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Show 124- ON THJ,; SLAVERY AND COMMERCE nettions, and without even the opportunity of bidding them adieu. While we were engaged in thefe and other melancholy reflections, the whole body of flaves had entirely paired us. We turned almoft infenlibly to look at them again, whep we difcovered an unhappy man at the end -of the train, who could fcarcely keep pace with the reft. His feet feemed to have fuffered much from long and conil:ant travelling, for he was limping painfully along. " This man, refumes the African, has travelled a conliderable way. He lived at a great diil:ance from hence, and had a large family, for whom he was daily to provide. As he went out one night to a neighbouring fpring, to procure water for his thiril:y children, he was kidnapped by two }lave bunters, who fold him in the morning to fome country merchants for a bar qf iron. Thefe drove him with other flaves, procured almoil: in the fame manner, to the neareil: market, where the · Englif11 merchants, to whom the train that has j uil: now paired us belongs, purchafed him and two others, " by oF THE H oMAN SPECIES. 125 by means of their travelling agents, for a " pijlol. His wife and children have bee~ long waiting for his return. But he IS gone for ever from their light: and they mull: be now difconfolate, as they mull: be certain by his delay, that he has fallen into the hands of the Chrij!ians. " And now, as I have mentioned the name of Chrijlians, a name, by which the Europeans diil:inguif11 themfelves from us, I could wiili to be informed of the meaning which fuch an appellation may convey. They confider themfelves as men, but us unfortunate Africans, whom they term Heathens, as the beajls that ferve us. But ah! how different is the fact ! What is Chrijlianity, but a fyll:em of murder and oppr~llion ? The cries and yells of the unfortunate people, who are now foon to em bark for the regions of fervitude, have already pierced my heart. " Have you not heard me ligh, while we have been talking? Do you not fee the tears that now trickle down my cheeks I and yet thefe hardened Chrijlians are unable to be moved at all : nay, they will " fcourge |