veneration for their parents, that they revere them even after death;
there is also a fine inflicted on any one who shall presume to curse
another man’s parents. They never swear profanely, but allow oaths
sometimes requisite, because, as they said, they were necessary and
convenient; and men could not live one by another if there were not such
laws; and for that reason there was no occasion for the great God
himself to prescribe those rules. The fourth commandment, indeed, they
seem to have no idea of; unless it be that they allow even their slaves
to spend one day in seven, as they think proper, without control; but
they have no religious duties to perform. And when informed that we kept
it holy, because God rested on the seventh day, they said this was as
improbable as any thing I had before asserted; and asked, how I could
tell what God did before there was a man living? And indeed, I could
plainly perceive that they despised me for talking of these things, and
looked on me as a common notorious liar, insomuch that I was obliged to
desist.
In short, I had no way to prove what I asserted: and that mistake in
regard to the rib, in my conversation with deaan Murnanzack, was a
mortifying stroke to me; and though at first I imagined my ill success
in the argument was wholly to be imputed to my own ignorance, I have
since had a thousand scrupulous thoughts arise in my mind upon that
head. And sure I am, that all was not owing to my weakness, for our
divines have not furnished us with sufficient arguments to defend it.
And I do not know, since miracles are ceased, but they would find it a
difficult task to demonstrate those truths themselves to these people’s
satisfaction. Nor do I know what miracle could possibly now be wrought
to prove what was done before any mortal man was in being. Though they
are fools enough here to be imposed on by the umossees, or conjurors,
yet they will entertain no notion of conversing with the great God. They
allow, indeed, that there are demons or spirits, which may be good or
bad, who appear to them in dreams, and discover to these umossees many
surprising things; yet they do not look upon them to be more pious or
better men than others, though, indeed, they imagine they are more
knowing. The awe, however, that my education has impressed on my mind
prevented me from joining in their worship, lest it should be
idolatrous; and there never was such a thing as persecution for religion
ever thought of amongst them; so that I was free to think and do as I
thought proper, so long as I took care not to affront them: and I think
it is both a shame and a sin that it should be countenanced or practised
by any sect of christians whatsoever. I have not here forgot deaan
Mevarrow’s threatening to kill me at first; but it must be observed
there was nothing more in that transaction than a secret pride and
ill-nature peculiar to the man; as appeared by deaan Sambo’s preventing
him, and reconciling us, without laying me under any obligation to join
in the ceremony.
I had not lived here above six weeks, before I heard that deaan Crindo
had attacked Rer Mimebolambo’s town, and reduced it to ashes, killing
two men, and taking some of their wives and children captive, with
almost their whole stock of cattle. This ill news affected me very much,
notwithstanding deaan Mevarrow had several times in his passion
attempted to kill me, yet living so long in his family I could not but
be concerned at their misfortunes. We used to have here a great deal of
flying news with respect to their wars; one day an account of a battle
fought, and the next day a contradiction of it; their reports being as
little to be relied on as some of our common newspapers at London, so
that I paid but little regard to them. Besides, we lived here at a
distance in peace and plenty, and heard now and then, perhaps, of the
losses sustained by our friends: however, as we felt none of the
miseries ourselves, they served us for conversation; in which we, like
coffeehouse politicians, sleep in security remote from danger, censured
the conduct of our superiors according to our several factious
inclinations, for facts we knew little or nothing of, or at most, but by
external appearances, and those too from very precarious reports. Our
business was to make our lives as easy and happy as our circumstances
would permit us; and among the many things which we met with to divert
us, one, I think, will bear the relation; which was a project of my
governor’s, and proved as profitable as it was entertaining.
There are some people in the remote parts of this country, whose
habitations are in secret recesses in the woods; they live easy,
indolent lives, never come near a town, nor concern themselves with any
affairs of peace or war, either foreign or domestic. They keep no
cattle, lest the vociferations of their herds or flocks might possibly
betray them, and induce some evil-minded men to disturb their peace by
plundering them of so valuable a treasure; but content themselves with
small plantations and the product of nature, which is, indeed,
sufficient to support them. They never concern themselves who is the
lord of any particular place, or sovereign of the whole dominions. Deaan
Murnanzack’s cow-keeper, my governor, formerly lived after this manner,
and by that means was acquainted with some of their private settlements.
As they are very illiterate, he imagined that I, being a man of a
singular colour, might easily be imposed on them for a prince of
Murnanzack’s family; as, indeed, many of our vulgar people in Europe
are, who think the royal family are something more than mortal, and the
nobility superior in beauty to the rest of the human species. In short,
the farce was agreed to be played, and I was to have one third of what
presents should be made us; he another, and the persons who composed my
retinue the remainder. Accordingly they procured me a gay silk lamber,
two or three strings of the most glittering beads for a necklace, and a
gun of the best sort to carry on my shoulder; my assumed character was
Rer Mimebolambo, who living in the most remote parts and far from them,
there was little or no danger of a discovery, since none of them had
ever seen any of the family in their lives. Twenty of our neighbours
made up my retinue, and we practised or rehearsed our parts three or
four days before we went, they waiting on me, and calling me by that
name and title, that every one might be perfect, and know his cue. The
plot in short was this:—
We set out in a very formal and pompous march, with shells blowing in
the rear, as is the custom of the country. The place we proposed to
visit was about ten or twelve miles off; when we came within half a
mile, my governor, and one appointed to attend him, went as heralds to
acquaint them that deaan Murnanzack’s youngest brother, Rer Mimebolambo,
was travelling that way, and understanding there were some inhabitants
in those parts, desired they would spare him such provisions as they
thought proper for himself and his retinue. We halted till we thought
our envoys had delivered their message and prepared them for our
reception, then we marched on in form and order. As soon as we came into
their little village I perceived a mat was spread for me to sit down
upon, and the whole clan, men, women, and children, came crawling upon
their hands and knees to lick my feet. My people played their parts
artfully enough, observing every punctilio of respect that was due to
the person I represented; for the moment I was seated, one ran to fetch
me water, another brought a calabash to receive it, and a third very
obsequiously washed my feet. I ordered my principal attendant (who was
in reality my governor) to procure a house for me; there were but five
in the whole place, except a few huts or separate apartments for their
children. He soon pitched upon one of the best, and left the owner to
shift for himself.
They stood with awe and attention before me, having never seen any one
command with such authority before. The chief called a kind of council,
and consulted with them what present was most proper to make me, in some
measure suitable to my dignity. Several of them returned in a short time
with some gallons of Guinea corn, and more of carravances; but the old
man did not make his appearance till near the evening, when he brought
with him four men loaded; two with as much honey as they could well
carry, and two with as much carravances; all which were placed in a very
formal manner before me. The old man sat down at a humble distance, and
struck with awe, in a hesitating tone, made a modest apology, and said,
he hoped I would excuse the meanness of his present; but as he had no
more to command on so short notice, he should be proud if it met with my
acceptance. I showed a tender concern for the poor man, and cheered him
up, telling him I was well pleased; that what he had done was a
sufficient testimony of his respect, and more than I expected from him.
Upon this, I desired him to sit down and keep me company, whilst my
people went to visit some of their neighbours; for I had sent some of
them one way and some another, to collect all they could by fair means,
and whatever the people could spare. I particularly ordered they should
attend me themselves, and taste the provisions they furnished us with,
lest they should be damaged by the incantation of the umossees. The old
man recovered his spirits in a short time, and began to talk with me in
a more familiar manner, saying, it was no wonder that my father and his
royal family ruled over them, for God and the demons had peculiarly
distinguished us from other men; and, “had I met you,” said he, “in a
wood alone, I should instantly have fallen down, and paid my duty to
you; for the varzachars, or white men, can never surely be whiter than
this young prince is.” Thus his tongue ran on, expatiating on each
feature of my face, and extolling every part about me in so lavish a
manner, that I could scarce tell what to say to him; nor did I know when
he would have ceased, but as good fortune would have it, an arch fellow
in my retinue came in, and in a drolling, though very serious manner,
answered him, saying, it is no wonder, old father, that you stand
astonished at the different colour, the regular features, the graceful
symmetry, and proportion of the prince; but you must consider, venerable
sir, that God has not created all mankind alike, but is pleased to
distinguish those whom he constitutes for the government of mankind, by
making them in such a particular form, and of such a particular colour,
that no one can be ignorant of their superiority. For (says he farther)
were all of one shape and colour, people would choose out of their own
clan whom they thought most wise and valiant to be their sovereign lord
and chief commander; and should they happen not to approve of his
conduct, they would abandon him, perhaps, and live under subjection to
some other prince; but when God appoints any particular men to be
princes and rulers over the rest of mankind, you may depend upon it, he
bestows upon them such excellent forms, and distinguishes them by such
marks that every one who sees them must know them at first view, must
immediately fall down before them, and acknowledge their divine right
and authority over them. “Ay, ay,” says the old man, “what you observe
is very true; for I remember my father went once in two or three years
to carry honey to deaan Mernindgarevo, who was deaan Crindo’s father;
and, as I have been informed, his skin was of copper colour, though his
hair was black, indeed, like ours.” “Yes,” says the other, “he was
somewhat different, but not very much; deaan Mungazeungarevo, however,
who was this prince’s father, married a lady from Port Dauphine, who was
a white man’s daughter.” “Yes, yes,” says the old man, “no doubt there
is something in that, but I have not a right notion of those marks which
you mention by which God distinguishes princes. Are all princes, pray,
of his fine colour and make? And has God set such glorious marks on all
kings?” “I cannot say,” says the other, “but that this is the whitest
that was ever heard of.” In the interim came some of the people who were
sent for, bringing their presents and offering to lick my feet, which,
to my no small satisfaction, put a stop to their insipid conferences.
I found that my people had formed this artful scheme among themselves to
delude these poor peasants, and carried it on with good success; for one
of these last, as I was informed, asked how he should know the person to
whom he was to pay his respects? And was roundly answered, do you think
God has not distinguished princes from other men? You will know him at
first sight by his fine colour and majestic mien.
But I fear I have tired my reader with the too tedious narration of this
petty farce. However, it plainly appears, that it turned out to all our
advantages; we proposed at first to have proceeded further into the
country, but were so well provided with whatever we wanted, that we had
no occasion for more, every man having as much as he could well carry.
So the next day all made up their enters, except myself, who still kept
up my grandeur. When we came home, we divided the spoil according to
contract, and though I sent several presents to my neighbours, I had
sufficient for two or three months.
This was too happy a life to last long. Before a year came about, I was
ordered home again with my cattle, three men being sent by deaan
Mevarrow to conduct me. The civil war had now subsisted about a year and
a half, which reduced every one to the greatest difficulties, so that
they wanted these cattle to live upon, the rest being consumed by
themselves, or taken by their adversaries; the enemy, however, was in as
bad circumstances, if not worse. We returned the same way we came,
through the forest of wild cattle, and hunted as we went along till we
came to deaan Afferrer’s town on Yong-gorvo. I was much dejected all the
way, and here I began first to think of making my escape to some seaport
town at the peril of my life; though it was a long time before I had
opportunity to accomplish it. As soon as I arrived at Rer Mimebolambo’s
town, where my master and his people still resided, I found none but
melancholy countenances; however, they were glad to see me safely
arrived, being richer by that means than the rest of their neighbours,
whether friends or enemies; for my cattle were considerably increased.
They thanked me, indeed, for my care, which was all the reward I had;
but my master was too proud and surly to do that; my butchering office,
however, brought me the usual fee, by which means I lived as well as any
of the others.
My employment was still to follow the cow-tail for the town in general,
for nobody was willing to trust either their children or servants; and
deaan Mevarrow durst not peremptorily command, even his own young
slaves, to do any thing which might hazard their being taken by the
enemy, lest their parents and friends should resent it, and leave him to
live under other lords. As for his white slave, he had neither parents
nor relations to mourn his loss if killed or taken; and for that reason
was the only proper person to be exposed to danger.
The war was not carried on with so much vigour as at first, for their
courage on all sides was pretty well abated; nor was there so much
advantage arising from the plunder of one another, as at the beginning;
but it was not long before Chahary and Frukey, who were our original
enemies, heard that we had cattle; and one day, as I was tending them at
some considerable distance from the town, they, with two hundred men in
a body, surprised and took them, and pursued me in a most violent
manner; firing and darting their lances, yelling out, kill him, cut him
to pieces, &c.: however, I got the start of them, and fled into a
thicket, which was so full of prickles and strong large thorns, that I
was most miserably scarified from head to foot; nevertheless I concealed
myself in the midst of it. They still followed me with their hideous
cries, beginning to cut down a passage in order to come at me; but just
as I was on the very brink of despair, I observed them all on a sudden
run as fast back again. It was some time before I could comprehend the
meaning of it: till at length, I perceived some people had been alarmed,
and came upon them; so that now they found it difficult to save their
own lives. They could not drive off the cattle, but resolving to do as
much mischief as they could, they killed some, and others they wounded,
and then fled. I was obliged to keep my station, and was still
apprehensive, that some of them would be driven upon me; till by the
noise of the guns, I found, that they went farther from me; I then
ventured to creep out, and perceived one of their chief men was fallen,
and wounded with two lances in his hand. He looked me full in the face
with his eyes swimming, and was going to speak, when I snatched one of
the lances out of his hand, and told him, it was my time now; and as he
was my enemy in a double capacity, I immediately struck him dead. When
our people first saw me they imagined that I was cut with lances, for I
was all over bloody. My flesh was torn in several places, my feet were
almost cut to pieces, and many large thorns were still visible in them.
So that when I recovered from the fright I was in, and came to be cool,
I was in excessive torment. The women and children soon helped to carry
the slain cattle into the town, there not being above fifteen alive, and
those most barbarously used. Whilst these were busy with the beasts, I
told deaan Mevarrow that I had taken two lances from one that seemed to
be mortally wounded; though alive when I left him at the side of the
thicket. I durst not own that I had laid violent hands on him, for some
of our people were his near relations, and I did not know but they might
privately seek revenge, for they lamented his loss, and begged his body,
in order to bury it; which was readily granted.
When I came home, my mistress was very kind to me, and ordered one of
her slaves to wash and dress my wounds, and pick out the thorns. It was
some time before I was perfectly well, and it was no small comfort to
me, that I had no more cattle to take care of: though I was conscious,
at the same time, of the ill consequence that would soon attend the want
of them. However, we had beef enough for some few days; and more than we
could well dispense with, whilst it was sweet.
I was no sooner recovered, than my master found out another employment
for me, which was to dig in the woods for wild yams; all our beef was
now spent, and scarcely any thing else was to be found hereabouts to
live upon: we now severely felt the miseries of a civil war; and so must
all countries wherever they are, feel in proportion to their
circumstances, whether christian or heathen. I went a long way sometimes
before I could find sufficient for my master and mistress, and myself,
being seldom able to bring home more than would serve one of us for a
meal the next day: I, indeed, always made sure of one private meal; for
I took care to kindle a fire, and roast some of them in the woods.
One morning just about sunrising, as my master and some of the chiefs
were sitting at the town-gate, condoling with each other on account of
the sad state of their affairs, deaan Mevarrow said, he had tasted no
beef for some considerable time; and asked, if there were any cattle
near them? They told him, none that either belonged to him, or any of
Rer Mimebolambo’s people; but there was one in deaan Mephontey’s
jurisdiction, about four or five miles off, who had several good fat
beeves. He immediately ordered me and another man to bring away one of
the best of those beasts with as much privacy and expedition as we
could. I began to make several excuses, and said I was afraid to go upon
so dangerous an adventure: besides (said I) as I am the only white man
you have amongst all your people should I be seen at a distance, they
will know me immediately to be your slave, and by that means you
yourself will be discovered. All I could urge had no influence over him;
he was resolutely bent that I should go, and ordered the man to provide
a rope that instant. I begged on my knees that he would send another in
my stead, but to no purpose; however, whilst he turned away, and was
speaking to some other people, I withdrew, in hopes that when he did not
see me, he would substitute another in my post; but the old villain
turning short and perceiving what I aimed at, took up his gun and fired
at me; the shot went through the straw cap I had on, and I was so near
him, that the wadding struck my back. Finding he had not killed me, he
took up a lance, and before any one could stop his hand, he threw it at
me. He raved, and gave me all the opprobrious language he could think
of. As to swearing, they are not any ways addicted to it; a custom too
prevalent amongst us christians, to the shame and reproach both of high
and low. However, at last he was pacified, and on my submission, and the
solicitations of his friends, he forgave me; but peremptorily insisted
on my obedience to his commands. As there was no remedy, I proceeded
with the man, though with many bitter reflections on my wayward fortune,
and state of bondage.
We soon came near the place to which we were directed, and after we had
wandered about some short time, we espied about half a score of cows
grazing; our next concern was to see if any cow-keeper was tending them.
To confess ingenuously, I was scarcely ever in more fear in my whole
life; the noise of the pretty little lizards, who hop about the trees,
and create a rustling amongst the leaves, appeared at that time in my
ears like the rushing out of so many men from an ambuscade; but after we
had listened very attentively, and taken a short tour with the utmost
precaution, we at length ventured to sally out from behind the covert of
the trees, and pitch upon one that was for our purpose; my comrade took
the rope, which till then he had twisted about his middle, and secured
her; we had much ado to get her from the rest of the herd; but at last
we mastered her, and drove her through the woods, for we thought it
safest to avoid all open places, and by noon we reached home. In a few
minutes she was cut up by a dozen hands at once, for fear the right
owner should have missed her, and should follow our track. The meat was
divided into two hundred pieces, and distributed to the same number of
men. My partner and I had the udder, and a slice of the buttock, which
is the customary fee to such as bring in either a stolen beast, or one
taken from an enemy; as almost every one in the town had a small
portion, all of it was despatched immediately; and the next day we were
in the same plight as we were in before.
It was now winter, and as the stalks of the yams are then withered, they
are very difficult to be found; insomuch that we were reduced to the
utmost distress, and almost famished. If we could get a meal once a day
it was luxurious living; when the children, therefore, cried for food,
though they had none all day, their mothers could with authority take
them up short, and say, would you be gluttons? Did you not eat
yesterday? These shocking taunts from their poor and distressed parents,
I heard for some months together; and our calamitous circumstances were
visible in our ghastly countenances. Here were no wars, no acts of
hostility now; our enemies never concerned themselves about us, nor we
with them. Thus we lived for eight or nine months after we had lost our
cattle. Our enemies, however, were in a worse condition, if possible,
than we were; because deaan Murnanzack and his brother, who lived on the
other side, frequently interrupted their repose, and deprived them of
the only happiness that attends a state of poverty; and that is, to
sleep away one half of their tedious hours, and so lull the acute sense
of their misfortunes.
Deaan Crindo, and, indeed, every body else, sincerely wished for a
peace, without finding any expedient to accomplish it; and though deaan
Murnanzack’s success had made them despair of one upon any honourable
terms, yet Providence threw an accident in the way, by which it was
effected. Rer Vovvern, king of Feraignher, which is St. Augustin-bay
country, had declared war against Woozington, our common enemy; and had
sent an ambassador, one Ry-Nanno by name, a very able and experienced
person, whose commission was to reconcile the contending lords of
Anterndroea; and procure their friendship and assistance in the common
cause. No sooner was he arrived at Fennoarevo, than the joyful news
spread round the country, and reached our ears. Deaan Crindo, without
any hesitation, permitted Ry-Nanno to make the first overtures from him
to his nephew Murnanzack; to whose residence the ambassador was then
gone when he heard it.