h
their white eyeballs rolling and mouths agape, gazed up at us, wondering
what was next to happen. There sat a hundred and fifty human beings
chained down to iron bars running across the deck--men and women of all
ages, their chins resting on their knees, without space to stretch out
their limbs, or to alter their position in any way; a rag round their
loins being their only covering. They were in good health, not having
been out many days; and there was a good supply of water and farina on
board. We did our best to make them understand that we were friends,
and would set them on shore again, and make them free, as soon as we
could.

During our examination of the schooner, we had discovered a number of
spare handcuffs. Jack Stretcher brought them from below, and threw them
on the deck, with a significant look at the Spaniards, who, in defiance
of orders, had made several attempts to come out on deck.

"I think if we was to clap 'em on to them Spanish lubbers, it wouldn't
be amiss, sir," said he to me, holding up a pair before me.

I mentioned the suggestion to Waller, who at length agreed that it would
be safe to follow it, taking one-half at a time, while the rest remained
in their berth under the forecastle. Jack received the necessary
orders.

"Ay, ay, sir," he answered. "Senhor Dons, understando, move forewardo
instanto, or I'll drive the pointo of my cutlasho into vostros
sternosos."

The prisoners understood his actions more than his words, for he fully
suited the one to the other, and they showed no inclination to dispute
them, he having evidently made them respect him, from his strength, and
the daring he had displayed on boarding. Some we confined forward--some
in the after-cabin; and most fortunate it was that we did so.

It was some time before all our arrangements were made. About an hour
before dark we tacked, to stand inshore again, Waller intending, should
we not fall in with the brig, to shape a course for Sierra Leone. We
tacked again about midnight; but when daylight came, not a sign was
there of the _Opossum_; and, accordingly, towards the above-mentioned
place we steered. We had the pinnace in tow; but we had taken the gun
out of her, and placed it amidships on the deck of the schooner.
Overcome with fatigue, Waller had thrown himself down aft, wrapped up in
his blanket, while I stood near him, with my eyes winking, and trying in
vain to be wide awake, when I was startled by the cry