would terminate here; but could I have looked into futurity, I should
have perceiv'd that I had much more to suffer than I had before
experienc'd, and that they had as yet but barely commenc'd.

I was now more than a thousand miles from home, without a friend or any
means to procure one. Soon after I came to the merchant's house I heard
the drums beat remarkably loud, and the trumpets blow--the persons
accustom'd to this employ, are oblig'd to go upon a very high structure
appointed for that purpose, that the sound might be heard at a great
distance: They are higher than the steeples are in England. I was
mightily pleas'd with sounds so entirely new to me, and was very
inquisitive to know the cause of this rejoicing, and ask'd many
questions concerning it: I was answer'd that it was meant as a
compliment to me, because I was Grandson to the King of Bournou.

This account gave me a secret pleasure; but I was not suffer'd long to
enjoy this satisfaction, for in the evening of the same day, two of the
merchant's sons (boys about my own age) came running to me, and told me,
that the next day I was to die, for the King intended to behead me.--I
reply'd that I was sure it could not be true, for that I came there to
play with them, and to see houses walk upon the water with wings to
them, and the white folks; but I was soon inform'd that their King
imagined that I was sent by my father as a spy, and would make such
discoveries at my return home that would enable them to make war with
the greater advantage to ourselves; and for these reasons he had
resolved I should never return to my native country.--When I heard this
I suffered misery that cannot be described.--I wished a thousand times
that I had never left my friends and country.--But still the Almighty
was pleased to work miracles for me.