urtesy, sold our slaves
in a very few days, and could have put off five times the number at
our own price; though we were obliged to smuggle the rest of our
merchandise, consisting of European bale-goods, which however we made
shift to dispose of at a great advantage.

CHAPTER LXVI

I am invited to the Villa of a Spanish Don, where we went with an
English Gentleman, and make a very interesting discovery--we leave
Buenos Ayres, and arrive at Jamaica

Our ship being freed from the disagreeable lading of negroes, to whom,
indeed, I had been a miserable slave since our leaving the coast of
Guinea, I began to enjoy myself, and breathe with pleasure the pure
air of Paraguay, this part of which is reckoned the Montpelier of South
America, and has obtained, on account of its climate, the name of Buenos
Ayres. It was in this delicious place that I gave myself entirely up to
the thoughts of my dear Narcissa, whose image still kept possession
of my breast, and whose charms, enhanced by absence, appeared to my
imagination, if possible, more engaging than ever! I calculated the
profits of my voyage, which even exceeded my expectation; resolved to
purchase sinecure upon my arrival in England, and if I should find the
squire as averse to me as ever, marry his sister by stealth; and in case
our family should increase, rely on the generosity of my uncle, who was
by this time worth a considerable sum.

While I amused myself with these agreeable projects, and the
transporting thoughts of enjoying Narcissa, we were very much caressed
by the Spanish gentlemen, who frequently formed parties of pleasure
for our entertainment, in which we made excursions a good way into the
country. Among those who signalised themselves by their civility to us,
was one Don Antonio de Ribera, a very polite young gentleman, with whom
I had contracted an intimate friendship, who invited us one day to his
country house, and, as a further inducement to our compliance, promised
to procure for us the company of an English Signor, who had been settled
in those parts many years and acquired the love and esteem of the whole
province by his affability, good sense, and honourable behaviour.

We accepted his invitation, and set out for his villa, where we had not
been longer than an hour, when the person arrived in whose favour I had
been so much prepossessed. He was a tall man, remarkably well shaped, of
a fine mieu and appearance, commanding respect, and see