12 Years a Slave Solomon Northup Chapter 18 O’Niel, the tanner—conversation with Aunt Phebe overheard—Epps in the tanning business—stabbing of Uncle Abram—the ugly wound—Epps is jealous—Patsey is missing—her return from Shaw’s—Harriet, Shaw’s black wife—Epps enraged—Patsey denies his charges—she is tied down naked to four stakes—the inhuman flogging—flaying of Patsey—the beauty of the day—the bucket of salt water—the dress stiff with blood—Patsey grows melancholy—her idea of God and eternity—of heaven and freedom—the effect of slave-whipping—Epps’ oldest son—“The child is father to the man.”