he was most
zealous in her mistaken religion, and one morning when I was following
her to her devotions on the hill, she asked me where my God was? I
pointed upwards, upon which she told me with great joy and innocency,
that hers was there too, and that, therefore, they must be the same
God, or if not they must be friends. Convinced that she was right, she
made me worship with her, bowing my head down to the sand, and going
through the same forms, which of course I did not understand the
meaning of; but I prayed to my God, and therefore made no objection,
as it was pleasing to her. This apparent conformity in religion
recommended me more strongly to her, and we became more intimate, and
I was certainly attached to her by every tie of gratitude. I was quite
happy in the friendship and kindness she showed towards me; the only
drawback was my fear of the proud old king, and the recollection of
him often made me check myself, and suddenly assume a more distant and
respectful demeanour towards her. I soon found out that she dreaded
the old savage as much as I did, and hated him even more. In his
presence she treated me very sternly, and ordered me about in a very
dictatorial manner; but when we were alone, and had no fear of being
seen, she would then be very familiar, sometimes even locking her arm
into mine, and laughing as she pointed out the contrast of the
colours, and in the full gaiety of her young heart rejoicing that we
were alone, and could converse freely together. As she was very
intelligent, she soon perceived that I possessed much knowledge that
she did not, and that she could not comprehend what I wanted to teach
her. This induced her to look upon me with respect as well as
kindness.

One day I purposely left her bow behind in the hut where my
companions resided; and on her asking me for it, I told her that I had
done so, but that I would make my companions send it without my going
back. I tore off a piece of the bark of a tree, and with the point of
an arrow I wrote to one of them, desiring him to send it by bearer;
and calling a young Negro boy, told him in her presence to give that
piece of bark to the white man, and come back again to the queen.
Whyna, for such was the name of my mistress queen, stood in suspense,
waiting the result; in a few minutes the boy returned, bringing the
bow. Astonished at this, she made me write again and again for her
arrows, her lance, and many other things. Finding by these