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Henty, G. A. (George Alfred), 1832-1902

"By Sheer Pluck, a Tale of the Ashanti War"

So I came across the Atlantic,
and stopped a little while on de coast, for I had pretty nigh
forgotten de language ob de country. When I got it back again I
started up for dis place, wid plenty ob goods and presents.
"I had hard work at fust to get de people to know me. It war nigh
forty year since I had gone away, but at last some ob de ole people
remember me, dat I was de son ob de chief. As I had plenty goods,
and dey did not like de man dat was here, dey made me chief in
my fader's place. I told dem dat I no accept de place unless dey
promise to behave bery well, to mind what I said to dem, and to
listen to my words; but dat if they do dat I gibe dem plenty goods,
I make dem comfortable and happy, and I teach dem de way ob de
Lord. Dey agree to all dis.
"I find de slave trade now all at an end, and dat de people not fight
often now. Still, de twenty muskets dat I bring make de people of
oder villages respec' us very much. Dey come ober to see de village.
Dey see dat de houses are comfortable, dat de gardens are bery
well cultivated, dat de people are well dressed, not like common
nigger, dat dey are happy and contented. Dey see dat dey no believe
in fetish any more, but dat ebery ebening when de work is ober, dey
gadder under de big tree and listen for half an hour while I read
to dem and den sing a hymn.


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