It was not long before he had wreathed a kind of coronet of pretty workmanship; and rising with respect and fearfulness, approached the savage who appeared the chief, and placed it gently on his head; whose figure, under this new ornament, so charmed and struck his followers, that they all threw down their clubs, and formed a dance of welcome and congratulation round the author of so prized a favour.
There was not one but shewed the marks of his impatience to be as fine as the captain: so the poor basket-maker had his hands full of employment: and the savages, observing one quite idle, while the other was so busy in their service, took up arms in behalf of natural justice, and began to lay on arguments in favour of their purpose.
The basket-maker’s pity now effaced the remembrance of his sufferings; so he arose and rescued his oppressor, by making signs that he was ignorant of the art; but might, if they thought fit, be usefully employed in waiting on the work, and fetching flags to his supply, as fast as he should want them.
This proposition luckily fell in with a desire the savages expressed to keep themselves at leisure, that they might crowd round, and mark the progress of a work they took such pleasure in. They left the gentleman therefore to his duty in the basket-maker’s service; and considered him, from that time forward, as one who was, and ought to be treated as inferior to their benefactor.
Men, women, and children, from all corners of the island, came in droves for coronets; and, setting the gentleman to work to gather boughs and poles, made a fine hut to lodge the basket-maker; and brought down daily from the country such provisions as they lived upon themselves, taking care to offer the imagined servant nothing till his master had done eating.
Three months reflection, in this mortified condition, gave a new and just turn to our gentleman’s improved ideas; insomuch that, lying weeping and awake one night, he thus confessed his sentiments in favour of the basket-maker. “I have been to blame, and wanted judgment to distinguish between accident and excellence. When I should have measured nature, I but looked to vanity. The preference which fortune gives, is empty and imaginary; and I perceive, too late, that only things of use are naturally honourable. I am ashamed, when I compare my malice, to remember your humanity; but if the gods should please to call me to a repossession of my rank and happiness, I would divide all with you, in atonement for my justly punished arrogance.”
He promised, and performed his promise: for the king, soon after, sent the captain who had landed them with presents to the savages, and ordered him to bring both back again. And it continues to this day a custom in that island, to degrade all gentlemen who cannot give a better reason for their pride, than they were born to do nothing: and the word for this due punishment is, send him to the basket-maker.