18 THE AFRICAN TRADER.

‘Don’t talk of thanks, Harry,’ he answered,
‘your poor father was very kind to me, and I am
glad to serve you. I had intended calling on him
before sailing; and if your sisters will allow me, ll
pay them a visit, and answer any objections they
may make to your going.’

After dining with the captain at an inn, I
hurried home with, what I considered, this good
news. My sisters, however, were very unwilling
to sanction my going, They had heard so much of
the deadly climate of the African coast, and of
dangers from slavers and pirates, that they dreaded
the risk I shouldrun, Captain Willis, according to
his promise, called the next day, and not without

 

 

difficulty quieted their apprehensions.

 

 

Mammy, though unwilling to part with me,
still could not help feeling a deep interest in my
undertaking, as she thought that I was going ‘to
visit her own still-loved country ; and while assist-
ing my sisters to prepare my outfit she entertained
me with an account of its beauties and wonders,
while I promised to bring her back from it all sorts
of things which I expected to collect. ‘And sup-
pose, Mammy, I was to fall in with your little ©
piccaniny, shall I bring him back to you?’ I asked, ~