My uncle told him that we
had sailed from the River Thames, and were bound for the same plane
by the way of Jamaica, where we intended to take in a lading of
sugar.
Having satisfied himself in these and other particulars about the
state of the war, he gave us to understand, that he had a longing
desire to revisit his native country, in consequence of which he
had already transmitted to Europe the greatest part of his fortune
in neutral bottoms, and would willingly embark the rest of it with
himself in our ship, provided the captain had no objection to such
a passenger. My uncle very prudently replied, that for his part he
should be glad of his company, if he could procure the consent of
the governor, without which he durst not take him on board, whatever
inclination he had to oblige him. The gentleman approved of his
discretion, and telling him that there would be no difficulty in
obtaining the connivance of the governor, who was his good friend,
shifted the conversation to another subject.
I was overjoyed to hear his intention, and already interested myself
so much in his favour that, had he been disappointed, I should have
been very unhappy. In the course of our entertainment, he eyed me
with uncommon attachment, I felt a surprising attraction towards
him; when he spoke, I listened with attention and reverence; the
dignity of his deportment filled me with affection and awe; and,
in short, the emotions of my soul, in presence of this stranger,
were strong and unaccountable.
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