and contemplative expression, and he wanted his right hand. "I presume you are the commander of this vessel," said I. He nodded impatiently. "I understand you are going upon an expedition.""I don't care what you understand-to your business, master," returned he, haughtily. "I know you are pirates," continued I," and it is my wish to attend you in the capacity of a medical attendant." He surveyed me with a look of astonishment, that seemed to demand an avowal of the motives that had prompted me to make such a proposal. "You surely will not decline my offer," said I," for you must be aware that I am able to render you very essential services. I have been unfortunate every way, and-" "O, you be unfortunate! and seek relief from a black man-from a negro !" interrupted he, with a scornful laugh. "Well,stay on board; you cannot leave this vessel again. Remember, we are not to be betrayed." "But I have something on shore that I wish to carry along with me." "I will send one of my men for it," replied he, " tomorrow morning at dawn." He walked coolly away to the bows of the vessel, and began to give some orders to the seamen, who formed a very numerous body. Most of them were loitering together on the forecastle, and smoking segars, and they all seemed to be blacks. French and English were spoken indiscriminately among them; and their conversation was incessant and vociferous, and intermingled with disgusting execrations. Several disputes took place, in the course of which the parties struck each other, and wrestled together; but their companions neither endeavoured to separate them, nor paid any attention to the affrays. They appeared to have a set of jests, the spirit of which was only intelligible to themselves alone; for they frequently gave way to violent laughter, when their conversation, taken in a literal sense, expressed nothing that could excite mirth. When it was near midnight, the captain, whose name was Manuel, conducted me to the cabin, and made many inquiries, which evidently had for their object to discover if I really was what I professed to be. His doubts being removed, he pointed to a birth,and told me, I might occupy it whenever I chose, and went upon deck again. I extinguished the light, and lay down in bed. The enthusiasm of desperation, and the pride of deciding with boldness and alacrity, had now subsided, and I could calmly reflect upon what I had done. My anticipations respecting the life I was now to lead were gloomy and revolting. I scarcely dared to look forward to the termination of the enter prize in which I had embarked; but, when I considered what would have been my fate had I remained on shore, I could not condemn my choice. Contempt, abject poverty, and the horrors of want, were the evils I fled fromtyranny,danger,and ignominious death, formed those towards which I was perhaps hastening. Next morning, Captain Manuel desired me to write an order for my portmanteau, that he might send one of his men to bring it on board. I obeyed him, and also enclosed the sum I owed the persons with whom I had resided. Shortly after the messenger returned the crew began to heave up the anchor; and we soon put to sea with a light wind, and gradually receded from the shores of the island. I breakfasted in the cabin with Manuel. His manner was chilly and supercilious; and he had more dignity about him than any negro I had ever before seen. The want of his right hand made his person very striking; and he seemed aware of this: for when he ob served me gazing on the mutilated arm, he frowned, and enveloped it in the folds of the table-cloth. We lost sight of land in a few hours, but I knew not where we were bound, and Manuel's reserved behaviour pre vented me from making any inquiry. He walked upon deck all day with fol ded arms, and scarcely ever raised his eyes, except to look at the compass, or give directions to the helmsman. The schooner, which was named the Esperanza, was about 120 tons burden, carried, 6 guns, and had 43 men on board of her, and several boys. There appeared to be very little discipline among the crew; all of whom amused themselves in any way, and in any place, they chose, except when the working of the vessel required their attention. The presence of the captain did not impose any restraint upon them; and one, who was called the mate, snatched a chart unceremoniously from his hand,and told him he did not know what he was about, without receiving any reproof for his insolence. A number of the negroes lay round the fire, roasting ears of Indian corn, which were eagerly snatched off the embers the moment they were ready. An expression of disgusting sensuality characterized this part of the crew; and they looked as if they were strangers to retrospection and anticipation, and felt existence only in so far as the passing moment was concerned. One man, of a mild aspect, sat at a distance from the others, and played upon an old guitar. Many were half naked, and I could distinguish the marks of the whip on the shoulders of some of them. The limbs of others had been distorted by the weight and galling of fetters, as was evident from the indentations exhibited by their flesh. On awaking the second morning of the voyage, I found that Manuel was still asleep. The difficulty of the navigation had obliged him to keep on deck all night, that he might direct the course of the vessel, and he was now reposing himself after the fatigue of his long watch. The crew were preparing breakfast, and conversing together. Some dispute took place about the distribution of the provisions, and one of them called the other a rascally runaway. "You lie," cried the accused person, "I guess you are something worse yourself, Philip." "You had as well be quiet, Antony. Has any body any thing to say against me?"-"Why, that you're a Yankey slave, that's all," returned Philip." Damn you," cried he, "I am a free man-yes, free and independent." Here they all laughed loudly, and he demanded with fury who would venture to contradict him, or to assert that he had a master. "Why, we know well enough you ha'n't a master now, you pricked him under the ribs," replied one of the crew. This excited another laugh, and Antony cried, "Curse you for a niger-belike I'll do the same to you."-" Don't be calling me a niger," said Philip, "I was born in the States."- "I won't believe it," said Antony, "for you know no more than if you was fresh off the Coast -You can't roast corn." 66 "Come, let us to breakfast," interrupted another," and leave these two black sheep to fight together, as soon as they can pick up courage.""I'm sure you've nothing to say, Mandingo,' cried Antony; you can't tell where you came from."-"To be sure I can," answered Mandingo, " I was very ill used by my master, and made my escape."-"Yes, from the gallows," cried one of the crew, to the great amusement of the others. "I guess there's ne'er a man on board. this schooner whose life can be better looked into than mine," said a negro, who had not before spoken-" I was born in a Christian country, and when I was 20 years old, a great army captain made me his servant. I had the care of all his money. and clothes, and could do what I pleased. I went to plays and consorts, and was so like a gentleman that a white mistress fell in love with me, and we were married.— What a grand sight the marriage was! My master gave me a gold ring to put on my wife's finger."-" And did you put it on her finger ?" demanded Antony.-"Why do you ask that ?—" "because I guess from the look of your shins, that you put it on your own leg." The whole crew joined in a loud laugh, and looked at the limb of the first speaker, which was strongly galled by fetters. "It must have been a pretty heavy ring," said Antony," and yet, for all the gold that was in it, I dare say you was glad to get quit of it."-"I've done,' returned the object of their ridicule; "I'll say no more. I thought I was speaking to gentlemen."" Never mind him. We are all liable to fleshmarks," observed Philip. "There now, what say you of our captain's wanting a "Hush, hush," interrupted Mandingo, " that is a sore subject." In the course of three days, we came in sight of the north shore of Cuba; but to my great satisfaction had not met with a single vessel of any description. Manuel hourly became less reserved, and we often had long conversations together; and one evening he promised to relate the history of his life to me, the first favourable opportunity. After cruizing about for a week, we cast anchor at the mouth of the Xibara harbour, which lies near the eastern extremity of Cuba. Our object in doing so was to obtain a supply of firewood from the banks of a small river that disembogues into the harbour. Manuel requested me to accompany the party destined for this purpose, as he was to command it; and at a late hour one night we set out in a boat, along with seven of the crew. The weather was clear, calm, and delightful; and we soon entered the river, and rowed slowly up its windings. The banks were for the most part thickly covered with trees, which overarched us completely, and rendered it so dark that Manuel could scarcely see to steer the boat. We sometimes could discern far before us, a portion of the sky vividly reflected in the bosom of the stream-bright and dazzling, amidst the surrounding gloom, as the contrast of divine purity with mortal corruption. Not a sound could be heard, except the regular dashing of the oars, and the rustling of fields of Indian corn, shaken by the wind. The most delicious perfumes filled the air, and fruits of different kinds, that had apparently just dropt from the tree, floated past us, silently proclaiming the luxuriance of the region that bordered both sides of the river. I sat in the stern of that boat beside Manuel, but neither of us spoke a word. The emotions produced by the surrounding objects were so delightful, that the mind contentedly remained in a state of passiveness, receiving, without resistance, every idea that presented itself. Within the space of an hour, I had exchanged the confinement and pitching of a vessel, the monotony of a sea prospect, and the, noise and brutality of a set of criminals, for the harmony of wood and water-the richness of vegetable perfumes, and the quiet enjoyment of an inspiring summer's night. When we had got about two miles above the mouth of the river, the men disembarked, and began to cut wood at a little distance from us. "I believe my people are out of hearing," said Manuel, after a long pause, "and while we wait for their return I shall tell you something about my past life. "I need not give you a minute account of my early years, as they were not distinguished by any thing remarkable. My mother came from the coast of Africa, but I was born in South Carolina, where my master had a large estate, in the cultivation of which more than 100 negroes were employed. My mother being a house-servant, was exempted from many of the hardships and privations to which the other slaves were exposed, but she owed the comparative comfort of her situation entireÎy to her capability of ministring to the yoluptuousness of Mr. Sexton,who was much addicted to the pleasures of the table. He gave orders that I should be brought up within doors, as he intended me for a waiting man. "After I had attained the age of sixteen years, I was obliged to be in continual attendance upon my master, and to submit quietly to all his caprices. The treatment I received from him, and the knowledge I acquired of his character, made me feel what a degrading thing slavery was. Had I been forced to work in the fields, like the other negroes, I might not perhaps have repined at my condition, because I would have known nothing better, and at the same time believed that my condition was irremediable, and consistent with the laws of nature. But be ing continually in the presence of Mr. Sexton, and of other white people, and daily hearing their conversation, I soon discovered that they were superior to us in nothing but knowledge; that they were mean, wicked, cruel, and unjust; and that they sometimes feared we would assert our rights, and overpower them by numbers. "They seemed to consider negroes as creatures who were destitute of souls and understandings. Though I felt indignant when I heard these opinions uttered, I was aware that I derived some advantage from their being acted upon; for my master and his friends, not believing that I could comprehend a sentence of their conversation, felt no restraint when I was present, and thus afforded me an opportunity of hearing their sentiments upon every subject, and becoming acquainted with their principles and characters. "Often, while waiting at table, and listening to their disgusting opinions, I have been called forward by one of them, and struck severely on the face, for some trivial mistake I had committed in serving him with food or wine. In South Carolina, the guests do not hesi tate to chastise their entertainer's servants, whenever they feel inclined; and a party of white people there,often make the cursing and beating of the slaves, in attendance their chief employment during dinner. On such occasions, the burning tears of resentment would rush into my eyes, I would tremble with illdissembled rage, and implore the God of my fathers to let loose his rage upon my tormentors, although I should become its victim along with them. cane, and said he would order me forty lashes if I ever again looked at a book or newspaper. He soon discovered, that the old negro had been my teacher, and immediately sent him off the estate not being able to inflict any other punishment, in consequence of his having purchased his freedom. "Next day, a neighbouring planter called upon Mr Sexton, and the latter, in the course of the conversation, said, "What do you think I caught that young hell-dog doing the other night? He was reading a newspaper.' The other broke out into a loud laugh, and cried, 'why did not you kill him? Were any of my negroes able to read, I would soon flog the scholarship out of them. Why, the little devil will begin to direct you how to manage your estate bye and bye. Oh, I'll bring him to his senses, returned my master; 'Hark ye, fellow,' continued he, addressing himself to me; If you ever look at a printed paper again, I'll put out your eyes with a red-hot poker. The whole of your duty is to clean the knives, and wait at table. Damn me, if I don't make it pretty bad for any fellow of mine who does either more or less than I want him to do.' 66 "There was an old free negro upon the plantation, who had travelled thro' the Northern States of America. He could read and write tolerably well, and knew a good deal about the countries he had visited. I happened to become a favourite of his, and he often gave me minute accounts of the condition of the "I easily perceived that my master Africans who lived in New York, and and his friend were aware that their contrasted their independence with the strength lay in our ignorance, and fearabject state of our race every where else. ed lest the slightest acquisition of knowlI listened to these details with the deep- edge should enable us to discover that est attention, which pleased him so much they had not a shadow of right to enthat he offered to teach me to read. I slave and tyrannize over our gladly availed myself of his instructions, What excuse is there for the oppressor, and profited so much by them, that in when he is conscious of being guilty of the course of five or six months, I was oppression ! able to peruse the newspapers which my master received from different parts of the Union; many of them contained paragraphs upon the subject of slavery, and I was delighted to find that some men exclaimed against it, and denied that white people had the least right to tyrannize over negroes. "I used often to steal into my master's room when he slept, and read the New York journals. One afternoon he caught me with one in my hand, and demanded angrily what I was doing. I told him I was reading. He struck me a violent blow on the head with his 0 ATHENEUM VOL. 10. race. "As my ideas expanded, my situation gradually became more intolerable. I had no one to whom I could communicate my thoughts. My fellow-slaves were so ignorant and degraded, that I could hardly look at them without pity and disgust. I used to watch them when they assembled to receive their weekly allowance of provisions. Worn out by fatigue, clad in rags, and branded with lashes, they would wait for their respective portions with eager greediness, and then hurry away in a state of tumultuous delight, which was scarcely repressed by the clanking of the over seer's whip behind them. They had sunk so low that they seemed willing to accept life upon any terms. "In the midst of my misery, I became attached to a young girl named Sabrina. She was a slave upon the adjoining estate, and therefore we seldom had an opportunity of seeing each other except by stealth. I used to leave my master's house at midnight, when every one was in bed, and go across the plantation to the huts in which Sabrina and her mother lived. But Mr. Sexton once awoke during my absence on one of these nocturnal visits, and the whole affair was soon discovered. He flogged me severely, and ordered me to remain at home in future; and the proprietor of the adjoining estate, to whom he made a complaint, caused Sabrina's hut to be burned to the ground; that it might no longer afford us a place of meeting. I became half maddened with rage and misery. However,my feelings were unnoticed by Mr.Sexton,who,like otherAmerican planters, did not believe that negroes were susceptible of love or sorrow. "Mr. Sexton had a daughter, who resided in the house with him, and took charge of his domestic affairs. The proprietor of the adjoining estate, whose name was Lusher, loved her, and wished to marry her, but Mr. Sexton would not consent to their union, and prohibited all correspondence between them. However, notwithstanding this, they sometimes met in secret, and often wrote to each other. Miss Sexton privately employed me to carry her letters to Mr. Lusher, promising that she would satisfy her father respecting my absence should he discover it, and likewise secure me from any risk of suffering punishment on her account. I willingly became a channel of communication between the two lovers, for I hoped by doing so to be able to forward my own views. "One day I ventured to hint to Miss Sexton that I expected some little reward for my services, and begged her to entreat her father to purchase Sabrina, and bring her upon his estate, that we might get married. She engaged to propose the thing to him, and really did so; but he refused to agree to it, and, at the same time, told her, that he suspected she had some private reasons for interceding so strongly in my behalf, and was resolved to discover what they were. "Shortly after this, Miss Sexton desired me to carry a letter to the next estate, and bid me be extremely cautious lest her father should see me going there, but said that if he did, she would find means to shield me from all blame. I took a bye-path which led across our plantation, and reached Mr Lusher's house without interruption; however he was not at home, and the servants pointed to a small building a little way off, and told me I would find him there. "On entering it, the first object that struck my eyes was poorSabrina, whom I had not seen for many weeks. She lay upon some planks which were cov ered with the dry husks of Indian corn, and seemed to be dying. The place had no window in it, and an old negro woman sat beside her, holding a candle, while Mr. Lusher and a medical man stood at the foot of the bed. The doctor muttered, 'She's been a fine slaveconfounded pity to lose her-can't help it though; and then began to whistle and play with his cane. What an unfortunate devil I am!' exclaimed Mr Lusher, angrily, Hang her for falling sick-what right has a niger to fall sick? -Ods, I believe she was not sound when I bought her-I'll trounce somebody for that-So you think there's no chance of her hoeing any more corn?''No, no,' returned the doctor, laughing; 'I wouldn't like to have as little chance of eating my dinner to-day as she has of living two hours.' "I stood in agony, not daring to express my feelings. I advanced towards Sabrina, and took hold of her. arm. She raised her eyes, but it was only that I might see their lustre extinguished, for in a moment or two she fell dead upon her pillow. Ah, she's given you the slip,' said the doctor. Mr Lusher cried, Damn her soul to hell-there's four hundred dollars lost,' and hurried away, banging the door furiously behind him. 6 "However he soon returned; and seeing me gazing on Sabrina, asked what I did there. I said I had a letter for him, and delivered it. ‘Ob,' cries he, |