ld join our companions. We were forthwith marched off
to a field where several natives were already at work. Apparently it
belonged to the old chief, for he sat on a raised spot at the further
end, under an awning, watching the proceedings with a complacent air
which especially excited Pember's wrath. When, also, at times the old
mate relaxed in his labours, a dark-skinned fellow with a turban on his
head, who seemed to act the part of an overseer, made him quickly resume
them by an unmistakable threatening gesture. Thus we were kept at work
till late in the evening, when we were all allowed to knock off and go
back to our hut, where a larger amount of food than usual was awarded
us. Next day we were called up at early dawn, and the hoes again were
put into our hands. Sometimes the overseer, and sometimes one of the
other men, came and showed us how to use them. All day long we were
kept at work with the exception of a short time, when we were allowed to
rest and take some food which was brought to us in the fields. We could
no longer enjoy any hopes of regaining our liberty. It seemed as if we
were destined to be turned into slaves, and to be worked as hard as any
negroes in the West India plantations. At first Pember was very
miserable, but abstinence from his usual liquor at length, I think, did
him good, and he grew fatter and stronger than he had been since I first
knew him. Still he persisted that he was dying, and should never again
see the shores of England. The rest of us did our best to keep up our
spirits, Esse and I told stories to each other, and formed plans for
escaping. Some of them were very ingenious, and more or less hazardous;
most, in reality, utterly impracticable, because, not knowing where we
were, and having no means of getting away from the coast, even had we
made our way to the shore, we should very soon have been brought back
again. I might spin a long yarn about our captivity, but I do not think
it would be interesting. Our days were monotonous enough, considering
we were kept at the same work from sunrise to sunset. What a glorious
feeling is hope! Hope kept us alive, for in spite of every difficulty
we hoped, some time or other, to escape. At length one day as we were
working, the old chief as usual looking on, a stranger arrived, and,
going up to where he was seated, made a salaam before him. After a
palaver of some minutes, which I could not help thinking had reference
t