Twelve Years a Slave, Chapter 10 summary

What happens

1. After returning from Tanner’s, the narrator works under Tibeats, who attacks him with a hatchet despite his efforts to obey.
2. The narrator disarms Tibeats repeatedly, nearly strangles him during a struggle over an axe, and chooses flight rather than killing him.
3. Tibeats returns with two riders and hounds, but the narrator escapes their pursuit by entering water and swimming across a bayou.
4. He struggles through snakes, alligators, and deep water into the night, then turns northwest toward Ford’s protection.
5. At daybreak, he frightens a young master into giving directions and follows the Texas road to Ford’s house.
6. Ford hears his account, John prepares food, Mistress Ford brings more provisions, and the narrator sleeps and dreams of his children.

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