Had he been one of the wonders of the world, he probably would not have excited more attention, or elicited more remarks. The ladies admired his eyes and his teeth; the gentlemen enquired if he was a Molembo, or from the Kroo country, and began an animated debate on slavery, and the slave-trade. Each lady gave her opinion of the most becoming dress to contrast with the jet black of his skin. One asked him if was not glad to come to England; another enquired if he was sorry to leave Africa; a third enquired if they flogged him at the plantation; while a fourth, by way of compliment to the lady of the house, observed, he was a happy black boy, to have such a charming mistress. To all these remarks the poor child could give no reply; nor, it would seem, was it expected; and, much to his joy, he was dismissed to the care of the groom, until his apartment and employment about the person of his young master could be arranged. The groom, however, was highly indignant that a vile neger boy should be committed to his care: "Did they fancy he would let a black get between his sheets? No, indeed; there was the hay-loft, the stable-boy should pull him a truss of straw in the corner there: surely that would be a better bed than most negers got. Sleep with me, indeed; no, I'd lose my place first, and tis'n't a bad one, neither. Had they told me to take Cæsar the house-dog, or Neptune the Newfoundlander, I should not have so much have minded; but a neger boy! surely my master was half-seas over to think of it." This, and much more of the same refined objection, passed in the kitchen of ---- Penryn, esq. and, according to the groom's kind arrangement, Samboe was indulged with some clean straw in the stable-loft. The children of oppression and calamity quickly sympathize; a kindred feeling draws them together: thus it was with Samboe the African, and Frank the English stable boy. An orphan from his cradle, and a parish apprentice, Frank had been early subjected to every oppression--exposed to every temptation; but a certain buoyancy of spirit, and a persevering ardour of mind, enabled him to rise above the one; and the latter was rendered less dangerous, by his constant, unremitted love of employment. He was busily engaged mending his shoes, when his master, the groom, introduced the young negro to his acquaintance. "There, Frank," he said, "there is a companion for you, my lad; take care he don't touch the horses, and mind he don't run away. Lock him up when you come in for your supper: you may offer him some, but I don't know what negers eat, I'm sure. Master should have told us that, I think, for I don't expect they live as we do. Eh! my lad, do ye mind me?" he added, with a raised voice, as he saw Frank take the hand of the timid Samboe, and ask him if he was tired. "Oh yes, sir!" he replied, touching his fur cap, "I will be sure to take care of him."