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give us our fruits, but in vain. They not only refused to return them,
but swore at us, and threatened if we did not immediately depart they
would flog us well. We told them these three bags were all we were
worth in the world, and that we brought them with us to sell when we
came from Montserrat, and shewed them the vessel. But this was rather
against us, as they now saw we were strangers as well as slaves. They
still therefore swore, and desired us to be gone, and even took sticks
to beat us; while we, seeing they meant what they said, went off in
the greatest confusion and despair. Thus, in the very minute of
gaining more by three times than I ever did by any venture in my life
before, was I deprived of every farthing I was worth. An
insupportable misfortune! but how to help ourselves we knew not. In
our consternation we went to the commanding officer of the fort and
told him how we had been served by some of his people; but we obtained
not the least redress: he answered our complaints only by a volley of
imprecations against us, and immediately took a horse-whip, in order
to chastise us, so that we were obliged to turn out much faster than
we came in. I now, in the agony of distress and indignation, wished
that the ire of God in his forked lightning might transfix these cruel
oppressors among the dead. Still however we persevered; went back
again to the house, and begged and besought them again and again for
our fruits, till at last some other people that were in the house
asked if we would be contented if they kept one bag and gave us the
other two. We, seeing no remedy whatever, consented to this; and they,
observing one bag to have both kinds of fruit in it, which belonged to
my companion, kept that; and the other two, which were mine, they gave
us back. As soon as I got them, I ran as fast as I could, and got the
first negro man I could to help me off; my companion, however, stayed
a little longer to plead; he told them the bag they had was his, and
likewise all that he was worth in the world; but this was of no avail,
and he was obliged to return without it. The poor old man, wringing
his hands, cried bitterly for his loss; and, indeed, he then did look
up to God on high, which so moved me with pity for him, that I gave
him nearly one third of my fruits. We then proceeded to the markets to
sell them; and Providence was more favourable to us than we could have
expected, for we sold our fruits uncommonly well; I got for mine about
thirty-seven bits. Such a surprising reverse of fortune in so short a
space of time seemed like a dream to me, and proved no small
encouragement for me to trust the Lord in any situation. My captain
afterwards frequently used to take my part, and get me my right, when
I have been plundered or used ill by these tender Christian
depredators; among whom I have shuddered to observe the unceasing
blasphemous execrations which are wantonly thrown out by persons of
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