CHAPTER 2

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. They had been implanted in me with great care, and made an impression on my mind, which time could not erase, and which all the adversity and variety of fortune I have since experienced served only to rivet and record; for, whether the love of one's country be real or imaginary, or a lesson of reason, or an instinct of nature, I still look back with pleasure on the first scenes of my life, though that pleasure has been for the most part mingled with sorrow.

I hope the reader will not feel I have tried his patience by describing my country’s customs as an introduction. Those customs were taught to me with great care and left an impression on my mind that time could not erase. All the hardships and changes in fortune I have since experienced only made that impression stronger and more lasting. For whether love of one’s country is real or imagined, learned through reason or a natural instinct, I cannot say. Still, I look back with pleasure on the earliest scenes of my life, though that pleasure has mostly been mixed with sorrow.

I have already acquainted the reader with the time and place of my birth. My father, besides many slaves, had a numerous family, of which seven lived to grow up, including myself and a sister, who was the only daughter. As I was the youngest of the sons, I became, of course, the greatest favourite with my mother, and was always with her; and she used to take particular pains to form my mind. I was trained up from my earliest years in the art of war; my daily exercise was shooting and throwing javelins; and my mother adorned me with emblems, after the manner of our greatest warriors. In this way I grew up till I was turned the age of eleven, when an end was put to my happiness in the following manner:—Generally when the grown people in the neighbourhood were gone far in the fields to labour, the children assembled together in some of the neighbours' premises to play; and commonly some of us used to get up a tree to look out for any assailant, or kidnapper, that might come upon us; for they sometimes took those opportunities of our parents' absence to attack and carry off as many as they could seize. One day, as I was watching at the top of a tree in our yard, I saw one of those people come into the yard of our next neighbour but one, to kidnap, there being many stout young people in it. Immediately on this I gave the alarm of the rogue, and he was surrounded by the stoutest of them, who entangled him with cords, so that he could not escape till some of the grown people came and secured him. But alas! ere long it was my fate to be thus attacked, and to be carried off, when none of the grown people were nigh. One day, when all our people were gone out to their works as usual, and only I and my dear sister were left to mind the house, two men and a woman got over our walls, and in a moment seized us both, and, without giving us time to cry out, or make resistance, they stopped our mouths, and ran off with us into the nearest wood. Here they tied our hands, and continued to carry us as far as they could, till night came on, when we reached a small house, where the robbers halted for refreshment, and spent the night. We were then unbound, but were unable to take any food; and, being quite overpowered by fatigue and grief, our only relief was some sleep, which allayed our misfortune for a short time. The next morning we left the house, and continued travelling all the day. For a long time we had kept the woods, but at last we came into a road which I believed I knew. I had now some hopes of being delivered; for we had advanced but a little way before I discovered some people at a distance, on which I began to cry out for their assistance: but my cries had no other effect than to make them tie me faster and stop my mouth, and then they put me into a large sack. They also stopped my sister's mouth, and tied her hands; and in this manner we proceeded till we were out of the sight of these people. 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. But alas! we were soon deprived of even the small comfort of weeping together. The next day proved a day of greater sorrow than I had yet experienced; for my sister and I were then separated, while we lay clasped in each other's arms. It was in vain that we besought them not to part us; she was torn from me, and immediately carried away, while I was left in a state of distraction not to be described. I cried and grieved continually; and for several days I did not eat any thing but what they forced into my mouth. At length, after many days travelling, during which I had often changed masters, I got into the hands of a chieftain, in a very pleasant country. This man had two wives and some children, and they all used me extremely well, and did all they could to comfort me; particularly the first wife, who was something like my mother. Although I was a great many days journey from my father's house, yet these people spoke exactly the same language with us. This first master of mine, as I may call him, was a smith, and my principal employment was working his bellows, which were the same kind as I had seen in my vicinity. They were in some respects not unlike the stoves here in gentlemen's kitchens; and were covered over with leather; and in the middle of that leather a stick was fixed, and a person stood up, and worked it, in the same manner as is done to pump water out of a cask with a hand pump. I believe it was gold he worked, for it was of a lovely bright yellow colour, and was worn by the women on their wrists and ancles. I was there I suppose about a month, and they at last used to trust me some little distance from the house. This liberty I used in embracing every opportunity to inquire the way to my own home: and I also sometimes, for the same purpose, went with the maidens, in the cool of the evenings, to bring pitchers of water from the springs for the use of the house. I had also remarked where the sun rose in the morning, and set in the evening, as I had travelled along; and I had observed that my father's house was towards the rising of the sun. I therefore determined to seize the first opportunity of making my escape, and to shape my course for that quarter; for I was quite oppressed and weighed down by grief after my mother and friends; and my love of liberty, ever great, was strengthened by the mortifying circumstance of not daring to eat with the free-born children, although I was mostly their companion. While I was projecting my escape, one day an unlucky event happened, which quite disconcerted my plan, and put an end to my hopes. I used to be sometimes employed in assisting an elderly woman slave to cook and take care of the poultry; and one morning, while I was feeding some chickens, I happened to toss a small pebble at one of them, which hit it on the middle and directly killed it. The old slave, having soon after missed the chicken, inquired after it; and on my relating the accident (for I told her the truth, because my mother would never suffer me to tell a lie) she flew into a violent passion, threatened that I should suffer for it; and, my master being out, she immediately went and told her mistress what I had done. This alarmed me very much, and I expected an instant flogging, which to me was uncommonly dreadful; for I had seldom been beaten at home. I therefore resolved to fly; and accordingly I ran into a thicket that was hard by, and hid myself in the bushes. Soon afterwards my mistress and the slave returned, and, not seeing me, they searched all the house, but not finding me, and I not making answer when they called to me, they thought I had run away, and the whole neighbourhood was raised in the pursuit of me. In that part of the country (as in ours) the houses and villages were skirted with woods, or shrubberies, and the bushes were so thick that a man could readily conceal himself in them, so as to elude the strictest search. The neighbours continued the whole day looking for me, and several times many of them came within a few yards of the place where I lay hid. I then gave myself up for lost entirely, and expected every moment, when I heard a rustling among the trees, to be found out, and punished by my master: but they never discovered me, though they were often so near that I even heard their conjectures as they were looking about for me; and I now learned from them, that any attempt to return home would be hopeless. Most of them supposed I had fled towards home; but the distance was so great, and the way so intricate, that they thought I could never reach it, and that I should be lost in the woods. When I heard this I was seized with a violent panic, and abandoned myself to despair. Night too began to approach, and aggravated all my fears. I had before entertained hopes of getting home, and I had determined when it should be dark to make the attempt; but I was now convinced it was fruitless, and I began to consider that, if possibly I could escape all other animals, I could not those of the human kind; and that, not knowing the way, I must perish in the woods. Thus was I like the hunted deer:

I have already told the reader when and where I was born. Besides owning many slaves, my father had a large family. Seven of his children lived to adulthood, including me and my sister, his only daughter. As the youngest son, I naturally became my mother’s greatest favorite and was always with her. She took special care to shape my mind. From my earliest years, I was trained in warfare. Every day I practiced shooting and throwing javelins. My mother decorated me with emblems like those worn by our greatest warriors. I grew up this way until I was past eleven, when my happiness ended as follows. Usually, when the adults in the neighborhood went far into the fields to work, the children gathered at neighbors’ homes to play. Some of us would usually climb a tree to watch for attackers or kidnappers. Such people sometimes took advantage of our parents’ absence to attack and carry off as many children as they could seize. One day, I was keeping watch from the top of a tree in our yard. I saw one of these people enter the yard two houses away to kidnap someone. There were many strong young people in that yard. I immediately raised the alarm about the criminal. The strongest young people surrounded him and tangled him in ropes so he could not escape. Some adults then came and took him into custody. But alas, before long I too was attacked and carried off, with no adults nearby. One day, everyone had gone out to work as usual. Only my dear sister and I remained to look after the house. Two men and a woman climbed over our walls and seized us both in an instant. Before we could cry out or resist, they covered our mouths and carried us into the nearest woods. There they tied our hands and carried us as far as they could. At nightfall, we reached a small house, where the kidnappers stopped for food and rest and spent the night. They untied us, but we could not eat anything. Exhausted and overwhelmed with grief, we found relief only in sleep, which briefly eased our suffering. The next morning we left the house and traveled all day. For a long time we stayed in the woods, but eventually we reached a road I thought I recognized. I now had some hope of rescue. We had gone only a little way when I saw some people in the distance and cried out for help. But my cries only made the kidnappers tie me more tightly and cover my mouth. Then they put me into a large sack. They also covered my sister’s mouth and tied her hands. We continued like this until we were out of sight of those people. When we stopped to rest the following night, the kidnappers offered us food, but we refused it. Our only comfort was holding each other all night, soaking each other with our tears. But alas, we soon lost even the small comfort of weeping together. The next day brought greater sorrow than I had ever known. My sister and I were separated while we lay clasped in each other’s arms. We begged the kidnappers not to part us, but our pleas were useless. She was torn from me and immediately carried away. I was left in a state of anguish beyond description. I cried and grieved constantly. For several days, I ate nothing except what they forced into my mouth. At last, after many days of travel and frequent changes of masters, I came into the hands of a chieftain. He lived in a very pleasant country. This man had two wives and some children. They all treated me extremely well and did everything they could to comfort me. His first wife was especially kind and was somewhat like my mother. Although I was many days’ journey from my father’s house, these people spoke exactly the same language as we did. This first master of mine, as I may call him, was a metalworker. My main job was working his bellows, which were the same kind I had seen near home. In some ways, they resembled the stoves in wealthy people’s kitchens here. They were covered with leather, with a stick fixed in the middle of the leather. A person stood and worked the stick as someone would use a hand pump to draw water from a cask. I believe he worked with gold. The metal was a beautiful, bright yellow, and women wore it around their wrists and ankles. I suppose I stayed there about a month. Eventually, the family began trusting me to go a short distance from the house. I used this freedom to ask the way home whenever I could. Sometimes, for the same purpose, I went with the young women in the cool evenings to fetch water. We brought pitchers of water from the springs for the household. During my travels, I had also noticed where the sun rose in the morning and set in the evening. I had observed that my father’s house lay toward the sunrise. So I decided to take the first chance to escape and head in that direction. Grief for my mother and friends weighed heavily on me. My love of freedom had always been strong, but a humiliating restriction made it stronger. I did not dare eat with the freeborn children, although I was usually their companion. While I was planning my escape, an unfortunate event upset my plans completely and ended my hopes. Sometimes I helped an elderly enslaved woman cook and care for the poultry. One morning, while feeding some chickens, I happened to throw a small pebble at one of them. The pebble struck the chicken in the middle of its body and killed it instantly. Soon afterward, the elderly woman noticed the chicken was missing and asked about it. I told her what had happened. I told the truth because my mother would never allow me to lie. The woman flew into a rage and threatened that I would suffer for it. My master was out, so she immediately went to tell her mistress what I had done. I was greatly alarmed and expected an immediate whipping. This prospect terrified me especially because I had seldom been beaten at home. So I decided to flee. I ran into a nearby thicket and hid in the bushes. Soon afterward, my mistress and the enslaved woman returned. When they did not see me, they searched the whole house but could not find me. I did not answer their calls, so they thought I had run away. The whole neighborhood was called out to search for me. In that part of the country, as in ours, woods or shrubs surrounded the houses and villages. The bushes were so thick that a man could easily hide in them and escape even the most thorough search. The neighbors searched for me all day. Several times, many of them came within a few yards of my hiding place. I felt completely lost. Every rustle among the trees made me expect to be discovered and punished by my master. But they never found me. They were often so close that I could hear them guessing where I had gone. From their words, I now learned that any attempt to return home would be hopeless. Most thought I had fled toward home. But the distance was so great, and the route so complicated, that they thought I could never reach it. They believed I would become lost in the woods. Hearing this filled me with panic, and I gave myself over to despair. Night was approaching too, making all my fears worse. Until then, I had hoped to get home and had decided to try once darkness fell. But now I was convinced the attempt would be useless. I began to think that even if I could escape all other animals, I could not escape human ones. Without knowing the way, I would surely die in the woods. And so I was like a hunted deer:

I heard frequent rustlings among the leaves; and being pretty sure they were snakes I expected every instant to be stung by them. This increased my anguish, and the horror of my situation became now quite insupportable. I at length quitted the thicket, very faint and hungry, for I had not eaten or drank any thing all the day; and crept to my master's kitchen, from whence I set out at first, and which was an open shed, and laid myself down in the ashes with an anxious wish for death to relieve me from all my pains. I was scarcely awake in the morning when the old woman slave, who was the first up, came to light the fire, and saw me in the fire place. She was very much surprised to see me, and could scarcely believe her own eyes. She now promised to intercede for me, and went for her master, who soon after came, and, having slightly reprimanded me, ordered me to be taken care of, and not to be ill-treated.

I often heard rustling among the leaves. I was fairly sure the sounds came from snakes, and I expected to be bitten at any moment. This fear increased my anguish, and the horror of my situation became unbearable. At last I left the thicket, very weak and hungry, because I had eaten and drunk nothing all day. I crept back to my master's kitchen, the open shed I had first set out from. I lay down in the ashes, desperately wishing for death to relieve all my pain. I was barely awake the next morning when the old enslaved woman, the first to rise, came to light the fire. She saw me lying in the fireplace and was so surprised that she could hardly believe her eyes. She promised to speak to her master on my behalf and went to fetch him. He came soon afterward and scolded me mildly. Then he ordered that I be cared for and not mistreated.

Soon after this my master's only daughter, and child by his first wife, sickened and died, which affected him so much that for some time he was almost frantic, and really would have killed himself, had he not been watched and prevented. However, in a small time afterwards he recovered, and I was again sold. I was now carried to the left of the sun's rising, through many different countries, and a number of large woods. The people I was sold to used to carry me very often, when I was tired, either on their shoulders or on their backs. I saw many convenient well-built sheds along the roads, at proper distances, to accommodate the merchants and travellers, who lay in those buildings along with their wives, who often accompany them; and they always go well armed.

Soon afterward, my master's only daughter, his child by his first wife, fell ill and died. Her death distressed him so much that for a time he was almost out of his mind. He would truly have killed himself if others had not watched him and stopped him. However, he recovered a short time later, and I was sold again. I was now taken to the left of the rising sun, through many different countries and many large forests. The people I was sold to often carried me on their shoulders or backs when I was tired. Along the roads, I saw many well-built shelters, conveniently spaced to accommodate merchants and travelers. The merchants and travelers slept in these buildings with their wives, who often accompanied them. They always traveled well armed.

From the time I left my own nation I always found somebody that understood me till I came to the sea coast. The languages of different nations did not totally differ, nor were they so copious as those of the Europeans, particularly the English. They were therefore easily learned; and, while I was journeying thus through Africa, I acquired two or three different tongues. In this manner I had been travelling for a considerable time, when one evening, to my great surprise, whom should I see brought to the house where I was but my dear sister! As soon as she saw me she gave a loud shriek, and ran into my arms—I was quite overpowered: neither of us could speak; but, for a considerable time, clung to each other in mutual embraces, unable to do any thing but weep. Our meeting affected all who saw us; and indeed I must acknowledge, in honour of those sable destroyers of human rights, that I never met with any ill treatment, or saw any offered to their slaves, except tying them, when necessary, to keep them from running away. When these people knew we were brother and sister they indulged us together; and the man, to whom I supposed we belonged, lay with us, he in the middle, while she and I held one another by the hands across his breast all night; and thus for a while we forgot our misfortunes in the joy of being together: but even this small comfort was soon to have an end; for scarcely had the fatal morning appeared, when she was again torn from me for ever! I was now more miserable, if possible, than before. The small relief which her presence gave me from pain was gone, and the wretchedness of my situation was redoubled by my anxiety after her fate, and my apprehensions lest her sufferings should be greater than mine, when I could not be with her to alleviate them. Yes, thou dear partner of all my childish sports! thou sharer of my joys and sorrows! happy should I have ever esteemed myself to encounter every misery for you, and to procure your freedom by the sacrifice of my own. Though you were early forced from my arms, your image has been always rivetted in my heart, from which neither time nor fortune have been able to remove it; so that, while the thoughts of your sufferings have damped my prosperity, they have mingled with adversity and increased its bitterness. To that Heaven which protects the weak from the strong, I commit the care of your innocence and virtues, if they have not already received their full reward, and if your youth and delicacy have not long since fallen victims to the violence of the African trader, the pestilential stench of a Guinea ship, the seasoning in the European colonies, or the lash and lust of a brutal and unrelenting overseer.

From the time I left my own nation, I always found someone who understood me until I reached the coast. The languages of different nations were not entirely different from one another. Nor did they have vocabularies as large as European languages, especially English. They were therefore easy to learn. As I traveled through Africa, I learned two or three different languages. I had been traveling this way for quite some time when, one evening, I had a great surprise. Who should be brought into the house where I was staying but my dear sister! As soon as she saw me, she screamed and ran into my arms. I was completely overwhelmed. Neither of us could speak. For a long time, we clung to each other, unable to do anything but weep. Our reunion moved everyone who saw us. Indeed, to the credit of those black destroyers of human rights, I must acknowledge something. I never experienced any mistreatment from them or saw them mistreat their slaves, except by tying them up when necessary to prevent escape. When these people learned that we were brother and sister, they allowed us to stay together. The man I supposed we belonged to lay down with us, between us. My sister and I held hands across his chest all night. For a while, the joy of being together made us forget our misfortunes. But even this small comfort would soon end. The fateful morning had scarcely dawned when she was torn from me again, forever! I was now even more miserable than before, if that was possible. Her presence had brought me a little relief from my pain, but that relief was gone. My misery doubled as I worried about her fate. I feared she might suffer more than I did, without me there to ease her suffering. Yes, my dear companion in all my childhood games! You who shared my joys and sorrows! I would always have considered myself happy to endure every misery for you, and to sacrifice my freedom for yours. Though you were torn from my arms so early, your image has always remained fixed in my heart. Neither time nor fortune has been able to remove it. Thoughts of your suffering have therefore dimmed my happiness in good times. In hard times, those thoughts have added to my troubles and made them more bitter. I entrust your innocence and goodness to Heaven, which protects the weak from the strong. I do so if your innocence and goodness have not already received their full reward. And if, young and delicate as you were, you have not long since fallen victim to the African trader's violence. Or to the disease-filled stench of a Guinea ship. Or to the deadly period of forced adjustment to slavery in the European colonies. Or to the whip and lust of a brutal, merciless overseer.

I did not long remain after my sister. I was again sold, and carried through a number of places, till, after travelling a considerable time, I came to a town called Tinmah, in the most beautiful country I have yet seen in Africa. It was extremely rich, and there were many rivulets which flowed through it, and supplied a large pond in the centre of the town, where the people washed. Here I first saw and tasted cocoa-nuts, which I thought superior to any nuts I had ever tasted before; and the trees, which were loaded, were also interspersed amongst the houses, which had commodious shades adjoining, and were in the same manner as ours, the insides being neatly plastered and whitewashed. Here I also saw and tasted for the first time sugar-cane. Their money consisted of little white shells, the size of the finger nail. I was sold here for one hundred and seventy-two of them by a merchant who lived and brought me there. I had been about two or three days at his house, when a wealthy widow, a neighbour of his, came there one evening, and brought with her an only son, a young gentleman about my own age and size. Here they saw me; and, having taken a fancy to me, I was bought of the merchant, and went home with them. Her house and premises were situated close to one of those rivulets I have mentioned, and were the finest I ever saw in Africa: they were very extensive, and she had a number of slaves to attend her. The next day I was washed and perfumed, and when meal-time came I was led into the presence of my mistress, and ate and drank before her with her son. This filled me with astonishment; and I could scarce help expressing my surprise that the young gentleman should suffer me, who was bound, to eat with him who was free; and not only so, but that he would not at any time either eat or drink till I had taken first, because I was the eldest, which was agreeable to our custom. Indeed every thing here, and all their treatment of me, made me forget that I was a slave. The language of these people resembled ours so nearly, that we understood each other perfectly. They had also the very same customs as we. There were likewise slaves daily to attend us, while my young master and I with other boys sported with our darts and bows and arrows, as I had been used to do at home. In this resemblance to my former happy state I passed about two months; and I now began to think I was to be adopted into the family, and was beginning to be reconciled to my situation, and to forget by degrees my misfortunes, when all at once the delusion vanished; for, without the least previous knowledge, one morning early, while my dear master and companion was still asleep, I was wakened out of my reverie to fresh sorrow, and hurried away even amongst the uncircumcised.

I did not stay long after my sister left. I was sold again and taken through several places. After travelling for a considerable time, I reached a town called Tinmah. It stood in the most beautiful countryside I have yet seen in Africa. The land was extremely rich, and many small streams flowed through it. These streams fed a large pond in the town’s centre, where the people washed. Here I first saw and tasted coconuts. I thought they were better than any nuts I had ever tasted. Trees heavy with coconuts grew among the houses. The houses had spacious shaded areas beside them and were built like ours. Their interiors were neatly plastered and whitewashed. Here I also saw and tasted sugar cane for the first time. The people used small white shells as money, each about the size of a fingernail. A merchant who lived there and had brought me to Tinmah sold me for one hundred and seventy-two shells. I had been at the merchant’s house for about two or three days when a wealthy widow visited one evening. She was his neighbour and brought her only son, a young gentleman about my age and size. They saw me there and took a liking to me. They bought me from the merchant, and I went home with them. Her house and grounds stood beside one of the streams I have mentioned. They were the finest I ever saw in Africa. The grounds were very extensive, and she had a number of slaves to serve her. The next day I was washed and perfumed. At mealtime, I was brought before my mistress and ate and drank with her son in her presence. This astonished me. I could hardly keep from expressing my surprise that this free young gentleman allowed me, a slave, to eat with him. More than that, he would never eat or drink until I had done so first. This was because I was older, in keeping with our custom. Indeed, everything here, and the way everyone treated me, made me forget I was a slave. The people’s language was so like ours that we understood each other perfectly. Their customs were also exactly the same as ours. Slaves attended us every day while my young master and I played with other boys. We played with darts, bows, and arrows, just as I had done at home. I spent about two months in these surroundings, which resembled my former happy life. I began to think I would be adopted into the family. I was beginning to accept my situation and gradually forget my misfortunes. Then, all at once, that hopeful illusion vanished. Early one morning, without any warning, while my dear master and companion was still asleep, I was torn from my daydream. I was plunged into fresh sorrow and hurried away, even among the uncircumcised.

Thus, at the very moment I dreamed of the greatest happiness, I found myself most miserable; and it seemed as if fortune wished to give me this taste of joy, only to render the reverse more poignant. The change I now experienced was as painful as it was sudden and unexpected. It was a change indeed from a state of bliss to a scene which is inexpressible by me, as it discovered to me an element I had never before beheld, and till then had no idea of, and wherein such instances of hardship and cruelty continually occurred as I can never reflect on but with horror.

So, at the very moment I dreamed of the greatest happiness, I found myself utterly miserable. It seemed as if fortune had given me a taste of joy only to make the misery more painful. The change I now experienced was as painful as it was sudden and unexpected. Indeed, I had gone from bliss to a scene I cannot describe. The change revealed a world I had never seen before and, until then, had never imagined. In that world, hardship and cruelty occurred constantly, and I can never think back on them without horror.

All the nations and people I had hitherto passed through resembled our own in their manners, customs, and language: but I came at length to a country, the inhabitants of which differed from us in all those particulars. I was very much struck with this difference, especially when I came among a people who did not circumcise, and ate without washing their hands. They cooked also in iron pots, and had European cutlasses and cross bows, which were unknown to us, and fought with their fists amongst themselves. Their women were not so modest as ours, for they ate, and drank, and slept, with their men. But, above all, I was amazed to see no sacrifices or offerings among them. In some of those places the people ornamented themselves with scars, and likewise filed their teeth very sharp. They wanted sometimes to ornament me in the same manner, but I would not suffer them; hoping that I might some time be among a people who did not thus disfigure themselves, as I thought they did. At last I came to the banks of a large river, which was covered with canoes, in which the people appeared to live with their household utensils and provisions of all kinds. I was beyond measure astonished at this, as I had never before seen any water larger than a pond or a rivulet: and my surprise was mingled with no small fear when I was put into one of these canoes, and we began to paddle and move along the river. We continued going on thus till night; and when we came to land, and made fires on the banks, each family by themselves, some dragged their canoes on shore, others stayed and cooked in theirs, and laid in them all night. Those on the land had mats, of which they made tents, some in the shape of little houses: in these we slept; and after the morning meal we embarked again and proceeded as before. I was often very much astonished to see some of the women, as well as the men, jump into the water, dive to the bottom, come up again, and swim about. Thus I continued to travel, sometimes by land, sometimes by water, through different countries and various nations, till, at the end of six or seven months after I had been kidnapped, I arrived at the sea coast. It would be tedious and uninteresting to relate all the incidents which befell me during this journey, and which I have not yet forgotten; of the various hands I passed through, and the manners and customs of all the different people among whom I lived: I shall therefore only observe, that in all the places where I was the soil was exceedingly rich; the pomkins, eadas, plantains, yams, &c. &c. were in great abundance, and of incredible size. There were also vast quantities of different gums, though not used for any purpose; and every where a great deal of tobacco. The cotton even grew quite wild; and there was plenty of redwood. I saw no mechanics whatever in all the way, except such as I have mentioned. The chief employment in all these countries was agriculture, and both the males and females, as with us, were brought up to it, and trained in the arts of war.

All the nations and peoples I had passed through so far resembled our own in manners, customs, and language. But I eventually reached a country whose inhabitants differed from us in all these ways. These differences struck me deeply, especially when I came among people who did not circumcise and ate without washing their hands. They also cooked in iron pots and had European cutlasses and crossbows, which were unknown to us. They fought among themselves with their fists. Their women were not as modest as ours, for they ate, drank, and slept with their men. But above all, I was amazed to see no sacrifices or offerings among them. In some of these places, people decorated themselves with scars and also filed their teeth very sharp. Sometimes they wanted to decorate me in the same way, but I would not let them. I hoped I might someday be among people who did not disfigure themselves, as I thought these people did. At last I reached the banks of a large river covered with canoes. People seemed to live in these canoes, along with their household utensils and provisions of all kinds. I was astonished beyond measure, since I had never seen any water larger than a pond or small stream. My surprise was mixed with considerable fear when I was put into a canoe and we began paddling along the river. We continued until night, when we landed and made fires on the banks, each family keeping to itself. Some dragged their canoes ashore. Others stayed in their canoes, cooked there, and slept in them all night. Those on land had mats, which they used to make tents, some shaped like little houses. We slept in these tents. After the morning meal, we boarded the canoes again and continued as before. I was often greatly astonished to see some women, as well as men, jump into the water. They dived to the bottom, came up again, and swam about. I continued traveling this way, sometimes by land and sometimes by water, through different countries and among various nations. Finally, six or seven months after I had been kidnapped, I arrived at the coast. It would be tedious and uninteresting to describe everything that happened on this journey, all of which I still remember. The same is true of the various people whose hands I passed through. It would also be tedious to describe the manners and customs of all the different peoples I lived among. I will therefore only note that the soil was extremely rich in all the places I visited. Pumpkins, eadas, plantains, yams, and many other crops were plentiful and grew to an incredible size. There were also vast quantities of different gums, though they were not used for any purpose. Everywhere there was a great deal of tobacco. Cotton even grew wild, and there was plenty of redwood. Throughout the journey, I saw no craftspeople except those I have mentioned. Farming was the main occupation in all these countries. As among our people, both males and females were raised to farm and trained in warfare.

The first object which saluted my eyes when I arrived on the coast was the sea, and a slave ship, which was then riding at anchor, and waiting for its cargo. These filled me with astonishment, which was soon converted into terror when I was carried on board. I was immediately handled and tossed up to see if I were sound by some of the crew; and I was now persuaded that I had gotten into a world of bad spirits, and that they were going to kill me. Their complexions too differing so much from ours, their long hair, and the language they spoke, (which was very different from any I had ever heard) united to confirm me in this belief. Indeed such were the horrors of my views and fears at the moment, that, if ten thousand worlds had been my own, I would have freely parted with them all to have exchanged my condition with that of the meanest slave in my own country. When I looked round the ship too and saw a large furnace or copper boiling, and a multitude of black people of every description chained together, every one of their countenances expressing dejection and sorrow, I no longer doubted of my fate; and, quite overpowered with horror and anguish, I fell motionless on the deck and fainted. When I recovered a little I found some black people about me, who I believed were some of those who brought me on board, and had been receiving their pay; they talked to me in order to cheer me, but all in vain. I asked them if we were not to be eaten by those white men with horrible looks, red faces, and loose hair. They told me I was not; and one of the crew brought me a small portion of spirituous liquor in a wine glass; but, being afraid of him, I would not take it out of his hand. One of the blacks therefore took it from him and gave it to me, and I took a little down my palate, which, instead of reviving me, as they thought it would, threw me into the greatest consternation at the strange feeling it produced, having never tasted any such liquor before. Soon after this the blacks who brought me on board went off, and left me abandoned to despair. I now saw myself deprived of all chance of returning to my native country, or even the least glimpse of hope of gaining the shore, which I now considered as friendly; and I even wished for my former slavery in preference to my present situation, which was filled with horrors of every kind, still heightened by my ignorance of what I was to undergo. I was not long suffered to indulge my grief; I was soon put down under the decks, and there I received such a salutation in my nostrils as I had never experienced in my life: so that, with the loathsomeness of the stench, and crying together, I became so sick and low that I was not able to eat, nor had I the least desire to taste any thing. I now wished for the last friend, death, to relieve me; but soon, to my grief, two of the white men offered me eatables; and, on my refusing to eat, one of them held me fast by the hands, and laid me across I think the windlass, and tied my feet, while the other flogged me severely. I had never experienced any thing of this kind before; and although, not being used to the water, I naturally feared that element the first time I saw it, yet nevertheless, could I have got over the nettings, I would have jumped over the side, but I could not; and, besides, the crew used to watch us very closely who were not chained down to the decks, lest we should leap into the water: and I have seen some of these poor African prisoners most severely cut for attempting to do so, and hourly whipped for not eating. This indeed was often the case with myself. In a little time after, amongst the poor chained men, I found some of my own nation, which in a small degree gave ease to my mind. I inquired of these what was to be done with us; they gave me to understand we were to be carried to these white people's country to work for them. I then was a little revived, and thought, if it were no worse than working, my situation was not so desperate: but still I feared I should be put to death, the white people looked and acted, as I thought, in so savage a manner; for I had never seen among any people such instances of brutal cruelty; and this not only shewn towards us blacks, but also to some of the whites themselves. One white man in particular I saw, when we were permitted to be on deck, flogged so unmercifully with a large rope near the foremast, that he died in consequence of it; and they tossed him over the side as they would have done a brute. This made me fear these people the more; and I expected nothing less than to be treated in the same manner. I could not help expressing my fears and apprehensions to some of my countrymen: I asked them if these people had no country, but lived in this hollow place (the ship): they told me they did not, but came from a distant one. 'Then,' said I, 'how comes it in all our country we never heard of them?' They told me because they lived so very far off. I then asked where were their women? had they any like themselves? I was told they had: 'and why,' said I, 'do we not see them?' they answered, because they were left behind. I asked how the vessel could go? they told me they could not tell; but that there were cloths put upon the masts by the help of the ropes I saw, and then the vessel went on; and the white men had some spell or magic they put in the water when they liked in order to stop the vessel. I was exceedingly amazed at this account, and really thought they were spirits. I therefore wished much to be from amongst them, for I expected they would sacrifice me: but my wishes were vain; for we were so quartered that it was impossible for any of us to make our escape. While we stayed on the coast I was mostly on deck; and one day, to my great astonishment, I saw one of these vessels coming in with the sails up. As soon as the whites saw it, they gave a great shout, at which we were amazed; and the more so as the vessel appeared larger by approaching nearer. At last she came to an anchor in my sight, and when the anchor was let go I and my countrymen who saw it were lost in astonishment to observe the vessel stop; and were not convinced it was done by magic. Soon after this the other ship got her boats out, and they came on board of us, and the people of both ships seemed very glad to see each other. 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. At last, when the ship we were in had got in all her cargo, they made ready with many fearful noises, and we were all put under deck, so that we could not see how they managed the vessel. But this disappointment was the least of my sorrow. The stench of the hold while we were on the coast was so intolerably loathsome, that it was dangerous to remain there for any time, and some of us had been permitted to stay on the deck for the fresh air; but now that the whole ship's cargo were confined together, it became absolutely pestilential. The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us. This produced copious perspirations, so that the air soon became unfit for respiration, from a variety of loathsome smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died, thus falling victims to the improvident avarice, as I may call it, of their purchasers. This wretched situation was again aggravated by the galling of the chains, now become insupportable; and the filth of the necessary tubs, into which the children often fell, and were almost suffocated. The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable. Happily perhaps for myself I was soon reduced so low here that it was thought necessary to keep me almost always on deck; and from my extreme youth I was not put in fetters. In this situation I expected every hour to share the fate of my companions, some of whom were almost daily brought upon deck at the point of death, which I began to hope would soon put an end to my miseries. Often did I think many of the inhabitants of the deep much more happy than myself. I envied them the freedom they enjoyed, and as often wished I could change my condition for theirs. Every circumstance I met with served only to render my state more painful, and heighten my apprehensions, and my opinion of the cruelty of the whites. One day they had taken a number of fishes; and when they had killed and satisfied themselves with as many as they thought fit, to our astonishment who were on the deck, rather than give any of them to us to eat as we expected, they tossed the remaining fish into the sea again, although we begged and prayed for some as well as we could, but in vain; and some of my countrymen, being pressed by hunger, took an opportunity, when they thought no one saw them, of trying to get a little privately; but they were discovered, and the attempt procured them some very severe floggings. One day, when we had a smooth sea and moderate wind, two of my wearied countrymen who were chained together (I was near them at the time), preferring death to such a life of misery, somehow made through the nettings and jumped into the sea: immediately another quite dejected fellow, who, on account of his illness, was suffered to be out of irons, also followed their example; and I believe many more would very soon have done the same if they had not been prevented by the ship's crew, who were instantly alarmed. Those of us that were the most active were in a moment put down under the deck, and there was such a noise and confusion amongst the people of the ship as I never heard before, to stop her, and get the boat out to go after the slaves. However two of the wretches were drowned, but they got the other, and afterwards flogged him unmercifully for thus attempting to prefer death to slavery. In this manner we continued to undergo more hardships than I can now relate, hardships which are inseparable from this accursed trade. Many a time we were near suffocation from the want of fresh air, which we were often without for whole days together. This, and the stench of the necessary tubs, carried off many. During our passage I first saw flying fishes, which surprised me very much: they used frequently to fly across the ship, and many of them fell on the deck. I also now first saw the use of the quadrant; I had often with astonishment seen the mariners make observations with it, and I could not think what it meant. They at last took notice of my surprise; and one of them, willing to increase it, as well as to gratify my curiosity, made me one day look through it. The clouds appeared to me to be land, which disappeared as they passed along. This heightened my wonder; and I was now more persuaded than ever that I was in another world, and that every thing about me was magic. At last we came in sight of the island of Barbadoes, at which the whites on board gave a great shout, and made many signs of joy to us. We did not know what to think of this; but as the vessel drew nearer we plainly saw the harbour, and other ships of different kinds and sizes; and we soon anchored amongst them off Bridge Town. Many merchants and planters now came on board, though it was in the evening. They put us in separate parcels, and examined us attentively. They also made us jump, and pointed to the land, signifying we were to go there. We thought by this we should be eaten by these ugly men, as they appeared to us; and, when soon after we were all put down under the deck again, there was much dread and trembling among us, and nothing but bitter cries to be heard all the night from these apprehensions, insomuch that at last the white people got some old slaves from the land to pacify us. They told us we were not to be eaten, but to work, and were soon to go on land, where we should see many of our country people. This report eased us much; and sure enough, soon after we were landed, there came to us Africans of all languages. We were conducted immediately to the merchant's yard, where we were all pent up together like so many sheep in a fold, without regard to sex or age. As every object was new to me every thing I saw filled me with surprise. What struck me first was that the houses were built with stories, and in every other respect different from those in Africa: but I was still more astonished on seeing people on horseback. I did not know what this could mean; and indeed I thought these people were full of nothing but magical arts. While I was in this astonishment one of my fellow prisoners spoke to a countryman of his about the horses, who said they were the same kind they had in their country. I understood them, though they were from a distant part of Africa, and I thought it odd I had not seen any horses there; but afterwards, when I came to converse with different Africans, I found they had many horses amongst them, and much larger than those I then saw. We were not many days in the merchant's custody before we were sold after their usual manner, which is this:—On a signal given,(as the beat of a drum) the buyers rush at once into the yard where the slaves are confined, and make choice of that parcel they like best. The noise and clamour with which this is attended, and the eagerness visible in the countenances of the buyers, serve not a little to increase the apprehensions of the terrified Africans, who may well be supposed to consider them as the ministers of that destruction to which they think themselves devoted. In this manner, without scruple, are relations and friends separated, most of them never to see each other again. I remember in the vessel in which I was brought over, in the men's apartment, there were several brothers, who, in the sale, were sold in different lots; and it was very moving on this occasion to see and hear their cries at parting. O, ye nominal Christians! might not an African ask you, learned you this from your God, who says unto you, Do unto all men as you would men should do unto you? Is it not enough that we are torn from our country and friends to toil for your luxury and lust of gain? Must every tender feeling be likewise sacrificed to your avarice? Are the dearest friends and relations, now rendered more dear by their separation from their kindred, still to be parted from each other, and thus prevented from cheering the gloom of slavery with the small comfort of being together and mingling their sufferings and sorrows? Why are parents to lose their children, brothers their sisters, or husbands their wives? Surely this is a new refinement in cruelty, which, while it has no advantage to atone for it, thus aggravates distress, and adds fresh horrors even to the wretchedness of slavery.

The first things I saw when I reached the coast were the sea and a slave ship. The ship lay at anchor, waiting for its cargo. These sights filled me with amazement, which soon turned to terror when I was carried aboard. Some of the crew immediately handled me and tossed me up to see whether I was healthy. I became convinced that I had entered a world of evil spirits who were going to kill me. Their skin differed so much from ours. Their long hair and their language, unlike any I had ever heard, strengthened my belief. My thoughts and fears were so terrible that I would gladly have given up ten thousand worlds, had I owned them. I would have traded them all to take the place of the lowest slave in my own country. I looked around the ship and saw a large furnace or copper pot boiling. I also saw many black people of every kind chained together, their faces full of misery and sorrow. I no longer doubted my fate. Overwhelmed by horror and anguish, I fell motionless on the deck and fainted. When I recovered a little, I found some black people around me. I believed they were among those who had brought me aboard and had been receiving their payment. They tried to comfort me, but nothing helped. I asked whether those white men would eat us, with their frightening looks, red faces, and loose hair. They told me we would not be eaten. One of the crew brought me a little strong liquor in a wineglass. But I was afraid of him and would not take the glass from his hand. So one of the black people took it and gave it to me. I swallowed a little. They thought the drink would revive me. Instead, its strange effect terrified me, since I had never tasted anything like it before. Soon afterward, the black people who had brought me aboard left, abandoning me to despair. I now saw no chance of returning to my own country. I had not even the faintest hope of reaching the shore, which now seemed friendly to me. I even wished to return to my former slavery rather than remain in my present situation. Horrors surrounded me, made still worse because I did not know what I would suffer. I was not allowed much time to grieve. Soon I was taken below deck, where a smell struck my nostrils unlike anything I had ever experienced. The disgusting stench, together with my crying, made me so sick and weak that I could not eat. Nor did I have the slightest desire to taste anything. I now wished for death, my last friend, to relieve me. But soon, to my sorrow, two white men offered me food. When I refused to eat, one held my hands firmly and laid me across what I think was the windlass. He tied my feet while the other whipped me severely. I had never experienced anything like this before. Since I was unfamiliar with water, I had naturally feared the sea when I first saw it. Yet I would have jumped overboard if I could have climbed over the netting. But I could not. Besides, the crew closely watched those of us who were not chained to the decks, fearing we would jump into the water. I saw some of these poor African prisoners severely wounded by whipping for trying to jump. They were whipped hour after hour for refusing food. This often happened to me too. A little later, I found some people from my own nation among the poor men in chains. Their presence gave me a little comfort. I asked what would happen to us. They explained that we would be taken to the white people's country to work for them. This revived me a little. If I faced nothing worse than work, I thought, my situation was not so hopeless. Still, I feared I would be killed. To me, the white people looked and acted so savagely. I had never seen such brutal cruelty among any people. They showed this cruelty not only toward us black people, but also toward some white people. Once, when we were allowed on deck, I saw a white man whipped mercilessly with a large rope near the foremast. He died from the whipping. They threw him overboard as they would an animal. This made me fear these people even more. I fully expected them to treat me the same way. I could not help telling some of my countrymen about my fears. I asked whether these people had no country and lived instead in this hollow place, the ship. They told me the white people did not live aboard, but came from a distant country. 'Then,' I said, 'how is it that we have never heard of them anywhere in our country?' They said it was because the white people lived so far away. I then asked where their women were. Did they have women like themselves? I was told they did. 'And why,' I said, 'do we not see them?' They answered that the women had been left behind. I asked how the ship could move. They said they could not explain it. But cloths were raised on the masts with the ropes I could see, and then the ship moved forward. They said the white men also put some spell or magic into the water whenever they wanted to stop the ship. This account amazed me, and I truly thought the white people were spirits. I desperately wished to get away from them because I expected them to sacrifice me. But my wishes were useless. We were kept in such a way that none of us could escape. While we remained on the coast, I spent most of my time on deck. One day, to my great amazement, I saw another ship approaching with its sails raised. As soon as the white people saw the ship, they gave a great shout, which astonished us. We were even more amazed as the ship seemed to grow larger as it came closer. At last, I saw the ship anchor. When the anchor dropped, my countrymen and I were astonished to see the ship stop. We were not convinced that magic had stopped it. Soon afterward, the other ship lowered its boats, and people from that ship came aboard ours. The people from both ships seemed very glad to see one another. Several newcomers also shook hands with us black people. They made gestures that, I suppose, meant we were going to their country, but we did not understand them. At last, when our ship had taken aboard its entire cargo, the crew prepared to leave amid many frightening noises. We were all sent below deck, so we could not see how they operated the ship. But this disappointment was the least of my sorrows. While we were on the coast, the hold's stench had been so unbearable that staying there for any time was dangerous. Some of us had been allowed on deck for fresh air. But now the ship's entire cargo was confined together, and the hold became a deadly breeding ground for disease. The cramped space, the hot climate, and the number of people aboard almost suffocated us. The ship was so crowded that each person scarcely had room to turn around. We sweated heavily. The many disgusting smells soon made the air unfit to breathe, and sickness spread among the enslaved people. Many died, falling victim to what I may call their buyers' reckless greed. The chains now rubbed against us unbearably, making our misery worse. So did the filth of the toilet tubs, into which children often fell and nearly suffocated. The women's screams and the groans of the dying created a scene of almost unimaginable horror. Perhaps fortunately for me, I soon became so weak that keeping me almost always on deck was considered necessary. Because I was so young, I was not put in chains. Every hour, I expected to share the fate of my companions. Almost daily, some were brought on deck at the point of death. I began to hope death would soon end my own misery. I often thought that many creatures living in the sea were much happier than I was. I envied their freedom and repeatedly wished I could exchange my condition for theirs. Everything I experienced only made my situation more painful. Each experience deepened my fears and strengthened my belief in the white people's cruelty. One day, the crew caught a number of fish. They killed and ate as many as they wanted. Then, to the astonishment of those of us on deck, they threw the remaining fish back into the sea. We had expected them to give us some to eat. We begged and pleaded as well as we could, but in vain. Some of my countrymen were so hungry that they tried to take a little when they thought nobody was watching. But they were discovered and severely whipped for the attempt. One day, the sea was calm and the wind moderate. Two of my exhausted countrymen, chained together, somehow got through the netting and jumped into the sea. I was near them at the time. They preferred death to such a miserable life. Another deeply despairing man immediately followed their example. He had been allowed out of chains because he was ill. I believe many more would soon have done the same if the crew had not stopped them. The sailors were immediately alarmed. Those of us who were most active were sent below deck at once. The crew made more noise and confusion than I had ever heard before. They were trying to stop the ship and launch a boat to pursue the prisoners. Two of the miserable men drowned. The crew recovered the third and then whipped him mercilessly for trying to choose death over slavery. We continued to suffer more hardships than I can now describe, hardships inseparable from this cursed trade. We often nearly suffocated from a lack of fresh air. We frequently went without fresh air for whole days at a time. This lack of air, along with the stench of the toilet tubs, killed many people. During the voyage, I saw flying fish for the first time, which greatly surprised me. They often flew across the ship, and many fell onto the deck. I also saw a quadrant being used for the first time. I had often watched in amazement as sailors took measurements with this instrument, but I could not understand its purpose. At last, they noticed my surprise. One sailor wanted both to increase my amazement and satisfy my curiosity, so he let me look through the quadrant. The clouds looked like land to me, disappearing as they moved along. This increased my wonder. I became more convinced than ever that I was in another world, and that everything around me was magic. At last, we came within sight of the island of Barbadoes. The white people aboard gave a great shout and made many joyful gestures toward us. We did not know what to think. But as the ship approached, we could clearly see the harbour and other ships of different kinds and sizes. We soon anchored among them off Bridge Town. Although it was evening, many merchants and plantation owners came aboard. They divided us into groups and examined us carefully. They also made us jump and pointed toward the land, indicating that we would go there. We took these actions to mean that these men, who looked ugly to us, would eat us. Soon afterward, we were all sent below deck again. We trembled with fear, and all night nothing could be heard but bitter cries prompted by these fears. At last, the white people brought some long-enslaved people from shore to calm us. They told us we would not be eaten, but would work. We would soon go ashore, where we would see many people from our own countries. This news greatly comforted us. Sure enough, soon after we landed, Africans speaking all kinds of languages came to us. We were immediately taken to the merchant's yard. There we were all penned together like sheep, without regard to age or sex. Everything was new to me, and everything I saw surprised me. What first struck me was that the houses had several floors. They differed in every other way from houses in Africa too. But I was even more astonished to see people riding horses. I could not understand what this meant. Indeed, I thought these people did nothing but practise magic. While I was still wondering, one of my fellow prisoners spoke about the horses to someone from his own country. The man said they had the same kind of horses in their country. I understood them, although they came from a distant part of Africa. I thought it strange that I had never seen horses there. But later, through conversations with other Africans, I learned that many horses lived among them. Those horses were much larger than the ones I saw then. We had been in the merchant's custody only a few days before we were sold in the usual way. A signal is given, such as the beat of a drum. The buyers then rush together into the yard where the enslaved people are confined. Each buyer chooses the group they like best. The noise and shouting, and the eagerness on the buyers' faces, greatly increase the terrified Africans' fears. The Africans may well see the buyers as agents of the destruction they believe awaits them. In this way, relatives and friends are separated without hesitation, most never to see one another again. I remember several brothers who had been kept in the men's quarters aboard the ship that brought me over. They were sold in separate groups. Seeing and hearing their cries as they parted was deeply moving. Oh, you Christians in name only! Might not an African ask whether you learned this from your God? He tells you to treat all people as you would want them to treat you. Is it not enough that we are torn from our country and friends to labour for your luxury and greed? Must every tender feeling also be sacrificed to your greed? Our dearest friends and relatives have become still dearer because we have been separated from the rest of our families. Must they too be torn from one another? Must they be denied even the small comfort of being together and sharing their suffering and sorrow amid slavery's darkness? Why must parents lose their children, brothers their sisters, or husbands their wives? Surely this is a new form of calculated cruelty. It offers no benefit to make up for the suffering it causes. It only deepens distress and adds fresh horrors even to the misery of slavery.