But as it
was more for form than any design to put him to his task, he endured
no more of the slave but the name, and remained some days in the
house, receiving all visits that were made him, without stirring
towards that part of the plantation where the negroes were.
At last, he would needs go view his land, his house, and the
business assigned him. But he no sooner came to the houses of the
slaves, which are like a little town by itself, the negroes all having
left work, but they all came forth to behold him, and found he was
that prince who had, at several times, sold most of 'em to these
parts; and from a veneration they pay to great men, especially if they
know 'em, and from the surprise and awe they had at the sight of
him, they all cast themselves at his feet, crying out, in their
language, "Live, O King! Long live, O King!" and kissing his feet,
paid him even divine homage.
Several English gentlemen were with him, and what Mr. Trefry had
told 'em was here confirmed; of which he himself before had no other
witness than Caesar himself: but he was infinitely glad to find his
grandeur confirmed by the adoration of all the slaves.
Caesar, troubled with their over-joy and over-ceremony, besought 'em
to rise, and to receive him as their fellow-slave; assuring them he
was no better. At which they set up with one accord a most terrible
and hideous mourning and condoling, which he and the English had
much ado to appease: but at last they prevailed with 'em, and they
prepared all their barbarous music, and everyone killed and dressed
something of his own stock (for every family has their land apart,
on which, at their leisure times, they breed all eatable things),
and clubbing it together, made a most magnificent supper, inviting
their Grandee Captain, their Prince, to honor it with his presence;
which he did, and several English with him, where they all waited on
him, some playing, others dancing before him all the time, according
to the manners of their several nations, and with unwearied industry
endeavoring to please and delight him.
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