The African Trader | Page 3

and to these she had carried whatever we
were allowed to remove.

"See, Massa Harry," she said, showing me an old leathern purse full of
gold. "We no want food for long time to come, and before then God
find us friends and show us what to do."
My sisters possessed various talents, and they at once determined to
employ them to the best advantage. Jane and Mary drew beautifully,
and were adepts in all sorts of fancy needle-work. Emily, though young,
had written one or two pretty tales, and we were sure that she was
destined to be an authoress. Mammy, therefore, entreated them not to
separate, assuring them that her only pleasure on earth would be to
labour and assist in protecting them. Had they had no other motive, for
her sake alone, they would have been anxious to follow her advice.
I was the only one of the family who felt unable to do anything for
myself. I wrote too bad a hand to allow me any hopes of obtaining a
situation in a counting-house; and though I would have gone out as an
errand boy or page rather than be a burden to my sisters, I was sure
they would not permit this, and, besides, I felt that by my taking an
inferior position they would be lowered in the cold eyes of the world. I
had ardently wished to go to sea, and I thought that the captain who had
promised to take me as a midshipman would still receive me could I
reach Portsmouth. I did not calculate the expense of an outfit, nor did I
think of the allowance young gentlemen are expected to receive on
board a man-of-war.
I had wandered one day down to the docks to indulge myself in the
sight of the shipping, contemplating the possibility of obtaining a berth
on board one of the fine vessels I saw fitting out, and had been standing
for some time on the quay, when I observed a tall good-looking man, in
the dress of a merchantman's captain, step out of a boat which had
apparently come from a black rakish looking brigantine lying a short
distance out in the stream. I looked at him hard, for suddenly it
occurred to me that I remembered his features. Yes, I was certain. He
had been junior mate of the "Fair Rosomond," in which vessel we had
come home from Jamaica, and a great chum of mine. "Mr Willis," I
said, "do you remember me? I am Harry Bayford."
"Not by looks, but by your voice and eyes I do, my boy," he answered,

grasping my hand and shaking it heartily. "But what has happened? I
see you are in mourning."
I told him of my father's misfortunes and death; and as we walked
along frankly opened out on my views and plans. "You will have no
chance in the navy without means or friends, Harry," he answered.
"There's no use thinking about the matter; but if your mind is set on
going to sea I'll take you, and do my best to make a sailor of you. I
have command of the `Chieftain,' an African trader, the brigantine you
see off in the stream there. Though we do not profess to take
midshipmen, I'll give you a berth in my cabin, and I don't see that in the
long run you will run more risk than you would have to go through on
board vessels trading to other parts of the world."
"Thank you, Captain Willis, very much," I exclaimed, "I little expected
so soon to go to sea."
"Don't talk of thanks, Harry," he answered, "your poor father was very
kind to me, and I am glad to serve you. I had intended calling on him
before sailing; and if your sisters will allow me, I'll pay them a visit,
and answer any objections they may make to your going."
After dining with the captain at an inn, I hurried home with, what I
considered, this good news. My sisters, however, were very unwilling
to sanction my going. They had heard so much of the deadly climate of
the African coast, and of dangers from slavers and pirates, that they
dreaded the risk I should run. Captain Willis, according to his promise,
called the next day, and not without difficulty quieted their
apprehensions.
Mammy, though unwilling to part with me, still could not help feeling a
deep interest in my undertaking, as she thought that I was going to visit
her own still-loved country; and while assisting my sisters to prepare
my outfit she entertained me with an account of its beauties and
wonders, while I promised to bring her back from it all sorts of things
which I expected to collect. "And suppose,