356 IKinas of tbe 1Rofc, IRffle, anb 6un 



" Time went on," to continue the story in Oswell's 

 own words, which cannot be improved upon ; " I was 

 obliged to return to England. John accompanied me to 

 the Cape. I told him in part how I valued his services, 

 and asked him if I could in any way repay my debt of 

 gratitude. I had taught him to read in the bush, but 

 that was the only good I had ever done him. His 

 answer came, after some hesitation. He had heard so 

 much of England that he should like of all things to go 

 with me there. Two days later we were on board ship 

 together. He, as usual, was everything to everybody 

 helping the steward, attending the sick ladies, nursing 

 the babies ; the idol of the sailors, to whom he told 

 stories of bush life, the adored of the nurses. John, with 

 all his virtues, was a flirt the admirer and admired of 

 all womankind. On arriving in England, I left him in 

 London and went down to my brother's. He hesitated 

 about my henchman, thinking a real live black man 

 would hardly suit the household of a country clergyman. 

 But his coachman fell sick. Could John drive? I 

 should think so. He was the best eight-in-hander in 

 Capetown. Down he came, and in half an hour he 

 was perfectly established in the family. My brother 

 declared that he never had such a coachman, and was 

 very kind to him, timidly at first. The cook taught him 

 writing, the lady's-maid went on with his reading. I shall 

 not forget meeting him with the two women, one on 

 each arm, chatting with them in the most accomplished 

 style. His stay in England was limited to six months, 

 as we had agreed, and he went back to the Cape with a 

 friend of mine, who wrote most highly of him. 



