“‘Yes, I was speedily engaged; for labour in Barbadoes was in great demand.
“‘Just a fortnight after this we were speeding away over the broad Atlantic, westwards and south, before the breath of a favouring breeze.
“‘I thought now that there was nothing like the ocean. How clear and bright the sky was! how healthful the breeze! And the great blue waves themselves seemed to rear their sparkling heads and toss their white manes in veritable pride and gladness. The waves sang to the sunlight; the sunlight kissed the waves.
“‘We saw many strange, mysterious beasts and fishes. Some were mighty in their strength beyond credence; others, that on moonlight nights reared horrid heads and necks high above the ship, looked like fiery-eyed fiends; and the men, affrighted, rushed below, or lashed themselves with rope-ends to capstan or winch, lest the awful apparition might seize and bear them away.
“‘But notwithstanding all this, and notwithstanding the length of the voyage—which, as we were often driven back by storms, and often becalmed for many days at a time, extended to months and months—both Morgan and myself were very happy.
“‘He was a good boy then; alas that he should have turned out so terrible a man years and years after this! But now morning and evening found Morgan on his knees; and he used to tell me that God was his greatest friend, and prayer his greatest comfort.
“‘We reached Barbadoes at last, and found this sunny isle of the sea everything that Morgan’s friend had described it to be.
“‘We worked out our time quietly enough, and although we got no pay, we were well fed, and everything went pleasantly.
“‘Then we were free, and soon obtained work from the planters. We were well paid now, and led a comfortable, happy life; and so here we dwelt for years.
“‘Morgan and I considered ourselves men by this time, But I could note that he was restless.