Oroonoko was no sooner returned from this last conquest, and
received at court with all the joy and magnificence that could be
expressed to a young victor, who was not only returned triumphant, but
beloved like a deity, than there arrived in the port an English ship.
The master of it had often before been in these countries, and was
very well known to Oroonoko, with whom he had trafficked for slaves,
and had used to do the same with his predecessors.
This commander was a man of a finer sort of address and
conversation, better bred, and more engaging, than most of that sort
of men are; so that he seemed rather never to have been bred out of
a court than almost all his life at sea. This captain therefore was
always better received at court than most of the traders to those
countries were; and especially by Oroonoko, who was more civilized,
according to the European mode, than any other had been, and took more
delight in the white nations, and, above all, men of parts and wit. To
this captain he sold abundance of his slaves; and for the favor and
esteem he had for him, made him many presents, and obliged him to stay
at court as long as possibly he could. Which the captain seemed to
take as a very great honor done him, entertaining the prince every day
with globes and maps, and mathematical discourses and instruments;
eating, drinking, hunting, and living with him with so much
familiarity that it was not to be doubted but he had gained very
greatly upon the heart of this gallant young man.
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