Page:History and adventures of Jack Mansong.pdf/15

15 the island. And we feel no hesitation in asserting that if every planter in Jamaica and the West Indies were to follow this humane example, it would not only tend to the increase of their own private wealth, but the good of this country at large ; and it is indisputably as easy for a master to gain the love of his slaves as their hatred.

One morning Mr. Chapman visited the apartment of his daughter, expecting to find her much recovered ; but what was his surprise to perceive her chamber window open a sheet slung out, and one end tied to the bed-post. Her clothes were on the floor. He was transfixed in amaze ; but perceiving a note lay on the table, he eagerly broke the seal, and read it‘s heart rending contents. It was as follows :

“ ,

Being no longer able to support an existence without the partner of my soul, my beloved Orford, I hope you will pardon this my first act of disobedience. The conflict between filial duty and love has been severe—but all powerful love has conquered. I am determined to search the mountains and find out this Jack ; this terror of our island—to try if he will give me him on whom my soul doats. Do not be uneasy on my account. If I find him not, I shall return and die in the arms of the best of fathers. I can with safety seek the cave of this robber, as I have been informed by those who speak from experience that he never will molest a female. Adieu, my dear father.

This imprudent step of Rosa's had nearly proved fatal to her father. He loved his daughter with the greatest affection, and a severe illness was the consequence of her flight.

Jack had now been near two years in the Blue