Captain Pascal then sold Vassa to Captain James Doran. Captain Pascal also kept all of Vassa's prize money and wages, except for six pence during the war. He had also always implied that he would free Vassa, and had often told Vassa that he would instruct him in business. Captain Doran took Vassa to Montserrat and sold him on to Robert King, the island's most prominent merchant. Vassa was sold to King in May 1763. King paid Vassa 10 to 16 pence a week for up to 16 hours of hard labour. King had many boats which went about the island collecting merchandise to be shipped. Vassa rowed boats and helped to load merchandise, among other tasks. He also occasionally worked for King as a clerk, a personal valet and his horse groom. Vassa, ever enterprising and using opportunities available to him, put his wages towards trading. King was prevailed upon by the captain of one of his ships, the Nancy, to let Vassa sail with them and help on board. On these trips, Vassa bought products from Montserrat to sell abroad and brought back products on his return to sell in Montserrat. In 1766, he had saved enough to buy his freedom for the exact amount he had been sold: $£ 40$. His manumission was signed on 10 July 1766. As a free man, he was employed by King to continue sailing with his vessel for thirty-six shillings a month. They sailed from Montserrat to Saint Eustatius and then to Savannah, Georgia. On the return trip, the captain passed away and, as his mate was ill, Vassa replaced the captain, bringing the Nancy back safely to Montserrat.