Part 7 (2/2)

”Mammy,” I said, feeling very doubtful how I could best prepare her for meeting her son. ”You remember the commission you gave me, I did my best to execute it. I asked all the people I met if they knew Cheebo.”

”Ah, you no hear of him,” said Mammy, with a sigh.

”I did not say that,” I answered. ”Mammy, you believe that G.o.d hears your prayers.”

”Yes, Ma.s.sa Harry, I am sure He does,” she said, and then it seemed to flash across her that I had something of interest to communicate about her son.

”You hear of Cheebo, he become Christian, oh say dat, Ma.s.sa Harry, say dat.”

”Yes, Mammy,” I answered, taking her hand, ”I not only heard of him, but I have seen him; and, Mammy, do you think the joy would not be too much for you if I were to tell you that I hope you will see him too?”

”Oh, he is come! he is come!” exclaimed Mammy.

I made a sign to my sisters to remain with our old nurse, whispering to Mary that I was going to bring up her long lost son. I hurried down stairs, and found that Emily had already invited Jack and his companion into the house. I led Paul to the door, and my sisters slipping out; we left the old woman and her son together.

And now it is time that I should bring my yarn to a conclusion. Jack seemed to find Liverpool a very delightful place; and perhaps it may account for his so doing, when I say that before he went away he asked my sister Mary to marry him. She did not refuse. Soon afterwards he got his promotion, which he well deserved for his activity and zeal during his long service on the African coast.

Through the interest of the captain of the ”Triton” I got appointed to a man-of-war brig on that station, where, being pretty well up to the tricks of the slavers, I was instrumental in capturing a number of vessels, and a.s.sisting to put down the abominable slave trade. As a good deal of prize money came into my pocket, I had the gratification of sending home considerable sums to my sisters. Mammy's joy, when she found that not only had her son become a Christian, but that her husband had accepted the truth, was full. She willingly parted with Paul when she heard of his wish to become a missionary of the gospel. He returned to Sierra Leone, and after remaining a short time there, went on to Abeokuta, to labour with others in spreading the glad tidings of salvation among the dark-skinned sons of Africa.

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