Hardly
Were We Seated, When Again The Boy Appeared, Kneeling In The Dust, With
His Head Lowered At My Wife's Feet, And Imploring To Be Allowed To
Follow Us.
It was in vain that I explained that we had a boy, and did
not require another; that the journey was long and difficult, and that
he might perhaps die.
The boy feared nothing, and craved simply that he
might belong to us. He had no place of shelter, no food; had been stolen
from his parents, and was a helpless outcast.
The next morning, accompanied by Mrs. Baker, I went to the Mission and
heard that the boy had borne an excellent character, and that it must
have been BY MISTAKE that he had been turned out with the others. This
being conclusive, Saat was immediately adopted. Mrs. Baker was shortly
at work making him some useful clothes, and in an incredibly short time
a great change was effected. As he came from the hands of the
cook - after a liberal use of soap and water, and attired in trowsers,
blouse, and belt - the new boy appeared in a new character.
From that time he considered himself as belonging absolutely to his
mistress. He was taught by her to sew; Richarn instructed him in the
mysteries of waiting at table, and washing plates, &c.; while I taught
him to shoot, and gave him a light double-barrelled gun. This was his
greatest pride.
In the evening, when the day's work was done, Saat was allowed to sit
near his mistress; and he was at times amused and instructed by stories
of Europe and Europeans, and anecdotes from the Bible adapted to his
understanding, combined with the first principles of Christianity.
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