X792, Zimeo, a tale. 2(> 



Wilraot afsembled his slaves. " My friends," said he, 

 " there are arms ; if I have been a hard master to you, use 

 them against me*-, but if I have behaved to you as an affec- 

 tionate father, take them and afsist me in defending my 

 wife and ray children." The negroes seized upon the arms, 

 and swore they would die in his defence, and in the de- 

 fence of those that were dear to him. 



Amongst his slaves there was one named FranciscOj 

 whom a friend of Wilmot's called Filmer, had found 

 abandoned on the fliore of a Spanifh colony ; he had been 

 barbarously manned, and one of his legs was newly cut 

 off j a young negro woman was employed in stopping the 

 blopd, and in weeping the inefficacy of her cares. She 

 had beside her a child but a few days old. They belonged 

 to a Spaniard, who had taken this revenge on the negro, 

 for abetting Marianne, the woman, in her rejection of some 

 dishonourable proposals which her master had made to her, 

 Filmer purchased them of the Spaniard, who pretended that 

 lie had thus treated the negro, because he had surprised 

 him performing the abominable ceremonies of the religion 

 of Benin. Wilmot received them of his friend, who now 

 also lived in his family. Marianne became the favourite 

 of his wife ; and Francisco, by his good sense and his 

 knowledge of agriculture, acquired the confidence of Wil- 

 mot, and the esteem of every one. 



This man came to his master at the beginning of the night. 

 " The chief of the blacks," says he, "is a native of Benin-, 

 he adores the great Orifsa, the Lord of life, and the Father 

 of mankind •, he must, therefore, be guided by justice and 

 benevolence : He comes, to punifti the enemies of the chil- 

 - dren of Orifsa ; but you who have consoled them in thei? 

 misery, he will respect. Let him know by one of out 

 brethren of Benin, how you have treated your slr.ves, and 

 vou will sec those wirvicrs f.re tlieir ciulkets in tlie air,^ 



