In Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, what kind of man is Mr. Covey? What does he do while his slaves are working that demonstrates...

Mr. Covey is a cruel man who beats and tortures his own slaves and the slaves whom he rents from other owners.  In Chapter 10, Douglass says, "Mr. Covey's forte consisted in his power to deceive" because Mr. Covey uses religion as a way to cover up his poor treatment of the slaves.  Mr. Covey would often take the slaves by surprise--staying indoors for most of the day and then suddenly showing up with his whip in hand.  He worked the men in all sorts of harsh weather and pushed them to the extreme in their work.  For example, one day Douglass was working the fan, and he became faint.  Mr. Covey pushed him to continue his work, but when Douglass could not take any more work, grew dizzy, and fell on the ground, Mr. Covey beat him.  So, Mr. Covey's cruelty is evidenced by the manner in which he treats the slaves.