS SUPPER--RED, THE FAVORITE COLOR--THE VIOLIN, AND THE CONSOLATION IT AFFORDED--THE CHRISTMAS DANCE--LIVELY, THE COQUETTE--SAM ROBERTS, AND HIS RIVALS--SLAVE SONGS--SOUTHERN LIFE AS IT IS--THREE DAYS IN THE YEAR--THE SYSTEM OF MARRIAGE--UNCLE ABRAM'S CONTEMPT OF MATRIMONY.

In consequence of my inability in cotton-picking, Epps was in the habit of hiring me out on sugar plantations during the season of cane-cutting and sugar-making. He received for my services a dollar a day, with the money supplying my place on his cotton plantation.