Page:The Black Prince (John Naimbanna).djvu/11

( 11 ) seemed to have decided the question in favour of the second; he declared himself ready, however to make a sacrifice of his feeling should it appear right to keep the first in preference.

In about a year and a half after his arrival in England he could read fluently, (though at first, he knew little of the English tongue) and could write a letter. He had also made himself acquainted with common arithmetic, and the first elements of mathematics, and had besides embibed much general knowledge.

While he thus went on improving, the news of his father's death reached England, and called him suddenly to Sierra Leone. He felt much anxiety when he was on the eve of returning, from the variety of new duties which the deplorable state of his country seemed to lay upon him. He was very desirous that his future conduct might not discredit his new religion; and it appeared to those with whom he conversed, that there was no personal sacrifice which he was not ready to make for the sake of Christianity. To have the honour of becoming himself a teacher of it, seemed to be the summit of his wishes.

In the month of June, 1793, he embarked on board of one of the Sierra Leone Company's vessels, called from him, the Naimbanna, after having taken an affectionate leave of his friends in England.

During the passage, his mind was almost constantly employed in pondering over those difficulties which he thought he should have to combat on his return to Africa, and in devising means of overcoming them. Numberless were the plans which he formed for the purpose of spreading the light of