However, these
conversations failed not altogether so well to divert him that he
liked the company of us women much above the men, for he could not
drink, and he is but an ill companion in that country that cannot.
So that obliging him to love us very well, we had all the liberty of
speech with him, especially myself, whom he called his Great Mistress;
and indeed my word would go a great way with him. For these reasons
I had opportunity to take notice to him that he was not well pleased
of late, as he used to be; was more retired and thoughtful; and told
him, I took it ill he should suspect we would break our words with
him, and not permit both him and Clemene to return to his own kingdom,
which was not so long a way but when he was once on his voyage he
would quickly arrive there. He made me some answers that showed a
doubt in him, which made me ask what advantage it would be to doubt.
It would but give us a fear of him, and possibly compel us to treat
him so as I should be very loth to behold: that is, it might
occasion his confinement. Perhaps this was not so luckily spoke of me,
for I perceived he resented that word, which I strove to soften
again in vain. However, he assured me that, whatsoever resolutions
he should take, he would act nothing upon the white people; and as for
myself, and those upon that plantation where he was, he would sooner
forfeit his eternal liberty, and life itself, than lift his hand
against his greatest enemy on that place.
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