I Told Him (Perhaps In Rather Too Passionate
A Strain), That Whatever Imprudence I Had Been Guilty Of In Coming
Into his country, I thought I had already been sufficiently punished
for it by being so long detained, and then
Plundered of all my
little property; which, however, gave me no uneasiness when compared
with what he had just now done to me. I observed that the boy whom
he had now seized upon was not a slave, and had been accused of no
offence; he was, indeed, one of my attendants, and his faithful
services in that station had procured him his freedom. His fidelity
and attachment had made him fellow me into my present situation,
and, as he looked up to me for protection I could not see him
deprived of his liberty without remonstrating against such an act as
the height of cruelty and injustice. Ali made no reply, but, with a
haughty air and malignant smile, told his interpreter that if I did
not mount my horse immediately he would send me back likewise.
There is something in the frown of a tyrant which rouses the most
secret emotions of the heart: I could not suppress my feelings, and
for once entertained an indignant wish to rid the world of such a
monster.
Poor Demba was not less affected than myself. He had formed a
strong attachment towards me, and had a cheerfulness of disposition
which often beguiled the tedious hours of captivity. He was
likewise a proficient in the Bambarra tongue, and promised on that
account to be of great utility to me in future.
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