off, as Slaves to several Merchants and Gentlemen; not putting any two
in one Lot, because they would separate 'em far from each other; nor
daring to trust 'em together, lest Rage and Courage should put 'em upon
contriving some great Action, to the Ruin of the Colony.

_Oroonoko_ was first seiz'd on, and sold to our Overseer, who had the
first Lot, with seventeen more of all Sorts and Sizes, but not one of
Quality with him. When he saw this, he found what they meant; for, as I
said, he understood _English_ pretty well; and being wholly unarm'd and
defenceless, so as it was in vain to make any Resistance, he only beheld
the Captain with a Look all fierce and disdainful, upbraiding him with
Eyes that forc'd Blushes on his guilty Cheeks, he only cry'd in passing
over the Side of the Ship; _Farewel, Sir, 'tis worth my Sufferings to
gain so true a Knowledge, both of you, and of your Gods, by whom you
swear._ And desiring those that held him to forbear their Pains, and
telling 'em he would make no Resistance, he cry'd, _Come, my
Fellow-Slaves, let us descend, and see if we can meet with more Honour
and Honesty in the next World we shall touch upon._ So he nimbly leapt
into the Boat, and shewing no more Concern, suffer'd himself to be row'd
up the River, with his seventeen Companions.

The Gentleman that bought him, was a young _Cornish_ Gentleman, whose
Name was _Trefry_; a Man of great Wit, and fine Learning, and was
carried into those Parts by the Lord ---- Governor, to manage all his
Affairs. He reflecting on the last Words of _Oroonoko_ to the Captain,
and beholding the Richness of his Vest, no sooner came into the Boat,
but he fix'd his Eyes on him; and finding something so extraordinary in
his Face, his Shape and Mein, a Greatness of Look, and Haughtiness in
his Air, and finding he spoke _English_, had a great Mind to be
enquiring into his Quality and Fortune; which, though _Oroonoko_
endeavour'd to hide, by only confessing he was above the Rank of common
Slaves, _Trefry_ soon found he was yet something greater than he
confess'd; and from that Moment began to conceive so vast an Esteem for
him, that he ever after lov'd him as his dearest Brother, and shew'd him
all the Civilities due to so great a Man.

_Trefry_ was a very good Mathematician, and a Linguist; could speak
_French_ and _Spanish_; and in the three Days they remain'd in the Boat,
(for so long were they going from the Ship to the Plantation) he
entertain'd