Page 184 - Child's own book

A nfl now an ambassador arrived from the English settle­
ments with an account that all the conditions of (be treaty bad
been performed, and demanding the restitution of the prisoners*
Tbe Tartar chief was too much a man of honour to think of
delaying an instant, and they were all restored ; but before
they set out, Jack laboured with indefatigable zeal to finish a
rouplc of saddles, and a dozen of horso-shoes, which he pre­
sented fo the Khan with many expressions of gratitude. The
Khan was charmed with this proof of his affection, and in
return made him a present of a couple of fmc horses, and severa!
valuable skins of beasts. Jack arrived without any accident at
ihe English settlements, and selling his skins and horses, found
himself in possession of a moderate sum of money* He now
began to have a desire to return to England ; and one of the
officers who bad often been obliged t« him during his captivity,
procured him a discharge. Ho embarked, therefore, with all
his property^ on board a ship, and in a few months was safely
baided at Plymouth. Hut Jack was too active and too prudent
to give himself up to idleness. After considering various
.schemes of business, he determined to take up his old trade of
forging 5 and for that purpose made a journey into the north,
and found his old master alive, and as active as ever. His
master, who had always entertained ati esteem for Jack, wel­
comed him with great affection, and being in want of a fore­
man, engaged him* Jack was now indefatigable in his new
office : inflexibly honest, where the interest of his master was
concemcd, and at the same time humane and obliging to the
men who were under him. In a few years his master was so
thoroughly convinced of his merit, that, growing old himself,
he took Jack into partnership, and committed the management
of the whole business to his earc. He continued to exert the
same qualities now which he had done before, by which means