“Certainly.”
“Does the wife who has been your companion regard your company as preferable to a length of cloth?”
“Well,” said Abigah, confidentially, “I give her a little present, too; something small, so as to make matters as nearly equal as possible to both. Never,” he added, advising as though I were about to plunge into polygamy, “let any wife believe you like another better. Make each think she is the one.” A domestic diplomat is Abigah.
Reference has just been made to domestic slaves. As the subject may not be fully understood at home a short explanation is offered. Under British suzerainty the capture of any person as a slave, as well as sale, exchange or gift of a slave have been prohibited; and all children born of slave parents after the promulgation of that declaration were to be free. It may be asked by worthy individuals at home, who only England know, why Great Britain should assent to the status of slavery in any shape or degree?
ABIGAH (SEATED) AND HIS TWO WIVES.
TUREG TRADERS FROM LAKE CHAD.
They are reformed robbers. ([See page 100.])