Read "Twelve Years a Slave" by Solomon Northup online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
ARRIVAL IN NEW-ORLEANS--GLIMPSE OF FREEMAN--GENOIS, THE RECORDER--HIS DESCRIPTION OF SOLOMON--REACH CHARLESTON--INTERRUPTED BY CUSTOM HOUSE OFFICERS--PASS THROUGH RICHMOND--ARRIVAL IN WASHINGTON--BURCH ARRESTED--SHEKELS AND THORN--THEIR TESTIMONY--BURCH ACQUITTED--ARREST OF SOLOMON--BURCH WITHDRAWS THE COMPLAINT--THE HIGHER TRIBUNAL--DEPARTURE FROM WASHINGTON--ARRIVAL AT SANDY HILL--OLD FRIENDS AND FAMILIAR SCENES--PROCEED TO GLENS FALLS--MEETING WITH ANNE, MARGARET AND ELIZABETH--SOLOMON NORTHUP STAUNTON--INCIDENTS--CONCLUSION.
As the steamer glided on its way towards New-Orleans, _perhaps_ I was not happy--_perhaps_ there was no difficulty in restraining myself from dancing round the deck--perhaps I did not feel grateful to the man who had come so many hundred miles for me--perhaps I did not light his pipe, and wait and watch his word, and run at his slightest bidding. If I didn't--well, no matter.