ABSTRACT
Dr. Homily, in imitation of his neighbours, and through a want of white servants, kept half a dozen black slaves in his house, to manage his land and discharge / every menial office; but they were treated with so much gentleness and affection, that they thought themselves relatives rather than servants, joint proprietors of the land, rather than like the beasts of burden on it. Among the rest was Sancho, who waited on his person, accompanied him in his rides, and was now about twenty-five years of age, many of which he had spent in the Doctor’s service. He was a native of Bermudas, an expert sailor and fisherman, and as active in swimming as if the sea had been his element. His former master had parted with him from a quarrel, which the Doctor often related as an instance of Sancho’s simplicity.
