express’d a great desire to see it, and ask’d if I might:  She told me she would go up with me; she was sure I should be very welcome.  She was as good as her word, and as soon as we enter’d the room, the person that was weaving look’d about, and smiled upon us, and I loved her from that moment.—­She ask’d me many questions, and I in turn talk’d a great deal to her.  I found she was a member of Mr. Allen’s Meeting, and I begun to entertain a good opinion of her, though I was almost afraid to indulge this inclination, least she should prove like all the rest I had met with at Portsmouth, &c. and which had almost given me a dislike to all white women.—­But after a short acquaintance I had the happiness to find she was very different, and quite sincere, and I was not without hope that she entertain’d some esteem for me.  We often went together to hear Dr. Gifford, and as I had always a propensity to relieve every object in distress as far as I was able, I used to give to all that complain’d to me; sometimes half a guinea at a time, as I did not understand the real value of it.—­This gracious, good woman took great pains to correct and advise me in that and many other respects.

After I had been in London about six weeks I was recommended to the notice of some of my late Master Mr. Freelandhouse’s acquaintance, who had heard him speak frequently of me.  I was much persuaded by them to go to Holland.—­My Master lived there before he bought me, and used to speak of me so respectfully among his friends there, that it raised in them a curiosity to see me; particularly the Gentlemen engaged in the Ministry, who expressed a desire to hear my experience and examine me.  I found that it was my good old Master’s design that I should have gone if he had lived; for which reason I resolved upon going to Holland, and informed my dear friend Mr. Whitefield of my intention; he was much averse to my going at first, but after I gave him my reasons appeared very well satisfied.  I likewise informed my Betty (the good woman that I have mentioned above) of my determination to go to Holland and I told her that I believed she was to be my Wife:  that if it was the LORD’s Will I desired it, but not else.—­She made me very little answer, but has since told me, she did not think it at that time.

I embarked at Tower-wharf at four o’clock in the morning, and arriv’d at Amsterdam the next day by three o’clock in the afternoon.  I had several letters of recommendation to my old master’s friends, who receiv’d me very graciously.  Indeed, one of the chief Ministers was particularly good to me; he kept me at his house a long while, and took great pleasure in asking questions, which I answer’d with delight, being always ready to say, "Come unto me all ye that fear GOD, and I will tell what he hath done for my Soul." I cannot but admire the footsteps of Providence; astonish’d that I should be so wonderfully preserved!  Though the Grandson of a King, I have wanted bread, and should