ely,
for I felt my hour was come.

"And what is that?" replied the negro.

"Tie a shot to my heels, that I may sink quickly; it won't take them
long."

"You don't ask me to spare your life, then?" replied the negro.

"He de very first white dat not ask it," said one of the negroes.

"Dat really for true," said another.

"Yes, by gum," replied a third.

Oh, how I wished to know what to say at that moment! The observations
of the negroes made me imagine that I had better not _ask_ for it and
yet how I clung to life! It was an awful moment--I felt as if I had
lived a year in a few minutes. For a second or two I felt faint and
giddy--I drew a long breath and revived.

"You don't answer me, boy," said the negro captain.

"Why should I ask when I feel certain to be refused? If you will give
me my life, I will thank you: I don't particularly wish to die, I can
assure you."

"I have taken an oath never to spare a white man. For once I am sorry
that I cannot break my oath."

"If that is all, I am a boy, and not a man," replied I. "Keep me till I
grow bigger."

"By golly, captain, that very well said. Keep him, captain," said one
of the negroes.

"Yes, captain," replied another; "keep him to tend your cabin. Proper
you have white slave boy."

The negro captain for some time made no reply; he appeared to be in deep
thought. At last he said--

"Boy, you have saved your life: you may thank yourself and not me.
Prossa, let him be taken below; give him a frock and trousers and throw
that infernal dress overboard, or I may change my resolution."

The negro who was addressed, and who wore a sort of uniform as an
officer--which he was, being second mate--led me below,--nothing loth, I
can assure my readers.

When I was between decks. I sat down upon a chest, my head swam, and I
fainted. The shock had been too powerful for a lad of my age. They
brought water, and recovered me. When I revived, I felt that I might
have lost in their good opinion by thus knowing my weakness; and I had
sufficient presence of mind to ask for something to eat. This deceived
them; they said to one another that I must have been on board that
vessel for two days without food, and of course I did not deny it.

They brought me some meat and some grog. I ate and drank a little.
They then took off my uniform, and put on me a check frock and white
trousers; after which, I said I wished to lie down a little, and they
left me to sl