He settled in England in 1767, attending school and working at various times as an assistant to scientist Dr. Charles Irving.
Agriculture is our chief employment; and every one, even the children and women, are engaged in it. Happily perhaps Immediately afterwards the press-gang came on board with their swords drawn, and searched all about, pulled the people out by force, and put them into the boat. Sometimes our limbs were broken with this, or even attended with instant death, and I was day by day mangled and torn.
snakes I expected every instant to be stung by them. Many a time we were near suffocation from the want of fresh air, which we were often without for whole days together.
that night close my eyes again to rest. For want, therefore, of such care and attention to the poor negroes, and otherwise pressed as they are, it is no wonder that the decrease should require 20,000 new negroes annually to fill up the vacant places of the dead. jail. The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable.
Several of the strangers also shook hands with us black people, and made motions with their hands, signifying I suppose we were to go to their country; but we did not understand them. However I soon recovered again; and by this time my on the island: those poor souls had never more than nine pence per day, and seldom more than six pence, from their masters or owners, though they earned them three or four pisterines Our land is uncommonly rich and fruitful, and produces all kinds of vegetables in great abundance. He then asked to be carried ashore before the secretary or magistrates, and these infernal invaders of human rights promised him he should; but, instead of that, they carried him on board of the other vessel: and the next day, without giving the poor man any hearing on shore, or suffering him even to see his wife or child, he was carried away, and probably doomed Numbers of the natives of Eboe now in London might be brought in support of this assertion: for, in regard to complexion, ideas of beauty are wholly relative. I was much rejoiced at this news, and expected every minute to embrace him; and when the captain came on board of our ship, which he did immediately after, I ran to inquire after my friend; but, with inexpressible The two ships for some time swinged alongside of each other; for ours being a fireship, our grappling-irons caught the Lynne every way, and the yards and rigging I thought now of nothing but being freed, and working for myself, and thereby getting money to enable me to get a good education; for I always had a great desire to be able at least to read and write; and while I was on ship-board I had endeavoured to improve myself in both.
When we went to rest the following night they offered us some victuals; but we refused it; and the only comfort we had was in being in one another's arms all that night, and bathing each other with our tears.
Doran.--The chief mate, Mr. Mansfield, and some of the crew being one day on shore, were present at the burying of a poisoned negro girl. And what I thought was still the worst of all, the fellow gave information, as I afterwards found, all the while to the mates, of my intention to go off, if I could in any way do it; but, rogue like, he never told them he had got a guinea from me to procure my escape.
While I was in this astonishment one of my So much are men blinded, and to such inconsistent arguments are they driven by mistaken interest!
I longed therefore much to leave it, and daily From the various scenes I had
I determined to make every exertion to obtain my freedom, and to return to Old England. This escape of Mr. Mondle, which he, as well as myself, always considered as a singular act of Providence, I believe had a great influence on his life and conduct ever afterwards. One day also, at Old Road in Montserrat, our captain, and three men besides myself, were going in a large canoe in quest of rum. The languages of different nations did not totally differ, nor were they so copious as those of the Europeans, particularly the English.
All the admirals and captains of the men of war, full dressed, and in their barges, well ornamented with pendants, came alongside of the Namur.
I HOPE the reader will not think I have trespassed on his patience in introducing myself to him with some account of the manners and customs of my country. Vanshika Sapra Chapter 4 Module B Primary Source: “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African.” What type of source is it?
been long trading for myself in the manner I have related above, when I experienced the like trial in company with him as follows: This man being used to the water, was upon an emergency put on board of us by his master to work as another hand, on a voyage to Santa Cruz; and at our failing he had brought his little all for a venture, which consisted of six bits' worth of limes and oranges in a bag; I had also my whole stock, which was about twelve bits' worth of the same kind of goods, separate in two bags; for we had heard these fruits fold well in that island.
Immediately after, as I was trying to pass them in the market, amongst other white men, I was abused for offering to pass bad coin; and, though I shewed them the man I got them from, I was within one minute of being tied up and flogged without either judge or jury; however, by the help of a good pair of heels, I ran off, and so escaped the bastinadoes I should have received. and, on the contrary, if it was not his will it would not happen; so I hoped, if ever I were freed, whilst I was used well, it should be by honest means; but, as I could not help myself, he must do as he pleased; I could only hope and trust to the God of Heaven; and at that instant my mind was big with inventions and full of schemes to escape.
he caught hold of me, and brought me to sounding, and then he went and brought the punt also.