126 THE AFRICAN TRADER.

coming’, he is a first-rate capital fellow, and a true
friend of mine.’

‘We shall be very glad to see him and to thank
him,’ said Mary and Jane together.

‘And I shall be delighted,’ cried Emily. ‘I
recalled his giving me all sorts of curious things
when he came back from his first voyage. Tl
run down and ask him in.’

‘Mammy,’ I said, feeling very doubtful how I
could best prepare her for meeting her son. ‘ You
remember the commission you gave me, I did my
best to execute it. I asked all the people I met if
they knew Cheebo.’

‘ Ah, you no hear of him,’ said Mammy, with
a sigh.

‘I did not say that,’ IT answered. ‘ Mammy,
you believe that God hears your prayers.’

‘Yes, Massa Harry, J am sure He does,’ she
said, and then it seemed to flash across her that I
had something of interest to communicate about
her son.

‘You hear of Cheebo, he become Christian, oh
say dat, Massa Harry, say dat.’

‘ Yes, Mammy,’ I answered, taking her hand.
‘I not only heard of him, but J have seen him ;