Page:Duty and Inclination. Volume 3.pdf/269

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DUTY AND INCLINATION.
267

that handsome sufficiency, of which the loss of his command, without an adequate indemnity, and his loss of hereditary rights, had alike deprived him."

Having taken the pen and put his signature, to the unbounded satisfaction of Robert, the General added, "The deed is done! you have now made over to me the whole of your property; and now, my worthy friend, satisfy my curiosity by explaining to me the means which enabled you to accumulate so large a sum."

"Upon leaving your service, Massa, my heart almost broke to quit you and dear Misses and young ladies; me grieved so, me believe it would have cost me my life, had not some lucky tought come into my head, and it was dat tought which gave me courage, and made me more hearty to say. Farewell, Massa! for it was while talking to you about going, dat it crossed me all at once to go back to Cape Town, and try and find old Massa, if he was alive; he who parted wit me to your kind mother, God bless her! De money you made me take of you in parting was de cause of great project succeeding, as me got on board a ship bound to New South Wales, and which de crew told me always stopped at Cape Town. Me arrived safe, and though almost forgot all about it, found at last de inn—large inn—where Massa's wife lived. She liked Robert when lilly negro boy, and was glad to see him come back a man. Her husband lived to return home, but fell sick again, and at last died,—all de affairs