 prisoner.
This story very much affected Mr. Ellison's compassionate heart; and in hopes of finding some method of relieving the distress of so worthy a man, he went the next day to the prison to visit him; and having undertaken to do his utmost, to bring the creditors to agree to what he had offered, he negociated the affair with great assiduity, but little success.
During the course of this transaction, having had many proofs of Mr. Hammond's integrity and humanity, he acquainted him

with his resolution of advancing the thousand pounds lent to his friend, and becoming himself that Gentleman's creditor; assuring Mr. Hammond that he should never ask for the payment, but suffer his friend to suit his own convenience in that respect.
He then told Mr. Hammond, that he was sensible, though by this step he might deliver him from prison, yet he should not secure him from distress; he therefore begged leave to assist him in any course of life wherein he thought proper to engage; adding, that he could not but wish he might accept the offer he now made him of taking upon himself the direction of his plantation and slaves, as he delayed his removal into England only till he could find a fit person for his steward.
Mr. Hammond's heart overflowed with gratitude, as well for the transfer of the debt of the thousand pounds, as for the kind offer he made him. The care of the land, he said, would give him pleasure, and he believed he might acquit himself tolerably well

in it, but he knew himself totally unfit for the government of slaves, the severities requisite to keep them in order being such, as he was not only incapable of decreeing, but even of beholding.
Mr. Ellison, delighted with the sentiments he had expressed, as they confirmed him in that opinion of his disposition, which had first inspired him with the desire of leaving him his deputy when he should depart the island, told him, that the difficulties he had been under in finding a steward, were occasioned by the fears of having his slaves ill treated, who had always been used by him more like children than servants, and had convinced him by their behaviour, that severity was not only unnecessary, but hurtful. He desired Mr. Hammond therefore, if he had no other objection to the stewardship, to go home with him, and after sufficient observation to give him his answer.
Mr. Hammond readily acquiesced. When he saw Mr. Ellison's conduct to his slaves,

and how great the difference
