But as I looked at the bolt, my attention was diverted by something near
the top of the door, moving with a strange motion. It was black; it
opened and shut. I drew toward it. I found that it was the leg of a
turkey, the largest that I ever saw. It was held or fastened in the
ventilator over the door, while some one on the outside was evidently
pulling the tendons of the claw, making it open and shut.
There it performed its tragi-comic gibes for several minutes.
I resumed my seat, unterrified, of course, and proceeded to turn the
spectre to good account. I addressed it, in a moderate tone; though I
think that I used some gesticulation. Said I: Personation of the
Slave-power! predatory, grasping, black! thinkest thou a panting
fugitive lies hid under my "delusion?" or wouldst thou seize a freeman?
The AEgis of Massachusetts is over me. Gape! Yawn! Thou art powerless;
but thy impudence is sublime.--Ten or fifteen voices then solemnly
chanted these words:--
"Emblem of Slavery
Clutching the Free!
We've digested the turkey
That gobbled oil thee.
Sure as THANKSGIVING hastened,
Cock-turkey! thy hour,
Thanksgivings shall blazon
Thy downfall, Slave-power!
"The Slave-power has talons,
Like Nebuchadnezzar;
Slaves are the Lord's flagons
Our modern Belshazzar
From the Temple of Nature
Has stolen away.
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