d to pass. The
crew kept their eyes fixed on him as they pulled on. Now we rose to the
summit of a sea; now they stopped rowing; now again they urged the boat
forward, bending to their oars with might and main. On we dashed. The
waters foamed on either side. A huge sea came rolling up astern. Once
more we stopped and allowed it to break ahead of us. Again the helmsman
urged the crew to pull away. We dashed on, and the next instant rushed
up on the sandy shore. Some twenty or more blacks were there to receive
us, and dashing into the water, they seized the boat and dragged her up,
and before another sea broke we were high up on the beach. The crew
assisted us to run forward, Stanley helping Kate, while David took
little Bella in his arms, and sprang over the bows on to the sand. The
rest of us followed, Jack catching hold of Natty and Timbo of Leo, and
carrying them up out of reach of the water. I saw Senhor Silva putting
some money into the hands of the coxswain. "Now," he said, "we are on
shore, we must consult what is next to be done." Our clothing, and the
small amount of articles we had saved from the wreck, together with
numerous packages brought by Senhor Silva, were next handed out and
piled together high up on the beach. A little way off we saw a few huts
and a large barracoon, similar to those on the banks of the river from
which the slaves had been embarked. On the shore were hauled up a
number of canoes. Scarcely had we landed when a troop of slaves were
seen issuing from the barracoon, and led by their captors down to the
beach. Several were put on board the boat, which at once shoved off and
pulled for the schooner. The canoes were now launched, and in each a
dozen or more negroes were embarked. The boat passed through the surf
in safety; then one canoe followed, then another. The third had
scarcely left the shore when a huge sea came rolling in. We trembled
for the unhappy beings on board. Those who were paddling her must have
seen their danger; but their only hope of escape was to paddle on. It
was vain, however. The sea struck her, and in an instant over she went,
and all those on board were thrown into the raging surf. The crew,
accustomed to the water, struck out for their lives, swimming to the
nearest canoe ahead; but the unfortunate slaves, unable to swim, were
quickly engulfed. Some cried out for help; but others sank without a
struggle, perhaps glad thus to terminate their