The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African: Written By HimselfEquiano, Olaudah
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The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African: Written By Himself
Equiano, Olaudah
Enslaved persons -- Great Britain -- Biography; Enslaved persons -- United States -- Biography; Equiano, Olaudah, 1745-1797
Such a surprising reverse of fortune in so short a
space of time seemed like a dream to me, and proved no small
encouragement for me to trust the Lord in any situation. My captain
afterwards frequently used to take my part, and get me my right, when
I have been plundered or used ill by these tender Christian
depredators; among whom I have shuddered to observe the unceasing
blasphemous execrations which are wantonly thrown out by persons of
all ages and conditions, not only without occasion, but even as if
they were indulgences and pleasure.
At one of our trips to St. Kitt's I had eleven bits of my own; and my
friendly captain lent me five bits more, with which I bought a Bible.
I was very glad to get this book, which I scarcely could meet with any
where. I think there was none sold in Montserrat; and, much to my
grief, from being forced out of the Ætna in the manner I have related,
my Bible, and the Guide to the Indians, the two books I loved above
all others, were left behind.
While I was in this place, St. Kitt's, a very curious imposition on
human nature took place:--A white man wanted to marry in the church a
free black woman that had land and slaves in Montserrat: but the
clergyman told him it was against the law of the place to marry a
white and a black in the church. The man then asked to be married on
the water, to which the parson consented, and the two lovers went in
one boat, and the parson and clerk in another, and thus the ceremony
was performed. After this the loving pair came on board our vessel,
and my captain treated them extremely well, and brought them safe to
Montserrat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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