the island of Barbadoes: but when we reached it, there were found
out of the two hundred and sixty that sailed from Africa, not more
than two hundred alive. These were all sold, except for myself and
three more, to the planters there.

The vessel then sailed for Rhode Island, and arrived there after a
comfortable passage. Here my master sent me to live with one of his
sisters, until he could carry me to Fisher's Island, the place of his
residence. I had then competed my eighth year. After staying with
his sister some time I was taken to my master's place to live.

When we arrived at Narragansett, my master went ashore in order to
return a part of the way by land, and gave me the charge of the keys
of his trunks on board the vessel, and charged me not to deliver them
up to any body, not even to his father without his orders. To his
directions I promised faithfully to conform. When I arrived with my
master's articles at his house, my master's father asked me for his
son's keys, as he wanted to see what his trunks contained. I told him
that my master intrusted me with the care of them until he should
return, and that I had given him my word to be faithful to the trust,
and could not therefore give him or any other person the keys without
my master's directions. He insisted that I should deliver him the
keys, threatening to punish me if I did not. But I let him know that
he should not have them say what he would. He then laid aside trying
to get them. But notwithstanding he appeared to give up trying to
obtain them from me, yet I mistrusted that he would take some time
when I was off my guard, either in the day time or at night to get
them, therefore I slung them around my neck, and in the day concealed
them in my bosom, and at night I always lay with them under me, that
no person might take them from me without being apprized of it. Thus
I kept the keys from every body until my master came home. When he
returned he asked where VENTURE was. As I was then within hearing, I
came, said, here sir, at your service. He asked me for his keys, and
I immediately took them off my neck and reached them out to him. He
took them, stroked my hair, and commended me, saying in presence of
his father that his young VENTURE was so faithful that he would never
have been able to have taken the keys from him but by violence; that
he should not fear to trust him with his whole fortune, for that he
had been in his native place so