82 THE HANDSOME BLACK TIMBO. 



earth." At last he was sold as a slave to the Portuguese, 

 but after a while effected his escape. His liberty, however, 

 was of short duration, for he was soon recaptured, and put 

 on board a slaver. Fortunately, the vessel fell into the 

 hands of an English cruiser, and Timbo, together with a great 

 number of slaves, was brought to the Cape and liberated. 



Though of a shining dark complexion, Timbo was a re- 

 markably fine-looking man, and well formed. He bore the 

 reputation of being a complete lady-killer, not only with 

 those of his own color, but also among the European "fair 

 sex." He had, therefore, no great difficulty in securing a 

 partner. His choice, however, seems to have been unfortu- 

 nate ; for, on his return after eighteen months' absence, he 

 found that his faithless spouse had not only deserted him for 

 another, but had also carried off with her nearly the whole 

 of his hard-earned wages. On asking him one day whether 

 he had any intention of again marrying, he replied in his 

 strange ^a^o?^, "No, maser; me no more marry; women too 

 great rascals in the Kaap !" 



But it was not only of a handsome face and good figure 

 that Timbo could boast, for he possessed, in addition, many 

 excellent qualities, such as even temper, generosity, honesty, 

 prudence, industry ; and, like our cook, he was sincere in his 

 attachment to the interest of his employer. With Galton 

 and myself he was a great favorite. He possessed, moreover, 

 the most cheerful disposition, and an inexhaustible store of 

 fun. I was, indeed, never tired of listening to his tales, for 

 he told them with such force and simplicity that it was im- 

 possible not to be pleased and amused. 

 . When reproached for any thing of which he knew himself 

 to be innocent, he would lay his hand on his breast and say, 

 "No, maser ; me know dat, me tell you." Or, "No, maser; 

 me heart know that, me heart reproach me, and me tell 

 you." 



Timbo had a wonderful aptitude for languages ; but, though 



