"
While he was speaking, he suffered his people to dress him for the
field; and sallying out of his pavilion, with more life and vigor in
his countenance than ever he showed, he appeared like some divine
power descended to save his country from destruction: and his people
had purposely put on him all things that might make him shine with
most splendor, to strike a reverend awe into the beholders. He flew
into the thickest of those that were pursuing his men; and being
animated with despair, he fought as if he came on purpose to die,
and did such things as will not be believed that human strength
could perform; and such as soon inspired all the rest with new courage
and new order. And now it was that they began to fight indeed; and so,
as if they would not be outdone even by their adored hero; who turning
the tide of the victory, changing absolutely the fate of the day,
gained an entire conquest: and Oroonoko having the good fortune to
single out Jamoan, he took him prisoner with his own hand, having
wounded him almost to death.
This Jamoan afterwards became very dear to him, being a man very
gallant, and of excellent graces, and fine parts; so that he never put
him amongst the rank of captives, as they used to do, without
distinction, for the common sale, or market, but kept him in his own
court, where he retained nothing of the prisoner but the name, and
returned no more into his own country; so great an affection he took
for Oroonoko, and by a thousand tales and adventures of love and
gallantry flattered his disease of melancholy and languishment:
which I have often heard him say, had certainly killed him but for the
conversation of this prince and Aboan, and the French governor he
had from his childhood, of whom I have spoken before, and who was a
man of admirable wit, great ingenuity, and learning; all which he
had infused into his young pupil.
Pages:
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49