CHAPTER THIRD.
During the passage of the Sea Gull up the harbor, no one seemed to enjoy the genial influences of the day more than Pompey: there was something in the very atmosphere, he said, which gave him life and freedom, and he blessed the good land where a man might speak his mind without fear of a cuff or a whip. His fancy revelled in new dreams of liberty, and his exclamations of delight were so frequent and loud, that Walter at last sent him below. Presently, however, his head peered above the companion-way, and on his promise of silence and decorum, Walter permitted him again to come on deck—but it was all in vain. Pompey was in too warm a glow to keep still, and becoming once more a little too garrulous, Capt. Wing seized a rope, but before he had a chance to apply it, Pompey, who saw his purpose, was up the ratlings and on the cross-trees, where, although he had a better view of the blessed land, his raptures soon subsided, and he was enabled to keep silence long enough to insure his safety when he came down.
The schooner soon reached the wharf, which at that time was the great depôt of trade and commerce. As Walter passed by the long ranges of wooden buildings which then occupied the ground, the merry cries of the market men, the grand display of merchandise, and the bustle of wagons and carts, formed a scene so full of novelty and attraction, that he lingered for an hour or more, surveying the different objects with lively curiosity and interest. Pompey was utterly amazed. 'What sort of world be this, Massa?' was his exclamation, as he stood at the termination of King street, from whence, at that time, all the business part of the town was visible. 'Mind your business, Pompey,' said Walter, 'and follow me with the luggage; if you stare at this rate, they will have you up for a vagabond, and with good reason.' Walter kept on, but in a moment or two, he heard a shout of merriment and glee, which had the effect of stopping all business within its circle. Pompey had just met with one of his own color, and when the two friends rushed together, it caused such an explosion of good nature, as sent the laugh up and down the street: the idlers came out to gaze, and a stout drayman, who saw the ludicrous attitude of the two blacks, tripped them both into the gutter, when Pompey, covered with shame and choked with dust and passion, rose on his feet and gave the drayman a violent blow, which nearly felled him to the ground; he was then seized by an officer and carried to prison on the charge of fighting in the streets; a serious crime, and one for which the fathers of New England had provided due punishment, which was usually inflicted in full measure on the culprit; for the rigid justice of those days was not often tempered by the mild pleadings of mercy.
Walter saw how the affair was going, and wishing his servant to have the full benefit of such a lesson, did not choose to interpose, but directing a porter to take his luggage, he saw Pompey move off to prison, with no regret that the ridiculous farce, in which he had acted, was likely to meet its proper rebuke. On his arrival at the hotel he was provided with suitable lodgings, and spent the remainder of the day in walking about town, and viewing the various objects of interest it contained.
The morning of the next day was occupied in visiting some of the gentlemen of the town, to whom Walter was furnished with letters. Among these were Mr. Stoughton, Judge Sewall, Rev. Mr. Willard, and Mr. Winthrop, the latter a distinguished practitioner at the bar. He was welcomed with the warm hospitality of those days, and assured of their kind offices and best efforts for his welfare. He related to Mr. Winthrop the affair in King street, between the two Africans, who caused an immediate examination of the case before a magistrate, which resulted in the release of Pompey, who followed his master home. His dream of liberty had by this time nearly vanished, and the poor negro was deeply concerned at his disgrace.
'It was a great breach of good manners, Pompey, to make such a noise in the street and tumble about in the gutter,' said Walter; 'I thought you intended to act the gentleman.'
'So I did, Massa, and many is the gentleman I have seen in the gutter, besides me.'