Oroonoko was first seized on, and sold to our overseer, who had
the first lot, with seventeen more of all sorts and sizes, but not one
of quality with him. When he saw this, he found what they meant;
for, as I said, he understood English pretty well; and being wholly
unarmed and defenseless, so as it was in vain to make any
resistance, he only beheld the captain with a look all fierce and
disdainful, upbraiding him with eyes that forced blushes on his guilty
cheeks, he only cried in passing over the side of the ship, "Farewell,
Sir, 'tis worth my sufferings to gain so true a knowledge both of
you and of your gods by whom you swear." And desiring those that
held him to forbear their pains, and telling 'em he would make no
resistance, he cried, "Come, my fellow-slaves, let us descend, and see
if we can meet with more honor and honesty in the next world we
shall touch upon." So he nimbly leaped into the boat, and showing no
more concern, suffered himself to be rowed up the river, with his
seventeen companions.
The gentleman that bought him was a young Cornish gentleman whose
name was Trefry; a man of great wit and fine learning, and was carried
into those parts by the Lord-Governor, to manage all his affairs.
He, reflecting on the last words of Oroonoko to the captain, and
beholding the richness of his vest, no sooner came into the boat but
he fixed his eyes on him; and finding something so extraordinary in
his face, his shape and mien, a greatness of look, and haughtiness
in his air, and finding he spoke English, had a great mind to be
inquiring into his quality and fortune: which, though Oroonoko
endeavored to hide, by only confessing he was above the rank of common
slaves, Trefry soon found he was yet something greater than he
confessed; and from that moment began to conceive so vast an esteem
for him that he ever after loved him as his dearest brother, and
showed him all the civilities due to so great a man.
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