The groom, however, was highly indignant that a vile neger boy should be committed to his care: "Did they fancy he would let a black get between his sheets? No, indeed; there was the hay-loft, the stable-boy should pull him a truss of straw in the corner there: surely that would be a better bed than most negers got. Sleep with me, indeed; no, I'd lose my place first, and tis'n't a bad one, neither. Had they told me to take Cæsar the house-dog, or Neptune the Newfoundlander, I should not have so much have minded; but a neger boy! surely my master was half-seas over to think of it." This, and much more of the same refined objection, passed in the kitchen of ---- Penryn, esq. and, according to the groom's kind arrangement, Samboe was indulged with some clean straw in the stable-loft.
The children of oppression and calamity quickly sympathize; a kindred feeling draws them together: thus it was with Samboe the African, and Frank the English stable boy. An orphan from his cradle, and a parish apprentice, Frank had been early subjected to every oppression--exposed to every temptation; but a certain buoyancy of spirit, and a persevering ardour of mind, enabled him to rise above the one; and the latter was rendered less dangerous, by his constant, unremitted love of employment. He was busily engaged mending his shoes, when his master, the groom, introduced the young negro to his acquaintance. "There, Frank," he said, "there is a companion for you, my lad; take care he don't touch the horses, and mind he don't run away. Lock him up when you come in for your supper: you may offer him some, but I don't know what negers eat, I'm sure. Master should have told us that, I think, for I don't expect they live as we do. Eh! my lad, do ye mind me?" he added, with a raised voice, as he saw Frank take the hand of the timid Samboe, and ask him if he was tired. "Oh yes, sir!" he replied, touching his fur cap, "I will be sure to take care of him."
Glad to get quit of the restraint which the charge imposed upon him, the groom was in high good humour with Frank, and promised, if he would attend to his orders, he would give him a shilling. Astonished at his unwonted generosity, Frank repeated his assurances; and having made his new companion understand that he desired to make him comfortable, with the happy facility of children to be so when left to themselves, they quickly became acquainted. Frank found that negers could eat good bread and fresh meat; that they had no objection to tarts; and that even a custard, given by the cook as a treat to merry Frank, was equally relished by the neger boy. After this luxurious repast, during which, if it was not the "feast of reason and the flow of soul," there was, most unquestionably, innate benevolence on one side, and genuine gratitude on the other, the new-made friends sought repose on the same clean truss of straw, and together enjoyed the refreshment of "nature's sweet restorer." Not long, however, after they had thus lain down, Frank was roused from his yet imperfect slumber, by a slight rustling and a low voice, very near him. He spoke gently to his new bed-fellow, but received no reply. Frank had that tincture of superstition which usually attaches to the ignorant and uncultivated; and the unusual sound, his new situation, and the profound darkness, aided the impression; while a thought of the little negro became associated with the recollection of several marvellous ghost-stories he had heard. He ventured, however, (not without considerable reluctance,) to feel if his sable companion was by his side, and discovered, to his amazement, that he was not there. The murmur still continued, and Frank, trembling all over him, made a desperate effort, and called lustily, "Samboe, Samboe!" "Samboe here," replied the boy, in a soft and gentle tone; "Samboe here, but wicked boy."