Tales of the Colonies (Volume 1); The Island. Sablegrove

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1830. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. Gerald had for some days been looking for an individual calculated to assist him in the execution of any plans which he might form, but without success. He found no opportunity of addressing any of the negroes in private, besides being unwilling to run the risk of confiding in persons so completely under the influence and control of Mr. Marnledge and the overseer. All the domestics at Sablegrove were either very young or very old, and, therefore, incapable of making themselves useful to Gerald, however much they might be inclined to do so. Many a time, both on the estate and in the house, had he been on the point of asking one of the slaves to carry a letter, secretly, to the nearest European resident, or to conduct him to the abode of such; but prudence had hitherto always checked him, lest his having made a proposal of the kind should come to the knowledge of Mr. Marnledge, and be the means of making him redouble his vigilance, to prevent communication with any place beyond Sablegrove. One morning, while in this state of hesitation and uncertainty, he received a summons from Mr. Marnledge to attend him in private. The latter, at first, made some inquiries relative to what was going on upon the plantation, and then addressed Gerald thus: -- I perceive, Mr. Berens, that your present situation is not congenial to your taste; and how should it be so, considering that you arrived in the country with very flattering prospects? Now, I am anxious to improve your lot, and indeed to put you, as it were, upon a level with myself; but this cannot be done, unless you willingly accede to the conditions which I shall immediately propose to you. Pardon my interrupting you, returned Gerald, but you seem entirely to mistake my views. My residence here, i...