Page:The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African.pdf/241

[ 297 ] he worked for, for the money he had earned, was put into gaol; and afterwards this oppressed man was sent from Georgia, with the false accusations, of an intention to set the gentleman's house on fire, and run away with his slaves. I was therefore much embarassed, and very apprehensive of a flogging at least. I dreaded, of all things, the thoughts of being stripped, as I never in my life had the marks of any violence of that kind. At that instant a rage seized my sould, and for a while I determined to resist the first man that should offer to lay violent hands on me, or basel use me without a trial; for I would sooner die like a free man, than suffer myself to be scourged by the hands of ruffians, and my blood drawn like a slave. The captain and others, more cautious, advised me to make haste and conceal myself; for they said Mr. Read was a very spiteful man, and he would soon come on board with constables, and take me. At first I refused this council, being determined to stand my ground; but at length, by the prevailing entreaties of the Captain and Mr. Dixon, with whom he lodged, I went to Mr. Dixon's house, which was a little out of the town, at a place called Yea-ma-chra. I was but just gone, when Mr. Read, with the constables, came for me, and Rh