But he besought 'em to bear their chains with that
bravery that became those whom he had seen act so nobly in arms; and
that they could not give him greater proofs of their love and
friendship, since 'twas all the security the captain (his friend)
could have, against the revenge, he said, they might possibly justly
take, for the injuries sustained by him. And they all, with one
accord, assured him, they could not suffer enough, when it was for his
repose and safety.
After this, they no longer refused to eat, but took what was brought
'em, and were pleased with their captivity, since by it they hoped
to redeem the prince, who, all the rest of the voyage, was treated
with all the respect due to his birth, though nothing could divert his
melancholy; and he would often sigh for Imoinda, and think this a
punishment due to his misfortune, in having left that noble maid
behind him, that fatal night, in the otan, when he fled to the camp.
Possessed with a thousand thoughts of past joys with this fair young
person, and a thousand griefs for her eternal loss, he endured a
tedious voyage, and at last arrived at the mouth of the river of
Surinam, a colony belonging to the King of England, and where they
were to deliver some part of their slaves. There the merchants and
gentlemen of the country going on board, to demand those lots of
slaves they had already agreed on; and, amongst those, the overseers
of those plantations where I then chanced to be: the captain, who
had given the word, ordered his men to bring up those noble slaves
in fetters, whom I have spoken of; and having put 'em, some in one,
and some in other lots, with women and children (which they call
pickaninnies) they sold 'em off, as slaves, to several merchants and
gentlemen; not putting any two in one lot, because they would separate
'em far from each other; nor daring to trust 'em together, lest rage
and courage should put 'em upon contriving some great action, to the
ruin of the colony.
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