"slave-driver," painted in the lurid colors that Mr. Douglass's
indignant memories furnished him, shows the dark side of slavery in the
South. During the first six weeks he was with Covey he was whipped,
either with sticks or cowhides, every week. With his body one
continuous ache from his frequent floggings, he was kept at work in
field or woods from the dawn of day until the darkness of night. He
says: "Mr. Covey succeeded in breaking me in body, soul, and spirit.
The overwork and the cruel chastisements of which I was the victim,
combined with the ever-growing and soul-devouring thought, 'I am a
slave--a slave for life, a slave with no rational ground to hope for
freedom,' had done their worst."

He confesses that at one time he was strongly tempted to take his own
life and that of Covey. Finally, his sufferings of body and soul
became so great that further endurance seemed impossible. While in
this condition he determined upon the daring step of returning to his
master, Thomas Auld, in order to lay before him the story of abuse. He
felt sure that, if for no other reason than the protection of property
from serious impairment, his master would interfere in his behalf. He
even expected sympathy and assurances of future protection. In all
this he was grievously disappointed. Auld not only refused sympathy
and protection, but would not even listen to his complaints, and
immediately sent him back to his dreaded master to face the added
penalty of running away. The poor, lone boy was plunged into the
depths of despair. A feeling that he had been deserted by both God and
man took possession of him.

Covey was lying in wait for him, knowing full well that he must return
as defenseless as he went away. As soon as Douglass came near the
place where the white man was hiding, the latter made a leap at Fred