replied that he was sure all
our people would have refused to have deserted the poor blacks, even if
he had proposed so cruel a proceeding to them. We husbanded to the
utmost the provisions we had brought from the brig; though, divided
among all the people, there was scarcely more than enough to sustain
life for a day. Still, not a seaman grumbled. Far from so doing, he
willingly shared his own scanty allowance with any negro who appeared
more particularly to require sustenance. It was amusing to see the
weather-beaten, thick-bearded men carrying about the little black
children, whose mothers were too weak to bring them on deck.

Though these Africans had hitherto been taught, with good reason, to
look upon white men as incarnations of devils, they began to consider
our gallant fellows as something approaching to angels; and, like
savages in general, always in extremes, they were ready now to worship
us. Providentially the easterly wind continued, and the sea remained
calm, so that we made very good way, and were able to keep the leak
under. It was with a sense of deep gratitude that we at length made the
land, when we had not a drop of water remaining, and with scarcely food
enough to sustain life for another day. We fondly believed that all our
troubles were over. The negroes shouted, and clapped their hands, and
laughed with joy: some of them fancied, I believe, that they had got
back to Africa. The next morning we dropped our anchor in the harbour
of Bahia. Waller proposed to get the schooner repaired, to take in a
supply of provisions, and to return to Sierra Leone, intending, if
necessary, to bear all the expenses himself. Now I am going to relate a
circumstance which may seem very strange, but is, nevertheless,
perfectly true. As soon as we brought up, Waller went on shore,
intending to report all that had occurred to the British Consul, and to
get his assistance in carrying out his intentions. I was in the
meantime left in charge on board. Waller had been gone a couple of
hours, and I was looking anxiously for his return, hoping that he would
bring some provisions and water, when, as I was walking the deck, I
observed three boats pulling off towards us. As they came near, I saw
that one of them contained several men in uniform. They stepped on
board without ceremony; and one of them presented a paper, in
Portuguese, which looked like an official document, though, of course, I
could not make it ou