to give any account of himself, he was taken up as a fugitive slave, and put into prison.  While there, his behavior attracted more than common notice.  Besides a stateliness of bearing, and an air of self-importance, which shew that he could be no ordinary person, he was observed to use prostrations at regular periods of the day, and to repeat sentences with great solemnity and earnestness.  Curiosity attracted to the prison certain English merchants, among whom Mr. Thomas Bluet was the most inquisitive.  He was able, from an old negro, who was a Foulah,[1] and understood the language of Job, to obtain some information respecting his former condition and character.  These particulars were communicated to his master Tolsey, who had been apprized of his capture, and come to reclaim him.  In consideration, therefore, of what he had been, he not only forebore inflicting punishment on him for desertion, but treated him with great indulgence.  Having ascertained that Job had in his possession certain slips of a kind of paper, on which he wrote strange characters, he furnished him with some sheets of paper, and signified a wish that he should use it.  Job profited of his kindness, to write a letter to his father.  This was committed to Denton, to entrust to his captain on the first voyage which he should make to Africa; but he having sailed for England, it was sent enclosed to Mr. Hunt, at London.  When it arrived there, Captain Pyke was on his voyage to Africa.  Here, however, it was shewn to the Governor of the Royal African Company, and thus it “fell into the hands,” says my author, “of the celebrated Oglethorpe,[2] who sent it to the University of Oxford to be translated, as it was discovered to be written in Arabic.”  The information which it imparted of the disastrous fate of the writer, so awakened his compassion, that he engaged Mr. Hunt, by an obligation to refund all expenses, to have Job redeemed, and brought to England.  This was immediately attended to, and he was sent in the William, commanded by captain Wright, and in the same vessel was Mr. Bluet, who became so attached to him, that, on their landing, he went with him to London, where they arrived in April, 1733.  As he did not find Oglethorpe, who had gone to Georgia, Bluet took him to his own house at Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire.  There Job recommended himself by his manly and courteous behavior; and applied himself so diligently to learn the English language, that he was soon able to speak, and even write it with correctness.

[Footnote 1:  In the relation which I follow this appellation is written Pholey.]

[Footnote 2:  BLUET.]

In the mean time a letter was sent in his behalf by Oglethorpe to the African Company, requesting them to take up his obligation to Mr. Hunt, and to pay the expenses of his voyage and accommodation after his arrival; and to answer the bills of Mr. Bluet for his keeping and instruction, till he himself should return.  This was readily done, and his emancipation effected for forty pounds; and twenty pounds, bond and charges, were raised by subscription.