Volume One--Chapter Fifteen.
Lucy.
Are all these wretches slaves?
Stanley.
All sold, they and their posterity, all slaves.
Lucy.
O! miserable fortune!
Bland.
Most of them know no better, but were
Born so, and only change their masters.
Oroonoko.
The party were up at an early hour on the ensuing morning, that they might enjoy the delightful freshness of the air, which so soon evaporates before the scorching rays of the tropical sun. They were joined at breakfast by the doctor who attended the estate, and who had called in to announce the birth of a little negro boy in the early part of the night.
“Who did you say, doctor?” answered the planter, “Mattee Sally? Why, I thought Jane Ascension was in advance of her.”
“They were running it neck and neck, sir,” replied the surgeon.
“How is she—quite hearty?”
“Quite, sir; but very anxious about the child’s name, and requests to speak with you as soon as you have breakfasted.”
“We will go to her. You have no idea,” observed the planter to Mr Berecroft and Newton, “what importance these people attach to the naming of their children. Nothing but a fine long name will satisfy them. I really believe, that if I refused her, or called the boy Tom, she would eat dirt. I believe we have all done; Boy Jack, bring the sangoree. Doctor, I dare say that your clay wants moistening, so take the first pull.”
This important commencement and finale to the repast having been duly administered, they proceeded to the range of buildings before mentioned, in one of which they found the lady in the straw, sitting up, and showing her white teeth at her master’s approach, as if nothing very particular had occurred.