e was no furnishing of any kind, but
all lay prone upon the bare deck in rows.

Every morning after breakfast the Kroomen would rig the force pump,
screw on the hose and drench them all, washing out thoroughly between
decks. They appeared to enjoy this, and it was cooling, for be it
remembered we were close under the equator, the thermometer dancing
about 90 deg. As the water was sluiced over them they would rub and
scrub each other. Only the girls would try not to get their hair wet,
for they were at all times particular about their headdress. It may be
that this was the only part of their toilet that gave them any concern.

The winds were baffling and light, so we made but slow progress.
Fortunately frequent rains, with sometimes a genuine tropical downpour
or cloud-burst, gave us an opportunity of replenishing our water casks,
and by spreading the awnings we were able to get a good supply. I found
on inspection that there were at least thirty days' provisions on board,
so on this score and that of water I felt easy. I lived on deck, seldom
using the cabin, which was a veritable arsenal, with racks of muskets
and cutlasses on two sides, many more than the captain needed to arm his
crew, evidently intended for barter. Two or three prints of his
favorite saints, ornamented with sharks' teeth, hung on one bulkhead. A
well-thrummed mandolin and a number of French novels proved him to be
a musical and literary fellow, who could probably play a bolero while
making a troublesome slave walk a plank. I found also some choice
vintages from the Douro and Bordeaux snugly stowed in his spirit locker,
which proved good medicines for some of our captives, who required
stimulants. Several of the girls were much reduced, refused nearly all
food, and were only kept alive by a little wine and water. Two finally
died of mere inanition. Their death did not in the least affect their
fellows, who appeared perfectly indifferent and callous to all their
surroundings, showing not the least sympathy or desire to help or wait
on one another.

The fifth day after parting from the brig we encountered a tropical
storm. The sun rose red and angry, and owing to the great refraction
appeared three times its natural size. It climbed lazily to the zenith,
and at noon we were shadowless. The sky was as calm as a vault, and
the surface of the water was like burnished steel. The heat became so
stifling that even the Africans were gasping for breath, and