Mr penrose, p.38
Mr Penrose, page 38
He answered no, nor had he spoken a word to any man from the time that he first got thither, nor did he want to speak to any man or see any man again for the rest of his days, and then asked Bell where he came from. When being told he replied, “Then go back to the Same place and dont trouble a poor old man Who stands not in need of any help. I have lived Long, Long quiet since I left the faces of the White men. I shall not covet to return among those who live upon poor Black mens blood. But if I had a mind to return to them again they could get nothing but dry bones to suck at, Now I am so old; so, young man, be advised by me And leave me where I am. May be I shall die Tomorrow.”
“And who can you have to bury you?” Said Bell.
“The Crows,” said he, and began to move off. But we [they] followed him at a small length of distance untill he got back to his fire which was between 4 Rocks in a very secret place. When the old man found they had followed him he turn’d about to them and fixing his aged Eyes on Mr. Bell Stamped his Staff on the ground, then cried, “White Man, Trouble me no more. Go! I hate you and all those of Your colour in the world. I have no more Blood for you to suck. Let me die quiet by my self.”
But messmate did not think to leave him thus without being better informed of his story And began with him as thus : “Old Fellow, let me tell you there are thousands of White men in the World far better, perhaps, than Any it has been your fortune to fall among. So pray, let us have fair play however on both sides. You are one of the verriest Old Churles I ever ever met with In all my days. I dare to say had you spent a year or Two among us at our place your opinion of White men might take a turn; or you must have been so ill used by the Whites formerly as to be past all cure of temper.
“The Old man then replied he was now very old and had not the least desire to be ever more acquainted With us at any rate, for that it was his oppinion I spake only in favour of my own colour; but if that what I Wanted to advance was true he could tell Such stories as would plainly prove his cause was Very just as well as mine, ending with a disdainful Laugh and uttering, ‘White Man good? No, no, no!’”
Bell thought then he would try what coaxing could do And remarked that it was true—he had observed when in the Islands that the condition of the poor Black men was Very miserable; and for his part it was a practice he had not Been concern’d in nor none of his relations that he ever had Knowledge of; nor should he ever give into the like opinions As he detested making any men slaves whom God made Free at their birth. Upon this the Old man asked him if He would blame him for chusing to keep himself free. Now finding the Old man to become rather more civil And complying, he took the Opportunity to desire he Would give him some account of his life and how he Came thither, for that he supposed he had gone through Misery enough before he came to that place.
“True, True, man,” said the poor old Wretch with a Heavy groan. “You see my head all White and no Friend left to stand by me now at the last hours.” At this he stoped short and looking at him stern said, “How did you find me out? You are no Spaniard. I know very well What countryman are you.”
“I am a Scotchman,” he replied, “but Thats no matter. I will contrive to make your Old heart more Easy before you die if you will but be advised and come with Me to my place. I have a partner who has been for many long Years continually doing good to his fellow cretures, altho he Has been unfortunate enough himself.”
“What country Man is he?”
“English,” he answered.
“All the same, no better for that,” said the old man. “Where do you live? How far off?”
“About thirty miles,” Answered Bell, “to the Southward. And if you will goe we will Give your old days rest, and my friends will kindly recieve You if you can leave this forlorn place.”
Now the Old man told him that if he would sware to be a true Man, to bring him back to his old place again if he should not like to remain among them, on that condition he would Goe as he said they all live free men togather and did not Keep black people in Slavery.
“All this discourse passed in Spanish but he observed To me that he could speak English once, to, before he Learnt Spanish, having lived long, long with them at Barbadoes and Jamaica. We had spent so much of Our time now that we began to grow hungry,” said Bell, And told the Old man that they would set off as the next Day erly in the morning, and then pointed where the boat Lay and took their leave for that time of him.
When the morning came they observed the Old man on his Way to the boat. They Embarqued with him and put out Of the laggoon and arrived without any long delay. But before they came in, Owen came down from the look out and said he thought he heard a Shell blow. This mustered us togather presently and we marched Down to the Landing, when soon after the Conck went Again not far off. But no sooner did they come in and A third object was discovered in the boat, I must confess myself somewhat surprized. Away flew the young fry As fast as legs could carry them. Indeed, I was left alone for my Wife had taken herself off. Now after they had landed We were obliged to assist the old man to rise. The long time he had sat in the boat, not being used to it for years, and his Age togather had quite cramped him but we made a Shift to get him up to my place and there seated him in the shade, my young family peeping from behind the Kitchen and other places. And indeed he cut a most odd Figure as he sat with his hands over his knees and his chin on them.
In the first place, as they had brought him contrary to my expectation, I told Harry to get him a bed made up in the old Shed where Old Nunnez had formerly slept. And after I found the Old soul had risen from his seat and was stumping about a little I walked up to him and asked him in Spanish what Was his name. He said which name, for he had three—One Negro, one English and one Spanish. “O ho, then,” said I, “old daddy, you have been among the English, have you?”—for I had recieved what I have before related from Bell, soon after they had landed.
“My name Primus in English, Master,” he said. “The Spaniards gave me the name of Diego. But my first name was Qameno (or Quammeno) in Ginny.” I asked him then how old he thought he might be. “Indeed, man,” said he, “I cant tell you for true but I had a Wife when I came From the Ebo country1 to Barbadoes.” I then bid him try if he could recollect what King there was of the English people At that time. Yes, he said, he knew very well. They said the king at that time was a Woman and a great Warrior, he heard. This must mean Queen Ann most certainly; but be it anyhow his appearance shewed him to be very old, 80 at least as we both judged.
“But, Old man,” said I, “how comes it about that you have Got such a great hatred against the White man as my friend tells me you have? I should be glad to hear all your story and Then I can be a better judge. It may be you have been a great Rogue when you were young. What say you to this?”
He then said, “The man who brought me here to see you and to hear you talk promised to take me back when I wanted to go, and if you think I am a rogue send me back when you please.” I told him he was brought to a place where there was nothing but constant friendship; that I was then the Master of the place, and if he thought good of it he was as Welcom to stay as he could desire himself; and that I should be glad he would give me the whole Story of his life on the Morrow. Then he came and took hold of my hands and said, “I believe you have learnt to be a good man since you have come to live at this poor place of woods and stones like my place, and, Master, I will tell you all what I can think on in my mind if I live til tomorrow.” Thus we dropt it As I did not chuse to trouble him too much.
I was surprized that a man of his years should not be Bald. His head was as large as a thrumb Mop2 by the quantity of White Wool on it, and a most copious white beard. This joyn’d to a black skin give him intirely a new appearance to us. Quammino had been a very stout man in his younger days, At least six feet high but stooped much by reason of age.
The next morning the Old man coming to visit me, I desired him to make himself free and tell me all his Story as he could remember. He then sat down by me and Began as follows: “I remember they put me on board a Ship One morning along with three more. The ship was full of Black people before I came there. My wife was there too, but I did not know it then when I first came on board Untill she espied me out. We were all made fast down in the Hold. And when we had been out about ten days at Sea my Wife, having liberty to go into the Cabbin, found out that There was much Knives there in boxes and told it to us Privatly. Upon this the men agreed if they could get at the Knives to kill all the Whites and go back to our country Again.”
I asked him if he did not think it a very wicked And barbarous undertaking. On this he replied not at all, As they then thought, not knowing what ever became of All their country folks the ships took away, for that it Was evident they never came back again. Therfore it was Nothing but right to kill those who would kill them. After she had convey’d about 5 knives among them which they hacked against each other in the dark to make saws of which they intended to cut off their shackkles with, singing All the time they were at work that the Whitemen should not hear the noise, The Scheem was discovered by a little Negro of the Cabbin who had observed her to steal away the knives at times, and he informed the mate, and it was all blown.
“Then,” said he, “they took my Wife and tied her up to the mast of The Ship by her arms and whipped her sadly to make her confess Which of the Blacks set her on the busines, but she would not Confess. Then the Captain ordered them to whip her more, but I was down below and could not se it. Still she would not say Anything about the men of the secret. Upon this the Captain told them to whip her worse than ever, and they did whip her Dead and threw her into the sea, and two of the men after that were whipped; and had they known the Woman to be my Wife they would have whipped me dead, also,” said he. “I suppose From that hour I have never loved White men since.”
I could not help feeling for the poor old soul when he had given me his first cause of resentment, but I did not chuse to Interrupt his story. After this had happened and they came To Barbadoes he was sold and bought by a fisherman, who Treated him so heartily at his first coming home to the House that he burnt his Back with a hot Iron. This he Was told by other Negros was to mark him as his own.
“My Master was a Molatto Man, and any good people Would think as he was part Black himself he would love the poor Slaves more than the White people did.” But he was as hard hearted As any Devil in the whole Island, and he had not been with him A Year before he got a most severe whiping only because he had not comprehended him right in a trife [trifle] for want of understanding English enough.
“After I had been with him some years and did all The service for my Master in my power, yet I got several times Whipt for his own humour, as it were, or just when the Devil put It in his head. For as sure as any white people happened to have Words with him in trade, then Poor Negro men must stand Clear at home. But I got from his hard hands on the account of a Young Negro Girl who lived about 4 miles off from the Bridgtown, my sweetheart. I had leave to go and see her on A Sunday, and staying at the dance too late did not go home All night; and in the morning, knowing that I should have been out with the boat, was afraid to return as I expected the whip. Soon after a Negro call’d Joe came for me and I went Home. My master ordered me to be tied up and I got 30 lashes. This I could have born with quietness, but he was not content with that but swore I should be branded on the cheek for a Runaway.” And that was true. “Se here,” said he, shewing the place. “I then told him he might kill me if he pleased for I would live no longer with him. He told me I might get a new master And be dam’d, for that he did not care who had me if he had his Money again.
“I knew one Mr. Freeman from Jamaica who liked me and he bought me from my Master and took me to Jamaica with him, but he died of a Feaver soon after and I was sold again. My new master lived on the north side of the Island and he, knowing that I had been a Fisherman, kept me for that purpose so that my life was spent mostly by or on the Water. I lived with this Man several years, and had a Wife belonging to the same estate by my old masters consent. We had had two Children, when once on a day as I was Sitting under the rocks on the seabeach near a point of Land, all at once Three Men jumped upon me and said, ‘Vamus! Vamus!’ I stood amazed finding them to be three Spaniards, and go I must. When they took me round the Point there lay a small Piccaroon sloop onboard of Which I was ordered, where ther were more of my colour they had plundered like myself. I was not grieved at my new Change but for my Wife and dear children.
“I knew I was but a Slave still, but when I thought on my Wife and poor children I never expected more to see, then I hated the Whites More than ever. They took me to St. Jago da Cuba and there I Was bought by a Rich old Gentleman, and he, finding that I had Followed Fishing, gave orders that I should have the same Employment under him. My Old master never ordered me to be Whipt as I took great care now I had got among new people to Do all I could for the best. Now one day my Master, after I Could talk Spanish a little, asked me if I had not left a Wife And children behind me at Jamaica. I said yes, but that they were no more for me now. ‘Never mind that, Diego,’ said he. ‘You shall Have another if you want one. We have girls enough.’ I thanked Him and I thought to give my heart a little new comfort I Would look out for a new Wife as I was sure I should never se Benneba again. My Master liked me better every day and Made me overseer of all the Negros who had anything to Do about boats, and I lived happier then than for many years Before.
“At last one day as we were at work on an old canoa to patch her up, master sent for me to come to him under a Great tree where he was sitting and Said to me, ‘Diego, do You know Old Marias daughter, the Molatto Girl Isabella?’ ‘Yes, master,’ said I. ‘Very well, and she likes you, I find by Report.’ ‘I hope so, Sir,’ said I. ‘Then you have my consent,’ Said he.
“But O, Man, that brought trouble enough on me. About 6 months after I had my new Wife my Young Master Came home from the Havannah where he had been a good while About Business for Master, and behaved very ill natured to me. I Wondered at it as he used to like me much before he went away. But one day my Wife when she was alone with me Told me she wondered what ailed young Master. He hated her, she was sure, he call’d her such bad names when he thought Nobody heard him. ‘May be,’ said I to her, ‘he wanted you for himself.’ She did not know it, she replied. But soon after this she began to grow sick, and an Old Man of my colour told me he was sure she was poisoned and would never have A Child but that she would look like it as long as she lived. However, in about 2 Years she died, and soon after her an Old Negro Woman when she was dying sent privatly for me And begged forgiving as her Young master had employ’d her to do it. But I had no power of revenging myself for I had better thoughts than to Murder at this time, so kept My mind to myself untill time should bring me revenge.
“And after about a Year when all seem’d to be blown over My Old Master, seeing me striving so hard at work, began To laugh and Said, ‘Why, Diego, I think you have bad luck in Wives. Have you got any woman?’ I answered him no sir, nor did I ever intend to have another, for I could speak freer to him than any of the rest. ‘Why so?’ said he. I said his God gave me three Wives but Whitemen took them all from me, and I was Resolved they should never take another. ‘How was it,’ said he, ‘Diego?’ I then told him concerning my other Wives, but ‘Hold, hold! Diego,’ he cried when I told him the last was Poisoned. ‘Say you she was poisoned? If you find out who did the thing you shall have full satisfaction done.’
“‘Ah, master,’ Said I, ‘she is dead and gone home.’ ‘Who did it?’ ‘But one is alive now Concern’d.’ ‘Tell me who that is,’ said he with a fierce look. Upon that I went down on my knees and begged he would let me keep it a secret as long as I lived. ‘You have been well used by me, Diego,’ said he, ‘and can trust me with your secrets, I hope.’ I did not know what to say now for he left me quickly in ill will, As I thought. And I grew very sorrowful on the occasion, but soon after there came two Negros and told me I must come to the Stock house. I threw down the Net I was at work on and Went with them, was laid on my back with my head in a hole, And left there for two days.
“The third, Master sent for me up to the house. As soon as I came in he said, ‘Well, Diego, you see I dont like for Blacks to be too free with me. I know how to be angry sometimes, and if you dont tell me now who is was concern’d in the affair of Poisoning Isabella you shall be shott without delay and Sent after her.’ Down I went on my knees again and say’d, ‘My Good master, if I tell you it is all the same to poor Diego. Young Master Hernan will kill me when he comes home again from Veracruze, because he made old Quasheba Poison my wife.’ Master when he heard this told me to go back to My work again, and went into another room. Master took no more notice of me; But the white men about the house Said I was got into a bad condition and would come to be Hanged, they supposed. This threw me into sorrow of heart; And as they did not expect Young Master home under about 2 Months I came to a resolution of leaving them all and flying I did not care where, for now I hated all Whitemen as much as possible for me to hate them.
“And It happen’d soon after that Master ordered me to collect several things for to be sent away to a Country house he had About 5 leagues to windward where he was to have Much company to meet him. I let no man know what was In my heart, but put every thing on board that I looked on I should want for use, and with another Negro call’d Mingo put off for the place. When we got thither I bid an old Negro who lived there to collect yams and many Other kinds of things for to goe with the boats return. Then on the Next morning I went down to the boat erly And shoved her off, hoist’d sail, and stood directly out on a Wind untill Evening when the Land Wind came off and Carried me clear of the coast, so that by morning I was got so far out that I had almost lost sight of the shore. In about 5 days I fell in with the place Mr. Bell found me at, and there I have lived by my self from that time. And there I expected to die if you or somebody else had not found me out at last.”
