ttentions and efficacious remedies of
David. Out of thirty negroes dangerously affected by this fatal disease,
only two perished. Mr. Willis, much gratified by the services which
David had so auspiciously rendered, raised his wages to twelve hundred
francs, to the extreme gratification of the black doctor, whose fellows
regarded him as a divinity amongst them, for he had, with much
difficulty it is true, obtained from their master some few indulgences,
and was hoping to procure still more. In the meanwhile, he consoled
these poor people, and exhorted them to patience; spake to them of God,
who watches over the black and the white man with an equal eye; of
another world not peopled with masters and slaves, but with the just and
the unjust; of another life in eternity, where man was no longer the
beast of burden,--the property,--the thing of his fellow man, but where
the victims of this world were so happy that they prayed in heaven for
their tormentors. What shall I tell you more? To those unhappy wretches
who, contrary to other men, count with bitter joy the hours which bring
them nearer to the tomb,--to those unfortunate creatures, who looked
forward only to nothingness hereafter, David breathed the language and
the hope of a free and happy immortality; and then their chains appeared
less heavy and their toil less irksome. He was their idol. A year passed
away in this manner. Amongst the handsomest of the female slaves at the
house was a _metisse_, about fifteen years of age, named Cecily, and for
this poor girl Mr. Willis took a fancy. For the first time in his life
his advances were repulsed and obstinately resisted; Cecily was in love,
and with David, who, during the late fearful distemper, had attended her
with the most vigilant care. Afterwards a deep and mutual love repaid
him the debt of gratitude. David's taste was too refined to allow him to
boast of his happiness before the time when he should marry Cecily,
which was to be when she had turned her sixteenth year. Mr. Willis,
ignorant of their love, had thrown his handkerchief right royally at the
pretty _metisse_, and she, in deep despair, sought David, and told him
all the brutal attempts that she had been subjected to and with
difficulty escaped. The black comforted her, and instantly went to Mr.
Willis to request her hand in marriage."

"_Diable!_ my dear Murphy, I can easily surmise the answer of the
American sultan,--he refused?"

"He did. He said he had