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when we are obliged to confess, that in all nations there are too many individuals who deserve those epithets.

7. The seeds of humanity and good sense were so strongly implanted in the mind of Mendez, that neither example nor argument could prevail on him to look upon slaves in any other light than as men; and, as men in misfortune, he concluded they had a right to his attention and regard. Sentiments like these could not fail of producing their effect. With pleasure he saw that those poor people, whom fortune had placed under his command, were possessed of hearts capable of glowing with the sincerest gratitude for the smallest indulgence-indulgences which their hard lot had taught them how to value; and they, on the contrary, inured to and expecting severe usage, almost adored the man who treated them in so different a manner, and whose benevolence seemed to be interested in all their little concerns.

8. Love and gratitude wrought more powerfully among his slaves, than the fear of punishment ever does among those who are subjected to masters less intelligent and humane. No punishment was ever heard of amongst them but one, and that appeared so dreadful, that it was more than sufficient to keep the most refractory in awe. This was no less than a dismission from his service; and they who were incapable of judging of any thing else, could yet readily perceive the disadvantage of exchanging his service for that of another.

9. Mendez had occasion to increase the number of his slaves: be repaired to the usual market at Lima, purchased as many as he intended, and was passing by the rest, when he heard the strokes of a whip at a small distance. He turned and observed a Spaniard who was severely lashing a Peruvian, who seemed to be between fifty and sixty years of age. This sight, though afflicting to Mendez, was too common to have engaged his particular attention, if the behaviour of the sufferer had not been too remarkable to be overlooked.

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10. He regarded his tormentor with a kind of fixed contempt, that seemed to absorb his other ideas, and, at least to appearance, rendered him insensible even of pain. friend,' said Mendez to the Spaniard, what has the man done, that you must punish him in the market-place?" He will not acknowledge me his master,' replied the Spaniard, overbeated with rage, and the diabolical exercise he had been at, he does not deserve to live. I will let you know,' continued he, turning to the slave, whose calm intrepidity added fuel to his passion, I will let you know that all men

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were not born free, and that dogs like you ought to rejoice to serve.'

11. The slave took no other notice than by a smile, so sarcastic, that the Spaniard could not but feel his inferiority to the very man whom he was loading with injuries. Is he to be sold?' demanded Mendez-' Yes, if any body will buy him,' replied the other, but he so contrives to give such saucy and impertinent answers to all who speak to him, that though I have brought him here three successive market days, I stand no more chance of selling him than at first.' • What are his faults,' demanded Mendez, that you are so particularly intent upon selling him?? Why, to tell you the truth,' answered the Spaniard, he is a very good slave, and can do very well if he will; but he is not broke to servitude and slavery yet, and I do not like the trouble, that is all; so, if you like him, you shall have him a bargain.'

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12. Mendez then accosted the slave, and asked him if he was willing to serve him. • To serve you!' replied the slave, in a tone in which surprise and derision were united ; willing to serve me? God and nature have made us equal: why should I become your slave? I must submit to force; but never, never will I consent to serve the detested race of those who overthrew the Incas, my progenitors. Oh, Atabalipa! and ye immortal shades who now reside in bliss with the sun your father, hear me, ye renowned spirits! I pant to be with you, that I may see in the Book of Fate the plagues, the tenfold curses, that are preparing for the perfidious and bloodthirsty Spaniards! May the swift vengeance of heaven overtake them, and exterminate the devoted race!'

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13. Mendez shuddered with horrour at his imprecation, but, notwithstanding, interrupted him. If, as you say, you must submit to force, you must consent that the man who calls himself your master, do transfer his right to me. haps the change may be to your advantage; worse it can scarcely be.' So saying, he paid the Spaniard his demand, and delivered Harmona, for that was the name of the slave, in charge to his servants, to be taken home among his other

servants.

14. Mendez dined that day at the Viceroy's, and stayed rather late; but the next morning he ordered Harmona to be brought to him. He entered, and Mendez commanded his servants to retire. Harmona,' said he, I was yesterday apprized of your unhappy fortune, by a gentleman at the Viceroy's, who informed me that you were the chief of a party of

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Indians at war with us, and that your company had been Wken prisoners, and publicly sold.

15. I have long been of opinion that, by mild methods, your clans might be brought to think better of the Spaniards in general, and that a mutual treaty of amity would tend much to promote the welfare of both nations. But private opinion, and private influence, can avail but little against general customs and prejudices, however ill-founded: yet, though I can but little promote the general good, it is a pleasure, a happiness to me, when an opportunity occurs of alleviating the distresses of particulars. From this instant you are free. Consider yourself as no longer in slavery.'

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16. Description is unequal to the task of conveying an adequate idea of Harmona's look and appearance, while Mendez was speaking. He seemed the statue of amazement; and when Mendez was silent, he appeared as if he had just awoke from a dream. Is it possible,' exclaimed he, the tear of affection stealing down his cheek, is it possible that a Spaniard can think and feel for the woes of a Peruvian? Have they sympathetic hearts? Ah, no! it cannot be! Heaven, to show that nothing is beyond its power, has formed one benevolent and humane! Forgive me, then, ye illustrious shades! ye mighty dead! if I forget your wrongs, and love that one Spaniard !'

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17. Hear me, Harmona,' interrupted Mendez, mankind is every where the same; the bad are intermixed with the good, and their number is but too considerable; yet we are not thence to conclude that all are bad. It was unhappy for Peru and Mexico, that the Spaniards who conquered them, were destitute of humanity; but, believe me, the rest of the nation hold them in detestation and abhorrence; lay aside your prejudices, and permit me to assure you, that there are hundreds amongst us, who would be glad to do you that good office you so much admire in me.'

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18. The mind of the Peruvian was open to conviction, and he acquiesced in the sentiments of Mendez. He staid at Lima a short time, and then became impatient to return to his own Country. Mendez offered to provide him with conveniences for the journey, but he would accept of nothing more than a Peruvian habit, with a fowling piece and some ammunition. Farewell!' said he, taking his benefactor by the hand, I shall never see you again, but I shall always remember you with love and gratitude. The infants of our nation shall lisp your name, and it shall be repeated to our venerable fathers, when we sacrifice at the Rock of Morsan.' He parted, with a heart sur

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charged with affection, and left Mendez to the enjoyment of that satisfaction, which arises from the exercise of virtue.

19. At the beginning of the following year, Mendez was at his country house near Cusco. One morning, as he was riding alone through the vast tract of wood, which covers the foot of the Andes, he strayed beyond his usual limits, and found himself in a grove, the beauty of which enchanted him. The eye was captivated with a profusion of vivid plants, unknown to colder climates: the orange, plantain, and the beauteous anana, diffused an enlivening fragrance; and at a distance, through the trees, appeared a cascade, which, after foaming over a rocky descent, was precipitated into a lake below. The sublime and beautiful were united in this pleasing scene, and Mendez felt his affection expand to the immense Author of Nature. That animating enthusiasm of which great minds alone are capable, that admits the soul as it were, into an immediate converse with the Deity, had taken possession of his faculties.

O thou, immortal source of loveliness,

How shall I speak thy praise! thou great perfection!
How infinite! beyond that narrow grasp

Of all created being-The universe,

The vast expanded frame of animation,

All, all united, never can express

Thy boundless attributes! For thou thyself,

Thou only know'st, and canst declare thy praise !

20. As Mendez repeated these lines, ten armed Peruvians rushed out of a thicket and seized him. They immediately killed his mule, and threw the carcass into the lake; and after tying the hands of Mendez, they led him away in triumph, through a variety of passes, into the inmost recesses of the mountains. They travelled till evening, when they at length arrived at a cultivated plain of about four leagues in circumference, which was quite environed with lofty mountains. The tribes came forth to meet them. They testified their joy at an accident which afforded a captive Spaniard to sacrifice at the tomb of Quimato. They led him with shouts and clamours to their temple. It was a rude edifice, built with stones of an enormous magnitude. The unhappy Mendez was stretched upon the altar; and the priest, with a ferocious and malignant joy, prepared the fatal knife.

21. Wretch!' said the hoary murderer, now shalt thou feel some of those intolerable pangs which thy accursed race have inflicted on the children of the sun; now shall thy sinews shrink from the scorching flames, and thy flesh quiver beneath

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the deep inflicted wound of the sharp flint and oh, ye murdered heroes of Peru, ye illustrious descendants of our holy Incas, regard propitious this instance of remembrance we pay to your sufferings and wrongs! Teach me, for ye have wofully experienced, to torture this dæmon, this Spaniard: inspire me with tenfold hatred and revenge, that I may make a sacrifice grateful to your souls, and worthy the injuries ye have patiently endured.'

22. The cry of revenge ran through the multitude. The very children caught the wild anguish and enmity of their pa rents, whilst the priest renewed the memory of their forefathers, and only waited his signal with their brands to kindle the devouring flame.

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23. And now an awful silence reigned through the crowd; the mothers held up their babes to behold the blood of the Spaniard sprinkled on the walls of their temple: the arm of the executioner was raised; nay it was even descending, when a voice, in the piercing accents of distress, broke through the stillness of the people, and cried, Stop, Yepedo! rash man, forbear!' It was the voice of Harmona, the voice of their chief. He had heard the shouts of the Peruvians: he hastened to dis cover the cause. He rejoiced to see a Spaniard extended on the altar of Morsan, and ran to assist at the sacrifice. He approached he started-he beheld the face of Mendez his benefactor, his deliverer, and his soul sunk within at his danger. Stop!' he cried, Yepedo! rash man, forbear!' and flung his intervening body to shelter his extended, beloved friend.

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24. Who can describe the visage of Harmona, when he rais ed the rescued Mendez from the earth! Who can tell the gratitude of the Peruvians, when he gave him to them as his deliverer from the rude hands of tyranny, and from the disgraceful whip! 'It is Mendez,' said Harmona, my brethren, it is my friend, the friend of man, and of the Peruvians! He delivered me from bondage, and from death, and sent me to my kindred and my people.'

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25. The name of Mendez, the deliverer of Harmona, was known among the tribes; they were struck with horrour at the murderous act of ingratitude they had almost perpetrated; they fell prostrate at his feet, and with wild anguish begged his forgiveness: they rose, admired, loved, and adored him.

28. Mendez remained a few days with the Indians, who, finding his manners and principles so different from the idea which they had entertained of the Spaniards, were glad to acquiesce in every thing he thought proper to offer for their

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